The present invention discloses a data processing method applied in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a codec, at least two audio output devices, an identification module, a communication module and at least two players. The method comprises the steps of: decoding, by the at least two players, at least two paths of coded multi-media data containing audio data to generate at least two channels of code streams corresponding to the at least two paths of multi-media data when the electronic device is in an operating state; assigning, by the identification module, an identifier to each of the at least two channels of code streams and transmitting at least two identifiers to the communication module, the at least two identifiers being provided to the codec such that the codec can receive the at least two channels of code streams based on the at least two identifiers; and establishing, by the codec, a channel corresponding to each of the at least two channels of code streams based on the at least two identifiers, such that each channel of code stream can be output to one of the at least two audio output devices via its corresponding channel.

With the economic development, our life experiences have been constantly improved. For example, when using electronic devices, we hope that they can have more functions and bring us more fun.
There are currently various electronic devices, such as notebook computers and tablet computers. Taking a tablet computer as an example, when more than one application capable of playing music is running on the tablet computer, all the respective music will be output from these applications.
For example, an tablet computer may be used by multiple users. User A listens to music using the tablet computer. User B watches a movie on the tablet computer. User C plays a game on the tablet computer. User D chats using the QQ application on the tablet computer. In this case, the tablet computer plays using their respective players and outputs respective sounds via a speaker. For example, the music is played in a music player, the movie is played in a movie player and the sounds of the music and the movie are output via the speaker.
In addition, when a headphone is inserted into a headphone jack of the tablet computer, the sounds will be directly output from the headphone instead of the speaker. The headphone and the speaker cannot be used simultaneously.
During the implementation of the present invention, the applicant realizes at least the following technical problem in the prior art: sounds output from different applications are mixed and undistinguishable.

Data processing method and electronic device


In a ring-shaped MOST network installed in a motor vehicle, several units are linked to one another by several linkage sections. They function as data source, data sink, or transceiver. At least some of the units have two or more transceiver modules. To relieve the processors of such units with more than one transceiver module, only one network controller is present in such a unit for all its transceiver modules.

The present invention relates to a vehicle multimedia system, and in particular to a vehicle multimedia system that includes a plurality of multimedia units that communicate over a data bus, and at least one of these multimedia units includes at least two transceiver modules that are controlled by a single network controller.
Motor vehicles such as for example cars, trucks, and buses may include a multimedia system that is configured as a ring-shaped data network. This network structure links several multimedia units to one another, which function as data source, data sink, or transceiver, as needed for the multimedia system.
A ring-shaped data network in a motor vehicle can link multimedia units such as for example a radio receiver, a television set, monitors, a CD player, a DVD player, a CD or DVD changer, a cassette recorder, active loudspeakers, a navigation system, a car telephone, a wireless telephone, as well as operating and control units. Two or more transceivers can be connected in series in the units enumerated above, although the unit outwardly has only one input and one output. However, from the point of view of the network, the transceivers in one unit are regarded as independent network subscribers. This makes it necessary to accommodate within this unit a network controller for all the transceivers present in this unit. However, this puts a heavy load on the processor of the unit.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved technique for connecting multimedia units of a vehicle multimedia system.

Multimedia unit having multiple transceivers for use in a vehicle


The present disclosure provides a chip fault diagnosis method, which includes: determining an interrupt flag of an interrupt flag register based on first data identifying an interrupt state in the interrupt flag register; and determining a fault state of chip interrupt corresponding to the interrupt flag based on the interrupt flag. By adopting the technical solution provided by the present disclosure, a fault of the interrupt can be diagnosed in time, and the interrupt can be processed in time.

One of basic functions of an SOC is that a hardware functional module in an SOC chip sends out an interrupt request to interrupt software in a CPU. When a predefined interrupt event occurs, the hardware functional module sends the interrupt request to an interrupt controller, and the interrupt controller will generate an interrupt signal to the designated CPU to interrupt a routine program of the CPU, so that an interrupt event processing program can be executed preferentially.
An Interrupt event occurs in the hardware functional module of a common SOC, and then the hardware functional module transmits the interrupt signal to the interrupt controller through an SOC on-chip bus or an interrupt signal line. After receiving the interrupt signal, the interrupt controller sends the interrupt signal to the designated CPU according to the configuration of the interrupt signal. After receiving the interrupt signal, the CPU tries to interrupt a running common program, and then calls a corresponding chip interrupt processing program.
However, in the prior art, interrupt processing is usually started by an interrupt signal. That is, the interrupt processing is started when the interrupt signal is received, but not started when the interrupt signal is not received. As for this processing way, when the hardware functional module, the interrupt controller or a communication link fails, it is difficult to receive the signal or a wrong signal will be received, and the program is executed according to the failure to receive the signal or the wrong signal. Hence, it is hard to discover the fault.

Chip fault diagnosis method, chip fault diagnosis device, computer-readable storage medium and electronic equipment

Horizon (Shanghai) Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd.


Debris removing screen basket and overflow apparatus embodiments for use in a storm collection sewer. The device has two embodiments, each including a central panel with foldable wings in each side of the central panel. During initial assembly, the wings are folded up around the central panel for insertion through a manhole cover. Each wing can have an optional extension panel. In the first embodiment, the wings, extension panels and the central panel form a single type panel that is inclined at a variable angle so as to suit various floor conditions at a particular location. Both wings and extension panels have angled deflector top portions, while the central panel does not. A screen mesh basket is supported behind the central panel. Storm water and debris fill up the area in front of the apparatus. The rising water when reaching the height of the deflector portions is forced over the central panel and into the basket. In the second embodiment the central panel and the wings form a ramp chute which angle down from street level into the basket itself. Overflowing water can run around the sides of the filled basket. Filled baskets in both embodiments are removable while the remaining structure is left undisturbed. The baskets can be double levelled where a top layer has larger openings for holding larger debris and the lower tier level can have smaller opening therein for holding sand.

Storm water runoff generally causes numerous problems to existing roadways. For example, the storm water can be of a great flow capacity that is variable in volume. Furthermore, the storm water runoff usually includes different types of debris such as but not limited to branches, twigs leaves, garbage, refuse and the like. The debris can themselves cause much problems down a storm sewer such as clogging up existing drain lines and the polluting of local waterways with the refuse and garbage.
Existing storm water drain collection sewers generally have grated and/or recessed inlets placed in a roadway's pavement and/or in the curb areas. The storm water is then conveyed through a storm sewer piping to an outfall in an existing drainage way, lake, stream, river, ocean and the like. Presently, no economically viable solution exists to remove the natural or manmade refuse, trash and the like, that inherently flows into the storm sewers. The natural and manmade refuse, trash and the like become pollutants in the water bodies in which they are later discharged. These pollutants can ruin the aesthetic appearance and are harmful to the natural plants and wildlife in rivers, streams, lakes and oceans where the discharged pollutants eventually settle. Typical ways for communities to keep the storm drain collection sewers clean and passable is through expensive maintenance programs that would generally includes sending out crews of several workers on a continuous basis to the drain sites.
Numerous types of flexible bag shaped filters, baskets and removable screens have been proposed to solve the problem of preventing debris from entering storm water collection sewers. However, these bag filters, baskets and screens are difficult and costly to remove and replace when full. Further, the material composition of the bag filters have a limited short lifespan. Furthermore, the bag filters, baskets and screens restrict all storm water to run directly through the device itself and thus when clogged with debris do not have the capability to allow the storm water to run around. When clogged, the main flow of water into the drain sewers can be obstructed by these devices and cause flooding damage to surrounding areas. Examples of removable bag filters, screens and baskets include: U.S. Pat. No.: 783,556 to Van Buskirk; U.S. Pat. No. 1,451,394 to Hurst; U.S. Pat. No. 1,675,714 to Koch; U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,197 to Duzer; U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,430 to Kinne; U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,390 to Cunningham; U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,232 to Arntyr; U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,728 to Ellis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,587 to Hegemier et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,580 to Shyh; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,367 to Sainz; U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,714 to Logue, Jr.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,619 to Murfae et al. describes a filter assembly for storm water sewers. However, the Murfae et al. device requires a "forklift" to use and is limited to being applied above existing curbs in FIG. 3, or must be placed upstream from existing sewer lines in FIG. 5. The Murfae et al. device is not practical because of it's weight limitations and elaborate and its expensive construction requirements of digging up and constructing additional basins in which to use the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,122 to Wiesemann describes a self cleaning static bar grid but still allows for debris to pass through the funnel box itself. U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,539 to Schneider describes an elaborate and impractical filter system where a "telescopic" expanding bench shaped "bed" must be physically inserted into a storm drain, where a woven filter screen laid on the bed can become clogged and be difficult if not impossible to remove from the storm drain.
Thus, the need exists for a solution to the above presented problems.


Doorbell systems can be configured to detect and/or regulate temperature within a doorbell. Doorbell systems can comprise a temperature sensor coupled to the doorbell and a heating element coupled to the doorbell. Methods can include determining, by the doorbell, a first temperature of an inside portion of the doorbell. As well, methods can include heating, by the heating element, the inside portion of the doorbell in response to the first temperature being less than a first predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, doorbells detect humidity and then communicate the humidity to a remote device.

