An apparatus and method for generating a motion compensated matrix, the method includes the steps of: (i) providing a motion vector and at least one input matrix of DCT coefficients; (ii) selecting at least one conversion transform (CT) and at least one inverse conversion transform (ICT) in response to a content of the motion vector; and (iii) applying the at least one selected ICT and the at least one selected CT to provide a motion compensated matrix.

The Discrete Cosine Transform
A two dimensional DCT converts an input matrix of N×N spatial domain elements to a matrix of N×N DCT coefficients. In many standard video compression schemes N=8. A two dimensional DCT may be implemented by applying a one dimensional DCT over the rows of the input matrix to provide a row-transformed matrix and them applying a one dimensional DCT over the columns of the row-transformed matrix. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the same result is achieved when applying a one dimensional DCT over the columns of the input matrix to provide a column-transformed matrix and then applying a one-dimensional DCT over the column-transformed matrix to provide the matrix of N×N DCT coefficients.
A plurality of fast algorithms for performing the DCT was introduced by C. Loeffer, A. Ligtenberg and G. S. Moschytz ("Practical fast 1−d DCT algorithms with 11 multiplications", in Proceedings of ICASSP 1989, pp. 988-991.). Loeffer et al suggest a four stage DCT for conversion of input matrix of 8×8. Each stage is executed in series while the calculation within each stage may be calculated in parallel. The mentioned above article includes a graphical illustration of four-stage algorithms. One of their algorithms may also be illustrated by the following sets of equations:A0=I0+I7; A1=I1+I6; A2=I2+I5; A3=I3+I4; A4=I3−I4; A5=I2−I5; A6=I1−I6; A7=I0−I7.B0=A0+A3; B1=A1+A2; B2=A1=A2; B3=A0−B3; B4,B7=ROT(C3)[A4,A7]; B5, B6=ROT(C3)[A5,A7];C0=B0+B1; C1=B0−B1; C2,C3=ROT(√{square root over (2)}C1)[B2,B3]; C4=B4+B6; C5=B7−B5; C6=B4−B6; C7=B5+B7;O0=C0; O1=C7+C4; O2=C2; O3=√2C5; O4=C1; O5=√2C6; O6=C3; O7=C7−C4
Whereas each of these equation sets corresponds to a single stage, I0–I7 are the inputs signals to the DCT transform, O0–O7 are further divided by the constant √{square root over (8)} to provide the outputs of the DCT, A0–A7 are the intermediate results of the first stage of the DCT; B0–B7 are the intermediate results of the second stage of the DCT; C0–C7 are the intermediate results of the third stage of the DCT; and the ROT denoted a rotation operation. A rotation operation by k C n is illustrated by the following equations, whereas E1 and E2 are the inputs of the rotation operation while F1 and F2 are the outputs of the rotation operation:F1=E1*k*cos(nπ/2N)+E2*k* sin(nπ/2N)F2=−E1*k*sin(nπ/2N)+E2*k*cos(nπ/2N)
The upper equation is also referred to as UP_ROT, whereas the lower equation is also referred to as LOW_ROT.
Loeffer et al suggested four other first stages that are illustrated by the
following equation sets:A0=I0+I7; A1=I1+I2; A2=I1−I2; A3=I3+I4; A4=I3I4; A5=I5+I6; A5=I5−I6; A7=I0−I7.A0=I0+I7; A1=I5+I1; A2=I6+I2; A3=I3+I4; A4=I3−I4; A5=I1−I5; A6=I2−I6; A7=I0−I7.A0=I0+I3; A1=I6+I1; A2=I5+I2; A3=I0−I3; A4=I7+I4; A5=I2−I5; A6=I1−I6; A7=I4−I7.A0=I0+I4; A1=I6+I1; A2=I5+I2; A3=I3+I7; A4=I0−I4; A5=I2−I5; A6=I1−I6; A7=I3−I7.
For convenience of explanation these first stages are referred to as S12, S13, S14 and S15 respectively.
Loeffer et al further suggests to reverse the second and third stages of the even part (the part that calculates outputs O1, O3, O5 and O7). They also suggested sixteen additional combinations of a sequence that includes the second, third and fourth stages of the even part.
It is noted that the inverse DCT (IDCT) can be implemented by the same algorithms, but in reverse order.
Video Compression Schemes
Digital video must be extensively compressed prior to transmission and storage, as each picture includes multiple pixels, and each pixel has three color-difference multi-bit values.
Standard compression schemes (such as the MPEG compression standards, JPEG, H.263 and others) utilize multiple compression techniques to achieve a very significant compression ratio.
JPEG compression scheme includes the following steps: (i) color space conversion—converting a matrix of RGB pixel values to a matrix of luminance and chrominance values (YUV); (ii) Spatial transform of applying a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) upon the YUV matrix to provide a matrix of frequency coefficients, each frequency coefficient describes how much of a given spatial frequency is present; (iii) quantization, during which each spatial coefficient is divided by a quantizing factor such that small spatial coefficients are truncated to zero; (iv) zig-zag scanning and run-length coding the quantized matrix, for achieving a compressed representation of the quantized matrix, as a typical quantized matrix includes many zero-value coefficients; and (v) variable length coding, such as Huffman coding, to provide a compressed matrix.
K. Froitzheim and H. Wolf, "A knowledge based approach to JPEG acceleration", IS&T/SPIE Symposium on Electronic Imaging: Science and Technology. San Jose, USA, Feb. '95. Offers an algorithm to reduce the complexity of JPEG compliant image processing. Froitzheim et el suggests to reduce the amount of operations involved in calculating IDCTs by applying the IDCT transform only to rows or columns of a matrics of DCT coefficient (or semi-transformed matrix) that include at least one non-zero element. Accordingly, before applying a row-wise IDCT, the rows of the matrix are checked to locate rows that include at least one non-zero element. Before applying a column-wise IDCT, the columns of the matrix are checked to locate columns that include at least one non-zero element.
Various compression schemes (such as the MPEG compression schemes) further improve compression rates by addressing a sequence of video frames and taking advantage of the temporal redundancy. Accordingly, compressed video includes target video elements (such as 8×8 blocks, slices, or frames) that may be predicted by a reference video element and additional information representative of the difference between the reference video element and the target video element. This prediction is also termed motion compensation.
For example, MPEG-2 standard defines three types of frames, I-frames, B-frames and P-frames. I-frames are independent in the sense that they include the entire information that is required for displaying a picture. A P-frame is decoded in response to information embedded within a previous frame, while a B-frames is decoded in response to information embedded within both a preceding and succeeding frame. The prediction is done in the picture domain on an 8×8 block basis. Each 8×8 target block is compared to the content of the reference frame (the previous frame in the case of the P-frame) to find the best matching group of 8×8 reference elements (e.g.—the reference block). The offset between each 8×8 target block and the reference block is embedded within a motion vector. It is noted that the reference block may not be aligned with the 8×8 blocks of the reference frame, and may intersect with up to four blocks (e.g.—reference blocks).
N. Merhav and V. Bhaskaran acknowledge that in order to perform various manipulations on compressed video streams there is a need to include motion compensation elements within blocks. They suggest an algorithm for motion compensation, at "A Fast Algorithm for DCT-Domain Motion compensation", HP Labs Technical Reports, HPL-95-I7, 1995 and at U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,732. As noted above, the target block may intersect with multiple reference blocks. In the case of 8×8 blocks, the horizontal offset (as well as the vertical offset) between the target block and a reference blocks can vary between 0 and 7. The offset is embedded within the motion vector. Merhav and Bhaskaran suggest to implement the insertion of motion compensation elements by performing matrix multiplications, whereas some of the matrix are pre-calculated and are selected in response to the horizontal as well as the vertical offset between the target block and an reference block. It is noted that this algorithm is based upon multiple matrix multiplications and is relative complex and resource consuming.

Apparatus and method for motion compensation


The present invention relates to a process for recovering and recycling the organic binder components accumulating during the spraying of a solvent-containing, two-component polyurethane coating or a solvent-containing, moisture-curing one-component polyurethane coating by. i) forming a coatings slurry containing the organic binder components, water and a coagulating agent, PA1 ii) mixing the coatings slurry, optionally after removing a portion of the water, with an organic solvent which is inert towards isocyanate groups, PA1 iii) reacting the free isocyanate groups present in the mixture obtained in step (ii) with a compound containing one isocyanate-reactive group which is more reactive with isocyanate groups than both water and the isocyanate-reactive component of the two-component polyurethane coating, if present, and PA1 iv) removing any remaining water and insoluble components from the organic phase accumulating in step (iii) and recovering the organic phase containing the organic binder components.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for the recovery and recycle of the organic binder components which accumulate during the spraying of one- or two-component, solvent-containing polyurethane coatings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
State of the art two-component, solvent-containing polyurethane coatings have gained great practical importance in the coatings sector because of their outstanding properties. In practice, the coatings are generally applied by spraying onto the substrate to be coated. In this process, the loss of significant amounts of the binder components used, due to "overspray," cannot by avoided. In practice, these excess amounts are generally washed out of the vent gases in the coating unit using water and coagulated by the joint application of coagulating agents, e.g., surface-active inorganic materials such as alumina. Previously, it has not been possible usefully to recycle this "coatings slurry."
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to develop a process for recovering and recycling the binder components present in the coatings slurry before they have become completely unusable due to the gradual and progressive cross-linking reaction. It is a further object of the present invention for the process to be also suitable for treating solvent-containing, one-component polyurethane coatings having binders based on moisture-hardening NCO prepolymers.
It has now been found that the organic binder components may be extracted from the fresh coatings slurry containing
a) organic polyisocyanates PA1 b) (in the case of two-component polyurethane coatings) organic compounds with groups capable of reacting with isocyanate groups, preferably organic polyhydroxy compounds, PA1 c) optionally pigments and/or other auxiliaries and additives, PA1 d) coagulating agents and PA1 e) water, PA1 i) forming a coatings slurry containing the organic binder components, water and a coagulating agent, PA1 ii) mixing the coatings slurry, optionally after removing a portion of the water, with an organic solvent which is inert towards isocyanate groups, PA1 iii) reacting the free isocyanate groups present in the mixture obtained in step (ii) with a compound containing one isocyanate-reactive group which is more reactive with isocyanate groups than both water and the isocyanate-reactive component of the two-component polyurethane coating, if present, and PA1 iv) removing any remaining water and insoluble components from the organic phase accumulating in step (iii) and recovering the organic phase containing the organic binder components.
if the coatings slurry is initially introduced into an organic solvent and then reacted with compounds which are more reactive with isocyanate groups than both water and the reaction partner which contains isocyanate-reactive groups.

