A system is provided to allow automated planning and scheduling of the work flow for reconfigurable production systems having a plurality of modules, with each module having alternative capabilities. The system includes a system controller, at least one planning function, and at least one scheduling function.

This invention relates generally to a system and method for planning and scheduling work flow and processes for reconfigurable production operations and equipment, which, depending upon the job, may be variably applied to work pieces that may be highly variable between different jobs.
Reconfigurable production systems increasingly consist of multiple parallel, alternative modules that are connected through flexible paths and even loops. Consequently, such systems are expected to offer a multitude of alternative operations (or capabilities) to produce the same outputs. For example, a modular printing system may consist of several identical, parallel printers connected through flexible paper paths that feed to and collect from these printers. The system control software available for such systems today has as its heart a sophisticated scheduling component, but is not set up to make good use of such a reconfigurable, parallel production system. This is primarily due to the lack of a generic, powerful planning component which would select the optimal sequence of operations among the plurality of available operations.
A reconfigurable production system may be modeled as a graph of connected modules, with each module described by a model of its structure and its capabilities. The structure is primarily the interface through with work units enter and exit, such as entry and exit ports, plus any internally used resources. A capability is an operation that accepts work units at entry ports, processes them, and moves them to exit ports. (Entry and exit ports here refer to mechanical interfaces, such as slots or trays, as well as computer interfaces. A port may serve as both entry and exit port.) Operation of such a system has been modeled as a sequence of capability executions as work units move along valid paths in the graph from module to module.
An example for a reconfigurable production system is a modular printer, with modules such as feeders, mark engines, paper transports, inverters, etc. There, the work units are sheets and images. A simple paper transport module has an entry port, an exit port, and a single capability, to move a sheet of paper from its entry port to its exit port. An inverter module has one entry port, one exit port, and two capabilities, one to invert a sheet of paper and one to bypass the inversion mechanism. A mark engine transfer module has two entry ports (one for sheets and one for images), one exit port (for marked sheets), and one capability, to print the image onto the sheet. A sample resource in all of these modules is the space occupied by the sheet, which may only be occupied by one sheet at a time. Other examples of reconfigurable production systems are assembly lines, for example for the assembly or packing of computer parts, and automated analytic systems, such as blood sample analysis machines. In these different production systems, work units may be sheets of paper, electronic files, computer parts, semiconductor wafers, blood sample trays, any parts or composites of these, or other physical or electronic objects being processed by production systems. Transport mechanisms may be conveyor belts or robotic arms or any other devices or functions for moving work units.
Module capabilities may be composed to system capabilities by incrementally unifying work unit and time variables of output and input events at connected modules along valid paths in the system graph. For example, if a module's exit port is connected to another module's entry port, any capability producing work units for the first module's exit port potentially can be composed with any capability consuming work units from the second module's entry port. Unification of work unit and time variables ensures the consistency of attribute and time constraints.
A scheduler for such systems receives a stream of jobs, each consisting of a sequence of desired work units to be produced at some final exit port of the system. Each desired work unit is described by a work unit variable with attribute constraints. This is used to select a suitable system capability that can produce the desired work unit by unifying the desired work unit variable with the work unit variables of system capabilities producing work units for the desired exit port. As system capabilities for the desired work units in the jobs are found, their time and resource constraints are posted to the constraint store, and the constraints are solved in order to find time values for the various module capabilities producing the desired work units. The selected module capabilities plus the time values are then sent to the modules so that they can execute the corresponding operations at the designated times.
This approach to system control does not have a real planning component. Instead, the controller selects the first system capability it can find and schedules that capability. Also, the selection requires that the output, such as the finisher where the job should be delivered, be specified. These restrictions are acceptable in some production systems, such as a typical in-line printing system that has either few alternative system capabilities for the same kind of job, or where alternative system capabilities mainly differ in the feeders and finishers being used.
This approach proves unsatisfactory for systems with many alternative, parallel system capabilities. For example, printing systems with multiple identical or similar mark engine modules require a more intelligent selection of the capabilities to achieve optimal productivity and load balancing. This selection can in principle be done before the scheduling step based on rules (for example, a rule for alternating between all mark engines to attempt optimal load balancing). It is preferable, however, to integrate planning with scheduling, in which the selection of individual capabilities would depend on the selection and timing of other capabilities being planned and scheduled at the same time.

Planning and scheduling reconfigurable systems with alternative capabilities


In one embodiment, an amplifier circuit has at least one branch and current-source circuitry providing a tail current to the branch, which has at least one load tank, at least one input transistor coupled to the load tank, and variable-impedance circuitry coupled between an input node of the amplifier circuit and the gate of the input transistor. The transconductance of the input transistor can be altered to achieve two or more different gain settings for the amplifier circuit. The variable-impedance circuitry can be controlled to contribute any one of at least two different levels of impedance to the overall input impedance of the amplifier circuit. If the transconductance of the input transistor is reduced, then the variable-impedance circuitry can increase the level of impedance contributed to the overall input impedance of the amplifier circuit such that the overall input impedance of the amplifier circuit remains substantially unchanged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronics and, more specifically, to amplifiers used in such devices as radio receivers.
2. Description of the Related Art
To accommodate a relatively large, dynamic range in radio receivers, low-noise amplifiers (LNA) are often designed with two gain settings: a high-gain setting and a low-gain setting. FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of one implementation of a prior-art LNA 100 with two gain settings. LNA 100 is a differential circuit with left branch 102 and right branch 104, which are mirror images of one another. Additionally, the devices of left branch 102 are chosen to have properties equal to those of the corresponding devices of right branch 104. LNA 100 receives differential input signal V1,IN, V2,IN and produces inverted, amplified, differential output signal V1,OUT, V2,OUT.
To further understand the operation of LNA 100, representation 200 of the input circuitry for each of left branch 102 and right branch 104 is shown in FIG. 2. Typically, the input impedance ZIN of each branch 102 and 104 is matched to the source impedance (e.g., the antenna impedance, typically 50Ω), represented by resistance RS. When the LNA input impedance is matched to RS, the quality-factor QIN of the LNA input network may be represented by equation (1) as follows:
                              Q          IN                =                  1                      2                                                                                R              S                                                  C              GS                                                  ω              0                                                          (        1        )            where CGS is the effective capacitance across the gate to source terminals of each transistor M1 and ω0 is the desired operating frequency of LNA 100. At resonance, the gate-to-source voltage VGS across each transistor M1 is given by equation (2) as follows:VGS=QINVS  (2)where source voltage VS is a source voltage. Additionally, the output voltage VOUT (e.g., V1,OUT and V2,OUT) of each branch 102 and 104 may be expressed by equation (3) as follows:VOUT=gmRLVGS  (3)where RL is the effective load resistance of each load tank 106 at frequency ω0 and gm is the transconductance of each transistor M1. Thus, the overall voltage gain AV of the LNA 100 may be expressed by equation (4) as follows:
                              A          v                =                                            V              OUT                                      V              S                                =                                                                      V                  OUT                                                  V                  GS                                            ×                                                V                  GS                                                  V                  S                                                      =                                                            g                  m                                                                  R                  L                                                            2                                                                                R                  S                                                                  C                  GS                                                                                ω                    0                                    .                                                                                (        4        )
Typically, the voltage gain of LNA 100 is switched between high gain and low gain by changing the effective load resistance RL of the right and left load tanks 106. In FIG. 1, the transconductance gm, resistance RS, gate-to-source capacitance CGS, and resonant frequency ω0 are held constant; therefore, as the effective load resistance RL is decreased, the voltage gain also decreases.
Changing the effective load resistance RL of the right and left load tanks 106 is accomplished in FIG. 1 by controlling switch S1 in each load tank 106. In the high-gain setting, both switches S1 are open and both resistors R1 are effectively removed from each load tank 106. In the low-gain setting, both switches S1 are closed, thereby effectively adding both resistors R1 to the load tanks and decreasing the effective load resistance RL.
In this implementation, the tail current ITAIL flowing through each input transistor M1 is held constant between the high-gain setting and the low-gain setting, such that the transconductance gm is unchanged. Consequently, power consumption between the high-gain setting and low-gain setting also does not change.