1. Field
Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to doorbells. Certain embodiments relate to communication between a person near a doorbell and a person in another location.
2. Description of Related Art
Homes, offices, and other buildings sometimes include communication and surveillance systems to enable friendly visitors to summon occupants of the buildings and to deter unwanted visitors. Communication and surveillance systems can include video cameras and doorbells.
Doorbells can enable a person located outside of an entry point, such as a door, to alert a person inside of an entry point that someone outside would like to talk to someone inside. Doorbells sometimes include a button located near a door, such as a front door, side door, or back door of a home, office, dwelling, warehouse, building, or structure. Doorbells are sometimes used near a gate or some other entrance to a partially enclosed area. Pushing the doorbell sometimes causes a chime or other alerting sound to be emitted. In some cases, this alerting sound can typically be heard within a short distance from the entry point or sound source. For example, a homeowner located remotely from her home likely would not be able to hear the alerting sound, and thus, would not be aware that someone is ringing her doorbell. Thus, there is a need for devices and methods to alert remotely located individuals that someone seeks the attention of the homeowner, tenant, building guardian, or steward.

Doorbell communication systems and methods


A device for commercial waste collection has a first container and a second container. A lid covers the first container. A first pair of lifting sleeves is attached to side surfaces of the first container for lifting the first container. A second pair of lifting sleeves is attached to side surfaces of the second container and positioned below the first pair of lifting sleeves. A third pair of lifting sleeves is attached to the side surfaces of the first container and aligned with the second pair of lifting sleeves. The second pair of lifting sleeves and the third pair of lifting sleeves are used together to lift both the first container and the second container together. A latching mechanism is provided for preventing opening of the lid when lifting both the first container and the second container together.

Recycling programs are beneficial for many reasons. For example: 1) Many American companies rely on recycling programs to provide the raw materials they need to make new products. Recycling in the U.S. is a $236 billion a year industry. 2) More than 56,000 recycling and reuse enterprises employ 1.1 million workers nationwide. 3) The average American business discards one hundred pounds of garbage every day. Most of this garbage goes into landfills, where it's compacted and buried. 4) Recycling requires far less energy, uses fewer natural resources, and keeps waste from piling up in landfills. 5) Recycling offers significant energy savings over manufacturing with virgin materials. For example, manufacturing with recycled aluminum cans uses 95% less energy. 6) Recycling preserves existing landfill space. 7) In 2000, recycling of solid waste prevented the release of 32.9 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE, the unit of measure for greenhouse gases) into the air. 8) Making goods from recycled materials generates far less water pollution than manufacturing from virgin materials. 9) Using recycled materials reduces the need to damage forests, wetlands, rivers and other places essential to wildlife. 10) Recycling and buying recycled products creates demand for more recycled products, decreasing waste and helping our economy.
However, much of the current infrastructure for commercial bulk waste collection does not provide the option of a single bulk collection area for placement of both recyclables and non-recyclable waste containers. Furthermore, many waste collection trucks are not equipped to handle both recyclables and non-recyclable waste containers as the two different containers generally require different mechanisms to allow the waste collection trucks to lift, hold and empty the different containers. Accordingly, when a municipality is forced to choose which type of garbage to collect in a given commercial bulk location, the collection of recyclables is either made more expensive, made less convenient or simply removed altogether.
Therefore, a need exists to provide a device and method to overcome the above problems. A solution is to provide a device that integrates a container for non-recyclable waste, a container for recyclables, and a means for the separate collection of the contents of the two containers using a standard fork lift-operated garbage truck. This device and method of removal allows the truck operator to selectively collect either waste or recycling based solely on the position of the forks.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Dual recyclables and non-recyclable waste collection device and method therefor


Immunogenic peptides of a melanoma antigen recognized by T cells, designated gp100, bioassays using the peptides to diagnose, assess or prognose a mammal afflicted with cancer, more specifically melanoma or metastatic melanoma, and use of the proteins and peptides as immunogens to inhibit, prevent or treat melanoma.

Melanomas are aggressive, frequently metastatic tumors derived from either melanocytes or melanocyte related nevus cells ("Cellular and Molecular Immunology" (1991) (eds) Abbas A. K., Lechtman, A. H., Pober, J. S.; W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia: pages 340-341). Melanomas make up approximately three percent of all skin cancers and the worldwide increase in melanoma is unsurpassed by any other neoplasm, with the exception of lung cancer in women ("Cellular and Molecular Immunology" (1991) (eds) Abbas, A. K., Lechtiman, A. H., Pober, J. S.; W. B. Saunders Company Philadelphia pages: 340-342; Kirkwood and Agarwala, (1993) Principles and Practice of Oncology 7:1-16). Even when melanoma is apparently localized to the skin, up to 30% of the patients will develop systemic metastasis and the majority will die (Kirkwood and Agarwala, (1993) Principles and Practice of Oncology 7:1-16). Classic modalities of treating melanoma include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In the past decade immunotherapy and gene therapy have emerged as new and promising methods for treating melanoma.
T cells play an important role in tumor regression in most murine tumor models. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) that recognize unique cancer antigens can be isolated from many murine tumors. The adoptive transfer of these TIL plus interleukin-2 can mediate the regression of established lung and liver metastases (Rosenberg, S. A., et al., (1986) Science 233:1318-1321). In addition, the secretion of IFN-γ by injected TIL significantly correlates with in vivo regression of murine tumors, suggesting activation of T cells by the tumor antigens (Barth, R. J., et al., (1991) J. Exp. Med. 173:647-658). The known ability of tumor TIL to mediate the regression of metastatic cancer in 35 to 40% of melanoma patients when adoptively transferred into patients with metastatic melanoma attests to the clinical importance of the antigens recognized (Rosenberg, S. A., et al., (1988) N. Enql. J. Med. 319:1676-1680; Rosenberg, S. A., (1992) J. Clin. Oncol. 10:180-199).
T cell receptors on CD8+ T cells recognize a complex consisting of an antigenic peptide (9-10 amino acids for HLA-A2), β-2 microglobulin and class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) heavy chain (HLA-A, B, C, in humans). Peptides generated by digestion of endogenously synthesized proteins are transported into the endoplastic reticulum, bound to class I MHC heavy chain and β2 microglobulin, and finally expressed in the cell surface in the groove of the class I MHC molecule. Thus, T cells can detect molecules that originate from proteins inside cells, in contrast to antibodies that detect intact molecules expressed on the cell surface. Therefore, antigens recognized by T cells may be more useful than antigens recognized by antibodies.
Although emphasis is on CD8+ T cell responses, there is emerging support that CD4+ T cells may play an important role in anti-tumor immunity. As reviewed by Pardoll and Topalian (Curr. Opin. Immunol. 10:588, 1998), CD4+ T cells have been demonstrated in murine studies to exert helper activity through the induction of CD8+ T cells and B cells and further have both direct and indirect effects on tumor cells, including those deficient in MHC class II. In humans, CD4+ T cells play a critical role in the initiation of several autoimmune diseases (Parry et al., Curr. Opin. Immunol. 10:663, 1998) and in pathogenic resistance (Mata and Paterson, J. Immunol. 163:1449, 1999; Zajac et al., J. Exp. Med. 188:2205, 1998). CD4+ T cells activated dendritic cells primarily through the interaction of CD40 and its ligand. There is growing support that the combination of MHC class I and class II epitopes derived from the same tumor antigen can enhance antitumor effector function and long-term immunity (Surman et al., J. Immunol. 164:562, 2000; Ossendorp et al., J. Exp. Med. 187:693, 1998; Matloubian et al., J. Virol. 68:8056, 1994).
Strong evidence that an immune response to cancer exists in humans is provided by the existence of lymphocytes within melanoma deposits. These lymphocytes, when isolated, are capable of recognizing specific tumor antigens on autologous and allogeneic melanomas in an MHC-restricted fashion (Itoh, K. et al. (1986), Cancer Res. 46: 3011-3017; Muul, L. M., et al. (1987), J. Immunol. 138:989-995); Topalian, S. L., et al., (1989) J. Immunol. 142: 3714-3725; Darrow, T. L., et al., (1989) J. Immunol. 142: 3329-3335; Hom, S. S., et al., (1991) J. Immunother. 10:153-164; Kawakami, Y., et al., (1992) J. Immunol. 148: 638-643; Hom, S. S., et al., (1993) J. Immunother. 13:18-30; and O'Neil, B. H., et al., (1993) J. Immunol. 151: 1410-1418). TIL from patients with metastatic melanoma recognize shared antigens including melanocyte-melanoma lineage specific tissue antigens in vitro (Kawakami, Y., et al., (1993) J. Immunother. 14: 88-93; Anichini, A. et al., (1993) et al., J. Exp. Med. 177: 989-998). Anti-melanoma T cells appear to be enriched in TIL, probably as a consequence of clonal expansion and accumulation at the tumor site in vivo (Sensi, M., et al., (1993) J. Exp. Med. 178:1231-1246). The fact that many melanoma patients mount cellular and humoral responses against these tumors and that melanomas express both MHC antigens and tumor associated antigens (TAA) suggests that identification and characterization of additional melanoma antigens will be important for immunotherapy of patients with melanoma.
The melanocyte differentiation antigen, gp100, is expressed in more than 75% of human melanomas (Cormier et al., Int. J. Cancer 75:517, 1998). Although the gp100 antigen is predominantly expressed intracellularly, it is a suitable immunogenic antigen. The intracellular proteins have been demonstrated to be processed and presented as peptides in the context of MHC molecules to immune system cells. In particular, TIL derived from tumors of melanoma patients have been identified and react with the gp100 antigen. Given that vaccination with a modified gp100 CD8+ T cell epitope combined with IL-2 reportedly resulted in a 42% response rate in patients with metastatic melanoma (Rosenberg et al., Nat. Med. 4:321, 1998; Parkhurst et al., J. Immunol. 157:2539, 1996), only a few patients responded clinically to this particular vaccine regimen, and additionally, only transient responses were observed. Thus, in order to increase the immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy of vaccines comprising gp100 CD8+ T cell epitopes, antigen-specific CD4+ T cells can be combined. Therefore, the gp100 MHC class I and class II epitopes can be useful for cellular responses against melanoma, and can also play a significant role in therapy and diagnosis of melanoma patients.
Peripheral blood lymphocytes have been used to identify several potential melanoma tumor antigens. For example, Van Der Bruggen et al. (Science 254: 1643-1647, 1991) has characterized a gene coding for a melanoma antigen, designated MAGE-1, using T cell clones established from the peripheral blood of patients who were repetitively immunized in vivo with mutagenized tumor cells. Cytotoxic T cells derived from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with melanoma were used to identify a potential antigenic peptide encoding MAGE-1 (Traversari, C., et al. (1992) J. Exp. Med. 176:1453-1457). Brichard et al. ((1993) J. Exp. Med. 178:489-495) has also characterized a gene encoding a melanoma antigen designated tyrosinase using peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients who were sensitized by repetitive in vitro stimulation with tumor. Further support for the therapeutic potential of melanoma antigens is provided by Brown et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,177). Brown et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,177) relates to a recombinant vaccinia virus-based melanoma vaccine where the melanoma antigen p97 is reported to show a protective effect from tumor cell challenge in a murine model. Characterization of additional melanoma antigens can be important for the development of new strategies for cancer immunotherapy, in particular for melanoma.