Process for recovering and recycling organic binder components from a coatings slurry


In some embodiments, techniques for secure data entry comprise presenting a data field in a spoof-resistant manner, receiving field data, and securing field data.

Existing methods for providing data do not provide a guarantee of who may obtain the data. Data may be misused by a party who should not have access to the data. Examples of such data include passwords, financial identifiers such as credit card numbers and bank account numbers, and personal information such as social security numbers and driver's license numbers.
Modern computer usage requires that data be provided to a variety of entities, both local and remote, such as over the internet. This has given rise to fraudulent obtaining of data, for example via identity theft such as "phishing." Current approaches do not effectively prevent this from occurring.
It would be useful to ensure that provided data is received and/or usable only by an intended recipient of the data.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An exhaust valve system for internal combustion engine. The engine includes a cylinder having an exhaust port with an axial extent along the axis of the cylinder structure. An exhaust port valve is mounted adjacent to the exhaust port and is adjustable between a full-flow position, in which the exhaust port valve exposes the exhaust port throughout its axial extent, and a restricting position, in which the exhaust port valve restricts the axial extent of the exhaust port. A valve control module is connected to the exhaust port valve and functions to adjust the exhaust port valve between the full-flow and restricting positions in response to the cylinder bore gas pressure. At low speeds and low output conditions, the valve is in its restricting position. As the cylinder develops higher pressures at higher speeds and under higher output conditions, the valve control module moves the valve to its full-flow position.

Two-cycle engines generally have exhaust and intake ports in the side walls of a cylinder. The intake ports or inlet valves feed an air and fuel mixture to the cylinder for combustion. The exhaust port opens to an exhaust passage system where the engine's burnt gases are released. Among its several functions, the reciprocation of the piston in the cylinder across each port cyclically seals and opens each port to effect the proper movement of gases through the engine. Since the ports' locations remain fixed within the cylinder, the exhaust port and intake ports are opened and closed at a fixed time and location with respect to the engine's cycle.
The timing of the engine's cycle for opening and closing the exhaust port and intake ports directly affects the entire engine operation, including its horsepower, fuel efficiency, emissions toxicity, and even its ability to sustain continuous operation. In addition, optimal valve timing varies depending upon the engine speed and load. At high engine speeds, keeping the exhaust port open longer will improve engine performance at such higher engine speeds. If such longer duration is permanently fabricated into the cylinder design, however, the engine will perform poorly at low speeds, where a comparatively shorter exhaust-port-open duration produce better performance.
Thus, unless one can vary the otherwise fixed timing of the exhaust port, the engine will only perform optimally at a certain rpm range. A number of attempts to remedy this problem have been made. Commonly these prior art engines provide some mechanism for covering the upper portion of the exhaust port under low speed operation, effectively lowering the top of the exhaust port in the cylinder to reduce the length of time that the port is open during the engine's cycle. Prior art engines also provide a mechanism to vary the height or axial extent of the exhaust port depending upon the engine operation.
In many cases such prior art systems respond inaccurately or relatively slowly to changing engine conditions, such as fast acceleration or deceleration. For instance, some prior art engines vary the axial extent of the exhaust port based upon throttle position. While throttle position may roughly approximate an engine's load, it provides insufficient indication of the engine's current speed. Since the optimal valve position depends upon both engine speed and load, such prior art engines lack accuracy. U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,788 (Bostelmann) teaches the technique of adjusting exhaust valve position based upon exhaust gas pressure measured in the exhaust system. Changes in an engine's speed and power output propagate into the exhaust system, which functions as a pressure vessel. Higher pressure in the exhaust gas system therefore correspond to higher engine speed and power output. Pressure in the exhaust system is therefore sensed by a diaphragm and used to control the position of the exhaust valve.
The assignee of the Bostelmann patent has commercialized such an exhaust valve system that senses gas pressure in the exhaust system and adjusts the exhaust valve position (and, therefore, the timing) based on that pressure. The Bostelmann system, however, is dependent on the exhaust system to function as a pressure vessel, accurately capturing pressure to operate the exhaust valve system. If, however, the exhaust system gets too loose or becomes disconnected, the pressure sensed drops and the exhaust valve system will not function properly.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an exhaust valve system that would function independent of the condition of the exhaust system.

Exhaust valve system for two-cycle engines


A handle assembly for converting a conventional yard cart for use in the manner of a wheelbarrow includes an L-shaped handle including a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. A socket member is connected to the yard cart tow bar which is normally coupled to a garden tractor. The handle member is connected to the socket member after the tow bar is uncoupled from the garden tractor thereby enabling the yard cart to be guided and moved by an operator in the manner of a wheelbarrow.

Yard carts are extensively used by urban and suburban homeowners for hauling various materials such as plants, fertilizers, concrete blocks, etc. Yard carts are usually towed by garden tractors and traditionally have a ten (10) or seventeen (17) cubic foot capacity. These carts are usually formed of metal and have a hinged or removable rear gate or panel.
These yard carts are difficult to maneuver when the cart is uncoupled from the tractor. The present invention enables a user to use the cart in the manner of a wheelbarrow.


Methods and apparatus comprise a conveyance structure to carry a tool into a wellbore. The conveyance structure contains an optical fiber line to enable communication between the tool and well surface equipment. In one implementation, the conveyance structure comprises a slickline. In another implementation, the conveyance structure includes another type of conveyance device that does not convey power and data separate from the fiber optic line.

A well is typically completed by installing a casing string into a wellbore. Production equipment can then be installed into the well to enable production of hydrocarbons from one or more production zones in the well. In performing downhole operations, communications between a downhole component and surface equipment is often performed.
A common type of communications link includes a wireline in which one or more electrical conductors route power and data between a downhole component and the surface equipment. Other conveyance structures can also carry electrical conductors to enable power and data communications between a downhole component and surface equipment. To communicate over an electrical conductor, a downhole component typically includes electrical circuitry and sometimes power sources such as batteries. Such electrical circuitry and power sources are prone to failure for extended periods of time in the typically harsh environment (high temperature and pressure) that is present in a wellbore.
Another issue associated with running electrical conductors in a wireline, or other type of conveyance structure, is that in many cases the wireline extends a relatively long length (thousands to tens of thousands of feet). The resistance present in such a long electrical conductor is quite high, which results in high electrical power dissipation in the long conductor. As a result, surface units of relatively high power are typically used in a well application to enable communications along the electrical conductors.
To address some of the issues associated with use of electrical conductors to communicate in a wellbore, optical fibers are used. Communication over an optical fiber is accomplished by using an optical transmitter to generate and transmit laser light pulses that are communicated through the optical fiber. Downhole components can be coupled to the optical fiber to enable communication between the downhole components and surface equipment. Examples of such downhole components include sensors, gauges, or other measurement devices.
Typically, an optical fiber is deployed by inserting the optical fiber into a control line, such as a steel control line, that is run along the length of other tubing (e.g., production tubing). The control line is provided as part of a production string that is extended into the wellbore. Although extending optical fibers through a control line have been proved to be quite useful in many applications, such control lines are generally not useful in other applications. For example, in some cases, it may be desired to run an intervention, remedial, or investigative tool into a wellbore. Conventionally, such intervention, remedial, or investigative tools are carried by a wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, or some other type of conveyance structure. If communication is desired between the intervention, remedial, or investigative tool and the surface equipment, electrical conductors are run through the conveyance structure. As noted above, electrical conductors are associated with various issues that may prove impractical in some applications.

Optical fiber conveyance, telemetry, and/or actuation


Systems for and methods of readily locating an eyewash station in a lab while visually impaired are provided.