Multi-gain amplifier with input impedance control


Provided is a treatment method of a semiconductor wafer facilitating picking-up of semiconductor chips and preventing contamination by a dicing sheet. A wafer back surface treating method is characterized in that a ground or polished surface of a semiconductor wafer activated in a grinding or polishing step, with semiconductor circuits formed thereon, is deactivated. In the method, the activation treatment with an oxidizing agent is preferable. Furthermore, the activation treatment is preferably implemented with blowing of ozone to a ground or polished surface of a wafer, with ozone water or with illumination of a ground or polished surface of a wafer with ultraviolet (UV). It is preferable to adhere a dicing sheet after the deactivation treatment.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a treatment method of a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter referred to as wafer), which is especially useful as a treatment method applied to a process including a step of adhering a dicing sheet to the wafer, following a grinding step for thinning the wafer (or one of various kinds of polishing steps) after circuits are formed on the wafer; and to an apparatus using the treatment method of the wafer.
2. Prior Art
A semiconductor wafer made of silicon, gallium, arsenide or the like has been conventionally used in a way such that circuits are formed on the wafer, thereafter a grinding step for thinning the wafer is applied thereto, then a dicing sheet is adhered thereto and the wafer with the sheet is then diced into small device pieces, followed by a mounting step (see, for example, JP-A No. 2003-7646). In such a process, since steps including as far as polishing or back grinding of a back surface of a wafer after a pattern forming process thereon have been regarded as the front-end process in semiconductor fabrication, the back grinding step is separated from a step of adhering a dicing sheet to the back surface of a wafer; therefore, it has been common that one day or longer passes till the dicing sheet is adhered to the wafer after the end of polishing or back grinding.
The wafer polishing step, however, has been regarded as the back-end process in recent years. And a dicing sheet is adhered within a few hours of the end of polishing, or alternatively, a process from a wafer polishing apparatus to the dicing sheet adhering apparatus is integrated into a single system; therefore, cases increase where a dicing sheet is adhered to the wafer immediately after the end of polishing.
In a case where, in this way, a dicing sheet is adhered to a wafer a few hours after the end of polishing, or a process from a wafer polishing apparatus to a dicing sheet adhering apparatus is integrated into a single system, so a dicing sheet is adhered to the wafer immediately after the end of polishing, a sticking force between the dicing sheet and the back surface of a wafer increases, which has led to a possibility to cause a problem that when semiconductor chips obtained by being separated into small pieces are picked up after the dicing step, the picking-up is disabled or contamination by the dicing sheet is severe even if the picking-up is enabled.

Wafer back surface treating method and dicing sheet adhering apparatus


A gaming machine includes a video display and gaming controls fixed within the machine so that the surfaces of the display and controls are at an angle that provides enhanced ergonomics and increased interior space within the gaming machine. A hopper with a tall and narrow shape stores a large number of coins while increasing interior space. A video connection system allows a video cable to connect the video display and PC of the gaming machine without the cable being substantially bent, thereby increasing interior space. Multiple heat dispensing devices and a vent having fins directed inward and upward into the machine efficiently dispense heat from within the gaming machine while allowing the rear of machine to be placed very close to another surface. A multiple pin deck latch mechanism reduces wobbling when the deck is closed. Also, redemption tickets are dispensed into the same receptacle as coins are dispensed.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in gaming machines and, more particularly, to a new gaming machine design that provides for improved ergonomics, improved placement and accessibility of internal components, a more stable deck latch system, and a more intuitive ticket redemption system.
Because casino gaming establishments have limited floor space, gaming machines that under perform are quickly removed from the gaming floor. Consequently, gaming machines, such as slant-top gaming machines, are consistently in need of technological enhancements that allow them to provide a gaming experience that effectively attracts new players and maintains player interest. To provide such enhancements, generally more system components must be placed within the gaming machine housing. For example, gaming machines typically include one or even two full size PCs to control and enhance the gaming experience. However, since space on the gaming floor is limited, it is desirable for the overall size and footprint of a gaming machine not to increase even though new system components are added internally.
Providing a satisfying gaming experience also involves the minimization of player distractions. In many slant-top gaming machines, the main panel, or deck, covering the top surface of the game and that surrounds the display screen and game control components, is conventionally secured to the gaming machine through a hinge at the top of the panel and a latch at the bottom of the panel. This manner of securing the deck to the gaming machine allows the deck to sometimes wobble when a player exerts pressure on the deck, e.g., when the player rests his or her hands on the deck. Such wobbling is distracting to the player and diminishes the level of satisfaction with the gaming experience.
There is thus a need for a slant-top gaming machine which allows additional components that enhance the gaming experience to be added to the interior of the machine without increasing the overall size or footprint of the machine. Also, there is a need for a slant-top gaming machine which has a deck secured in a manner that prevents wobbling.

Gaming machine with space efficient configuration and multiple pin deck latch and intuitive ticket redemption system


A method of monitoring in-tank and on-line metal ion content within a plating bath. The method involves the steps of applying a pretreatment signal to a sensing electrode positioned within the plating bath, applying a sweep signal to the pretreated sensing electrode, and measuring the voltammetric peak current of the resultant response signal. The voltammetric peak current is proportional to the metal ion content of the plating bath. The method complements and is easily integrated with known voltammetric techniques for analysis of trace and major constituents, and is thus an integral part of an efficient overall plating bath analysis system.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to plating baths and methods for monitoring the constituents contained therein. More particularly, the method of the present invention relates to a voltammetric analysis method which accurately indicates metal ion concentrations within the bath. The method can be used to maintain desired metal ion concentrations in order to ensure optimal plating bath performance.

Method of monitoring metal ion content in plating baths


The present invention relates to a rubber composition including a rubber component (A), a farnesene polymer (B) and silica (C).

Hitherto, in the application field of tires for which a wear resistance and a mechanical strength are required, there have been extensively used rubber compositions that are enhanced in mechanical strength by incorporating a reinforcing agent such as carbon black or silica in a rubber component such as a natural rubber and a styrene-butadiene rubber. When the particle size of the carbon black or silica used in the rubber composition is as large as from about 100 to about 200 nm, it is generally difficult to attain a sufficient interaction between the carbon black or silica and the rubber component, so that the resulting rubber composition tends to be hardly improved in mechanical strength to a sufficient extent. In addition, tires produced from such a rubber composition tend to exhibit a low hardness and therefore tend to be insufficient in steering stability.
On the other hand, when the carbon black or silica used in the rubber composition has an average particle size as small as from about 5 to about 100 nm and therefore a large specific surface area, the resulting rubber composition can be improved in properties such as mechanical strength and wear resistance owing to a large interaction between the carbon black, etc., and the rubber component. In addition, tires produced from such a rubber composition can be improved in steering stability owing to an increased hardness thereof.
However, in the case where the carbon black or silica having such a small average particle size is used in the rubber composition, it is known that the resulting rubber composition tends to be deteriorated in dispersibility of the carbon black or silica therein owing to a high cohesive force between the carbon black or silica particles. The deteriorated dispersibility of the carbon black or silica in the rubber composition tends to induce a prolonged kneading step and therefore tends to give an adverse influence on productivity of the rubber composition. Also, the deteriorated dispersibility of the carbon black or silica tends to cause generation of heat in the rubber composition, so that tires produced therefrom tend to be deteriorated in rolling resistance performance and may frequently fail to satisfy the requirements for low rolling resistance tires (so-called low-fuel consumption tires). Furthermore, in the case where the carbon black or silica used in the rubber composition has a small average particle size, there tends to occur such a problem that the resulting rubber composition exhibits a high viscosity and therefore is deteriorated in processability.
Thus, the mechanical strength and hardness of the rubber composition for tires are properties having a contradictory relation with the rolling resistance performance and processability thereof, and it is therefore considered that the rubber composition is hardly improved in both of the properties in a well-balanced manner.
In Patent Document 1, as a rubber composition that can be improved in the aforementioned properties in a well-balanced manner, there is described a tire including a rubber component containing a diene-based rubber constituted of a modified styrene-butadiene copolymer and a modified conjugated diene-based polymer, and a filler such as carbon black or silica at a predetermined compounding ratio.
However, even the tire described in Patent Document 1 fails to satisfy not only a mechanical strength and a hardness but also a rolling resistance performance and a processability with a sufficiently high level, and therefore there is still a strong demand for tires that are further improved in these properties.
In addition, in Patent Document 2, there is described a rubber composition containing a rubber component, silica and a silane coupling agent having a specific molecular structure at a predetermined compounding ratio.
However, the rubber composition described in Patent Document 2 also fails to satisfy a processability, a rolling resistance performance and a hardness with a sufficiently high level, and therefore there is still a strong demand for rubber compositions that are further improved in these properties.
Meanwhile, Patent Documents 3 and 4 describe a polymer of β-farnesene, but fail to have a sufficient study on practical applications thereof.


The present invention relates to wireless communications, and in particular although not exclusively, to networks of indoor collocated or overlapping wireless coverage areas especially those intended for operation in unlicensed spectrum such as the Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands. The present invention provides a method of controlling the transmission power associated with an air interface channel, the method comprising determining a quality of service measure for a signal to be transmitted on a second air interference channel; determining an interference measure corresponding to the interference on said second air interface channel which will be caused by transmissions on said first air interface channel; requesting the changing of the transmission power associated with the first air interface channel when the signal is to be transmitted on the second air interface channel, when the quality of service measure is above a predetermined value and when the interference measure is above a predetermined value for said quality of service value.