Peptides of melanoma antigen and their use in diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic methods

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services


An activity based monitoring system is disclosed, the activity based monitoring system being configured to monitor a plurality of badges associated with a plurality of assets within a healthcare facility.

The present invention is related to monitoring activities and more particularly monitoring activities of persons and equipment in a healthcare environment.
Caregivers such as nurses and other staff in a hospital ward, hospital wing, or other healthcare facility generally work under high pressure, high stress and long hours. These caregivers should be highly responsive to patient needs, in non-emergency as well as emergency situations. Due to ever-increasing costs of healthcare and other economic practicalities, efficient deployment of the caregivers in a healthcare facility is desired, particularly at night when the number of caregivers is typically maintained at a minimum. Nevertheless, optimizing efficiency is of secondary importance relative to the primary objective of providing a high level of healthcare.
One approach to maximizing the efficiency of caregivers such as nurses in a hospital facility involves the use of a location and identification system to continuously monitor the location of the caregivers. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,385 to White, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a personnel locating system where individuals to be located wear transmitters, and each transmitter transmits a signal which corresponds to the identity of the wearer. This information is relayed to and displayed at a central control unit. The information may also be displayed at remote terminals, used to control access to equipment or locations, or conveyed via a telephone interface to a telephone switching network to call the nearest telephone or to page the wearer of the transmitter. Additionally, newer communications systems provide even more than the relatively simple locating and telephoning features disclosed in White. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,412 to Novak et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,038 to Ulrich et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,223 to Gallant et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose the use of communications systems that integrate several aspects of personnel and equipment locating, call/code enunciation, and equipment status information.
As alluded to above, caregiver (e.g., nurse) to patient ratios continue to decline due to increasing economic pressures. Many healthcare facilities are exploring ways to reduce the non-value added activities of the caregivers to maintain quality care while reducing the number of caregivers per patient. Computers hold promise for aiding the caregivers to work more efficiently by eliminating activities previously performed by caregivers and/or reducing the amount of time associated with the performance of caregiver activities. However, conventional uses of computers in the above locating and identification systems only supply the caregivers with information and at the most alarms indicating possible adverse events. Computer systems need to become aware of activities within the hospital environment if they are to reduce employee workload. To enable this evolution in computing technology, Activity Based Tracking ("ABT") is needed. ABT is, in a general sense, the real-time connectivity of information (i.e., location, time, device activity, etc.) to detect the occurrence of a specific activity for which a known response is acted upon by an automated system.
Generally speaking an ABT system performs better if the ABT system includes a locating and detection system with a relatively high location resolution. In other words, the instances in which the ABT system provides value to the caregiver are increased if the ABT system is able to determine the location of caregivers, patients, equipment, etc. (hereinafter, "assets") with high resolution. Current tracking/locating systems used in hospitals are based on IR/RF in which the location of the fixed receiver determines the location of the tagged object. Utilizing this strategy, to increase the locating resolution (e.g., to move from being able to determine which room a caregiver is in to being able to determine that the caregiver is next to a patient's bed), additional receivers with limited range may be employed.
In one exemplary embodiment a system for tracking a plurality of movable assets in a healthcare environment is provided comprising a plurality of badges and a locating system. Each of the plurality of badges including a transmitter, being adapted to be coupled to the asset, and being configured to transmit an identification signal identifying the badge. The locating system being configured to receive the identification signal from the respective badge and to determine a location of the asset in the healthcare environment including a height associated with the asset based at least in part on the identification signal. The locating system being further configured to determine if the height of the asset is an expected height.
In one exemplary method for monitoring an asset to determine if the asset has been dropped or has fallen, the method comprises the steps of providing a badge adapted to be coupled to the asset, the badge having an accelerometer configured to monitor a vertical acceleration of the asset and a transmitter; monitoring the vertical component of the acceleration of the badge; transmitting information regarding the vertical acceleration of the badge; determining if the vertical acceleration of the badge has exceeded a threshold value; and identifying the asset as having been dropped or as having fallen based on the vertical acceleration exceeding the threshold value.
In another exemplary embodiment, a system for tracking a plurality of movable assets in a healthcare facility is provided. The system comprising a plurality of badges, a locating system, and at least one portable device. Each of the plurality of badges including a transmitter, being adapted to be coupled to the asset, and being configured to transmit an identification signal identifying the badge. The plurality of badges including a first badge being associated with a first movable asset. The locating system being configured to receive the identification signal from the first badge and to determine a location of the first movable asset in the healthcare facility based at least in part on the identification signal received from the first badge. The at least one portable device including a controller, a display, a memory, an input device, and a transceiver. The portable device being configured to generate a request signal to be received by the locating system requesting the location of the first movable asset in the healthcare facility, to receive a location signal from the locating system indicating the location of the first movable asset, and to provide appropriate directions to a first location in the healthcare facility based on the location of the first movable asset.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a system for tracking a plurality of movable assets in a healthcare facility is provided. The system comprises a plurality of badges, a locating system, and a virtual facility interface. Each of the plurality of badges including a transmitter, being adapted to be coupled to the asset, and being configured to transmit an identification signal identifying the badge. The plurality of badges including a first badge being associated with a first movable asset. The locating system configured to receive the identification signal from the first badge and to determine a location of the first movable asset in the healthcare facility based at least in part on the identification signal received from the first badge. The virtual facility interface including a display and an input device. The virtual facility interface presents a virtual facility including a map of the facility and representations of various assets each having a badge associated therewith, the representations being positioned within the virtual facility based on the location information determined by the locating system for each asset. At least the first asset including multiple representations including a first representation corresponding to a first status and a second representation corresponding to a second status.
In still a further exemplary embodiment, a system for tracking a plurality of movable assets in a healthcare environment is provided. The system comprising a plurality of badges and a locating system. Each of the plurality of badges including a transmitter and a displacement sensor, the badge being adapted to be coupled to the asset. The locating system including a plurality of transmitters positioned at fixed locations within the healthcare environment and a processor with an associated receiver. The processor configured to receive an identification signal from the respective badges. The plurality of transmitters configured to transmit identification signals identifying the transmitter. A first badge is configured to receive the transmitter identifying signals from the transmitters within range of the first badge, to transmit an identification signal to the processor of the locating system, the identification signal including identification information identifying the first badge and motion information collected by the first badge based on the displacement sensor. One of the processor and the first badge determines the location of the first badge based on the transmitter identifying signals received by the first badge.
In a further exemplary embodiment, a locating system is provided wherein the location of a user is determined based in part on the position of the user within the field of view of a camera and the focal length of the camera when the user is in focus. In a still further exemplary embodiment, a locating system is provided wherein a plurality of badges are detected by one or more steerable transceivers which generate an excitation signal of limited extent, the badges being configured to respond to the excitation signal.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be evident from the following description of the drawings and exemplary embodiments.