Laboratories present a potentially dangerous workspace. Chemicals and related apparatus are often manipulated on lab benches within the laboratory. Notwithstanding safety precautions, such as wearing eye protection, there remains a risk of injury from chemicals accidentally entering the eyes of those working in the lab. Consequently, as a safety precaution, it is common for a lab to include an eye wash station. As known in the art, the eye wash station includes a bifurcated faucet for simultaneously delivering streams of water to a pair of eyes upon activation. The streams of water contact the eyes and flush the chemicals therefrom. The eye wash station may also include a sink or similar basin for draining the water being delivered by the faucet.
Unfortunately, a person with chemicals in their eyes may be visually impaired so as to make quickly finding the eye wash station difficult and dangerous. This is particularly problematic given that the damage to the eyes from the chemical may increase the longer the chemical remains in the eyes. Consequently, there is an unmet need for systems for and methods of easily, quickly, and safely locating an eye wash station within a lab while visually impaired.

System and method for navigating a space while visually impaired


A spark plug having a packing interposed between an insulating porcelain and a metallic shell, wherein Young's modulus G of the material forming the metallic shell 50 and Young's modulus F of the material forming the packing 80 satisfies the relation of 7.4×1010 Pa is less than or equal to F is less than or equal to G minus 5×1010 Pa.

A spark plug is used in an internal-combustion engine for the purpose of ignition. A general spark plug is comprised of a metallic shell for holding an insulating porcelain in which a center electrode is inserted, and a ground electrode welded to the leading end of the metallic shell. A spark discharge gap is formed between the other end of the ground electrode and the opposite leading end of the center electrode. Spark discharge occurs between the center electrode and the ground electrode.
The metallic shell of the spark plug is fixed to the insulating porcelain by inserting the leading end of the insulating porcelain from its rear end side to the leading end side, and tightening the opening of the rear end side to the insulating porcelain side (inside the radial direction of metallic shell). An annular packing is interposed in the gap between the metallic shell and insulating porcelain. By firmly tightening the insulating porcelain and metallic shell, both sides of the packing are tightly fitted to the insulating porcelain and metallic shell so that air tightness is maintained. Carbon steel, such as SPCC (cold rolled steel) having a hardness nearly the same as that of the metallic shell made of ferrous material, may be used as the material of such packing. Iron or copper, both excellent in heat resistance, may also be used (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-73069).
Recently, an increase in the output, and a decrease in fuel consumption are demanded from automotive engines. As a result, a smaller diameter spark plug having a longer reach is requested from the viewpoint of degree of freedom in design of the engine. As the spark plug diameter becomes smaller and the reach, i.e., the length, becomes longer, the wall thickness of the metallic shell is reduced. As a result, the strength of the metallic shell itself is reduced, and it is necessary to reduce the strength of the tightening force. This leads to a reduction of residual stress accumulated in the packing from tightening, and it is difficult to maintain the air tightness. Accordingly, it is proposed to accumulate a larger residual force in the packing by allowing it to be tightened firmly by forming the metallic shell from a material of higher strength.
However, since the metallic shell is usually formed by cutting, i.e., machining, after its forming by forging, if the strength of the metallic shell is increased, forging or cutting is more difficult, and productivity may be lowered.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-73069 proposes forming the packing by using a material of lower strength than that of the metallic shell. However, unless an appropriate material is selected, the packing may not retain its annular shape when the residual stress generated by tightening is applied thereto, or air tightness may not be maintained, or the packing may not withstand the pressure of tightening and may be broken.
The present invention addresses these problems of the prior art, and provides a spark plug capable of maintaining air tightness by the packing interposed between the insulating porcelain and the metallic shell.


A radio system for the reception of broadcast signals is provided that includes two antennas picking up radio signals and two signal receivers receiving the radio signals, the two antennas and the two receivers operating in diversity operating modes. The radio system further includes an antenna switching unit for creating a connection between the receivers and the antennas and a control unit for controlling the antenna switching unit and selecting the operating mode according to predetermined diversity control criterion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a radio system for receiving and controlling the reception of broadcast signals, and in particular, a radio system capable of controlling the reception for broadcast signals for use with a vehicle navigation system.
2. Background of the Invention
Nowadays, vehicle navigation systems are often combined with radio systems and form one single head unit used for guiding the driver of a vehicle to a predetermined destination and for functioning as an entertainment system for audio applications. Vehicle radio systems often use reception systems that use multiple antennas for receiving radio signals. When multiple antennas or multiple receivers are used, antenna diversity operating modus or frequency diversity operating modes are also used. Antenna diversity operating system and frequency diversity operating modes are known in the art.
When using antenna diversity operation mode, multiple spatially separated antennas are used to receive radio signals. When the radio system operates in antenna diversity operating mode, the receiver system selects one of the antennas as the source for radio signal processing based on predefined criteria. Such criterion may be, e.g., the received signal strength, interference or noise level, signal-to-noise ratio or other signal quality criteria.
When using frequency diversity operating mode, the radio system includes multiple radio receivers. One of the radio receivers may function as an operating receiver and another receiver may function as a search and check receiver. The operating receiver stays tuned to the frequency of interest to receive and process the received radio signal. Simultaneously, the search and check receiver searches for alternative reception frequencies (AFs) that may provide higher signal quality. If the search and check receiver finds another reception frequency providing higher signal quality, either the operating receiver tunes to the alternate reception frequency or the search and check receiver and the operating receiver switch roles.
Alternatively, antenna phase diversity mode is also known to operate in a system in which a first receiver coupled to a first antenna and a second receiver coupled to a second antenna are tuned to the same frequency. After a phase correction of one of the signals, the two signals are summed to achieve a better signal for further processing the received radio signal. A phase-corrected summation of the signals is described, inter alia, in DE 101 02 616 A1.
Furthermore, modern FM radio transmissions include several types of content. In most cases, the FM radio signal or a particular program is a multiplex signal that includes not only left and right channel audio content, but also data content. The data content may carry program information codes that indicate the name of the audio program, the name of the radio station broadcasting the FM radio signal and/or traffic information. The additional information data, especially traffic information, may be used by the navigation system when calculating a route from the current position to a predetermined destination. Using the traffic information, the navigation may take into account possible traffic congestions or closed routes when calculating the route. When the navigation system calculates a new route, it may need many additional items of information concerning traffic information for the calculated route. The possibility of collecting additional information data depends on the current operating mode of the radio system. In some applications it may be important to receive an optimal radio signal, in other situations it may be helpful to be able to collect as much additional information data as possible, e.g., traffic information.
Normally, one of the standard operating modes of a radio system can be used to achieve a high quality signal. However, when a radio system is operating in a moving vehicle, the operation of a radio system varies frequently due to constant changes in the surround environment. To collect useful data for use by a navigation system, the radio system must be able to not only account for the environmental and situation changes, but also operate in a large variety of modes. Thus, a need exists to provide a radio system having a large variety of operating modes and that is able to adjust operating modes based on different driving situations occurring in a moving vehicle.


A process for producing a compound of the formula:

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates generally to phosphine oxide Vitamin D precursors. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a process for preparing phosphine oxide Vitamin D precursors using an aqueous base and phase transfer catalyst for deprotonation, instead of using a metal hydride base.
2. Brief Description of Related Technology
Vitamin D analogs, such as 1α-fluoro-25-hydroxy-16-23E-diene-26,27-bishomo-20-epi-cholecalciferol, 25-dihydroxy-16-ene-23-yne-26,27-bishomo-19-nor-20-epicholecalciferol, 1α,25-dihydroxy-18-norvitamin D3, 1α,25-dihydroxy-18,19-dinorvitamin D3, 1α-fluoro-25-hydroxycholecalciferol, and 1α-fluoro-25-hydroxyergocalcifero1, are known to have pharmaceutical activity and are useful for treating various conditions, such as psoriasis and neoplastic disease.
A key phosphine oxide compound of formula 1 below is used in the efficient synthesis of such vitamin D analogs and provides the A-ring of the vitamin. Certain species of the compound of formula 1 are known to be valuable intermediates in the synthesis of the mentioned pharmacologically active vitamin D analogs (see, for example, EP Publication No. 0 808 833). The remaining species of the compound of formula 1 can be modified to be useful in the above processes or can be used for producing other vitamin D analogs.

Process for producing phosphine oxide vitamin D precursors

Abstract: including reacting of a compound of the formula:

Abstract: with diphenyl phosphine oxide using a binary phase reaction mixture including diphenyl phosphine oxide in an organic solvent, a basic aqueous solution, and a phase transfer catalyst, to obtain the compound of formula 1,wherein Ph is phenyl, X1 and X2 are both hydrogen or X1 and X2 taken together are CH2, R1 is a protecting group, R2 is fluorine, hydrogen, or OR3, wherein R3 is a protecting group, and the squiggly line represents a bond that results in the adjacent double bond being in either the E or Z configuration, is disclosed.


Provided is a distance calculating apparatus calculating a real distance from a map distance of a map path connecting a first point and a second point on a map, the apparatus including: a housing; a scale input unit into which a reduced scale is input, disposed in the housing; an optical sensor unit disposed in the housing, the optical sensor unit sensing movement of the housing using light and outputting an electrical signal when the housing is moved along the map path; a calculation unit disposed in the housing, the calculation unit calculating the map distance using the electrical signal input from the optical sensor unit and calculating the real distance using the map distance and the reduced scale input from the scale input unit; and a display unit disposed in the housing, the display unit displaying the real distance calculated by the calculation unit. The distance calculating apparatus can conveniently and accurately obtain the real distance by only inputting a reduced scale of a map and moving the apparatus along a path connecting two points on the map.