Collocated wireless coverage areas using different channels can still interfere with each other, adjacent channel suppression depends largely on the receiver implementation and transmitted spectral mask. Similarly, overlapping or adjacent wireless LAN coverage areas using uncoordinated spread spectrum mechanisms such as direct sequence or frequency hop spread spectrum also "intentionally" interfere with each other to a certain extent when the same or adjacent channels are used at the same time. Typically these channels are defined by frequency, (as used in frequency division multiple access) time slot (time division multiple access), code (code division multiple access) or a combination. The level of interference on a given channel will depend on many factors including the signal strength of the wanted and interfering signals which in turn will depend on their transmission power level and the signal propagation environment, for example whether there is likely to be a strong multipath fading of the wanted or interfering signal as is typically difficult to predict in indoor environments.
The level of interference which is acceptable can also depend on what type of data is being transmitted. For example non-real time data such as email can be re-transmitted if not received correctly. However other types of real time data such as video base layer frames are more critical and sensitive to delays such as re-transmissions and therefore require a higher quality channel to deliver them in good time.
"Dynamic Reconfiguration and Efficient Resource Allocation for Indoor Broadband Wireless Networks" by Tim Farnham and Brian Foxon, Universal Personal Communications, 1998, ICUPC'98, IEEE 1998 International Conference, Vol 1, 1998, pages 53-57; describes an indoor radio access network having clusters of access points or base stations that use a combination of time division and frequency division multiple access mechanisms. The network sets different interference thresholds for type 1 (video) and type 2 (data) traffic, the type 1 threshold being lower as video is delay sensitive which means it needs to be sent first and accurately to avoid the need for re-transmission. The network switches between different channels when too many type 1 packets are waiting for transmission through an existing channel because its interference level is too high. The trigger for a channel change is based on the average buffer occupancy and error rate over time.

Methods of controlling transmission power levels in air interface channels


A safety arrangement for a dishwashing appliance and an associated apparatus are provided. The dishwashing appliance has a door covering a forward access opening of a tub in a closed position. A sump assembly about a lower end of the tub receives washing fluid therein, and a lower spray arm is rotatable about an axis about the lower end. The lower spray arm is configured to spray washing fluid from the sump assembly toward the tub. A control device actuates the lower spray arm to spray the washing fluid. A detection device interacts with the lower spray arm, and directs the control device to prevent actuation of the lower spray arm in response to the detection device detecting an abnormal displacement of the lower spray arm and/or a force applied to the lower spray arm, both with respect to the axis, with the door in the closed position.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to dishwashing appliances and, more particularly, to a safety arrangement for a dishwashing appliance, and an apparatus associated therewith.
2. Description of Related Art
A dishwasher generally includes a tub defining an enclosure for receiving kitchenware to be washed, and one or more spray arms mounted in the interior of the tub. The spray arm(s) may be connected to a pump and configured to cooperate therewith for spraying water under pressure onto the kitchenware. Such a dishwasher generally includes a lower rack for holding larger kitchenware items such as dinner plates, pots, pans, and the like, and an upper rack for holding glassware, smaller bowls, and the like. Each rack is typically configured to be movable into and out of the tub of the dishwasher so as to facilitate loading and unloading of the kitchenware. With such a dishwasher configuration, there may exist a possibility that a small child may remove the lower rack of a dishwasher and enter the resulting empty space within the tub. However, if the dishwasher door somehow becomes closed, and the dishwasher unit then actuated, the small child enclosed therein may be at risk of suffering injury.
Thus, there exists a need for a safety apparatus for a dishwasher capable of detecting instances when a child may be enclosed within the dishwasher and respond accordingly to prevent injury to the child.

Safety arrangement for a dishwasher, and associated apparatus


The present invention provides a resealable closure system that may be incorporated into a container for storing and dispensing moisture sensitive product, such as a dry wiping substrate and more preferably a dry wipe useful for facial cleansing or the application of make-up. The closure system is not only resealable, but is also substantially watertight as a result of the lid having a sealing flange and an overhang.

Containers suitable for dispensing wiping substrates, both dry and wet, are known in the art. Containers typically are either flexible or rigid and include a dispensing orifice to allow the consumer convenient access to the substrate. In the containers of the prior art these openings are generally situated on the upper face of the container. In order to prevent egress of moisture in the case of wet wiping substrates or the ingress of moisture in the case of dry wiping substrates, known containers generally comprise a lid and a sealing device.
A problem with containers of the prior art is that the sealing device often makes it difficult for the consumer to access the wipes within the container. The sealing device may make it difficult for a consumer to open and close the lid or may obscure the dispensing orifice and impede dispensing. The sealing device may also make it difficult to dispense multiple wipes at one time. For example, the sealing device may only permit access to a single wipe, making it difficult to quickly dispense multiple wipes without damaging the wipes, damaging the container or abrading the skin against the edges of the container.
In addition to making dispensing more difficult, sealing devices of the prior art often increase the complexity and cost of the container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,720 provides a cap assembly for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items, however, the cap includes a lip seal member that must be aligned with an opposing skirt and must be positioned so as to apply pressure to the skirt. Further, an elastomeric liner may be positioned between the skirt and the lip to improve the water-tightness of the seal. Such a design increases the complexity of both the lid and the skirt, introduces additional materials in the form of an elastomeric liner and negatively effects dispensing by introducing additional features to the dispensing orifice.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a rigid container from which a dry wiping substrate can be easily dispensed, while also providing a means for preventing the ingress of water in a simple and cost effective manner.


There is provided a light emitting device that can minimize reflection or absorption of emitted light, maximize luminous efficiency with the maximum light emitting area, enable uniform current spreading with a small area electrode, and enable mass production at low cost with high reliability and high quality. A light emitting device according to an aspect of the invention includes a light emitting lamination including a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, a second conductivity type semiconductor layer, and an active layer, and a conductive substrate at one surface thereof. Here, the light emitting device includes a barrier unit separating the light emitting lamination into a plurality of light emitting regions, a first electrode structure, and a second electrode structure. The first electrode structure includes a bonding unit, contact holes, and a wiring unit connecting the bonding unit to the contact holes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emitting device, and more particularly, to a light emitting device that can minimize reflection or absorption of emitted light, maximize luminous efficiency with the maximum light emitting area, enable uniform current spreading with a small area electrode, and enable mass production at low cost with high reliability and high quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
Light emitting devices include materials that emit light. For example, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are devices that use diodes, to which semiconductors are bonded, convert energy generated by combination of electrons and holes into light, and emit light. The light emitting devices are being widely used as lighting, display devices, and light sources, and development of the light emitting device has been expedited.
In particular, the widespread use of cellular phone keypads, side viewers, and camera flashes, which use GaN-based light emitting diodes that have been actively developed and widely used in recent years, contributed to the active development of general illumination that uses light emitting diodes. Applications of the light emitting diodes, such as backlight units of large TVs, headlights of cars, and general illumination have advanced from small portable products to large products having high power, high efficiency, and high reliability. Therefore, there has been a need for light sources that have characteristics required for the corresponding products.
In general, a semiconductor junction light emitting device has P-type and n-type semiconductor junction structures. In the semiconductor junction structure, light may be emitted by recombination of electrons and holes at a region where the two types of semiconductors are bonded to each other. In order to activate the light emission, an active layer may be formed. The light emitting device having the semiconductor junctions includes a horizontal structure and a vertical structure according to the position of electrodes for semiconductor layers. The vertical structure includes an epi-up structure and a flip-chip structure. As described above, structural characteristics of light emitting devices that are required according to characteristics of individual products are seriously taken into account.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are views illustrating a horizontal light emitting device according to the related art. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a vertical light emitting device according to the related art. For the convenience of explanation, a description will be made on the assumption that an n-type semiconductor layer is in contact with a substrate, and a p-type semiconductor layer is formed on an active layer.
First, an epi-up light emitting device of a horizontal light emitting device will be described with reference to FIG. 1A.
A light emitting device 1 includes a non-conductive substrate 13, an n-type semiconductor layer 12, an active layer 11, and a p-type semiconductor layer 10. An n-type electrode and a p-type electrode 14 are formed on the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the p-type semiconductor layer 10, respectively, and, are connected to an external current source (not shown) to apply a voltage.
When a voltage is applied to the light emitting device 1 through the electrodes 14 and 15, electrons move from the n-type semiconductor layer 12, and holes move from the p-type semiconductor layer 10. Light is emitted by recombination of the electrons and the holes. The light emitting device 1 includes the active layer 11, and light is emitted from the active layer 11. In the active layer 11, the light emission of the light emitting device 1 is activated, and light is emitted. In order to make an electrical connection, the n-type electrode and the p-type electrode are located on the n-type semiconductor layer 12 and the p-type semiconductor layer 10, respectively, with the lowest contact resistance values.
The position of the electrode may be changed according to the substrate type. For example, when the substrate 13 is a sapphire substrate that is a non-conductive substrate, the electrode of the n-type semiconductor layer 12 cannot be formed on the non-conductive substrate 13, but on the n-type semiconductor layer 12.
Therefore, referring to FIG. 1A, when the n-type electrode 15 is formed on the n-type semiconductor 12, parts of the p-type semiconductor layer 10 and the active layer 12 that are formed at the upper side are consumed to form an ohmic contact. The formation of the electrode results in a decrease of light emitting area of the light emitting device 1, and thus luminous efficiency also decreases.
In FIG. 1B, a horizontal light emitting device has a structure that increases luminous efficiency. The light emitting device, shown in FIG. 1B, is a flip chip light emitting device 2. A substrate 23 is located at the top. Electrodes 24 and 25 are in contact with electrode contacts 26 and 27, respectively, which are formed on a conductive substrate 28. Light emitted from an active layer 21 is emitted through the substrate 23 regardless of the electrodes 24 and 25. Therefore, the decrease in luminous efficiency that is caused in the light emitting device, shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, can be prevented.
However, despite the high luminous efficiency of the flip chip light emitting device 2, the n-type electrode and the p-type electrode in the light emitting device 2 need to be disposed in the same plane and bonded. After being bonded, the n-type electrode and the p-type electrode are more likely to be separated from the electrode contacts 26 and 27. For this reason, there is a need for expensive precision processing equipment. This causes an increase in manufacturing costs, a decrease in productivity, a decrease in yield, and a decrease in product reliability.
In order to solve a variety of problems including the above-described problems, a vertical light emitting device that uses a conductive substrate, not the non-conductive substrate, appeared. A light emitting device 3, shown in FIG. 1C, is a vertical light emitting device. When a conductive substrate 33 is used, an n-type electrode 35 may be formed on the substrate 33. The conductive substrate 33 may be formed of a conductive material, for example, Si. In general, it is difficult to form light emitting layers, which include semiconductor layers and an active layer, on the conductive substrate due to lattice-mismatching. Therefore, the light emitting layers grow by using a substrate that allows easy growth of the light emitting layers, and then a conductive substrate is bonded after removing the substrate for growth.
Referring to FIG. 1D, after light emitting layers 30, 31, and 32 are formed, a non-conductive substrate 36 is separated by using a laser. When the laser is irradiated to the non-conductive substrate 36, energy from the laser is absorbed by the semiconductor formed along the boundary between the non-conductive substrate 36 and the p-type semiconductor layer 30. The semiconductor is melted such that the non-conductive substrate 36 is separated from the p-type semiconductor layer 30.
When the non-conductive substrate 36 is removed, the conductive substrate 33 is formed on the n-type semiconductor layer 32, such that the light emitting device 3 has a vertical light emitting structure. When the conductive substrate 33 is used, since a voltage can be applied to the n-type semiconductor layer 32 through the conductive substrate 33, an electrode can be formed on the substrate 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1C, the n-type electrode 35 is formed on the conductive substrate 33, and the p-type electrode 34 is formed on the p-type semiconductor layer 30, such that the light emitting device having the vertical structure can be manufactured.
However, when a high-power light emitting device having a large area is manufactured, an area ratio of the electrode to the substrate needs to be high for current spreading. Therefore, light extraction is limited, light loss is caused by optical absorption, and luminous efficiency decreases. Further, heat, which is generated due to the absorption of the laser energy that is generally used when removing the non-conductive substrate, causes expansion and contraction of the substrate and the semiconductor layers. Stress is applied to each of the layers due to the thermal expansion coefficient and the time difference according to heat transfer. The stress is in proportion to the contact area of the substrate and the semiconductor layers. Therefore, reliability of the large area light emitting device is adversely affected.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Light emitting device and package having the same for maximizing light emitting area