Article locating and tracking apparatus and method


An all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) composed of digital circuits is provided. The ADPLL includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD), a control unit, a digital controlled oscillator (DCO), and a plurality of frequency dividers. A first frequency divider divides a frequency of a feedback signal CKOUT by a natural number M to generate a first output signal CKOUT/M. The PFD generates a decrement signal dn and an increment signal up, based on a phase difference and a frequency between a first reference clock signal CKIN and the first output signal CKOUT/M. The DCO generates a clock signal CKDCO based on the digital control signals. A second frequency divider receives the digital control signals from the control unit and the CKDCO from the DCO and divides the frequency of the CKDCO by a bit number of the digital control signals to generate a feedback signal CKOUT to the first frequency divider.

Phase-locked loops (PLL) are widely used in telecommunications, computers and other electronic applications. With the development of the semiconductor industry, operation frequencies of microprocessors have been even higher than ever. A PLL is designed in a microprocessor as the system synchronizer as well as the frequency integrator, to eliminate any inconsistence in terms of timing between the external reference clock and internal clock, and to support the need of an internal high frequency clock. On the other hand, the PLL is much needed for system synchronizing, clock or data recovering, and frequency integration, in a communication system. PLL is important in a vast number of applications for system design.
Although being widely utilized, traditional phase-locked loops are digital PLLs containing the phase frequency detector(s), analog loop filter(s), and voltage controlled oscillator(s). Under the stream of the system on chip (SOC) design, issues regarding the integration of digital and analog circuits such as signal disturbing to the analog circuit will sure be encountered if the traditional PLL circuit design is adopted. Therefore, the all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) has been prevailed in the market for application.
In general, basic circuit design of a typical ADPLL can be illustrated as FIG. 1 shows. As shown in FIG. 1, the ADPLL 1 is consisted of a phase frequency detector (PFD) 11, a digital loop filter 12, a digital controlled oscillator (DCO) 13, and a frequency divider 14. The PFD 11 compares a signal Fi from the DCO 13 with an outer reference signal Fr, and then outputs a series of either increment or decrement signals based upon the frequency as well as the phase difference between Fi and Fr. The loop filter 12 receives the signal series described above and converts the input into analog signals acceptable to the DCO 13, to adjust both the frequency and phase of the output from DCO 13. The DCO 13 is an oscillation circuit generating a relative oscillation frequency depending on the voltage of the analog signals, while the value of the frequency is within a certain range. On the feedback path of the circuit, the frequency divider 14 reduces its input signals by N (N is a natural number) times.
The operation process of the above ADPLL is summarized as follows. The PFD 11 compares a reference clock signal Fr with a feedback clock signal Fi from a frequency divider 14 (the frequency of the feedback signal has been reduced by N times) on either positive or negative edges. Decrement signals will be generated if the edges of Fi lead the edges of Fr. On the other hand, increment signal will be generated if the edges of Fi fall behind those of Fr. And then the digital loop filter 12 generates a control signal to the DCO 13, based on the input from the PFD 11. According to the control signal, a feedback signal is generated from the DCO 13 and passes through the frequency divider 14 which reduces the frequency by N times. The frequency-divided feedback signal Fi will then be compared with Fr as a routine, to continuously modify the voltage level of the control signal from the DCO 13 until the frequency and phase difference between Fr and Fi is minimized. When the locking is effective, either the decrement or the increment signals from PFD 11 shall be zero.
Traditional analog PLLs require accurate analog and passive devices such as resistors and capacitors, and they are sensitive to the process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. Compared with analog PLLs, the all-digital PLL (ADPLL) has advantages such as robustness, easy-to-process migration, and without a passive loop filter. But the oscillator in the analog PLL has a higher operation frequency and better jitter performance than those of the digital controlled oscillator (DCO) in the ADPLL. Moreover, ADPLL has the problems of finite frequency resolution and quantization noise. To have a wider range of operation frequency, the algorithm in an ADPLL has to shorten the locked time. To have a large multiplication factor, the frequency resolution must be high enough to reduce the frequency error and jitter issue. Unfortunately, due to a limited bandwidth (490 MHz to 1.39 GHz), outputs of the current digital controlled oscillators still cannot be broadly applied to the current wireless communication facilities (15 KHz to 1.39 GHz). Therefore, the need for a new ADPLL with an increased DCO operation frequency range and enhanced frequency resolution is urgent.

All digital phase-locked loop with widely locked frequency


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for remote testing. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first message from a first user device indicating initialization of a client application. The method includes determining that the first user device is a member of a first testing group. The method includes identifying a first testing component associated with the first testing group and capable of altering the client application. The method includes sending the first testing component to the first user device.

This specification relates to web based applications.
Web applications are accessed by users over a network, for example, the Internet. The applications may be deployed for informational or productivity purposes. Some web applications are transmitted to a user device each time a user wishes to access the application. Other web applications install a client portion of the application on the user device (for example, applications on a mobile device).
Some operators of the web applications earn revenue through advertising and/or subscriptions. In general, the more popular the web application, the more revenue is available to the operator.


The present invention relates to a decorative toothbrush, which will encourage children to brush their teeth more frequently. The brush includes a brush component and handle component. The handle component, in the preferred embodiment, is constructed from a transparent, plastic material. A decorative fluid is placed within the hollow interior of the handle component.. A variety of decorative fluids are disclosed for use within the handle. One such fluid contains a plurality of phosphorescent characters, which are suspended within a glycerin-water mixture.. In an alternative embodiment, the brush and handle components are releasably interconnected. The two-component nature of the alternative embodiment allows multiple handles to be used with the same brush component. In this way, a user can collect various handle components featuring different characters.

The present invention relates to a toothbrush; and more particularly pertains to a decorative toothbrush for encouraging children to brush their teeth.
Toothbrushes have a construction generally including a handle portion and an opposed brushing portion. The brushing portion generally consists of a series of upstanding bristles. Furthermore, novelty items employing glittering particles are also known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,267 to Wang discloses a utensil with a glittering handle. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,341 to Broxton discloses a decorative condiment shaker. The shaker includes a decorative ring, which is preferably hollow and contains liquid and glitter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,974 to Lew et al. discloses an optically decorated baton. The baton is liquid filled, and suspended particles with light-reflecting surfaces, are included therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,615 to Correll discloses a hand-held fitness device filled with both colored glitter and foam pellets.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,591 to Vockel, Jr. et al. discloses a process for making a phosphorescent plastic article.
In this respect, the decorative toothbrush of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.

Toothbrush with fillable, interchangeable, hollow handle


A self wiping toiletry device and method of use which utilizes a jaw system and release button to hold and release toilet paper for wiping. The apparatus and method is especially useful for handicapped persons and those having limited use of one or both hands. The apparatus and method in its preferred form easily allows a person to roll toilet paper, install the rolled paper into the jaw system, use the rolled paper to wipe after toilet use, and thereafter easily dispense the soiled paper into the toilet water.

The present invention relates in general to toiletry devices and more particularly to a device and method for promoting optimum personal hygiene, especially for persons having limited hand and/or arm function. The present art device specifically allows the aforesaid persons to function independently when using the restroom, and also assist persons lacking the physical dexterity to practice optimum personal hygiene when using the restroom by providing a device and method of use which allows a person to hygienically wipe after toilet use.
The device in its preferred assembled form comprises a nearly "L" shaped form having a hand grip and a thumb triggerable toilet paper release button at a first end. The aforesaid handgrip also functions as a toilet paper roller, utilizing a grip-release locking switch (much like a flash light switch), which allows release of the grip. Once released, the grip is allowed to spin freely and allow rolling of toilet paper prior to installation of said rolled paper on or near a second end of the device. The second end of the device comprises a gently-tapered toilet paper mandrel or spindle having a closed end, around which the aforesaid pre-rolled amount of toilet paper (to be pre-rolled by the user) is slid on the held in place by a retainer arm which mates with a groove in said mandrel, said groove and arm combination forming a jaw system. Said arm is actuated, i.e. opened and closed, with said toilet paper release button. That is, when said release button is depressed, the arm opens for placement or release of the aforesaid toilet paper preroll. In the preferred embodiment, the base of the "L" shape relates to the stem of the "L" shape with an approximately 75 degree minor angle for ease of use and conformance with the user's body. Alternative embodiments may increase or decrease this angle without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved self wiping toiletry device and method of use which provides an apparatus and method for a user to hygienically wipe after toilet use, especially when said user lacks physical dexterity to practice optimum personal hygiene without the aid of such a device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight and easy to use self wiping toiletry device which assists the user in rolling toilet paper and further allows the user to utilize said rolled paper for wiping.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a self wiping toiletry device which provides the aforesaid benefits in a form which is easily and inexpensively molded.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a self wiping toiletry device with all of the aforesaid features which easily disposes of and does not require the user to contact the soiled paper after use.