In general, maps are figures in which a part or all of the earth's surface is expressed on a plane with a reduced scale, and seas, mountains, streams, land, etc. are expressed using various symbols, characters, colors, etc. Examples of the maps include topographical maps, land registration maps, etc. The reduced scale is a ratio of a distance on a map with respect to a real distance corresponding to the distance on the map. For example, the reduced scale can be expressed as of 1:100,000 or 1/100,000, which means that a real distance is represented on a map by a distance equal to 1/100,000 of the real distance. The reduced scale can be different depending upon the map used and is generally displayed at an upper or lower end of the map. The accuracy of a map is proportional to the reduced scale of the map.
Maps can be used for various purposes such as searching for paths or desired places, observing topographies, calculating areas of regions, etc. Among the various purposes, maps are frequently used for calculating a distance of a road connecting two real positions or a direct distance between two positions. That is, maps are used for calculating a distance that must be traveled to get from a position to another position.
Conventionally, troublesome procedures must be performed to obtain a real distance of a real path connecting two real positions using a map. That is, in order to obtain a real distance of a real path, first, a first point and a second point corresponding to the two real positions are chosen. Then, when the map path connecting the first point and the second point is linear, the map distance can be obtained using a ruler. When the map path connecting the first point and the second point is curved, the map distance can be obtained by attaching a wet thread to the map along the map path, detaching the wet thread from the map, stretching the wet thread straight, and then measuring the length of the wet thread corresponding to the map path using a ruler. The map distance may also be obtained using an opisometer. The real distance is calculated by multiplying the obtained map distance by the reduced scale displayed on the map.
Even when using the opisometer, it is very inconvenient to obtain the real distance using the above method, and it may be impossible to obtain a real distance corresponding to a continuously curved path using the above method.


A power tool with a motor which is rotatable in a forward direction and a reverse direction. A tool holder is driven by the motor. The power tool has a user operable trigger for operating the motor, a reversing switch for choosing the direction of rotation of the motor and a controller. The controller determines a direction of rotation of the motor based on a characteristic of the motor.

It is known to provide a power tool with switches, knobs, and other controls. For example, a power drill or driver typically includes a trigger that the user actuates to cause rotation of a tool held in a chuck. Power drills or drivers also typically include a forward/reverse selector switch located near the trigger that the user actuates to change a rotation direction of the tool. Some power drills or drivers also include a clutch control (e.g., a dial) that is used to change a clutch torque setting such that the amount of resistance necessary to stop rotation of the chuck can be set or changed by the user.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Power tool with direction sensing controller


A novel PNP driven NMOS (PDNMOS) protection scheme is provided for advanced nonsilicide/silicide submicron CMOS processes. The emitter of a PNP transistor and the drain of protection NMOS device are connected to an I/O pad for which ESD protection is provided by the PDNMOS. The collector of the PNP transistor and the gate of the protection NMOS transistor are connected to ground through a resistor. The source of the protection NMOS transistor is grounded. The base of the PNP transistor is connected to either a capacitor or the parasitic capacitor of the integrated circuit.

On-chip Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) design in advanced submicron complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes becomes more challenging when process feature size continues to scale down. Shallower junctions, thicker salicides, and thinner epitaxial layers in advanced CMOS processes have shown negative impact of the ESD capability of a process. Developing a built-in ESD robustness process or using an extra implant to make the junction deeper are approaches to improve process ESD capability thus improve product ESD protection level. However, for a given process technology, product ESD protection performance will totally rely on the implemented ESD protection scheme and methodology.
In advanced submicron CMOS processes, the thin gate oxide and low drain/substrate breakdown voltage make n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) the most vulnerable device to an ESD event. Using additional process steps to block the salicide in the ESD NMOS and output NMOS could achieve an adequate ESD performance. However, this method increases product costs due to additional process masks required. Additionally, extra impedance is added into the signal path due to the non-silicided contact-to-gate spacing (CGS) of the output NMOS. The additional impedance in the signal path limits its current driving capability and its application in high speed analog/mixed-signal designs. The gate-coupled NMOS (GCNMOS) was first proposed as an effective protection device for CMOS. Subsequently, a substrate trigger NMOS (STNMOS) protection scheme for advanced submicron CMOS processes has been developed which does not require the use of additional masks or introduction of additional impedance. The requirement of a large chip capacitance on the power supplies in this protection scheme also limits its application in small analog/mixed-signal chip designs.
A key issue for ESD design is to ensure the ESD protection circuit turns on with a small on-resistance so as to conduct most of the ESD current during an ESD event. A trigger element with a low trigger voltage is required for such an ESD protection scheme. In advanced submicron BiCMOS processes, a zener breakdown voltage of about a base-emitter junction of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is utilized for that purpose. In advanced submicron CMOS processes, this option is not available. The lowest junction breakdown voltage is known as the NMOS drain junction breakdown voltage. Therefore, the characteristics of an NMOS device in a particular process dictate the ESD protection design.
FIG. 1a illustrates graphs of current (I) (in milliamps) vs. voltage (in volts, V) of a typical I-V breakdown characteristic for a NMOS transistor under different gate bias conditions as measured in a TLP system with a 200 ns pulse width. Vt1 is the first turn-on voltage of a parasitic lateral npn (LNPN) transistor associated with the NMOS transistor. Vt2 is the second breakdown voltage and Vsp is the snapback voltage. Beyond the second breakdown which is signified by Vt2, the NMOS enters the regime of thermal runaway which can result in damage to the NMOS. The corresponding second breakdown current (It2), which is not labeled in FIG. 1a, but which is the corresponding current for Vt2 on the I-V characteristic shown in FIG. 1a, is a key process ESD parameter for monitoring the high current handling capability of the NMOS. When the NMOS operates in the snapback mode or the bipolar breakdown region, the lateral NPN (LNPN) of the NMOS conducts most of the drain terminal current. It has been found that It2 strongly depends on the Beta of the LNPN, the NMOS channel length, the salicide thickness, the drain junction depth, and the epi layer thickness. An improved It2 can result from an optimized process. For a given process, the success of a typical multi-finger NMOS protection design strictly depends on how to design a protection circuit to enable most of the LNPNs, which are the NMOS fingers of a protection NMOS scheme, to turn on and uniformly conduct ESD current during ESD events. Uniformity in turning on the LNPNs (or NMOS fingers) can be achieved by increasing snapback on-resistance (Ron) to increase Vt2 to being greater than Vt1 or by reducing Vt1 to being less than Vt2. If Vt1 is designed to be lower than Vt2, each LNPN of a NMOS finger would, during an ESD event, turn on to conduct the ESD current before any single LNPN reaches second breakdown, Vt2.
FIG. 2a illustrates a simplified layout of the fingered NMOS showing the fingers embodied in the alternating pattern of drains (D) and sources (S). FIG. 2b illustrates a layout/schematic of the fingered NMOS.
On-resistance, Ron, can be easily increased by increasing the drain/source contact to poly gate spacing in nonsilicided processes. But in silicided processes, a silicide block mask is needed in order to get a good ESD protection performance. Increasing substrate potential or applying a small positive bias voltage to the substrate can reduce Vt1 below Vt2. With this technique, a Substrate Triggering NMOS (STNMOS) protection scheme was recently developed for silicide submicron CMOS processes. This type of ESD protection scheme works with large digital application-specific processor (ASPs) chips. However, the large chip capacitance associated with the relatively large size of these ASP chips limits the application of the STNMOS for a small mixed-signal chip. The reduction of Vt1 can also be achieved by increasing the NMOS gate potential. As shown in FIG. 1a, when the gate voltage is high enough, Vt1 is approximately Vsp which is less than Vt2.


An information processing apparatus according to the invention includes a manipulating unit receiving an instruction based on a user manipulation and outputting an instruction signal, a setting unit for setting a rule for arranging a file or files based on the instruction signal from the manipulating unit, a detecting unit for detecting a file number, and a controlling unit for arranging the file or files based on the rule set with the setting unit in a case where the file number exceeds a threshold value.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus such as e.g., an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) in which file management is made on a control panel thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
A prior art as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication (A1), No. 2010-3109, has been known as a conventional art in which data storing files are arranged and managed in a computer to render users efficiently use the arranged files.
With an arranging method described in the above Publication, a file number of the files stored in a directory is counted up for each attribute, e.g., producer, producing date, and size; the user is informed of an incident file in a case that the counted file number exceeds a threshold value; then, the processing moves from the first directory to the second directory.
The arranging method according to the above Publication, however, basically performs no more than increasing just one file, though called as a file arrangement, and it is not always for some user to arrange the files in a way to be easily understandable.

Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus


Disclosed herein are compounds that bind to the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), pharmaceutical compositions comprising those compounds, and methods of treatment using said compounds and pharmaceutical compositions.