An arrangement is provided that may be used for cooling electronic equipment, where the electronic equipment is housed in a rack arrangement with an arrangement for transferring the heat energy produced by the equipment to one or more rack-related cooling units each of which is designed to transfer heat energy by means of convection to the ambient air about the rack and the equipment. At least one of the cooling units contains vertically-oriented cooling flanges, positioned next to one another, and a fan unit that is designed to be able to provide, on demand, the cooling unit and the cooling flanges with a stream of forced air, thereby increasing heat emission from the cooling flanges to the ambient air. The fan unit is located at the side of a rack unit, and positioned beside, or part way inside, the cooling unit. The fan unit is arranged to provide a stream of forced air to each space that is formed between the flanges of the cooling unit; the flow of said stream of forced air is restricted to within the area for the sections of the cooling unit flanges that faces towards the rack unit. The stream of air produced for several collateral spaces is aimed to flow in an upward direction.

Several different embodiments exist for arrangements that may be used for cooling electronic equipment that is housed in a rack arrangement with means for transferring heat energy that is produced in said equipment to one or more rack-related cooling units.
Cooling units with associated cooling flanges have even been arranged to provide requisite cooling, by designing and adapting the cooling unit to transfer sufficient heat energy by means of convection to the ambient air about the rack and the equipment.
It has also been shown that the heat-emitting capacity may be increased, continuously or temporarily, by using a fan unit that is designed to be able to supply the cooling unit and the cooling flanges with a stream of forced air as needed.
As examples of background art we refer to the following publications:
DE-C2-32 28 368
This publication describes an arrangement for cooling electronic equipment while using a fan unit in order to generate a forced cooling stream of air.
More specifically an arrangement is described where two incoming streams of air are permitted to pass through an upper (31) and a lower (32) opening with opposing air streams enclosed in a duct in order to pass along cooling flanges of a mutual cooling unit (33). The fan unit is positioned in the centre area of the cooling flanges.
AT-B-384 343
This publication describes that cooling flanges (5) can be encompassed by a separate wall section (13) in order to form an enclosed cooling duct. A fan unit (16) is connectable to the lower part of the cooling duct and a forced stream of air is allowed to pass along the complete cooling duct.
SE-B-85 013393-6
This publication describes an arrangement for cooling electronic equipment while using a fan unit in order to generate a forced cooling stream of air.
More specifically this publication describes an enclosure of electrical material, where the heat, generated within the enclosure (1), is conducted to the surroundings through heat exchanging between an inner and an outer air stream. At least part of the casing of the enclosure is provided with surface enlargements in order to increase the heat emission. The casing is therefore preferably given a wave-form (5) with a surface that, besides this, is provided with grooves. It is only required to supplement such enclosure with a simple cover (9) and a fan system to obtain an effective heat exchanger with a forced air stream.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,268,772
This publication describes an arrangement for cooling electronic equipment while using a fan unit in order to generate a forced cooling stream of air.
It is described that air is allowed to pass through a nozzle (87) into a cooling system (90) with a number of vents (88) in order to conduct the heat from the system. The package, including the system, is positioned on one side of the casing of the equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,095
This publication describes an arrangement for cooling electronic equipment while using a fan unit in order to generate a forced cooling stream of air.
It is specifically shown that heat is dissipated to the ambient air through corrugated roof (35) and side panels.
DE-C2-4,209,477
This publication describes an arrangement for cooling electronic equipment while using a fan unit in order to generate a forced cooling stream of air.
The fan arrangement (21) is activated to generate an air stream along the cooling flanges (18).
As an additional example of the background art, we refer to what is shown and described in the publications EP-A1-0 564 315; EP-A2-0 449 150; U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,924; U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,486; and DE-C2-3 717 009.
A more detailed description of an application of the present invention shows that when the electronic equipment consists of a main distribution arrangement for a telephone exchange, with a so called subscriber board, the momentary heat building in the electronic equipment is directly related to, and dependent on, the momentary load, which means that heat emissions at peak hours are much greater than during normal periods of telephone traffic intensity.
It is also known that the greatest intensity at peak hour telephone traffic does not necessarily last a full hour. The actual duration may be shorter.
It is also been shown that applying a stream of forced air is an unsuitable method for cooling electronic equipment, since streams of forced air also circulate dust. Instead, cooling by means of convection is preferred.
Given the significant characteristics of the present invention, one may add that it is known that a metal's ability to absorb heat increases with volume.
It is also known that a stream of forced air that is aimed along a surface tends to follow the contours of that surface.

Arrangement in cooling electronic equipment


The present disclosure is directed to methods and compositions for ameliorating, preventing and treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The invention aims to treat subjects suffering from, susceptible to, or diagnosed with CNS disorders, and in particular, to treating patients suffering from those disorders which are associated with neurotransmitter system dysfunction.

CNS disorders are a type of neurological disorder. CNS disorders can be drug induced, can be attributed to genetic predisposition, infection or trauma, or can be of unknown etiology. CNS disorders comprise neuropsychiatric disorders, neurological diseases and mental illnesses, and include neurodegenerative diseases, behavioral disorders, cognitive disorders and cognitive affective disorders. There are several CNS disorders whose clinical manifestations have been attributed to CNS dysfunction (i.e., disorders resulting from inappropriate levels of neurotransmitter release, inappropriate properties of neurotransmitter receptors, and/or inappropriate interaction between neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter receptors). Several CNS disorders can be attributed to a cholinergic deficiency, a dopaminergic deficiency, an adrenergic deficiency and/or a serotonergic deficiency. CNS disorders of relatively common occurrence include presenile dementia (early onset Alzheimer's disease), senile dementia (dementia of the Alzheimer's type), Parkinsonism including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, tardive dyskinesia, hyperkinesia, mania, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, dyslexia, schizophrenia and Tourette's syndrome.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease, presently of unknown etiology, characterized by tremors and muscular rigidity. A feature of the disease appears to involve the degenerative of dopaminergic neurons (i.e., which secrete dopamine). One symptom of the disease has been observed to be a concomitant loss of nicotinic receptors which are associated with such dopaminergic neurons, and which are believed to modulate the process of dopamine secretion. See, Rinne, et al., Brain Res., Vol. 54, pp. 167-170 (1991) and Clark, et al., Br. J. Pharm., Vol. 85, pp. 827-835 (1985). It also has been proposed that nicotine can ameliorate the symptoms of PD. See, Smith et al., Rev. Neurosci., Vol. 3(1), pp. 25-43 (1982).
The combination of levodopa and carbidopa in considered to be the most effective treatment for symptoms of Parkinson's disease (The Medical Letter, 35:31-34), 1993). For subjects afflicted with and/or diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the benchmark treatment is typically oral administration of a dosage form containing levodopa in combination with carbidopa. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine but unlike dopamine, is able to cross the blood brain barrier. However, while in the peripheral blood system and prior to crossing the blood brain barrier, levodopa is decarboxylated into dopamine. Carbidopa inhibits the rapid peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa into dopamine. The negates the need for high doses of levodopa which would result in adverse events, i.e., side effects, in particular nausea, caused by the dopamine released into the circulation from levodopa conversion in the intestinal mucosa and other peripheral tissues. Currently, oral levodopa/carbidopa combination drug products on the market consist of immediate release tables, for example, Sinemet® and Atamet®, and extended release tables, for example, Sinemet® CR and generics. Carbidopa is also available as single-ingredient tablets for those patients who require additional carbidopa when taking the combination tablets.
Immediate release levodopa/carbidopa tablets are administered three or four times a day and the extended release product is administered two to three times a day. Recently, an external pump that infuses levodopa and carbidopa into the duodenum at a controlled rate through a surgical opening in the stomach became available in Europe and Canada (Duodopa®, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Germany).
It is know that exposure of affected neurons in Parkinson's disease to exogenous dopamine in a pulsatile fashion, such as in oral administration of levodopa in immediate release form to Parkinson's patients, eventually, in two to three years, leads to the development of the "on-off" phenomenon, i.e., mobility is improved for a couple of hours after each dose, but rigidity and akinesia return at the end of the dosing interval. Dosing more frequently would improve this but dyskinesia, excessive and abnormal involuntary movement, would occur when levodopa level becomes high. It is also know that when levodopa levels are maintained constant by IV infusion at a constant rate, the on-off phenomena and dyskinesia are reduced. This is also mimicked by taking subdivided daily oral doses frequently, such as every two hours instead of four or six hours. The later can in theory be realized in an oral extended release dosage forms. However, the unique oral absorption characteristics of levodopa have present problems in achieving an oral extended/controlled release dosage form that delivers the drug at a relatively constant rate for an extended period of time to achieve relatively constant plasma levels of levodopa.
As levodopa is only absorbed in the proximal small intestine via an active transport mechanism for aromatic amino acids, this limits the performance of conventional oral controlled release dosage forms which are rapidly emptied from the stomach into the intestine. If the duration of release is long compared to the transit time through the small intestine, about 2 to 3 hours, most of the drug is not delivered to the site of absorption in the proximal small intestine and is not absorbed. Hence, the duration of release in the small intestine has to be relatively short in order not to lose bioavailability.
Such is the case for SINEMET® CR, for which complete in vitro release (dissolution apparatus 1, paddle, pH 1) occurs in about 2.5 hours. Formulations with longer release durations resulted in lower bioavailability of levodopa. Even so, SINEMET® CR bioavailability is only 70-75% of the immediate release tablet SINEMET®. Administration with food increases the bioavailability substantially since gastric emptying is slowed. Despite FDA recommended dosing of the drug two to three times a day, in actual clinical practice, some patients may require administration of the drug four to six times a day due.
A duodenum infusion pump can deliver levodopa and carbidopa, at a constant rate, directly to the intestinal site of absorption thereby mitigating the above problems. But such therapy is neither convenient in initiation (surgical insertion of infusion tubing) nor in maintenance (wound and device care).
Thus, there is a strong need in the art for pharmaceutical compositions that effectively and conveniently aide in the treatment and prevention of movement disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease, by providing extended/controlled release of levodopa and carbidopa at a relatively constant rate for an extended period of time to achieve relatively constant plasma levels. The present disclosure meets these needs, among others.
Additional embodiments of the present method, compositions, and the like will be apparent from the following description, drawings, examples, and claims. As can be appreciated from the foregoing and following description, each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present disclosure provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent. In addition, any feature or combination of features may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of the present invention. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the following description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying examples and drawings.

Gastric retentive pharmaceutical compositions for treatment and prevention of CNS disorders


A trolling lure includes multiple spoons or spinners attached in series along a flexible cable leader. The spoons or spinners may be of the same size or of different sizes, and the leader also includes several series of plastic or glass beads along the leader to provide color. Some of the beads may also serve as bearings for the rotational action of the spoons or spinners. Spacing of the spoons or spinners, beads, and other components is achieved by crimping or swaging sleeves onto the multiple strand cable leader at various points. The spoons or spinners are preferably of aluminum, to provide relatively light weight for slower trolling speeds, and are preferably provided with a somewhat porous surface by weathering, knurling, or abrading the surface. The porosity thus achieved provides a more realistic and less reflective surface, and further provides better retention of a fish attracting scent thereon.

It is well known that predatory fish are attracted by the sight of other smaller fish, particularly when swimming as a group or school. Generally, fish are provided with a darker upper surface and a lighter lower surface for camouflage purposes, and the lighter shaded lower surface will often catch the light as the fish swims and turns. Accordingly, spinning lures or spoons have been developed which mimic this appearance to a certain extent.
However, fish are generally not highly reflective, travel in groups or schools of at least a few fish, and emit a scent which may be attractive to larger predatory fish. For the most part, spinning lures developed heretofore have been provided with relatively highly reflective surfaces, in some cases even mirror-like, which does little to deceive predatory fish. Moreover, predatory fish are more likely to be attracted to a group or school of smaller fish, wherein it will prove more likely that they will be able to catch such smaller fish more easily. Most present lures are equipped with but a single spinner or spoon, which is incapable of simulating a group or school of small fish. Finally, lures which are equipped with means to emit a fish attractive scent, must do so by attaching a separate article to the lure or lead, other than the spinner or spoon itself, which practice detracts from the realism of the lure.
What is needed is a lure comprising a series of spinner or spoon type blades, which blades are relatively dull in appearance to more closely simulate the appearance of a school of swimming fish. The spoons or blades must be provided with means to contain a fish attracting scent directly on the blades themselves, rather than requiring a separate scent emitting device on the leader. Finally, the leader itself must provide sufficient flex so as to allow the plural blades to be disposed in other than a straight line as they spin and move due to their motion through the water, thereby to simulate the actions of a school of fish even more closely.


An apparatus for inserting documents (2) having at least one guide strip (13, 14) which is reciprocable between a retracted position and a projecting position in which it reaches further into the stuffing position than in the retracted position for guiding into an envelope (11) in the stuffing position at least one document (2) coming from the document transport path (1).

This invention relates to an apparatus for inserting documents into envelopes. Such an apparatus is for instance known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,938 and are typically used in mailrooms where large numbers of documents or sets of documents are each to be inserted in an envelope in order to send these documents to addressees.
However, also in small organizations that send relatively small numbers of documents, and where the documents to be sent are for a considerable part processed by hand also when being prepared prior to insertion, mechanized insertion could lead to considerable saving of labor. To be considered here are, for instance, medical practices, workshops and club administrations, as well as service companies taking care of sending smaller mailings for third parties. Accordingly, there is a need for inserter machines that are compact enough and simple enough to be attractive in cost price and complexity of operation for applications on a smaller scale than existing inserter machines.