The present invention provides alcohol-based sanitizers containing an efficacy enhancer for improved antimicrobial effectiveness. The present invention further provides skin sanitization methods comprising contacting skin having microbial contamination with an antimicrobial composition comprising an alcohol and an efficacy enhancer to achieve a minimum 3 log10 reduction in skin pathogen contamination after one application.

The field of the invention relates generally to antimicrobial sanitizers.
Alcohol-based sanitizers have found increasing use by consumers and institutional facilities due to the capability to quickly kill microbes without the use of soap and water. Pathogenic microbes are typically transmitted by person-to-person or object-to-person contact. The probability of transmission increases when personal hygiene, such as hand washing, is inadequate. Hand washing with soap and water provides an effective method for reducing the potential for microbe transmission and contamination, but it is not always practical or feasible to sanitize the skin in this manner. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used to sanitize the hands in such cases, or can be used as a supplement to soap and water.
Alcohol-based sanitizers are effective against many types of pathogenic microbes including antibiotic resistant bacteria, tuberculosis, flu viruses, cold viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, and fungi. Alcohol is typically efficacious at skin contact times of less than a minute. For this reason, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are extensively used in hospitals as an alternative to antiseptic soaps, and have two general applications: hygienic hand cleaning and surgical hand disinfection. Alcohol based hand cleaning compositions provide a better skin tolerance as compared to antiseptic soap and have been shown to have more effective anti-pathogen properties as compared to antiseptic soaps.
Problematically, alcohol-based sanitizers are generally effective only during contact time and have little or no residual effect. Because the sanitizers do not achieve complete germ kill, recolonization of pathogenic microbes after sanitizer application can occur. Further, recurrent use of alcoholic sanitizers may leave a biofilm on the skin surface that may entrap pathogenic microbes resulting in decreased effectiveness with added use in the absence of hand washing with soap.
Therefore, there is a need for improved alcohol-based hand sanitizers that provide for increased antimicrobial effectiveness after multiple applications.

Sanitizer compositions comprising alcohol and an antimicrobial efficacy enhancer


Articles, for example multi-ply fibrous structure-containing articles such as multi-ply sanitary tissue products, containing two or more fibrous structure plies, and more particularly to multi-ply articles containing two or more fibrous structure plies having a plurality of fibrous elements wherein the articles exhibit improved bulk and absorbent properties compared to known articles and methods for making same, are provided.

Processes for making multi-ply fibrous structure-containing articles are known. However, none of the known processes combine an embossed fibrous structure ply such that the article exhibits a Core Height Value (MikroCAD Value) of greater than 0.60 mm and is bonded to at least one other fibrous structure ply by a water-resistant bond.
Known process have made articles comprising fibrous structures comprising a plurality of fibrous elements, for example filaments and fibers, one such prior art article 10 comprising a fibrous structure comprising a plurality of fibrous elements (filaments and/or fibers) as shown in Prior Art FIG. 1 comprises a meltblown or spunbond polymeric abrasive layer 12 and an absorbent layer 14, such as a wet-laid fibrous structure, a coform fibrous structure, or an air-laid fibrous structure. However, such known articles, for example multi-ply fibrous structure-containing articles that may exhibit embossments that result in the multi-ply fibrous structure articles having a Core Height Value (MikroCAD Value) of greater than 0.60 mm as measured according to the Surface Texture Analysis Test Method do not exhibit the properties of the multi-ply fibrous structure-containing articles of the present invention because they are not bonded together via a water-resistant bond and therefore the height of the embossments are significantly reduced upon wetting of the prior art articles.
Accordingly, there is a need for a process for making multi-ply fibrous structure-containing articles such that the resulting article exhibit improved bulk and/or absorbent properties that are consumer acceptable that maintain sufficient bulk properties when wet during use by consumers and/or without negatively impacting the softness and/or flexibility and/or stiffness of such articles and/or with improving the softness and/or flexibility and/or stiffness of such articles.

Process for making multi-ply fibrous structure-containing articles


An object of the present invention is to provide a process that enables isocyanates to be stably produced over a long period of time at high yield without encountering various problems as found in the prior art when producing isocyanates without using phosgene. The present invention discloses a process for producing an isocyanate, comprising the steps of: reacting a carbamic acid ester and an aromatic hydroxy compound to obtain an aryl carbamate having a group derived from the aromatic hydroxy compound; and subjecting the aryl carbamate to a decomposition reaction, wherein the aromatic hydroxy compound is an aromatic hydroxy compound which is represented by the following formula (1) and which has a substituent R1 at least one ortho position of a hydroxyl group:

Isocyanates are widely used as production raw materials of such products as polyurethane foam, paints and adhesives. The main industrial production process of isocyanates involves reacting amines with phosgene (phosgene method), and nearly the entire amount of isocyanates produced throughout the world are produced according to the phosgene method. However, the phosgene method has numerous problems.
Firstly, this method requires the use of a large amount of phosgene as raw material. Phosgene is extremely toxic and requires special handling precautions to prevent exposure of handlers thereof, and also requires special apparatuses to detoxify waste.
Secondly, since highly corrosive hydrogen chloride is produced in large amounts as a by-product of the phosgene method, in addition to requiring a process for detoxifying the hydrogen chloride, in many cases hydrolytic chlorine is contained in the isocyanates produced, which may have a detrimental effect on the weather resistance and heat resistance of polyurethane products in the case of using isocyanates produced using the phosgene method.
On the basis of this background, a process for producing isocyanates has been sought that does not use phosgene. One example of a method for producing isocyanate compounds without using phosgene that has been proposed involves thermal decomposition of carbamic acid esters. Isocyanates and hydroxy compounds have long been known to be obtained by thermal decomposition of carbamic acid esters (see, for example, Berchte der Deutechen Chemischen Gesellschaft, Vol. 3, p. 653, 1870). The basic reaction is illustrated by the following formula:R(NHCOOR′)a→R(NCO)a+aR′OH  (1)(wherein R represents an organic residue having a valence of a, R′ represents a monovalent organic residue, and a represents an integer of 1 or more).
The thermal decomposition reaction represented by the above-mentioned formula is reversible, and in contrast to the equilibrium thereof being towards the carbamic acid ester on the left side at low temperatures, the isocyanate and hydroxy compound side becomes predominant at high temperatures. Thus, it is necessary to carry out the carbamic acid ester thermal decomposition reaction at high temperatures. In addition, in the case of alkyl carbamates in particular, since the reaction rate is faster for the reverse reaction of thermal decomposition, namely the reaction by which alkyl carbamate is formed from isocyanate and alcohol, the carbamic acid ester ends up being formed before the isocyanate and alcohol formed by thermal decomposition are separated, thereby frequently leading to an apparent difficulty in the progression of the thermal decomposition reaction.
On the other hand, thermal decomposition of alkyl carbamates is susceptible to the simultaneous occurrence of various irreversible side reactions such as thermal denaturation reactions undesirable for alkyl carbamates or condensation of isocyanates formed by the thermal decomposition. Examples of these side reactions include a reaction in which urea bonds are formed as represented by the following formula (2), a reaction in which carbodiimides are formed as represented by the following formula (3), and a reaction in which isocyanurates are formed as represented by the following formula (4) (see, Berchte der Deutechen Chemischen Gesellschaft, Vol. 3, p. 653, 1870 and Journal of American Chemical Society, Vol. 81, p. 2138, 1959):

In addition to these side reactions leading to a decrease in yield and selectivity of the target isocyanate, in the production of polyisocyanates in particular, these reactions may make long-term operation difficult as a result of, for example, causing the precipitation of polymeric solids that clog the reaction vessel.
Various methods have been proposed to solve such problems. For example, a method for producing polyisocyanate has been proposed in which an alkyl polycarbamate, in which ester groups are composed of alkoxy groups corresponding to a primary alcohol, is subjected to a transesterification reaction with a secondary alcohol to produce an alkyl polycarbamate in which the ester groups are composed of alkoxy groups corresponding to the secondary alcohol, followed by thermal decomposition of the alkyl polycarbamate (see, for example, International Publication No. WO 95/23484). It is described in this method that the thermal decomposition temperature of the alkyl polycarbamate can be set to a lower temperature by going through an alkyl polycarbamate in which the ester groups are composed of alkoxy groups corresponding to the secondary alcohol, thereby resulting in the effect of being able to inhibit precipitation of polymeric solid. However, the reverse reaction rate between the polyisocyanate formed by the thermal decomposition reaction of the alkyl polycarbamate and the secondary alcohol is still fast, thereby leaving the problem of inhibiting the formation of alkyl polycarbamate by the reverse reaction unsolved.
An alternative method has been disclosed whereby, in the production of aromatic isocyanates, for example, an aromatic alkyl polycarbamate and an aromatic hydroxy compound are subjected to a transesterification reaction to produce an aromatic aryl polycarbamate followed by thermal decomposition of the aromatic aryl polycarbamate to product an aromatic isocyanate (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,430). This method describes the effect of being able to set the thermal decomposition temperature to a lower temperature by going through an aromatic aryl polycarbamate. However, in the case of this aromatic aryl polycarbamate as well, under temperatures like those at which the transesterification reaction or thermal decomposition reaction is carried out, there are many cases in which side reactions like those described above still occur, there leaving the problem of improving isocyanate yield unsolved. Moreover, thermal decomposition of N-substituted aromatic urethanes in the gaseous phase or liquid phase is known to frequently result in the occurrence of various undesirable side reactions (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,466).