Methamphetamine (MA) is a Schedule II stimulant that has become a highly abused drug in the US. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has reported that about 0.3% of the population, (>730,000) has used methamphetamine, and that children as young as 12 were among those users. Although there are behavioral programs that report a measure of success in treating addicts, there are currently no medications approved for the treatment of MA addiction. Drugs such as methamphetamine bind to vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), also known as solute carrier family 18 member 2 (SLC18A2) and block the vesicular uptake of neurotransmitters. VMAT2 sequesters neurotransmitters into cytoplasmic vesicles following uptake by plasma membrane transporters on presynaptic nerve terminals. In addition, methamphetamine serves as a substrate for VMAT2 and plasma membrane transporters, substituting for the neurotransmitters, and causing their release from vesicular pools. The subsequent increase in synaptic neurotransmitter availability is the foundation for methamphetamine's psychostimulant effects.
VMAT2 is located presynaptically on intracellular storage vesicles and monoaminergic nerve terminals. VMAT2 has been cloned and is comprised of 515 amino acids putatively arranged in 12 interconnected helices. The tertiary structure is not known. VMAT2 facilitates uptake of dopamine (DA) into vesicles, where it is stored and later released to maintain physiological concentrations of DA in the synapse. Indeed, without this storage capacity, physiological DA demands cannot be met by intracellular synthesis alone. MA, a VMAT2 substrate, causes the release of DA from vesicles into the cytosol of presynaptic neurons. It then affects the further release of DA into the extracellular space by physiological neuronal firing or by reverse transport by the DA transporter (DAT). The result is an increase of DA in the synapse (Dwoskin L P and Crooks P A Biochemical Pharmacology 63, 89 (2002) and Sulzer D et al, J Neurosci 15, 4102 (1995); both of which are incorporated by reference herein). This increase is the foundation for methamphetamine's psychostimulant effects which may lead to methamphetamine addiction (Wimalasena K, Med Res Rev 31, 483-519 (2010); Zheng G et al, AAPS Journal 8, E682 (2006); and Vartak A P et al, J Med Chem 52, 7878 (2009); all of which are incorporated by reference herein).
Reserpine, an alkaloid that inhibits neurotransmitter uptake into vesicles by VMAT2, binds with high affinity but in an essentially irreversible fashion to a site that is closely associated with the uptake site. Although it has been used extensively as an antihypertensive agent, reserpine's irreversible binding properties make it less clinically attractive as a potential pharmacotherapy for treatment of symptoms associated with MA abuse. Other drugs such as tetrabenazine (TBZ) analogues bind with high affinity to a site on the VMAT2 that apparently differs from the reserpine binding site, and they are under scrutiny as potential medications for the treatment of symptoms associated with psychostimulant abuse.

The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Veteran Affairs


A system in which researchers can freely and effectively use worldwide bioinformatics analysis programs available on the Internet is provided. When a bioinformatics analysis program available on the Internet is used by a user computer, a broker program is used. The broker program has a function of absorbing differences in input/output format between analysis programs, and each analysis program is provided with the broker program. A broker program-providing server stores various broker programs provided by users and makes them available to the public. When the user uses bioinformatics analysis programs available on the Internet, the user can use broker programs that are made available by the broker program-providing server and that are created by other users.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer analysis technology in the field of research in life science. Particularly, it relates to technology for executing a bioinformatics analysis program available on the Internet.
2. Background Art
The development of the field of research in life science has been remarkable over the past dozen years or so. Especially, rapid growth has been achieved in bioinformatics due to improvements in the performance and ease of computers. Life science is a field that requires further computing power, along with space physics, and a similar development is continuously expected.
Currently, various bioinformatics analysis programs or tools are available on the Internet. These analysis programs are added and updated daily by researchers all over the world. However, the current situation is that general researchers cannot keep up with the pace of an increase in the number of these analysis programs and the pace of progress thereof. There are two reasons for such problems: (1) many of the up-to-date bioinformatics analysis programs and tools are made publicly available as the command line programs of UNIX (trademark of X/Open Company Ltd.) or Windows OS (trademark of Microsoft Corporation). Thus, these tools are not necessarily easily used by general researchers who are not familiar with these programs; and (2) in order to obtain an up-to-date analysis program, the user needs to make efforts to obtain information by him/herself. Researchers having a great deal of work do not have time for continuously and completely watching worldwide up-to-date information available on the Internet.
Thus, researchers have no choice but to use general-purpose analysis software programs having many functions. However, general-purpose analysis software programs generally lack flexibility, and they cannot deal with ever-increasing and ever-progressing analysis methods. Thus, it is impossible to use up-to-date analysis methods, and in the first place, it is practically impossible to support all the various fields of research.
Furthermore, since different files are outputted for individual analysis programs when analysis results are stored, it is difficult to save data or search for the results.
Patent Document 1: JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2005-228155 A

Method for performing bioinformatics analysis program and bioinformatics analysis platform


The invention relates to a mold for the manufacture of holders, comprising at least two mold halves moveable relatively to each other in a first direction of movement and a mold cavity, the mold cavity, the mold being substantially defined by a female part and a matching male part, while at least the female part and/or the male part is arranged so as to be moveable such that within the mold, the male part and/or the female part can be brought into a first position wherein between a forward end, facing, in a first direction of movement, towards the mold cavity, and an opposite bottom part of the female part, there is a relatively large, first distance, and a second position wherein between said forward end and said bottom part there is relatively small second distance.

The invention relates to a mold for the manufacture of holders. The invention further relates to a method for the manufacture of holders.
As a rule, when holders such as tub-shaped containers are injection molded, a mold is used wherein plastic is forced from the bottom surface into a longitudinal wall. With small wall thicknesses and/or long flow paths and/or a large projected surface and/or low melt plastics, particularly high closing pressures and injection pressures need to be used, particularly if a multi-cavity mold is used. As a result thereof, especially bottom surfaces of such holders are of relatively thick design.

Mold and method for the manufacture of holders such as tub-shaped containers


It is an object of the invention to improve a cooling efficiency for cooling an engine generator by dividing a cooling air passage into two routes. The engine generator includes an engine, a generator, a muffler and a cooling fan, which are all enclosed in a housing. A first cooling air passage is formed adjacent to a cylinder of the engine. A second cooling air passage is formed beneath the engine, extending from the lower side of the cooling fan, passing through an area below the engine and arriving at the muffler. The second cooling air passage is formed between an oil pan and a vibration isolation support base plate, with the oil pan facing the second cooling air passage. In this way, an air supplied from the cooling fan is divided into two routes, with one cooling the cylinder head of the engine and the other the lower portion of the engine and the muffler. When the second cooling passage is partially formed by the vibration isolation support base plate, a longer span can be obtained by the vibration isolation support base plate. Therefore, a vibration isolation member is provided on each end of the vibration isolation support base plate for effectively reducing the engine vibration.

The present invention relates to an engine generator comprising an engine and a generator driven by the engine. In particular, this invention relates to an engine generator capable of cooling the engine by means of a cooling fan driven by the engine.
Conventionally, as an electric power source for use in an outdoor condition as a road construction, a road repairing operation, or an out-door shop and leisure service, there has been in use an engine generator comprising an engine and a generator driven by the engine, both of which are enclosed in a housing so as to form an arrangement capable of producing an electric power. In fact, such an engine generator is so constructed that a rotor equipped with several pieces of magnet is fixed on a crank shaft, in a manner such that the rotor can rotate in the vicinity of a stator equipped with a plurality of coils, thereby generating an electric power. In order to cool the engine and the generator as well as a muffler, a cooling fan driven by the engine is provided within the housing. In this manner, with the rotation of the crank shaft, the cooling fan can also be rotated, thus forming an arrangement capable of introducing an outside cool air into the housing so as to cool the engine and the generator as well as the muffler.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Laid-open Application Publication No. 11-36880 has disclosed an improved cooling structure suitable for use in an air-cooling type engine generator equipped with a cooling fan. This patent publication teaches that an outer rotor type generator may be used, and a housing encloses the generator, an engine and a muffler, which are arranged successively and covered by a duct and a fan cover. Further, the prior art publication discloses that a cooling fan is attached to the outside of the outer rotor of the generator, in a manner such that the cooling fan can rotate together with the crank shaft of the rotor, thereby introducing an external cooling air into the housing. In fact, the cooling air is rendered to at first cool the generator having a relatively low temperature, then the engine and the muffler (both of which have a relatively high temperature). Finally, the used cooling air is discharged to the outside of the housing.
However, with the above described engine generator disclosed in the above mentioned patent publication, the muffler is cooled only after the engine has been cooled, the cooling air for cooling the muffler is air already used in cooling the engine and thus is a warm air. As a result, the efficiency of cooling the muffler is lower than a condition in which the muffler is directly cooled by an outside cold air.
It is an object of the present invention to obtain an improved cooling efficiency for an engine generator by dividing a cooling air passage into two routes, with one cooling the cylinder head of the engine, while the other the oil pan and the muffler, so as to solve the above-mentioned problem peculiar to the above-discussed prior art.
An engine generator of the present invention comprises a base, an engine disposed on the base; a generator driven by the engine; a muffler positioned on the exhaust side of the engine; a cooling fan driven by the engine; a housing enclosing the engine, the generator, the muffler and the cooling fan; a first cooling air passage formed on the cylinder head side of the engine for cooling the upper portion of the engine by a cooling air supplied from the cooling fan; and a second cooling air passage extending from the lower side of the cooling fan and passing under the lower side of the engine and arriving at the muffler for cooling the lower portion of the engine and the muffler by said cooling air supplied from the cooling fan.
According to the present invention, the cooling air has been divided into two routes, with one being used only for cooling the cylinder head and the other for cooling the lower portion of the engine and the muffler. In this way, it is possible to cool both the upper and lower portions of the engine, while at the same time ensuring that a cooling air for cooling the muffler has a lower temperature than that of an air which has just been used for cooling the cylinder head of the engine.
Further, since an oil pan of the engine is disposed to face the second cooling air passage, it is possible to use a cooling air flowing through the second cooling air passage to effectively cool the oil pan located on the underside of the engine.
In addition, it is possible that the second cooling air passage may be interposed between the oil pan of the engine and a vibration isolation support base plate attached under the lower side of the engine and extending in the extending direction of the crank shaft of the engine, thereby rendering it possible to form the second cooling air passage by effectively making use of the engine support structure. On the other hand, it is also possible to inhibit the propagation of an engine vibration, based on that vibration isolation members interposed at the end portions of the vibration isolation support base plate.
The above objects and features of the present invention will become better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.


A de-icing information system processes weather data indicating precipitation rate and temperature to determine a check time for a de-icing fluid. The de-icing fluid remains effective if applied after the check time, and the de-icing fluid may not remain effective if applied before the check time. The de-icing information system transfers the de-icing information indicating the check time.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of de-icing, and in particular, to a system that can provide information to assist airport de-icing operations.
2. Statement of the Problem
During inclement weather, ice forms on airplanes as they wait to take-off. The ice adversely affects the flight performance of the airplanes, and may lead to airplane crashes. To prevent this dangerous ice formation, airport personnel apply de-icing fluid to airplanes waiting to take-off during inclement weather. The de-icing fluid effectively prevents dangerous ice formation for a time period after the treatment—referred to as the holdover time. Thus, the holdover time is the time period between a de-icing treatment and the time when the de-icing treatment becomes ineffective and allows ice to form.
It is critical that an airplane take off during its holdover time. If the airplane takes off during its holdover time, then the de-icing treatment remains effective and prevents dangerous ice formation before take off (after take off, the airplane has other means of controlling ice formation). If the airplane cannot take off during its holdover time, then the de-icing treatment loses its effectiveness before take off, and dangerous ice may form on the airplane before take off. In this case, the airplane should return for a second de-icing treatment. It should be appreciated that the accurate calculation and tracking of the holdover time is crucial to airline safety during inclement weather.
Airport personnel use a table like the one below to manually estimate the holdover time. Airport personnel manually enter the left side of the chart based on a temperature range to arrive at a row in the holdover time section of the chart. Airport personnel manually enter the top of the chart based on current weather conditions to arrive at a column in the holdover time section of the chart. The intersection of the row and column yields the holdover time.
HOLDOVER TIME (MIN)FREEZINGFREEZINGFREEZINGLIGHTMODERATEHEAVYTEMP (F.)FOGDRIZZLERAINSNOWSNOWSNOW≧2711–17 9–132–511–16 6–11NO21–27 8–14 7–102–5 8–135–8GUIDE14–20 6–105–92–5 6–104–6LINE<145–9NO GUIDELINE4–62–4
The National Weather Service indicates current weather conditions, such as snow, freezing fog, freezing drizzle, or freezing rain. Airport personnel use these indications to manually enter the top of the chart. For snow however, airport personnel must estimate whether the snowfall rate is light, medium, or heavy.
Airport personnel estimate the snowfall rate based on visibility. To assess visibility, various targets are placed at various distances (¼ mile, ½ mile, ¾ mile, 1 mile, and 1¼ mile). A trained observer determines the furthest target that they can see to establish a visibility distance. For example, if the furthest target that can be seen is the ¾ mile target, then visibility is ¼ mile.
Airport personnel use a table like the one below to manually estimate the snowfall rate based on the visibility estimate. Airport personnel manually enter the left side of the chart based on whether it is day or night. Airport personnel then branch through the chart based on a temperature range to arrive at a row in the visibility section of the chart. Airport personnel manually enter the top of the visibility section of the chart based on the visibility estimate described above to arrive at a column in the visibility section of the chart. The intersection of the row and column yields the snowfall intensity as light, moderate, or heavy, which is used to enter the top of the table described above.
DAY/TEMPVISIBILITY (MILE)NIGHT(F.)≧1¼1¾½≦¼DAY≦30LIGHTLIGHTLIGHTMODERATEHEAVYDAY>30LIGHTLIGHTMODERATEHEAVYHEAVYNIGHT≦30LIGHTLIGHTMODERATEHEAVYHEAVYNIGHT>30LIGHTMODERATEHEAVYHEAVYHEAVY
There are numerous problems associated with the current technique. One problem is the use of airport personnel to manually determine holdover times. This manual approach is prone to human error. The trained observer could inaccurately assess visibility, or the airport personnel could incorrectly use the tables—either of which could provide an incorrect holdover time. An incorrect holdover time could result in a disastrous attempt by an airplane to take-off with icy wings.
Another problem is the use of various ranges to estimate and characterize the holdover time. Snowfall intensity and temperature only have the resolution of a few ranges. The holdover time itself is expressed in ranges, and for heavy snow, no holdover time is given at all. These ranges do not provide the precise data that is required for highly accurate decision making. In addition, the rough ranges may be open to incorrect interpretations by airport personnel. The use of rough ranges clearly results in vague holdover time estimates. In the worst case, an airplane may take off with icy wings due to a vague estimate. More likely is that an airplane is returned for an unnecessary second de-icing treatment, because the holdover time estimate was too conservative. In this case, the airplane is de-iced again even though the initial de-icing treatment is still effective.
Another problem is the use of visibility to estimate snowfall intensity. The visibility estimate only provides a rough estimate of snowfall as light, moderate, or heavy, and does not provide the resolution required to determine more accurate holdover times. The use of a trained observer to manually estimate visibility is also open to human error. In addition, visibility is different at night than during the day, due to the scattering difference between sunlight and an artificial light source that is used at night. The heavy scattering of sunlight reduces visibility, but the same heavy scattering does not occur with the artificial light source, so a trained observer using an artificial light source at night perceive better visibility than they would during the day given the same snowfall intensity. The result is an inconsistency between visibility assessments at night versus the same assessments during the day. This inconsistency may lead to incorrect holdover time estimates.
Further complicating matters is the fact that various de-icing fluids are typically available for selection and use by airport personnel. The different de-icing fluids have differing costs, with the more effective de-icing fluids costing more. For example, a base de-icing fluid may be diluted with water to form various de-icing mixtures. The mixtures with a high concentration of de-icing fluid are more effective, but they are also more expensive. For each de-icing fluid (or de-icing fluid mixture), there is a corresponding table to provide holdover time estimates.
Airport personnel must manually select the appropriate de-icing fluid to use. The selection of the de-icing fluid is based on the holdover time estimates for the various fluids, and the expected delay for the airplanes between de-icing and take-off. As the de-icing fluids can be relatively expensive, the selection of an overly effective de-icing fluid wastes money, because the airplanes take-off well before the de-icing fluid loses effectiveness, and a cheaper de-icing fluid could have been used. The selection of an ineffective de-icing fluid can have disastrous consequences if ice forms on the airplane before take off.
The selection of de-icing fluids is a complex problem that is exacerbated by the other problems described above. The selection of de-icing fluids is based on holdover time estimates that are fairly vague and open to interpretation as described above. Both the estimate of holdover times and fluid selection are manual, and thus, prone to human error.
Another problem is posed by the fact that inclement weather conditions often change dramatically. Consider an example where the proper de-icing fluid is selected and applied to an airplane to provide a holdover time of 8–13 minutes. Now consider that after the de-icing treatment, snowfall intensity increases dramatically, and because of this change in weather conditions, the holdover time estimate is no longer accurate. The current system has no effective mechanism to handle such changed conditions, and it is possible that the airplane would take off with icy wings based on a holdover time estimate that is no longer accurate given the changed conditions.
In a contrasting example, the snowfall intensity may decrease dramatically after de-icing, but airport delays may prevent the airplane from taking off before the holdover time expires. Because the holdover time expired, the airplane would likely be returned for a second de-icing treatment even though the first de-icing treatment was still effective due to the milder weather conditions. The second de-icing treatment is unnecessary adds unwanted cost and delay to airline travel.

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research


A fishing rod holder comprising a tee pipe having a long cylinder and a short cylinder, a snap clamp element, a rotatable connection and an effective length. The long cylinder has a length and inside diameter for holding a fishing rod handle. The short cylinder is at right angles from the long cylinder, with a threaded inside surface and a long axis. The snap clamp element is screwably attached to the short cylinder and has a head with a width and a curvature adapted to securely fit around a support member, a body with a length and an end threaded to affix to the short cylinder of the tee pipe. The rotatable connection comprises a release surface on a threaded end to permit stable rotation of the snap clamp of up to 90 degrees about the axis of the short cylinder. The effective length is from the long cylinder curvature.

There is a need for a fishing rod holder that is flexible and easy to attach and detach from more secure structures that contain a pole or other structural member.
There has been a long-term need for fishing rod holders. Fishing is a pastime that can result in a long period of time between nibbles on a line from a fish. This is true in such diverse places as, for example, in chairs on a beach, dock or shoreline; in boats; and in an ice-fishing house. Often times the person would rather do other things than hold a fishing rods. This is particularly true in camping or fish-house settings.
Fishing rod holders have been around for a long time. Early holders were branches of wood that could support a fishing rod. Eventually sturdier fishing rod holders were developed that held their position even while a fish bit the hook and began swimming away. Many fishing rod holders comprise one or more tubes that are fix-mounted to surfaces with screws and held at an angle from horizontal that is typically about 45 degrees. Others are detachable and mounded with attaching devices such as, for example, set-screws. These devices require tools to attach and detach from a support. Both are time consuming to install, and have limited range of motion to accommodate the positions of various firmly positioned structures.
Some fishing rod holders have been developed that do not require tools to attach or detach from support members. However, these fishing rod holders lack flexibility in adjusting the orientation of the holder to the supporting member to achieve an optimum position. People who fish frequently desire convenience, speed and flexibility.
There still is a need for a fishing rod holder that is flexible and easy to attach and detach from more secure structures that contain a pole.


A system, method, computer program and article of manufacture for updateable fan-out replication with reconfigurable master association in a large, multi-node LDAP environment. A replication ring supports the addition of fan-out nodes as children to each primary node that sits on a replication ring. The fan-out nodes can be cascaded in multiple parent/child relationships and can support full replication or a subset of the parent data. Each child/parent relationship is defined by an agreement. Each fan-out node replicates changes to their immediate children and parent based upon the change details and the configured agreement, distributing the replication load.

This invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to replication of data.
Data replication is the process of maintaining multiple copies of a database object in a distributed database system. Performance improvements can be achieved when data replication is employed, since multiple access locations exist for the access and modification of the replicated data. For example, if multiple copies of a data object are maintained, an application can access the logically "closest" copy of the data object to improve access times and minimize network traffic. In addition, data replication provides greater fault tolerance in the event of a server failure, since the multiple copies of the data object effectively become online backup copies if a failure occurs.
One type of database application for which data replication is particularly useful is the replication of data for directory information systems. Directory information systems provide a framework for the storage and retrieval of information that is used to identify and locate the details of individuals and organizations, such as telephone numbers, postal addresses, and email addresses.
One common directory system is a directory based on the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol ("LDAP"). LDAP is an object-oriented directory protocol that was developed at the University of Michigan, originally as a front end to access directory systems organized under the X.500 standard for open electronic directories (which was originally promulgated by the Comite Consultantif International de Telephone et Telegraphe "CCITT" in 1988). Stand alone LDAP server implementations are now commonly available to store and maintain directory information. Further details of the LDAP directory protocol can be located at the LDAP-devoted website maintained by the OpenLDAP Organization at http://www.openldap.org.
LDAP directory systems are normally organized in a hierarchical structure having entries organized in the form of a tree, which is referred to as a directory information tree ("DIT"). The DIT is often organized to reflect political, geographic, or organizational boundaries. A unique name or ID (which is commonly called a "distinguished name") identifies each LDAP entry in the DIT. An LDAP entry is a collection of one or more entry attributes. Each entry attribute has a "type" and one or more "values." Each entry belongs to a particular object class. Entries that are members of the same object class share a common composition of possible entry attribute types.
Some LDAP replication systems utilize a replication ring. The replication ring is a loop of primary LDAP nodes which replicate the same LDAP object across the nodes. FIG. 1A shows replication ring 100, and primary nodes 102, 104, and 106. To add a node to the replication ring, a new node takes its place on the ring such as primary node 108. Each primary node pushes its changes to each of the other primary nodes. Thus, each node pushes each change n−1 times, where n is the number of nodes. In a system with a large number of nodes, the replication process can be burdensome on each node. A solution is needed to add new nodes to a replication ring without creating additional replication burden to the existing nodes.
Another drawback to some replication systems is that each node must be identical. This required updating to data on each node that may not be required on each node. This is burdensome and inefficient.
One embodiment for adding new nodes to a replication ring without burdening the existing master nodes includes creation of fan-out nodes, where fan-out nodes are nodes that do not have to be placed on the replication ring.

Updateable fan-out replication with reconfigurable master association


The present invention relates to a natural adhesive containing protein and free sugar. The natural adhesive contains allinage and aline. The natural adhesive further contains lectine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a natural adhesive, and more particularly, to a natural adhesive having anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which is capable of excluding organic compounds and chemicals from a mixture of protein and sugar.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an adhesive refers to a polymeric material which is used for bonding between homogenous or heterogeneous objects. Such an adhesive is closely adhered to an object as it is solidified over time from an initial liquid state.
Here, the adhesion is different from the bonding in that the former accompanies wetting. The wetting refers to a phenomenon caused by mutual similarity between an adhesive and an object. However, when an adhesive contacts the object, it evenly permeates into the object through the wetting and is bonded and solidified to the object by exerting a mechanical and chemical adhesive force due to adhesive strength generation factors such as anchoring, zipper, capillary and so on. Once the adhesive is solidified, it is kept in a tight adhesive condition without being broken by an external factor such as temperature, humidity, pressure and so on.
Accordingly, an excellent adhesive is required to have excellent properties in terms of contact, wetting, bonding, maintenance and so on. Adhesives mainly used at present may be classified into inorganic adhesives and organic adhesives.
TABLE 1InorganicCements, soda-silicate (water glass), ceramics,adhesiveothersOrganicSyntheticThermosettingureas, melanins, phenols,adhesivesresinsunsaturated polyesters,epoxys, resolsinolsThermoplasicvinyl acetate, polyvinylalcohols, vinyl chloride,polyvinyl acetals, acryls,saturated polyesters,polyamides, polyethylenesRubbersButadiene rubbers, nitrile(styrenes)rubbers, butyl rubbers,silicone rubbers,chloropreneRubbersMixturevinyl phenol-chlroroprene(Phenols)rubbersEpoxypolyamides, nitrile rubber-epoxysNaturalsStarchsstarch, dextrinesProteinsglue, caseinResinspine resin, shellacRubberslatex, rubber cementsAsphalt paper
On the other hand, with recent increasing environmental corruptions and rising interest in comfortable residential environments, efforts have continued to make to alleviate various damages such as headache, atopic dermatitis, asthma and the like, including a sick house syndrome, which are caused by harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and the like. The sick house syndrome is caused by organic chemicals such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, acetaldehyde, dichlorobenzene, styrene and so on, in addition to formaldehyde, which are mainly produced from adhesives, building materials and so on.
Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for a so-called natural adhesive without addition or use of volatile organic chemicals. However, if such volatile organic chemicals are excluded from the whole process of manufacture and production, the natural adhesive shows a disadvantage of poor storage stability and quick corruption. Therefore, most of natural adhesives available in market contain preservatives such as formaldehyde and the like, even a little. Furthermore, volatile organic chemicals are being used in the course of manufacture and storage of resins, solvents, catalysts, curing agents, additive agents and so on, with no restriction.
However, this may result in canceration as well as disease such as headache, atopic dermatitis, asthma, sick house syndrome and the like as the organic chemicals are evaporated in the course of drying and curing.


A thin-film formation apparatus possesses a reaction chamber to be evacuated, a placing portion on which a substrate is placed inside the reaction chamber, a gas-dispersion guide installed over the placing portion for supplying a gas onto a substrate surface, a gas-supply port for introducing the gas into the gas-dispersion guide, a gas-dispersion plate disposed on the side of the substrate of the gas-dispersion guide and having multiple gas-discharge pores, a first exhaust port for exhausting, downstream of the gas-dispersion plate, the gas supplied onto the substrate surface from the gas-dispersion plate, and a second exhaust port for exhausting, upstream of the gas-dispersion plate, a gas inside the gas-dispersion guide via a space between the gas-dispersion guide and the gas-dispersion plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a single-wafer-processing type thin-film formation apparatus and method, which form a thin film on a workpiece, which is a semiconductor wafer, piece by piece.
2. Description of the Related Art
As thin-film formation apparatuses for thin film growth by atomic layer deposition, various types of formation apparatuses have been proposed. As typical examples, there are cases, in which gas is supplied from a gas-dispersion apparatus (i.e., a showerhead) disposed facing a substrate; and cases, in which gas is supplied by forming a laminar flow flowing in a direction from one edge of the substrate to the other edge without using the showerhead. In the case of a showerhead method, source gases can be supplied at uniform gas concentration onto the substrate surface, whereas in the case of a laminar-flow method, gas concentration in the upper stream tends to vary from gas concentration in the down stream. In the showerhead method, in order to supply gas onto the substrate surface uniformly, a source gas is stored inside the showerhead and is supplied onto the substrate using a dispersion plate having a relatively small conductance. For example, after a first gas is supplied, the remaining first gas is exhausted by supplying a second gas, and then a third gas is supplied; if the first gas still remains, solids are formed by a vapor chemical reaction. For this reason, when the third gas is supplied, it becomes necessary to sufficiently eliminate gases remaining in the dispersion apparatus. This conflicts with a primary feature of the showerhead, which stores gas inside it. Consequently, the showerhead method was considered that it was excellent in uniformity, but low in throughput, and other methods without using the showerhead method were more advantageous because exhausting reaction gases was easy.

Apparatus and method for forming thin film using upstream and downstream exhaust mechanisms


Methods and structures for forming devices, such as transistors, are discussed. A method embodiment includes forming a gate spacer along a sidewall of a gate stack on a substrate; passivating at least a portion of an exterior surface of the gate spacer; and epitaxially growing a material in the substrate proximate the gate spacer while the at least the portion of the exterior surface of the gate spacer remains passivated. The passivating can include using at least one of a thermal treatment, a plasma treatment, or a thermal treatment.

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapid growth. In addition to increases in functional density (e.g., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) and decreases in geometry size (e.g., the smallest component that can be created using a fabrication process), device speed is continuously increasing. The scaling down process for density increases and size decreases can aid increases in device speed since signal propagation may be through shorter structures.
Other approaches to increasing device speed have been advanced. One approach includes the incorporation of dissimilar materials in a device. For example, a material different from a material of a substrate may be epitaxially grown for source/drain regions of a transistor, such as a field effect transistor (FET). Use of the dissimilar material can increase carrier mobility in the transistor, thereby increasing the speed of operation of the device.
With the increased usage of dissimilar materials in devices and the decreased geometry size, new problems have arisen that may not have been detectable in devices with a larger size or may not have affected those devices with a larger size. It is within this context the following disclosure arises.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


An eyewear apparatus for treating dry eye conditions featuring a pair of curved eyecups having interior cavities for providing treatment to the eyes when worn. Each interior cavity has a sidewall surface adapted to removably engage with the perimeter edge of a moisture pad which may be mounted therein to provide moisture, aroma, or medicinal treatment to the eye. An ocular cavity formed in the moisture pads provides a separate treatment chamber to each of the two eyes of a user. Heat or cold may also be provided to the ocular chamber through temperature components which mount to the moisture pad or in a gap between the moisture pad and the front of the interior cavity.

Approximately 60 million Americans suffer from dry eye conditions. Of these, approximately 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with severe dry eye conditions, e.g., Dry Eye Syndrome or Chronic Dry Eye Disease (CDED), both clinically known as keratoconjuctivitis sicca. CDED is a condition that results from inflammation of the eye as well as inflammation of the tear-producing glands. This inflammation decreases the eyes' ability to produce natural tears, which help protect the eyes from irritation and keep them moisturized and lubricated. People who suffer from CDED often experience constant pain from eye irritation, including a sandy or gritty sensation that, if untreated, can lead to scarring or ulceration of the cornea, which can lead to a partial or total loss of vision.
Most cases of CDED result from normal aging of the eye; however, CDED or dry, irritated, tired eyes can occur at any age. It is estimated that nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will experience CDED conditions. CDED occurs in both men and women; however, it is most common in women who are post-menopausal or pregnant. Approximately 4 million Americans, of which approximately 90% are women, have CDED as a consequence of Sjogren's syndrome, which is a chronic, slowly progressive autoimmune disease characterized by dryness of the eyes and mouth and recurrent salivary enlargement. Other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and thyroid disease, can also cause CDED. In addition, health, environmental, and lifestyle conditions can also cause CDED. For example, people suffering from allergies (approximately 50 million people) and people who wear contact lenses (approximately 38 million Americans), have a greater risk of developing CDED. Other circumstances that significantly dry, irritate, and fatigue the eye include: computer use; low humidity environments, such as flying in an airplane, in which the relative humidity is typically between 5% to 15%; certain medications; eye surgery; and certain medical conditions, such as bletharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).
Some early signs of CDED include: 1) an occasional burning sensation in the eyes when a person is in an area of low humidity or high pollution; 2) a persistent and painful gritty sensation in the eyes; 3) an inability to cry under emotional stress; 4) decreased tolerance of contact lenses; and 5) in extreme cases, unusual sensitivity to light, severe eye pain, or diminished vision. In the early stages of the disorder, these symptoms may come and go, but become more persistent as the condition worsens. For most CDED cases, patients experience a greater discomfort as the day-progresses.
Over 25,000 people a day turn 50 years old in the U.S. alone. It is estimated that by 2010, over 140,000,000 Americans will be over the age of 50. As mentioned above, if dry eye conditions are left untreated a person may develop CDED and, eventually, a loss of vision. Thus, with a significant portion of the population aging, the incidence of dry eyes will increase significantly, as will the risk of developing CDED.
The hydration process of eyes and, in particular, the corneal epithelium, includes tear production, evaporation, and outflow loss. Indeed, studies suggest that dry eye conditions are associated with an increased evaporation of tears from the ocular surface. Further, increased humidity around the eye significantly reduces, if not stops, the evaporation of tears and can restore and thicken the lipid layer. See William D. Mathers, M. D., et al., "Tear Flow and Evaporation in Patients with and without Dry Eye", Ophthalmology, Vol. 103, no. 4 (April 1996), pp. 664-669; William D. Mathers, M. D., "Ocular Evaporation in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye", Ophthalmology, Vol. 100, no. 3 (March 1993), pp. 347-351; Donald R. Korb, O. D., et al., "Effect of Periocular Humidity on the Tear Film Lipid Layer", Cornea, Vol. 15, no. 2 (1996), pp. 129-134.
Presently there is no cure for CDED; however, there exist various treatments that are designed to alleviate the often debilitating pain and discomfort caused by dry eye conditions. Such treatments include artificial tear solutions, moisture chamber glasses, and punctal occlusion.
The most common treatment for people with dry, irritated, or tired eyes is artificial tear solutions, both prescription and over-the-counter eye drops. Artificial tear solutions may or may not contain preservatives. The preservatives used in artificial tear solutions have little or no toxicity; however, artificial tear solutions with preservatives can cause irritation if used frequently. In fact, artificial tear solutions with preservatives are not recommended for frequent use. CDED patients typically need to frequently apply artificial tears, which prohibits the use of artificial tears with preservatives. Preservative-free solutions are available; however, they are expensive and prone to bacterial contamination. While artificial tears primarily increase the comfort of people suffering from dry, irritated eyes, when used frequently they may rinse away the natural tears necessary to reestablish a normal tear film. Frequent use of artificial tears is also expensive; individuals suffering from CDED can spend approximately $300 a year on artificial tears.
Another treatment for dry, irritated eyes is ointments. Typically used for nighttime relief, ointments often blur vision, are messy, awkward to apply, and often do not provide an effective treatment.
Another treatment includes the use of moisture chamber glasses. Moisture chamber glasses are custom-made products designed to alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by dry eye conditions. There are no commercially available moisture chamber glasses; they must be custom fit by an optician and can be prohibitively expensive for the average consumer. Studies have suggested that conventional swim goggles may also be helpful in preserving moisture in dry eyes, as well as protecting eyes from exposure to air currents, such as air conditioning and wind gusts. See, e.g., Donald R. Korb, O. D., et al., "Effect of Periocular Humidity on the Tear Film Lipid Layer", Cornea, Vol. 15, no. 2 (1996), pp. 129-134. However, conventional swim goggles are not designed for prolonged use and can be uncomfortable to the wearer. Although conventional swim goggles are well designed for the intended use of swimming, the application of conventional swim goggles as a moisture chamber has numerous drawbacks, including: 1) the optics and field of view are designed for swimming; 2) conventional swim goggles typically have a narrow orbital seal that is designed to keep water out and which is located inside the orbital bone and supported by the sensitive inner ocular area; 3) the straps are designed for short-term wear, under tension, and are not designed for sleeping; 4) the lens and body design is manufactured of a polycarbonate rigid plastic, which is inherently uncomfortable because of its rigid nature and because the exterior contour creates pressure on the eye socket when the wearer is laying down; 5) conventional swim goggles encompass a smaller surface area around the eye, thereby reducing the potential to trap moisture and heat from the skin surrounding the eye; 6) conventional swim goggle designs tend to cut off capillary blood vessels of the skin in the area surrounding the eyes; 7) conventional swim goggle lenses are typically treated with an anti-fog coating, which is either hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or a blend of the two, and which can cause irritation to the eyes.
Punctal occlusion, the closure of the tear ducts, is another type of treatment for dry eyes that can provide an increased volume of tears remaining in the eye area by decreasing drainage. Under this method of treatment, the lower puncta, which carry away the majority of tears, are sealed using a collagen or silicone plug, or by surgery, via electrocautery or an argon laser. Plugging is typically done for evaluation purposes or when the sufferer's dry eye conditions vary in severity. A collagen plug lasts only a short time, may not occlude completely, and is eventually absorbed. The silicone plug is not absorbed, but can easily be removed. Surgical occlusion is a permanent treatment option for dry eye sufferers; however, surgery may have to be repeated because the puncta tend to reopen. Punctal occlusion can be an expensive treatment for dry eye conditions, ranging in price from $500 to $650.
Thus, a need exists for an apparatus, system and method for treating dry eye and/or irritated eye conditions that is natural, easy to use, comfortable and safe to the wearer, inexpensive, and which provides therapeutic benefits for the eyes without the discomfort, invasiveness, and limited use of the currently available treatments. A need also exists for an apparatus, system and method that can be used to promote healthy eyes and can reduce the possibility of developing CDED by improving the health of the lipid layer. Further, there is an unmet need for such an apparatus and method that allows for removably engageable components to facilitate customization of moisture and/or medicinal treatment, sanitary use by one or multiple users, and communication of moisture and/or medicine to each respective eye of the user.

Apparatus, system and method for treating dry eye conditions and promoting healthy eyes