Apparatus for inserting documents into envelopes

Neopost Technologies, French Limited Company


A releasable restraining device suitable for use with saddle-type seats for horses, motor vehicles, or other forms of locomotion. The releasable restraining device includes a toroidal, semicircular, or elliptical doughnut-shaped rubber bladder or other suitable material for circumventing the rider and attachments for securing the rider's lower extremities to the saddle, thereby allowing his upper torso to be free to manipulate the vehicle or the reins of a horse.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to a saddle rider restraining device and, more particularly, to a torus or doughnut-shaped restraining means for enveloping the rider and attachment to a saddle so as to secure an individual rider to the saddle to enhance balanced riding within the saddle during movement of the underlying mode of locomotion, for instance, a horse.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has long been understood by those skilled in the art that a child or handicapped person needs assistance in riding a horse or other form of locomotion where a saddle is used to maintain the individual in a seated position. U.S. Pat. No. 1,214,364 issued to Peterson on Jan. 30, 1917, teaches a child's saddle that is strapped to the horse's neck as well as secured to the adult saddle behind. U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,218 issued to Pentz on Aug. 16, 1966; U.S. Pat. No. 3,916,604 issued to Phipps on Nov. 4, 1975; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,234,710 issued to Gauthier on Feb. 15, 1966, all teach children's saddles that are attached to existing adult saddles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,434 issued to Erickson on Jul. 9, 1991, teaches a harness designed to secure handicapped people to a saddle. These solutions of the prior art provide either a child-sized saddle to more comfortably fit the child or a fully-restraining harness kit so as to make it impossible for the occupant to remove himself from the saddle without assistance. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a rider restraint for fully enveloping and securing the rider to the saddle while allowing the rider's upper torso free to simulate unrestrained riding.
Prior art child and handicapped saddle seating enhancements do not address an emergency function, i.e., how to release the restrained rider from the saddle when desired or necessitated by emergency. This is unfortunate, because any apparatus that restrains or prevents disengagement of the rider from the saddle during normal riding or operation becomes dangerous in times of emergency when it is necessary to remove the rider from the saddle. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a releasable saddle restraining means to enhance saddle seating during all foreseen and unforeseen riding circumstances.

A child's or handicapped person's saddle restraint device


Provided herein are systems, compositions, and methods for the incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins via nonsense suppression or rare codon suppression. Nonsense codons and rare codons may be introduced into the coding sequence of a protein of interest using a CRISPR/Cas9-based nucleobase editor described herein. The nucleobase editors are able to be programmed by guide nucleotide sequences to edit the target codons in the coding sequence of the protein of interest. Also provided are application enabled by the technology described herein.

The ability to study cellular systems and the mechanisms that drive disease-relevant and fundamental biological processes relies on a suite of chemical and genetic perturbagens to interrogate these complex systems in situ using experimental paradigms as close to the native state as possible. To date, there are no programmable tools for unbiased high-throughput interrogation of the proteome in living cells. Currently available paradigms are used to study individual proteins, or at best small collections of proteins. Medium-throughput screening modalities have been engineered for specific families of proteins, for example, in activity-based protein profiling (ABPP), but these tools are limited to proteins whose enzymatic activity can be readily harnessed using a reactive biochemical handle.

Incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins using base editing

President and Fellows of Harvard College


A wrench assembly includes a plate that has a first side, a second side, a first end edge, a second end edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The plate has an end opening therein extending into the first side and outwardly of the second side. The end opening is elongated and has a shape configured for engaging the wing head. The end opening is positioned nearer to the first end edge than the second end edge. A wing head, attached to a drain plug, may be engaged with and rotated by the plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wrench devices and more particularly pertains to a new wrench device for engaging a wing head drain plug positioned in a compressor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of wrench devices is known in the prior art. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that is configured for engaging wing-nut type heads and in particular wing heads drain plugs used for compressors. The tool would allow a person to more easily rotate the drain plug.


A room air environment conditioner for conditioning and improving the air quality in a room. The apparatus includes an enclosed cabinet containing growing plants on trays filled with water to facilitate sprouting and growing of said plants without dirt or sand. The cabinet is separated into light and dark portions to permit regulated growth of said plants. The trays holding the plants have perforated covers upon which are placed a porous material to hold the seeds and the trays are first placed in the dark portion of the cabinet. Once the seeds sprout with roots they are transferred to the lighted portion of the cabinet to grow and generate oxygen. There is an air ionizer located within the cabinet and also a holder containing various chemicals or powders with curative components. A fan blows air through a wetted filter and the cabinet thus changing the oxygen and ionization content of the air in the room, cooling the air and introducing curative powders into the room.

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating the environmental air conditions in a room by changing the temperature, humidity, oxygen content, dust content and other elements of the air. This device will provide comfortable and healthy conditions in a home, office and particularly in a hospital room.
Introduction of oxygen into a room from tanks and other oxygen storage devices introduce a controlled amount of oxygen into a living space, but they are very expensive to operate continuously. There is also a known apparatus for growing bean sprouts which contain a housing divided into upper and lower compartments by a horizontally positioned divider plate provided with orifices. An open top sprout container tray is placed within the lower compartment of the housing and the bottom of the sprout containing tray is provided with a drainage opening. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,671).
The present invention solves these problems by use of an enclosed air environment conditioner that greatly increases the effectiveness of air treatment and is distinguished by simple construction, low power requirements and safe operation. An embodiment of the invention includes air filters and a negative ion source to clean and ionize the air as it passes through the cabinet.


A time-multiplexed, optically-addressed, crossbar switch (38) is provided using a two-dimensional, optically-addressed, reflective spatial light modulator (O-SLM) (20). Since the optical addressing is time-multiplexed, only N addressing lines are required for an N.times.N crossbar, rather than the N.sup.2 lines needed in the prior art. This reduction in addressing lines makes possible the development of enormous crossbar switches, such as 100.times.100, for the first time. In addition, since data paths remain entirely in the optics domain, data speeds can reach the multi-gigabit level. In the switch, a row (40) of N inputs (42) at the "read" wavelength is spread over one axis of the O-SLM. The light is refocused along the other axis to an output array (48) of detectors (50), so that each input has the potential to talk to any one output. The O-SLM is normally off, i.e., non-reflective, so that the output is, in the absence of an input signal, zero. A one-dimensional array (52) of lasers (54) at the "write" wavelength is imaged onto the O-SLM. Each laser scans across an entire row of the O-SLM; where the laser is on, it turns on a portion of the O-SLM and establishes a connection between a particular input and a particular output. A full row is scanned in a time much shorter than the response time of the O-SLM, so that state of the O-SLM is capacitively stored and dynamically refreshed. The scanning is accomplished by tuning the wavelength of the laser and passing it through a grating, which sweeps the beam in space.

A crossbar switch is a fundamental unit of many communications networks, ranging from telecommunications to computer interconnects. In the most general form of a crossbar switch, each of N inputs may be connected to any number of N outputs. In the most common implementation, the input-output connection is one-to-one, that is, one input goes to exactly one output.
Electronic implementations of a crossbar switch can be quite simple and monolithic at low data rates. In the typical configuration of an electronic crossbar switch, N inputs are directed into a matrix of N.sup.2 switches that connect the inputs to the N outputs. While each of the N.sup.2 switches requires its own control line, in practice each switch would be equipped with a memory element so that they need not be programmed simultaneously. In practice, the switches are programmed through some type of multiplexed addressing scheme.
The limitations of electronic crossbar switches become significant as data rates climb into the gigabit regime, bringing with it problems of crosstalk, propagation delay, and waveform dispersion. Furthermore, these prior art switches grow enormously in physical size and power considerations as data rates increase.
It is precisely in the gigabit regime where optical data paths begin to show superior performance. An optical implementation of the same crossbar switch is in principle possible. Techniques for optical generation, modulation, and detection are now well-developed. What has been missing up to now is the matrix switch array incorporating high density, good contrast, and built-in memory.
Thus, improved crossbar switches are required to handle data rates in the gigabit regime.

Time-multiplexed, optically-addressed, gigabit optical crossbar switch


In a restraining device for an occupant of a vehicle, having a belt that can be drawn out or retracted by a lockable retractor, and a reversible seat-belt tightener, in the case of an impending but still avoidable first event the reversible seat-belt tightener automatically exerts and maintains a first tightening force on the belt and/or reduces the first tightening force if the first event is no longer impending. In the case of an impending, no longer avoidable second event, automatically exerts a second tightening force on the belt which is greater than the first tightening force. The first tightening force and the second tightening force acting constantly in the retracting direction.

The present invention relates to a restraining device for an occupant of a vehicle.
German patent document DE 44 11 184 C2 discloses a passenger restraint belt system for use with a seat fitted in a vehicle. It comprises a seat belt for securing a passenger in a seated position on the seat, a seat-belt tightener, which reacts to a control signal in order to restrain the passenger on the seat. A device is provided for measuring the distance and speed of the vehicle in relation to an object and a device for calculating a time after which a vehicle collision with the object is anticipated. A control unit generates a control signal, which increases the force of the seat-belt tightener in good time, if a vehicle collision is anticipated, and a second control signal, which reduces the force of the seat-belt tightener if no vehicle collision is anticipated.
The controllable seat-belt tightener is embodied as a preloader, which prior to the vehicle collision is effective only up to a predetermined pretightening force, and a further seat-belt tightener is provided, which is triggered if a vehicle collision is detected. The belt is tightened by retracting the belt latch mechanism with a total force. (FIG. 1 shows this process.) In so doing the belt latch mechanism divides the belt into two parts, in which the tightening component forces act in opposition to one another relative to the belt and are in each case less than the total force. As a result, only a slight, barely perceptible pressure is exerted on the upper body of the passenger.
Although in the case of danger, this passenger restraint belt system reduces any slack in the passenger seat belt, it does not act to provide the passenger with any indication.
One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a simple and improved restraining device, which reduces any seat-belt slack of a vehicle occupant.
This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the restraining device according to the invention, which has a belt that can be drawn out or retracted by a lockable retractor, and a reversible seat-belt tightener. In the case of an impending but still avoidable first event, the reversible seat-belt tightener automatically exerts and maintains a first tightening force on the belt and/or reduces the first tightening force if the first event is no longer impending. In the case of an impending, no longer avoidable second event, it automatically exerets a second tightening force on the belt which is greater than the first tightening force. The first tightening force and the second tightening force act constantly in the retracting direction.
This restraining device reduces any slack in the seat belt of the vehicle occupant, and also indicates the risk of an impending but still avoidable first event to the vehicle occupant in the form of a tactile warning. The tightening in one direction relative to the belt means that the magnitude of the tightening force is identical in all areas of the belt and is clearly perceptible by the occupant.
Should one of the events occur, the occupant is optimally protected against any acceleration in that, in the case of a third event being detected, the seat-belt tightener automatically exerts a third tightening force on the belt, which is greater than the second tightening force. The third tightening force preferably acts exclusively in the retracting direction. In the case of the third force also, an identical force thereby acts in all areas of the belt. The third force is preferably exerted by the triggering of an explosive charge.
In other words, the first, second and third events represent the severity of the risk of an impending accident. As the risk of an accident increases, the force to be exerted on the belt is steadily increased in the form of the associated first and second tightening forces, and is explosively increased in the form of the third tightening force when an accident is identified.
In one possible embodiment, in the case of an impending but avoidable first event, the seat-belt tightener exerts a fourth tightening force, the magnitude of which lies between the first and second forces, after a first delay interval which commences after exertion of the first tightening force and prior to exertion of the second tightening force. A fourth event is associated with the fourth tightening force. It is defined as a point in time prior to the second event and after the delay interval following the exertion of the first force has elapsed.
In another embodiment, in the case of a first event, the seat-belt tightener exerts a fourth tightening force, which is followed immediately by a delay interval prior to exertion of the second tightening force and the magnitude of which lies between the first force and the second force.
Both of these variants of the intermittent tightening make the indication given to the occupant even more perceptible. If there is sufficient time before the advent of the second event, the exertion of the fourth tightening force is repeated with an increased fourth tightening force after a further delay interval.
In this case the fourth tightening force acts exclusively in the retracting direction. In the case of the fourth force also, an identical force thereby acts in all areas of the belt.
In a preferred embodiment the seat-belt tightener is arranged in the area of the retractor, which facilitates tightening in the retracting direction. This is particularly feasible, with little outlay, if the seat-belt tightener uses the tightening forces to displace the retractor.
In an advantageous embodiment the retractor is automatically locked prior to the exertion of a tightening force, and the locking of the retractor is automatically canceled prior to the reduction of this tightening force. In this way the requisite tightening distances are minimized. In addition, the tightening is canceled as soon as the risk of the relevant or ensuing event has passed. The occupant is thereby able to move more freely.
In another possible variant, the seat-belt tightener uses the tightening forces to retract the belt into the retractor. The rotating movement means that this variant takes up less space than a displacing movement. The belt is suitably embodied as a three-point belt, thereby providing a simple and highly reliable means of restraint.
In an advantageous embodiment at least one radar distance-measuring device is used to detect an impending event. This permits a precise and rapid calculation of the distances and relative speeds and thereby gives the restraining device a short reaction time.
In a preferred embodiment the restraining device is arranged on a driver's seat in the vehicle. Given an impending event, the driver is consequently prompted to react accordingly, for example to brake or brake more sharply, or to undertake an evasive maneuver.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Restraining device for an occupant of a vehicle


Multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays for detecting a bacteria (e.g. Helicobacter pylori) in a specimen use multiple oligonucleotide primer pairs based on the sequences of multiple loci of the bacteria. In one application, up to five loci in the genomic DNA sequences of Helicobacter pylori were amplified. Two fragments of H. pylori were amplified from each locus, wherein a second fragment was an internal fragment of the first fragment.

Microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses cause serious infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera, hepatitis and meningitis. To diagnose and cure bacterial infections requires rapid and early identification of specific disease causing pathogens in clinical specimens. Several bacterial infections do not show characteristic symptoms initially, which requires sensitive and specific tools to diagnose infections.
Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans. The prevalence of H. pylori infection is worldwide and may be as high as 80% in developing countries and up to 40% in developed countries. However, the mode of transmission, the natural history, and other aspects of the epidemiology of H. pylori infection are still unclear. Presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in gastric mucosa and epithelia may be associated with chronic gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancers.
Detection of H. pylori is generally accomplished in two ways: (1) directly, by examining a stomach biopsy by histology, cell culture, and other methods to analyze tissue specimens; or (2) indirectly, by testing a sample of peripheral blood serum for circulating antibodies against H. pylori. Some methods require endoscopy with a biopsy. Direct detection methods currently available for H. pylori, include bacterial culture, histology, serology, stool antigen test, rapid urease test (Campylobacter-like organism or CLOtest), isotope urease breath test, and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
The PCR based methods are sensitive and specific when compared to the urease assay in the presence of other urease-positive bacteria. PCR based methods are relatively inexpensive and produce results faster than bacterial culture, because culturing H. pylori is lengthy and is not possible in many situations. Conventional PCR generally uses a set of primers to amplify a genetic region in H. pylori. PCR tests for various bacteria, including H. pylori, are available for a broad spectrum of specimens, including laboratory cultures and clinical samples. Although conventional PCR based detection methods have many advantages, there are some disadvantages due to both frequent false-positive and false-negative results. The presence of polymorphisms at the primers' binding sites may lead to low specificity in conventional PCR tests.

Methods and compositions to detect bacteria using multiplex PCR


An energy conservation system for an earth-moving loading machine is comprised of one or more pressurized gaseous pistons that extend from the front of the frame of a loading machine to the boom assembly. Although this piston does not provide sufficient force to maintain the boom assembly in a raised position, a portion of the weight of the boom assembly and associated payload is always supported by the piston. This energy conservation system thus decreases the hydraulic horsepower needed to raise and lower the boom assembly and payload, or, in the alternative, decreases the cycle time required to raise and lower the boom assembly. The energy conservation system of the present invention into a loading machine also allows for a more controlled lowering of the boom assembly. Finally, the lowering of the boom assembly stores a portion of the potential energy by compressing the gaseous contents of the piston back to essentially the same pressure that existed prior to the raising of the boom assembly, thereby conserving energy.

The present invention relates to an energy conservation system that is installed on an earth-moving loading machine having a boom assembly.
Wheel loaders and hydraulic excavators are typical earth-moving loading machines machines that are designed and constructed to dig, raise, and/or carry heavy payloads comprised of dirt, rocks, sand, other natural earth components, and/or construction materials. Such earth-moving loading machines commonly have a boom assembly that operably connects the base of the machine to a bucket or shovel. The boom assembly is raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders which are controlled by a series of hydraulic valves. Energy is provided to the hydraulic cylinders by a diesel-powered or electric motor.
As mentioned, one common earth-moving loading machine is a hydraulic excavator. A hydraulic excavator has an open bucket mounted to the end of a boom assembly best described as an articulated arm having a boom portion and a stick portion. The hydraulic excavator is commonly used for digging materials from loading faces or shallow holes and trenches. A hydraulic excavator is one of the more versatile loading machines in that it can be configured as a front shovel or as a backhoe.
Another common earth-moving loading machine is a wheel loader. A wheel loader has a scoop-like bucket mounted to a boom assembly. This earth-moving loading machine is designed to lift and carry dirt, rocks, sand, and other construction materials. In practice, a wheel loader is commonly used to move materials from the ground, loading them into a truck, conveyor hopper, or storage bin.
In operation, an earth-moving loading machine cycles through a series of operations to dig, raise, and transfer a load. First, the operator of the loading machine lowers the bucket and then pushes and curls the bucket into a pile of fractured earth or material. The bucket is manipulated by the operator to obtain a full payload. Using the machine""s hydraulic power, the boom hoist cylinders are filled, raising the boom assembly and bucket to the desired height, which typically is a height sufficient to clear the side rail of the truck being loaded. The operator then moves the bucket to the desired position (for example, adjacent a truck) and dumps the contents of the payload. The boom assembly is returned to a position for acquiring another payload. The operator opens the hydraulic control valves, allowing the hydraulic fluid to escape from the boom hoist cylinders, and causing the boom assembly and bucket to return to the lowered position under the force of their own weight. This cycle is then repeated.
For a fuller understanding of the hydraulic system of an earth-moving loading machine, see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,159 issued to Yoshida and assigned to Komatsu, Ltd. of Japan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,808 issued to Lech and assigned to the Case Corporation of Racine, Wis.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,253 issued to Kobayashi et al. and assigned to Kubota, Ltd. of Osaka, Japan. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.
Clearly, the hydraulic forces required to raise the boom assembly are substantial. Hydraulic systems of the prior art, however, are extremely inefficient. Specifically, every time the machine dumps its payload from the raised position, the operator opens a hydraulic valve, releasing the hydraulic fluid and allowing it to flow back to the associated hydraulic tank, thereby lowering the boom assembly. In so doing, the potential energy stored through the raising of the boom assembly is lost.
It is therefore a paramount object of the present invention to provide a earth-moving loading machine that provides for more efficient raising and lowering of the boom assembly and bucket.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following description.
The energy conservation system of the present invention is preferably comprised of one or more pressurized gaseous pistons that extend from the front of the frame of an earth-moving loading machine to the boom assembly. Such a piston essentially acts as a spring that biases the boom assembly to a raised position. Thus, a portion of the weight of the boom assembly and associated payload is always supported by the piston. Alone, this piston does not provide sufficient force to maintain the boom assembly in a raised position. However, the use of such a piston reduces the forces that need to be supplied by the hydraulic boom hoist cylinders to raise the boom assembly. Thus, operating at the same cycle speeds as a prior art loading machine requires substantially less hydraulic horsepower. Or, if the same amount of hydraulic horsepower is provided. cycle times can be reduced and output increased because of the decreased time required to raise the boom assembly. The incorporation of the energy conservation system of the present invention into a loading machine also allows for a more controlled lowering of the boom assembly. Finally, the lowering of the boom assembly stores a portion of the potential energy by compressing the gaseous contents of the piston back to essentially the same pressure that existed prior to the raising of the boom assembly, thereby conserving energy.

Energy conservation system for earth-moving loading machines


A method and devices for providing measurements of WiFi network channels to a cellular radio network are disclosed. According to one aspect, the invention provides a method that includes preparing, at a node of the cellular radio network, a request for measurement of at least one WiFi channel. The measurement is to be provided by at least one user equipment having a WiFi transceiver and a cellular radio transceiver. The method includes transmitting, from the node of the cellular radio network, the request to the at least one user equipment. The node of the cellular radio network receives, from the at least one user equipment, at least one measurement of the at least one WiFi channel.

WiFi, also termed WLAN, has become a ubiquitous wireless technology for data communication in the unlicensed radio spectrum. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, IEEE, standard IEEE 802.11 defines the protocol stack and functions used by WiFi access points, APs. In the licensed radio spectrum 3rd generation partnership project, long term evolution, 3GPP LTE, wireless communication technology is rapidly being deployed. LTE is the 4th generation of wireless cellular communications. The protocol stack of LTE is currently defined by the 3GPP. The rapid increase in cellular data usage has prompted wireless operators to turn to using WiFi as a means to offload traffic from the congested licensed radio spectrum.
WiFi and cellular radio networks have traditionally by implemented and operated separately from one another. For example, FIG. 1 shows a known cellular radio network 10 and a known WiFi network 20. Each of networks 10 and 20 are independent of the other, even though coverage provided by each network 10 and 20 may overlap in some areas. The cellular radio network includes a plurality of base stations 12 that contain radios that communicate over a defined geographic area called a cell. The base stations 12 may be, for example, evolved Node B, eNB, base stations of an evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, eUTRAN, or LTE network. The air interface of the base stations 12 may be orthogonal frequency division multiple access, OFDMA, on the downlink, and single carrier frequency division multiple access, SC-OFDMA, on the uplink.
Each base station 12 may be in communication with a serving gateway S-GW 14 using an S1 protocol. The S-GW 14 is a communication interface between the base stations 12 and the Internet and/or a backhaul network. As such S-GW 14 routes and forwards user data packets, while also acting as the mobility anchor for the user plane during inter-eNB handovers and as the anchor for mobility between LTE and other 3GPP technologies.
The base stations 12 are also in communication with a mobile management entity, MME, 16. The MME 16 is a control node for an LTE access-network. The MME 16 is responsible for idle mode UE 24, User Equipment, tracking and paging procedures including retransmissions. The MME 16 is involved in the bearer activation/deactivation process and is also responsible for choosing the S-GW 14 for a UE 24 at the UE's initial entry into the LTE network and at a time of intra-LTE handover.
The MME 16 is responsible for authenticating the user, for generation and allocation of temporary identities to UEs, for authorization of the UE 24 to camp on the service provider's Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and enforces UE roaming restrictions. The MME is the termination point in the network for ciphering/integrity protection for non-access stratum, NAS, signaling and handles security key management. Lawful interception of signaling is also supported by the MME 16. Further, the MME 16 also provides the control plane function for mobility between LTE and second generation/third generation, 2G/3G, access networks.
The WiFi network 20 includes wireless access points 22. Each WiFi access point functions as a communication interface between a user equipment 24, such as a computer, and the Internet. The coverage of one or more (interconnected) access points—called hotspots—can extend from an area as small as a few rooms to as large as many square miles. Coverage in the larger area may require a group of access points with overlapping coverage.
Cellular radio networks, such as the communication network 10, and the WiFi network 20 utilize two independent radio air interfaces and networks, each with their own operations, administration and management, OAM, infrastructure. Since the two network architectures are separated, the ability to perform fast and reliable mobility (handoff) of subscriber data sessions between the two networks is severely limited. For example, seamless roaming from LTE to WiFi and back without loss of data packets is a hugely complex task with today's separate networks.
The vast majority of smartphone devices now manufactured include both 3GPP cellular (3G and 4G) and WiFi capabilities. These user equipment 24 have separate radio and protocol stacks for each technology (termed dual stack or dual radio). Both wireless technologies operate simultaneously and independently. There is no method for the cellular radio network to know the radio status of the WiFi link. As such, the cellular radio network cannot make any admission, mobility or load balancing decisions with respect to use of the WiFi link.

Reporting WiFi channel measurements to a cellular radio network


In one embodiment, a method includes launching an application on a first device. The application allows the first device to trigger a service based on a program being played on a second device. The first device captures a visual code being displayed in association with the program being played on the second device. The visual code includes encoded information for program ID information associated with the program being played on the second device and timing information associated with the program being played on the second device. The method determines the program ID information and the timing information from the encoded information included in the visual code and then triggers the service for the application using the timing information and the program ID information.

Companion device experiences allow a user to use a companion device, such as a media capable portable device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet), simultaneously while watching a program on a main device, such as a television. For example, a user may watch a TV show on a main television screen and simultaneously chat with friends about the TV show using a tablet device, or post comments about the TV show from the tablet for others to see in real time.
To enable the companion device experience with the main device, a user may manually enter the program identifier (ID) information for the program into the companion device. However, the companion device typically does not have any knowledge of the program that is currently being displayed on the main screen. For example, the companion device assumes the user is watching the program on the main screen due to the user inputting the program ID information into the companion device, not because the companion device actually has detected the program is being displayed on the main device. Having users manually enter the program ID information may lower the participation rate because of the difficulty in determining the program ID information and the process of manually entering in the program ID information.
Some solutions may attempt to detect the audio of the program being output on the main device to determine the program ID information. However, detecting the audio is not a foolproof solution. For example, if the audio is sampled during a commercial, the volume is too low, or if there is significant background noise, the program may not be identified. Additionally, a companion device is often not powerful enough to perform the audio recognition algorithms necessary to determine the program ID information. Thus, communication with a back-end infrastructure is needed. The investment in the back-end infrastructure may be large because the infrastructure requires tuners, real-time audio analyzers, storage, and real-time database management and search functions for all possible programs that may be offered.

Companion device services based on the generation and display of visual codes on a display device


The present disclosure discloses a thin film package structure, a thin film packaging method and a display device. The thin film package structure includes: an inorganic layer, a buffer layer and an organic layer successively covering an external of an electroluminescence unit structure from inside to outside; composition of said buffer layer is organic, and a thickness of said buffer layer is less than that of said organic layer. The thin film packaging method includes: covering a buffer layer on an inorganic layer encapsulating an electroluminescence unit structure; covering an organic layer on a surface of said buffer layer; composition of said buffer layer is organic, and a thickness of said buffer layer is less than that of said organic layer.

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) devices have become a next-generation display technology with high competitiveness and promising prospect due to their advantages such as all-solid-state structure, high brightness, full-view, fast response and flexible display. Compared to a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display technology, organic light-emitting materials used in the OLED display are particularly sensitive to water oxygen. Thus, requirements for permeability of water and oxygen are generally very strict in order to meet a basic service life, therefore putting forward higher requirement for OLED package.

Thin film package structure, thin film packaging method and display device for improving characteristic of contact surface of organic layer coating