Abstract: (wherein ring A represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring in a form of a single or multiple rings which may have a substitute and which have 6 to 20 carbon atoms;                R1 represents a group other than a hydrogen atom in a form of an aliphatic alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aliphatic alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms or an aralkyloxy group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, the group containing an atom selected from a carbon atom, an oxygen atom and a nitrogen atom; and R1 may bond with A to form a ring structure).


A composition for use in extending a molecular chain includes a carrier group and a payload group. The carrier group comprising a signaling group and a blocking group. A first bond bonds the payload group to the carrier group and a second bond bonds the signaling group to the blocking group. The first and second bonds are selectively cleavable such that the first bond is cleavable without cleaving the second bond. The payload group is to be attached to the molecular chain, while the blocking group is to block further attachments to the molecular chain once the payload group has been attached. The signaling group comprises a photon emitter that emits a signature photon in response to interrogation by an interrogatory photon. The carrier group transitions from a loaded state to an empty state upon cleavage of the first covalent bond.

It is known in the art to take a strand of DNA and identify the sequence of base pairs. This process, known as "sequencing," has been helpful in promoting the understanding of genetics.
It is desirable to not only know what base pairs are in naturally-occurring DNA but to be able to synthesize new strands of DNA with one's own choices for base pairs. The ability to do so could give rise to many commercial and medical applications.
Known methods of attaching nucleotides include standard phosphoramidite solid phase synthesis. An alternative method involves the use of printed DNA microarrays in connection with enabling chip-based chemical DNA synthesis with error correction. Both of these methods rely on phosphoramidite chemistry.

Composition for use in molecular chain synthesis

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.


In one embodiment the invention provides a device for modulating light. The device includes a non-imaging concentrating optic having a body with a first end through which light enters the body and a second end through which light leaves the body; and a shutter component which can be selectively aligned with the second end in one of several operative positions wherein in at least one operative position, the shutter component is sufficiently close to the second end of the body to be within the wavelength of an evanescent wave generated at a surface of the body at the second end when total internal reflection occurs at the surface.

The compound parabolic concentrator, CPC, is a form of a non-imaging concentrating optic ie. a family of optical components that concentrate light without forming an image. CPCs are described and documented in the text "Nonimaging Optics" by Roland Winston, et al hereby incorporated by reference. The CPC has a variety of applications ranging from solar energy collection, to flat panel displays, for example like that described in patent application U.S. 60/659,498, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The "collection angle" refers to the range of angles from which light enters a CPC and is able to successfully exit the CPC without being reflected due to total internal reflection (TIR). One issue of CPC design that is relevant to all of these applications is that it is desirable to increase the collection angle. For solar energy applications, an increase in the collection angle can increase the efficiency of the system. For flat panel displays, viewing angle, contrast ratio, and overall brightness can be improved as a result of increasing the collection angle

Non-imaging concentrating optic design with modulator


Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods and systems for updating a HD map using a plurality of point cloud data frames. The method may include receiving, by a communication interface, a first data frame of a target region acquired by at least one sensor. The method may further include constructing, by at least one processor, a local HD map based on the first data frame. The method may also include receiving, by the communication interface, a second data frame of the target region acquired by the at least one sensor. The method may also include updating, by the at least one processor, the local HD map using the second data frame based on relative location and pose information associated with the second data frame relative to the local HD map, and updating, by the at least one processor the HD map based on the updated local HD map.

Autonomous driving technology relies heavily on an accurate map. For example, accuracy of a navigation map is critical to functions of autonomous driving vehicles, such as positioning, ambience recognition, decision making and control. HD maps may be obtained by aggregating data acquired by various sensors, detectors, and other devices equipped on vehicles as they drive around. For example, a vehicle may be equipped with multiple sensors such as a LiDAR, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, one or more Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors, and one or more cameras, to capture features of the road on which the vehicle is driving or the surrounding objects. Data captured may include, for example, center line or border line coordinates of a lane, coordinates and images of an object, such as a building, another vehicle, a landmark, a pedestrian, or a traffic sign.
HD maps are typically constructed using, e.g., a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) method. SLAM method includes two stages, a front-end and a back-end. The front-end constructs a series of local HD maps based on poses estimated based on the relative positions between different point cloud frames. As within a relatively short period of time, the accumulation of error in the estimated poses may be negligible, consistency within a local HD map can be maintained. The back-end integrates the local HD maps to construct the global map. The accumulated error among local HD maps becomes significant and intolerable. Thus, the back-end needs to optimize the poses based on the local HD maps provided by the front-end in order to construct the HD maps. The optimization may reduce and/or eliminate the accumulation of positioning errors.
Existing front-end local HD map construction methods typically divide the HD maps based on acquisition time or locations of the vehicle when the acquisitions are made. Those methods do not take into account the number of features needed when the local HD maps are matched in the back-end to construct the global HD map. In addition, the existing methods also fail to effectively reduce the accumulation of positioning errors. The accumulated errors within the local HD maps will affect the optimization results in the back-end.
Embodiments of the disclosure address the above problems by methods and systems for updating a HD map based on accumulating point cloud frames.

Systems and methods for updating a high-definition map

BEIJING DIDI INFINITY TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.


A lead-on-chip (LOC) semiconductor device (10) has an integral decoupling capacitor in the form of a capacitor tape (20) attached to an active surface (14) of a semiconductor die (12). The capacitor tape includes two adhesive layers (22 and 24) to bond the die to the capacitor tape and to a plurality of leads (18). The tape also includes two conductive layers (26 and 28), made for instance of copper foil, which serve as the two electrodes of the capacitor. The electrodes are separated by a dielectric layer (30) which in one embodiment comprises barium-titanate (BaTiO.sub.3). The electrodes of the capacitor are electrically coupled to appropriate power and ground leads of the device by bonding wires (36 and 40) and to appropriate bonding pads (16) also by bonding wires (38 and 42). The bonding wires can be configured using any of three available wiring options. The present invention can also be implemented in a chip-on-lead (COL) device.

Lead-on-chip (LOC) semiconductor devices are gaining widespread acceptance in the semiconductor industry, particularly in the area of semiconductor memories. LOC devices are resin encapsulated devices having leads attached directly above an active surface of a semiconductor die. Thus, a lead frame for LOC devices does not include a flag or die mounting paddle. Instead, the die is adhesively bonded directly to the leads. Once attached to the die, the leads are wire bonded to corresponding bonding pads on the active surface of the die. In some devices, bonding pads are located along a centerline of the die whereas in other devices peripheral bonding pads are used.
An on-going problem with many semiconductor devices, including some LOC devices, is that of simultaneous switching noise. Frequent current changes from switching circuits in a device results in fluctuations or transients in the device's power distribution system. As the switching speeds increase and as the number of circuits increases, the problem of noise is worsened. Since semiconductor manufacturers are continually striving for denser and faster circuits, switching noise is a serious and continuing problem.
The most accepted way to suppress the effects of simultaneous switching noise is to use a decoupling capacitor coupled to ground and power distributions of a device. The decoupling capacitor stores charge which would otherwise distort power distribution. While decoupling capacitors are more or less the accepted way to reduce switching noise, the manner in which a decoupling capacitor is implemented is quite varied. One method of using a decoupling capacitor is to use a capacitor which is external to the device itself, or in other words one which is located outside of a package body. A problem with external decoupling capacitors is that the distance between the capacitor and the die limits the reduction in inductance, thereby limiting the reduction of switching noise. Ideally, a decoupling capacitor is located as close to a die as possible. Another disadvantage with external decoupling capacitors is that external devices occupy board space which could otherwise be used for active components. Device density on a user board is of critical importance in achieving a compact product, so many users are reluctant to employ external decoupling capacitors.
Decoupling capacitors other than external capacitors are also known in the semiconductor industry. For instance, "close-attach" decoupling capacitors are discrete ceramic decoupling capacitors mounted directly to a semiconductor die and electrically coupled to ground and power bonding pads of the die. The die and decoupling capacitor are encased in a cavity type package. Another type of decoupling capacitor used in the industry is a decoupling capacitor attached below a flag or die paddle of a conventional metal lead frame. These decoupling capacitors typically include electrodes comprised of the lead frame material (e.g. copper or iron-nickel alloys) and a ceramic dielectric layer between the electrodes. The electrodes include tabs which are bonded to power and ground leads of the lead frame.
Each of the known decoupling capacitors described above are not particularly suitable for use in LOC devices. Since there is no flag or die paddle in an LOC device, a decoupling capacitor cannot be attached thereto. While it is possible to incorporate a decoupling capacitor beneath a die in an LOC device in a manner similar to attaching a decoupling capacitor beneath a flag, this would undesirably increase the profile or thickness of the device. Also, a close-attach capacitor is not suitable because there is no room on a die's active surface in an LOC device because the leads extend across the active surface. An external capacitor can be used in conjunction with an LOC device, but as circuit density and switching speeds increase, the effectiveness of an external decoupling capacitor is diminished.

Lead-on-chip semiconductor device and method for making the same


The present invention discloses an acoustic sensor for rock crack detection including an acoustic emission probe, a probe installation mechanism and a transmission mechanism which transmits a combination of the probe installation mechanism and the acoustic emission probe to a setting position inside a borehole in the monitored rock mass. The acoustic emission probe installation mechanism essentially includes a sleeve component, a guide component, an end cap and springs. The guide component is in pluggable connection with the sleeve component or the end cap. The assembled probe installation mechanism locks the acoustic emission probe in a probe sleeve of the sleeve component. The springs inside the elastic sleeve of the sleeve component are in a compressed state.

The deformation and destruction of rocks (rock mass) in engineering construction, especially a rock crack dynamic disaster, may directly endanger the construction safety, and even cause disastrous effects. Therefore, effective monitoring and prediction of the rock (rock mass) stability and the rock crack dynamic disaster are important parameters of construction safety. Currently, acoustic emission, as an important means of nondestructive monitoring, is used to monitor and predict the rock (rock mass) stability and the rock crack dynamic disaster in engineering construction.
In the process of surrounding rock excavation and construction of underground engineering, in order to accurately predict the possible deformation and damage of surrounding rock and the dynamic disaster, an acoustic emission sensor needs to be arranged in the monitored surrounding rock area in the form of three-dimensional spatial distribution in advance before the engineering excavation. Moreover, the more are the sensors arranged, the more accurate will be the monitoring results.
In the specific embodiments, it is necessary to drill a hole in the rock (rock mass) by drilling rig before the rock (rock mass) is excavated. The drilling depth increases with the increase of the buried depth of the engineering and the monitored range. However, the deeper the borehole is, the more difficult is the installation of the acoustic emission sensor. Currently, the installation methods of the acoustic emission sensor mainly include the following types.
(1) On the engineering site, the acoustic emission probe is directly placed in the borehole, and the acoustic emission probe transmits the received detection signal to the ground monitoring system through a cable by relying on the residual liquid medium (such as water) in the borehole as the medium for signal transmission between the rock mass and the acoustic emission probe. However, this method has the following disadvantages: {circle around (1)} This method is only suitable for downward borehole, but it is not suitable for perfectly horizontal or upward borehole with a certain angle, because of the difficulty to store the media. Even for downward borehole, the rock mass around the borehole needs to be relatively intact, thus avoiding the loss or seepage of transmission medium from the crack of the borehole and ensuring that the acoustic emission probe is always in the transmission medium. But practically it is difficult to meet this requirement at the site, thus affecting the monitoring effect; {circle around (2)} Although the liquid between the rock mass and the acoustic emission probe can be used as the coupling medium for signal transmission, the density of the liquid is generally relatively low, and the effect of signal transmission is not as good as that of the detection signal received by directly contacting the acoustic emission probe with the rock wall effectively.
(2) Another way is to use simple fixed installation device to fix the acoustic emission probe inside the device, then the fixed device is sent to the installation position by rigid non-movable metal transmission rod, the acoustic emission probe is pushed out by pressure and then is in contact with the rock wall of the borehole to realize fixation. This method has the following disadvantages: {circle around (1)} Because the distance between the fixed installation device and the wall of the borehole is very short, the fixed installation device and the borehole need to be substantially concentric structures, and the wall of the borehole is required to be smooth, but these requirements cannot be guaranteed in actual construction; {circle around (2)} As the fixed installation device is large in size, it is only suitable for boreholes with larger diameters, which leads to the increase of drilling cost; {circle around (3)} the whole transmission rod and installation device are rigidly inserted into the borehole by force, which not only leads to great friction, easily damaging the cable or the acoustic emission probe, but also the installation device easily gets stuck into the borehole, failing to reach the installation position; {circle around (4)} Because the fixed installation device is rigidly inserted into the borehole by external force, the installation process is time-consuming and laborious, and the working efficiency is extremely low; {circle around (5)} As the wall of the borehole is cylindrical and the end face of the acoustic emission probe is planar, how to ensure the effective coupling between the end face of the acoustic emission probe and the wall of the borehole is a difficulty to be solved in practical application.
Based on the defects and disadvantages in the above-mentioned various embodiments, the acoustic emission detection has been limited in applications and promotion of monitoring of the rock (rock mass) stability and the rock crack dynamic disaster.
Therefore, to conveniently and effectively install the acoustic emission probe inside the borehole and make the installed acoustic emission probe effectively coupled with the wall of the borehole are still difficulties in on-site monitoring and research and lack relevant test methods and technical support.

Acoustic sensor for rock crack detection

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT, PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED


A helmet includes an inner and outer shell that are connected posterior of the head via a two degree freedom of movement rotating hinge. The connector allows for angular rotation about the inferior/superior and left/right axes. One potential mechanism for the connector is four springs, located left, right, inferior and superior of the connector, connected to both the inner and outer layers. The goal of the springs is two-fold to provide resistance in the event that the outer layer rotates with respect to the inner layer about either axis in response to an impact or applied force, and to rapidly return the outer layer to its equilibrium position post-impact or after the removal of the applied force.

From deep time, head impact collisions, have affected any and all types of human endeavor. However shock is produced from hitting an inanimate object; two or more individuals butting heads; and/or receiving contact from a moving external object. The result, in great frequency is: broken cranial bones; head/neck muscle strain; and/or brain tissue damage. Such head-impact collisions can, and do influence the post-impact future ability of the recipient to function adequately—in either a personal or societal world.
Of particular note, as the importance of preventing a debilitating injury from head trauma. This may occur in sports, such as cycling, football or other contact sports.


A contact carrier includes an insulating body and contacts positioned therein. Each contact has contact and connection ends projecting beyond the insulating body, and the connection ends of the contacts resting under prestress on corresponding portions of the insulating body, while forming coplanar contact surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a contact carrier of an insulating body and contacts positioned therein, which may be arranged on a circuit board as a component of a contact device for a smart card reader, and the contacts of which can be contacted by corresponding contacts of an associated smart card (chip card) in a reading position of the smart card.
2. Description of Related Art
Usually, each contact has a contact end projecting beyond the insulating body and a connection end projecting beyond the insulating body. The connection ends are soldered to the corresponding contact strip of the circuit board--as can be gathered from the EP 0 480 334 A1. The connection ends can be inserted into the circuit board through corresponding openings. To attach the connection ends directly to the associated contact side of the circuit board is also possible.

Contact carrier including an insulating body and contacts positioned therein


A power transmission system transmits power underwater between a power-transmitting device and a power-receiving device of which at least one is capable of moving freely underwater. In this power transmission system, the power-transmitting device and the power-receiving device are each provided with a resonance coil that performs the power transmission wirelessly underwater by means of magnetic field resonance. At least one of the power-transmitting device and the power-receiving device is provided with a balloon that internally houses the resonance coil of its own device.

Conventionally, a method of examining the water quality of sea water using an autonomous underwater vehicle that travels through water by means of battery power is known. Naturally, if the residual battery power of the autonomous underwater vehicle drops to zero, it becomes impossible to collect data relating to the water quality or to travel through the water. Because of this, when the residual battery power drops below a specified value, it is normal for the autonomous underwater vehicle to be recovered to a surface vessel so that the battery can be charged.
In this manner, if the autonomous underwater vehicle is recovered to the surface vessel each time the battery needs charging, then both the time required and the costs increase enormously. As a consequence, in recent years, advances have been made in the development of technology to enable this charging to be performed underwater. For example, in Patent document 1 (see below), technology is disclosed in which a battery that is installed in an underwater station that collects data relating to the water quality of sea water is charged by an underwater robot that travels through the water using a wireless power supply system (in particular, an electromagnetic induction system).


A mutual coupling neutralizer for neutralizing adverse mutual coupling between a pair of patch antennas for mobile communication system. The coupling neutralizer includes a first and second capacitor each having a first end and a second end, where the first ends are coupled to a respective patch antenna. The neutralizer further includes a high impedance transmission line connected to the second ends of the capacitors. The transmission line and capacitors are sized and configured to neutralize adverse mutual coupling between the pair of patch antennas over a predetermined frequency band. The neutralization of mutual coupling is achieved by extracting a signal present at one patch antenna and injecting the signal at the other patch antenna at a substantially equal amplitude and opposite in phase.

Conventional cellular and new personal communications systems (PCS) are currently enjoying increasing demand throughout the United States and the world. A majority of urban and suburban areas have at least one communication system currently in use or planned to be installed. The large size of conventional cellular antennas make it difficult to find suitable sites for placement, especially in metropolitan areas.
The large size of a cellular antenna is due in part to several requirements for a mobile communication system. First, the antenna generally must be capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals. Secondly, both the receiving and transmitting antennas must be, in most cases, omnidirectional, meaning that the antenna is capable of receiving and transmitting in all horizontal directions. Finally, the antennas must have a high gain or large power density in a preferred direction of radiation.
Presently, cellular antennas consist of arrays of patch antennas that transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation. Patch antennas are particularly suitable for use in mobile communication systems because of their size. The size of a cellular antenna is further reduced by physically locating the patch antennas close to one another. However, patch antennas interact with one another resulting in mutual coupling that adversely effects the performance of the communication system.
Accordingly, there is a need for a mutual coupling neutralizer to substantially neutralize mutual coupling between patch antennas. There is also a requirement to provide smaller cellular antennas without sacrificing performance. These and other needs are satisfied by the mutual coupling neutralizer of the present invention.


The apparatus includes a casing, in which a fresh air passage member has an inlet port communicating with a fresh air inlet, and an outlet port open into an outlet chamber, which is fed through a mixing zone and which in its turn supplies a ventilating duct and a heating duct, the passage member containing internal deflecting walls for encouraging mixing of a stream of fresh air with a stream of mixed air at the outlet of the said passage member.

More particularly, the invention relates to a heating and ventilating apparatus of the type comprising a casing which defines a fresh air inlet, a mixing zone in communication with a deicing duct, a ventilating duct, and a heating duct, and means for supplying the mixing zone selectively with cold or heated air. The apparatus further includes at least one fresh air passage member having an inlet port which is in communication with the fresh air inlet, and an outlet port which is open into an outlet chamber in communication with the mixing zone, the outlet chamber supplying the ventilating duct and the heating duct.
A heating and ventilating apparatus of this type is known from Applicants' French patent application No. 95 07424.
In addition, in this known device, the fresh air passage member is mounted for pivoting movement in the casing between a first extreme position and a second extreme position, in such a way that the outlet port of the passage member is directed towards a duct selected from the deicing duct, the ventilating duct and the heating duct.
In this known device, the mixing zone receives air at an adjustable temperature, which is then passed towards the above mentioned ducts, that is to say the deicing duct, the ventilating duct and the heating duct.
The deicing duct is arranged to pass a flow of air towards at least one vent directed towards at least one of the glasses of the vehicle, in particular the windshield. The ventilating duct is arranged to direct a flow of air towards the heads of the occupants, through ventilating vents which are provided on the fascia of the vehicle. Finally, the heating duct, otherwise called a "foot heating duct", is arranged to pass a stream of air towards the feet of the occupants, through at least one vent that exhausts into the lower part of the cabin.
In the apparatus which is known from French patent application No. 95 07424, actuating means are arranged to control the pivoting movement of the fresh air passage member between its two extreme positions.
In this way it is possible to direct the stream of fresh air leaving the outlet port of the fresh air passage member selectively, either towards the deicing duct, the ventilating duct, or the heating duct, depending on the aerodynamic and thermal configuration required by the user.
The selected duct is then supplied with a stream of fresh air from the fresh air passage duct, which mixes with the mixed air derived from the mixing zone, and this enables a stream of air at an intermediate temperature to be obtained.
However, it has been found that the fresh air passage member, in accordance, with the above mentioned French patent application has a tendency to channel the fresh air stream, which does not enable optimum mixing of the fresh air stream and the mixed air stream to be obtained.

Heating and ventilating apparatus for the cabin of a motor vehicle


An album frame is provided having an outer frame. The outer frame has a back side and an outer periphery. A mounting plate is attached to the back side of the outer frame. A support shelf extends frontwardly from the mounting plate along a first portion of the inner periphery. The support shelf is adapted to support a binding of an album. In addition, the outer frame may have a recessed groove in a second portion of the inner periphery. The second portion is located opposite the first portion of the inner periphery. Furthermore, the outer frame may include a first guiding ramp on a third portion of the inner periphery and a second guiding ramp on a fourth portion of the inner periphery. The first guiding ramp and the second guiding ramp allows an edge of an album cover to be guided into the recessed groove.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ornamental album frame, and more particularly, to an ornamental album frame within which bound albums can be both stored and displayed.
2. Description of Related Art
People enjoy collecting, displaying, and viewing a variety of memorabilia and important records kept in bound albums such as photographs, pressed flowers, cards, and other sentimental items, as well as important documents such as diplomas, certificates, credentials, and the like.


The present invention relates to the controllable degradation, filling-type complex bone implant of multivariant amino acid polymer-organic calcium/phosphorus salts, as well as to the preparative method thereof. The complex bone implant is consisted of multivariant amino acid polymers and medically acceptable organic calcium/phosphorus salts, while the content of organic calcium/phosphorus salts is 20-90% based on the total mass of composite material; the multivariant amino acid polymer is polymerized by ε-aminocaproic acid and at least two other amino acids, in which the molar content of ε-aminocaproic acid is at least 50% of the total molar quantity of amino acid polymers, while the amounts of other amino acids are at least 0.5% of the total molar quantity of amino acid polymers.

Clinical studies on bone healing and computer simulation analysis indicate that the bone healing is a continuous process. In general, that process can be divided into three stages: the hematoma organization stage, the formation stage of primary callus, and the callus transformation stage, and the healing cycle need about three months, but the complete recovery of physiological function of bones or joints need half a year or longer. In addition, the healing cycle of bone is further influenced by age, physical condition, fracture site, whether or not infection, and therapeutic method and so on. Thus, as far as bone repair material, whether its degradation rate can match the healing cycle of physiological bone is the key determining whether this material has a value in clinical application.
The product used for the repair of bone tissue in clinic may have two types, i.e. the filling type and the supporting type. The filling bone repair material is mostly used for the filling implant after cut due to trauma, tumor, as well as tuberculosis and so on; the supporting bone repair material can provide basic needs for mechanical support, and be used as implant for bone defect repair caused by pathological changes in backbone, four limbs, head, etc or by external injury.
At present, the bone repair material widely used includes different types such as autogenous bone, allogenic bone, xenogeneic bone, and artificial bone material and so on. Amongst, for the problems such as limited sources, non-shaping, and biosafety, etc, the clinical application of natural bones including autogenous bone, allogenic bone, xenogeneic bone and so on is limited very much.
Except for natural bones, artificial synthetic material used in the repair of bone tissue in clinic includes inorganic materials such as calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate, bioglass and so on, as well as bone-filling materials of organic polymer.
Although degradable inorganic materials have excellent biological performances and can guide the growth of bone tissue, its strength is low, and its friability is high, while it is often found as coating form. Meanwhile, after implanted in body, it can also develop a weak acid environment, that is not good for the repair of bone tissue or can induce inflammatory reaction (such as calcium sulfate). On the other hand, some inorganic calcium salt materials have a poor solubility and a long degradation cycle, such as the degradation of highly active hydroxyapatite is very slow and can remain in body for more than 10 years, and so long degradation cycle is not beneficial for the growth of new bone; while some inorganic calcium salts with high solubility can not match the growth rate of natural bone due to rapid degradation, and easily form collapsing, such as the complete degradation time of calcium sulfate and amorphous calcium phosphate used for repairing bone defect is 45-72 days, their degradation rates are more than twice that of natural bone.
Organic polymers may include polymethyl methacrylate plastics (PMMA), polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polyamide (PA), etc. These materials have designability, and the molecular chain moiety can be designed according to the target products, while the surface properties and the degradation properties of materials can both be correspondingly processed, that is convenient for the standard and large-scale production. But, the hydrophilicity of most high molecular polymers is poor, and their biocompatibility is low, such as PMMA, PCL, etc, while for the degradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), etc, because of noumenon degradation, their in vivo degradation rates can not be controlled and easily lead to the collapse of materials, and the degradation products are acidic and can bring about adverse effects such as irritation, inflammatory reaction, etc.
Recently, research on complex bone implant constituted by simulating bone tissue becomes the hotspots and the emphasis of bone repair materials, such as HA/PA (hydroxyapatite/polyamide) complex bone implant, HA/PLA (hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid) complex bone implant, and CS/PGA (polyglycolic acid) complex bone implant and so on. These materials not only hold the mechanical property and the strength of polymers, but also can have biological activity of calcium/phosphorous salts.
Although these complex bone implants have gained some success in mechanical properties of material, they are still not desirable enough such as the dispersity of inorganic calcium/phosphorus salts in polymers is not good, and the problems in degradation rate and degradation products are still not effectively solved. Thus, in the face of so huge demand in clinic, high active complex bone implant of controllable degradation is urgently needed, whose degradation rate matches the healing-repair cycle of bone tissue. Moreover, the degradation cycle may be freely regulated, to meet the different requirements in clinic, and the degradation product cannot cause adverse effects on organism such as irritation, etc., and can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of bone cells and promote the bone healing process, thus achieve synergetic effects of bone repair.

Composite bone implant material and method of making thereof

SICHUAN NATIONAL NANO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD