Systems, methods, media, and other such embodiments described herein relate to computational analysis of data associated using tensor networks. One embodiment involves accessing a set of input data (e.g. text, images, audio, or other data associated with language or “meaning” correlations) from a memory of a computing device, and processing the input data to generate a plurality of data elements as a sequence of vectors representing the input data. This sequence of vectors is then input into a tensor network comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes, with each node comprising an operator having an associated operator value, with the operator being configured to act on a product of a vector space associated with a data element of the plurality of data elements. The tensor network outputs one or more values, with each value associated with at least one data element of set of input data.

Improvements in computing devices have enabled greater and greater use of complex models to analyze large datasets. Statistical language modeling, for example, aims to capture joint probability distributions of sequences of words. Early statistical language models include next-word prediction and vector embeddings of words based on colocation with reasonable performance on word similarity exams. Efforts to build on early successes encounter difficulties arising from the high-dimensionality of the data, given that language is not random. One approach to address "the curse of high-dimensionality" is to truncate sequences under consideration to finite length phrases, or n-grams, and employ a hidden Markov model. Since hidden Markov models essentially cutoff correlations between words beyond a fixed distance, the success of this approach depends on the application. For example, 3-gram and 4-gram models have been employed effectively for speech recognition and translation, applications in which very long-distance correlations are of limited importance. Additionally, long-sort term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural networks have been employed to produce statistical language model applications.

Systems and methods for generation and use of tensor networks


This invention relates to reading and analyzing the contents of sealed mail. The invention has utility in the sorting of sealed mail and in the matching of mail envelopes and its contents. The contents of sealed mail are read by having a light in the near infrared directed to the sealed envelope and creating an image of the printed matter on the contents by directing the light to an optical detector. The image thus received is analyzed and a determination can be made whether contents are of high value or whether the addresses on the envelope match the addresses of the contents. If the envelopes are not addressed, the address can be printed on the envelope after analysis of the address block of the contents.

Field of the Invention
In the processing of mail, there are two wide spread activities, sorting of mail and match mailing. There are various forms of sorting mail that rely on the address, or a code, printed on the face of a mail piece. By reading such address or code, the mail can be sorted with regard of destination. One feature that is lacking in the field of sorting is being able to sort mail in accordance with its contents. Frequently, mail arrives in random order at a place of business. In some cases, business reply envelopes are used to identify high value mail, such as payments, policy changes and other high value items. Such high value mail enters the incoming mail stream along with ordinary business communications and needs to be hand sorted. Remittances must thus be delayed until the envelopes are opened and the contents thereof sorted by hand. This invention allows high value incoming mail to be outsorted prior to being opened so that its processing can be carried out without the need of manual activities.
In the case of match mailing, it is often the case that an insert is created which is unique to the recipient, such as telephone bills, insurance statements, receipts and the like. The mail piece must be addressed for the correct recipient. In one present practice, windowed envelopes are used to avoid the need for verification of an address because the address which is printed on the insert shows through the envelope. Windowed envelopes are costly, especially those windowed envelopes that use glassine windows which are quite expensive. It also results in mail which is much less machinable and less processable by the post office, because windows tend to cause jams in automatic mail processing equipment.
When regular (non window) envelopes are used, it is common practice for mailers to manually open and check pieces in a mail run randomly. This is not only expensive, but discovery of an error means that all mail pieces produced since the last check must be discarded. To avoid such activities with regular envelopes, match mailing is practiced. Matched mailing involves various schemes to assure that the contents of the envelope match the address printed thereon.

Image detecting apparatus and method for reading and or verifying the contents of sealed envelopes


This sound insulating structure (1) is provided with: a panel (2); a sound insulating material (3) laminated to the panel (2); a reinforcing material (4) provided between the panel (2) and the sound insulating material (3) and bonded to the panel (2); and an air layer (S) formed between the panel (2) and the reinforcing material (4). The reinforcing material (4) has a plurality of through-holes (5). As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in overall weight and to secure sound shielding properties and sound insulating properties

As a conventional sound insulating structure, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. An automobile floor carpet described in Patent Document 1 is formed by pressing a mat shaped material.
As another sound insulating structure, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 2. An automobile floor carpet described in Patent Document 2 is formed by laminating a plurality of buffer materials having different density and being made of different materials.


A system and method for assisting an integrated GPS/wireless terminal unit in acquiring one or more GPS satellite signals from the GPS satellite constellation. The invention includes a method for narrowing the PN-code phase search. That is, by accounting for the variables in geographic location and time delay relative to GPS time, the systems and methods of the present invention generate a narrow code-phase search range that enables the terminal unit to more quickly acquire and track the necessary GPS satellites, and thereby more quickly provide accurate position information to a requesting entity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communications systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to GPS positioning systems and wireless networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
The trend in the wireless communications industry is to provide a service that generates accurate position information for wireless terminals and to provide this information to requesting entities. This trend is driven to a large extent by the needs of public safety service providers in their efforts to promptly respond to emergency calls. In many instances, the calling party may be unwilling or unable to provide accurate position information. When such information is provided automatically, as is the case in wireline telephony services, public safety officials are able to respond and render service quickly. In general, the place that a public safety entity receives '911' calls is known as the Public Safety Answering Point (hereinafter 'PSAP').
In wireless telephone networks, such as cellular or PCS networks, the provision of automatic calling party position information is more difficult than in wireline telephony networks because of the inherent mobility of wireless telephones. In some wireless systems, the PSAP is provided with position information that resolves which wireless base station, or perhaps which radio sector within a wireless base station, is handling the emergency call. Position information to this degree of resolution only identifies the calling party location to a rather broad geographic region, so the PSAP dispatchers have to rely on the position information given orally by the calling party before they can respond to a emergency service request.
The Federal Communications Commission (hereinafter 'FCC') forced the market to address the position information provision issue in June 1996 when it adopted a report and order for enhanced E911 wireless service. On Dec. 23, 1997, the FCC issued a revised version of the report and order. Highlights are as follows:
Within twelve months after the effective date of the rules, the FCC will require that cellular, broadband PCS and geographic area Specialized Mobile Radio (hereinafter 'SMR') systems transmit to the PSAP all E911 emergency calls from any mobile station that transmits a mobile identification number (hereinafter 'MIN'), or its functional equivalent, without any interception by the carrier for credit checks or other validation procedures.
Beginning twelve months (and completed within eighteen months) after the effective date of the rules, the FCC requires cellular, broadband PCS and geographic SMR licensees to offer certain E911 enhancements. These E911 enhancements include the ability to relay a caller's telephone number (call back the E911 caller if a call is disconnected). Also, carriers must be capable of routing E911 calls to an appropriate PSAP.
Within five years after the effective date of the rules, the location (position) of the mobile station making the emergency call must be provided to the qualified PSAP in two-dimensions and have an accuracy within a 125 meter radius measured using root mean square (RMS) methods. According to the FCC, a request is qualified if and when (1) a PSAP indicates it has the capability to receive and utilize the number and location passed along by the wireless carrier, and (2) there is a cost-recovery mechanism in place.
The FCC position accuracy requirements are a minimum so suppliers and manufacturers of wireless network equipment are working to provide location data that is more accurate than the minimum. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,330 to Vanucci for MOBILE LOCATION ESTIMATION IN A WIRELESS SYSTEM USING DESIGNATED TIME INTERVALS OF SUSPENDED COMMUNICATIONS, assigned to Lucent Technologies, teaches a system wherein the location of mobile stations is estimated through measurement of differential path delay times of beacon signals synchronously transmitted by several base stations. A trilateration calculation is made to determine position.
Another approach to location measurement of a mobile station in a wireless network is taught by a patent assigned to Qualcomm Inc.: U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,299 to Soliman et al., for SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF A WIRELESS CDMA TRANSCEIVER. Soliman et al. teach a more sophisticated approach to mobile station location determination utilizing both Global Positioning System satellite and terrestrial base station signals. Generally, Solimon et al. teach the process of receiving at a base station a first signal transmitted from a first GPS satellite and a second signal transmitted from a second GPS satellite. The mobile station is adapted to receive these GPS signals as well and transmit a third signal to the base station in response thereto. The base station receives the third signal and uses it to calculate the position of the mobile station. In one specific implementation, the base station sends aiding information to the mobile station. The aiding information is used by the mobile station to more quickly acquire the signals transmitted by the first and second satellites than is possible without the presence of such aiding information.
The use of GPS satellite position and velocity measurement is a good approach to wireless terminal location determination because positions can be determined within the accuracy requirements of the FCC report and order. It also has other benefits in that new GPS features can be integrated into a wireless telephone once the GPS technology has been add to the unit. These extra value features can be used to increase the market value of the product and to enhance revenues through the provision of additional services to the end users of such products.
The GPS navigation system employs satellites that are in orbit around the Earth. Any user of GPS, anywhere on Earth, can derive precise navigation information including 3-dimensional position, velocity and time of day. The GPS system includes 24 satellites that are deployed in circular orbits with radii of 26,600 kilometers in three planes inclined at 55° with respect to the equator and spaced 120° with respect to one another. Eight satellites are equally spaced within each of the three orbit paths. Position measurements using GPS are based on measurements of propagation delay times of GPS signals broadcast from the orbiting satellites to a GPS receiver. Normally, reception of signals from 4 satellites is required for precise position determination in 4 dimensions (latitude, longitude, altitude, and time). Once the receiver has measured the respective signal propagation delays, the range to each satellite is calculated by multiplying each delay by the speed of light. Then, the location and time are found by solving a set of four equations with four unknowns incorporating the measured ranges and the known locations of the satellites. The precise capabilities of the GPS system are maintained by means of on-board atomic clocks for each satellite and by ground tracking stations that continuously monitor and correct satellite clock and orbit parameters.
Each GPS satellite transmits two direct-sequence-coded spread spectrum signals in the L-band. An L1 signal at a carrier frequency of 1.57542 GHz, and an L2 signal at 1.2276 GHz. The L1 signal consists of two phase-shift keyed (PSK) spread spectrum signals modulated in phase quadrature. The P-code signal (P for precise), and the C/A-code signal (C/A for coarse/acquisition). The L2 signal contains only the P-code signal. The P and C/A codes are repetitive pseudo-random sequences of bits (termed "chips" by spread spectrum engineers) that are modulated onto the carriers. The clock-like nature of these codes is utilized by the receiver in making time delay measurements. The codes for each satellite are unique, allowing the receiver to distinguish which satellite transmitted a given code, even though they are all at the same carrier frequency. Also modulated onto each carrier is a 50 bit/sec data stream that contains information about system status and satellite orbit parameters, which are needed for the navigation calculations. The P-code signals are encrypted, and are not generally available for commercial and private users. The C/A signal is available to all users.
The operations performed in a GPS receiver are for the most part typical of those performed in any direct-sequence spread spectrum receiver. The spreading effect of the pseudo-random code modulation must be removed from each signal by multiplying it by a time-aligned, locally-generated copy of the code, in a process known as despreading. Since the appropriate time alignment, or code delay, is unlikely to be known at receiver start-up, it must be determined by searching during the initial "acquisition" phase of a GPS receiver's operation. Once determined, proper code time-alignment is maintained during the "tracking" phase of GPS receiver operation.
Once the received signal is despread, each signal consists of a 50 bit/sec PSK signal at an intermediate carrier frequency. The exact frequency of this signal is uncertain due to the Doppler effect caused by relative movement between satellite and terminal unit, and to local receiver GPS clock reference error. During initial signal acquisition this Doppler frequency must also be searched for, since it is usually unknown prior to acquisition. Once the Doppler frequency is approximately determined, carrier demodulation proceeds.
After carrier demodulation, data bit timing is derived by a bit synchronization loop and the data stream is finally detected. A navigation calculation may be undertaken once the signals from 4 satellites have been acquired and locked onto, the necessary time delay and Doppler measurements have been made, and a sufficient number of data bits (enough to determine the GPS time reference and orbit parameters) have been received.
One drawback of the GPS system for location determination is the long time needed for the initial signal acquisition phase. As mentioned above, before the four satellite signals can be tracked they must be searched for in a two-dimensional search "space", whose dimensions are code-phase delay, and Doppler frequency shift. Typically, if there is no prior knowledge of a signal's location within this search space, as would be the case after a receiver "cold start", a large number of code delays (about 2000) and Doppler frequencies (about 15) must be searched for each satellite that is to be acquired and tracked. Thus, for each signal, up to 30,000 locations in the search space must be examined. Typically these locations are examined one-at-a-time sequentially, a process which can take 5 to 10 minutes. The acquisition time is further lengthened if the identities (i.e., PN-codes) of the four satellites within view of the receiving antenna are unknown.
In the case where a GPS receiver has already acquired the satellite signals and is then in tracking mode, the position determination process is virtually instantaneous. However, in the routine use of wireless terminals, users turn the power on and quickly begin operation. This may be the case when an emergency communication is intended. In such situations, the time delay associated with a 5 to 10 minute GPS satellite signal acquisition cold-start by a GPS/wireless terminal unit before a position fix can be obtained limits the response time of the system.
Thus, a need remains in the art for a system and method for decreasing the time required to acquire GPS satellite signals and render a position fix in a GPS/wireless terminal unit.

GPS satellite signal acquisition assistance system and method in a wireless communications network


The present invention aims to temporarily change print configuration information easily. To achieve such an object, an information processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: a monitoring unit configured to monitor that job data composed of print configuration information data and content data, and a difference file for temporarily changing the print configuration information of the print configuration information data to different print configuration information are put in a hot folder; and a correcting unit configured to, in a case where the job data and the difference file are put in the hot folder, correct the print configuration information data included in the job data on the basis of the difference file.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium for storing a program to perform the information processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a photographic processing system or the like, when a user performs printing from another system, the user can use a hot folder application as a print application capable of, without using a specific API (Application Programming Interface), achieving a print function by inserting image data and print configuration information data (or print setting information data) in a folder called a hot folder.
The hot folder is the holder in which data insertion is monitored. When image data and print configuration information data are newly stored in the hot folder, the hot folder application detects the image data and the print configuration information data both newly stored, and performs a print process based on the image data and the print configuration information data both detected. Usually, the hot folder is set within a large-capacity storage such as a hard disk or the like, and the image data and the print configuration information data which are the targets of the print process are stored. Hereinafter, the image data is called content data, the filed print configuration information data is generally called a job ticket or a print ticket, and the job ticket and the content data are collectively called job data.
In general, the same job ticket is often used to the same content data. However, there are cases where a user wishes to temporarily change the print configuration for certain reasons. For example, the user may wish to change a kind of print paper to an inexpensive paper for the purpose of test printing to be performed before real printing, and the user may wish to acquire a plurality of prints. In these cases, when the user intends to directly change the original job ticket, he/she has to know the detailed structure of the relevant job ticket. However, only the users who know the detailed structure of the job ticket do not necessarily change the print configuration, and, there is a possibility that an error occurs when the user changes the print configuration. Further, when the job ticket is a read-only ticket, or when a plurality of users share the job ticket, it is basically impossible to change the job ticket. For such reasons as above, a function which enables to temporarily change the print configuration without changing the original job ticket has been required.
In the related background art, there is the technique of changing the print configuration for each image data on the basis of a first print condition file commonly used throughout a job and a second print condition file set for each image data (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-227992).
In the relevant technique, although it is possible to set the print configuration for each image data, it is impossible to achieve a temporary change of the print configuration information.
The present invention has been completed in consideration of such problems as above, and an object thereof is to enable the user to easily change the print configuration information temporarily.

Updating a print job ticket using a print configuration file and a difference file


The present invention provides a safety apparatus as an aid for the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A mattress, fitting the dimensions of a standard-sized crib, is composed of three different layers, allowing a free flow of air through it to the infant lying in any position. The lowest layer has transverse channels allowing cross-wise air movement. The middle and top layers have vertical perforations through them allowing a vertical flow of air. Being composed of 3 layers, differing in density and firmness, the mattress is both firm and pleasant to the touch. Therefore, in addition to its primary function, the mattress provides a method to counter a potential delay in the motor development of the infant, which can result from prolonged lying in the supine position. A mesh sheet is stretched taut over the mattress and fastened securely to the vertical bars of the crib.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has claimed thousands of deaths of infants between the ages of two weeks and one year. In all cases, death occurred while the child was sleeping in the prone position, but the exact cause of death has not been conclusively identified.
However, in a recent article in JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2006, Vol. 296, No. 17, 2124-2132), a connection was suggested between SIDS deaths and a neurological defect in the brain stem, which prevents the infant, sleeping in the prone position, from reacting normally to a lack in the supply of oxygen. A healthy infant would lift or turn its head in order to breathe. Over the last ten years, a campaign initiated by doctors, nurses and medical journals, which recommended laying the child to sleep on its back, has resulted in a significant drop in SIDS deaths.
Not all parents, however, have been willing to follow these recommendations. They fear that their child will regurgitate part of its food and will suffocate as a result. Besides, by the age of 5-6 months, infants can already turn over by themselves.
In a different approach to the problem of sleep positions, pediatricians have come to the conclusion that infants sleeping in the prone position attain several motor capabilities earlier than supine sleepers. (Pediatrics, November, 1998, Vol. 102, 1135-1140).
A lateral search of the relevant SIDS data-bank has revealed one patent dated 1999 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,232).

Aid for the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome


A game method for learning trucking that includes a game board with a peripheral path therearound and having different indicia thereon, various decks of cards, truck play pieces, and a spinner assembly. The different indicia on the peripheral path includes a start terminal, two truck sales, two rest areas, a runaway ramp, a weigh station, a truck stop, names of cities, and speed zones. The player moves his truck play piece around the peripheral path following the instructions given on the cards in the various card decks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a game method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a game method for learning trucking.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for trucking games have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.
FOR EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,917 to Hatcher teaches game simulating trucking activities with the use of simulated Citizens Band Radio (CB) communications and chance in traversing a game board. Truck loads are carried from east to west and west to east across a game board simulating the continental USA and sequential advancement is made by throwing dice or using a spinner.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,084 to Michel teaches a trucking simulation game in which the players load their trucks and move over a playing path buying and selling goods at marked spaces along the path. Chance cards determine the amount and price of the goods bought when a player's truck lands on a buy space and another set of cards determine amount and price of goods sold when a player lands on a sell space. The playing path is made up of spaces having differing instructions. Also included is a simulated weigh station, courthouse and vacation spaces. The winner is the player with the most money at the end of the path.
STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,430 to D'Aloia teaches a game which simulates for each player the operation of a trucking enterprise. The game includes a number of miniature truck-like playing pieces each having a truck body with a cargo bay for carrying a miniature load. The game also includes a number of miniature cargo pieces which may be placed in and carried by the truck-like playing pieces. The game is played on a playing board having a predetermined travel path represented by a road which traverses a map of the continental United States. Dice are used by each player to advance the players' truck-like pieces along the travel path to pick up, carry and discharge cargo pieces at positions on the board marked by selectively placeable miniature trucking terminals.
FINALLY, YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,011 to Jarvis teaches a transportation game that comprises of a map showing cities interconnected by routes divided into segments of equal length, home towns at which the players' trucks respectively start, contract cards indicating cities at which loads are to be picked up, cities to which they are to be delivered and the fees therefor, designations in respective segments: that a penalty card is to be drawn from a stack including cards having questions related to driving safety; that a reward card is to be drawn from a stack including cards indicating that money paid from fines into a truckers escrow account is to be received; that cards having questions of a general nature are to be drawn from a stack; that the truck is at a weigh station and a chance mechanism is to be operated to determine the penalty for overweight; that the truck is at a truck stop and that a chance mechanism is to be operated to determine that amount of money to be received and also including a chance mechanism.
It is apparent that numerous innovations for trucking games have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


A liquid cooling system includes at least one fluid line in fluid communication with an intercooler for circulating a coolant through the intercooler. An inlet port assembly interconnects the intercooler and the at least one fluid line. The inlet port assembly defines an opening for introducing the coolant into the liquid cooling system. The inlet port assembly is rotatable relative to the intercooler and the at least one fluid line between a fill position, in which the opening is disposed in a vertically upright orientation, and at least one operating position, in which the opening is disposed in a non-upright orientation. A shield is moveably positioned relative to the intercooler to define an attached position preventing rotation of the inlet port assembly into the fill position, and a detached position, allowing rotation of the inlet port assembly into the fill position.

Vehicles using a supercharger for compressing combustion air may use an intercooler for cooling the air after being compressed by the supercharger. The intercooler may include a liquid cooling heat exchanger, which circulates a liquid therethrough to absorb the heat from the compressed air. As with all liquid cooling systems, the coolant levels must be occasionally checked, and/or additional coolant must be added to the cooling system to maintain optimal performance of the cooling system.
The level of the coolant in the cooling system is preferably checked at the highest elevation of the cooling system. Similarly, in order to gravity feed additional coolant into the cooling system, the additional coolant must be added at the highest elevation of the cooling system. The highest elevation of the intercooler liquid cooling system is generally located at the intercooler, above the engine. Accordingly, this is the optimal location for a fluid fill inlet port for checking the level of and adding additional coolant into the cooling system. However, this location is usually covered by a shield. Packaging of the shield generally prevents an opening of the inlet port assembly from being disposed in a vertically upright position.

Pivoting fluid fill port for a fluid system of a vehicle


An apparatus for estimating at least one parameter of interest of an earth formation includes a first sub and a second sub positioned along the conveyance device. The first sub and the second sub cooperate to generate at least one main component measurement and only the second sub is configured to generate at least one cross-component measurement. A method includes conveying a first sub and a second sub along a wellbore formed in the earth formation using a conveyance device, using the first sub and the second sub to generate at least one main component measurement, and using only the second sub to generate at least one cross-component measurement.

To obtain hydrocarbons such as oil and gas, well boreholes are drilled by rotating a drill bit attached at a drill string end. The drill string may be a jointed rotatable pipe or a coiled tube. Boreholes may be drilled vertically, but directional drilling systems are often used for drilling boreholes deviated from vertical and/or horizontal boreholes to increase the hydrocarbon production. Modern directional drilling systems generally employ a drill string having a bottomhole assembly (BHA) and a drill bit at an end thereof that is rotated by a drill motor (mud motor) and/or the drill string. A number of downhole devices placed in close proximity to the drill bit measure certain downhole operating parameters associated with the drill string. Such devices typically include sensors for measuring downhole temperature and pressure, tool azimuth, tool inclination. Also used are measuring devices such as a resistivity-measuring device to determine the presence of hydrocarbons and water. Electromagnetic induction and wave propagation logging tools are commonly used for determination of electrical properties of formations surrounding a borehole. These logging tools give measurements of apparent resistivity (or conductivity) of the formation that, when properly interpreted, reasonably determine the petrophysical properties of the formation and the fluids therein.
The present disclosure is directed resistivity tools that provide enhanced operation and functionality.

Methods and devices for extra-deep azimuthal resistivity measurements


A system for locating and tracking an object is provided. The system includes a measuring device configured to determine a property of a paving-related material, a locating device configured to determine a location of the measuring device, a tracking system configured to store tracking information associated with the measuring device and one or more properties determined by the measuring device, and a communications system configured to transfer, to a remote device, the location of the measuring device and the tracking information associated with the measuring device.

The process of paving roadways is subject to standards which direct the necessary characteristics of the paving used to form the roadway. As such, actual data from the paving contractor supporting such compliance with the applicable standards is often a mandatory requirement of the entity owning the roadway. Often, the entity is part of the government such as, for example, the Department of Transportation of the state. In order to determine compliance with these various standards, the contractor must often perform certain measurements in the field with certain measuring devices at certain points as the roadway is being paved. However, such measuring devices used in the field often use bulky and cumbersome keypads and/or older technology displays having limited capabilities with respect to collecting, storing, manipulating, and displaying the necessary data. In some instances, the measuring device may require the contractor to manually gather the necessary data and/or keep any notes using paper and a writing utensil. The contractor not only must gather the data from the site, but must also transcribe or otherwise manipulate the collected data such that the data can be presented to the owning entity in a usable and/or the required format.
The data collection processes described above are prone to inaccuracies, both in the collection of the data and the transcription and/or manipulation of the data. Such processes may also, in some instances, become more complicated if there is uncertainty between the contractor and the owning entity regarding a measurement location. Accordingly, this may lead to disputes since the owning entity is often not present to actually witness the applicable measurements that are generally manually performed by the contractor. Further, the owning entity typically receives a manually prepared record of the time, date, and location of a measurement as evidence of the contractor's compliance with the applicable standards. Thus, it would be desirable to road paving contractors to have a device for accurately tracking a location of a measuring device and reporting the location to an owning entity.
Further, a nuclear gauge is a measuring device that is routinely used during road paving projects. Nuclear gauges may be used for the determination of certain material properties, such as density and/or moisture content of asphalt paving materials, soil, and concrete. In the pulp and paper industry, nuclear gauges may be used to determine liquid level, moisture and density of liquid mixtures, pulp and raw wood. In metal industries, nuclear gauges may be used to determine metal thickness, metal composition, and metal content in paint such as lead.
Typically, nuclear gauges include one or more radioactive sources. Regulatory agencies typically require that nuclear gauges be routinely monitored to protect against mishandling, theft, and inadvertent loss or control that can occur. Thus, for these additional reasons, it is desirable to provide techniques for tracking a location of a measuring device such as a nuclear gauge, or any object desirous to be tracked such as expensive instruments based on other technologies like electromagnetism, acoustics, optical and such. Other equipment that may require tracking includes medical and scientific instrumentation that contain radioactive material or hazardous material.
In view of the desirability to track measuring devices, there exists a need for improved methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking a location of a measuring device and reporting the location to an entity remote from the measuring device.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for locating and tracking objects


A drain and a source of a field-effect transistor are connected to first and second signal terminals, respectively. A first control terminal is connected to a gate. A first resistor is interposed between the gate and the first control terminal. Capacitors are interposed between the source/drain and the first and second signal terminals, respectively. A control terminal is connected to at least one of the source/drain via a second resistor. High frequency signals supplied through the first signal terminal is sent through the field-effect transistor and outputted through the second signal terminal, and a quantity of the transmitted high frequency signals is controlled by a control voltage signal applied across the first and second control terminals. This structure provides a high frequency semiconductor integrated circuits which reduces a power consumption and an occupied area, increases a switchable power, suppresses output distortion, and simplifies a peripheral circuit.

The present invention relates to a high frequency semiconductor integrated circuit which is used in mobile communication equipment such as a portable telephone.
Owing to recent advancement of the mobile communication technologies, there have been demands for high frequency semiconductor switches and high frequency semiconductor variable attenuators, which are small in size and require a low power consumption. These switches and attenuators are used for switching a communication mode (transmission and receipt mode) of an antenna of a portable telephone or the like and controlling an input level of a power amplifier. As a device used in such switches and attenuators, there has been used a basic circuit shown in FIG. 8 which includes a field-effect transistor (FET).
In FIG. 8, a reference number "1" indicates a normally-on field-effect transistor, which is formed at a portion of a Ga-As substrate (not shown) and includes a gate, a source and a drain. A reference number "3" indicates a control terminal. Reference numbers "6" and "7" indicate first and second signal terminals, respectively. In this structure, a control voltage signal is applied to the gate of the field-effect transistor 1 via the control terminal 3 and the value of the voltage control signal is changed, whereby a quantity of high frequency signals transmitted between the first and second signal terminals 6 and 7 are controlled.
FIG. 9 shows a circuit structure including two basic circuits, each of which is the same as that shown in FIG. 8. In each of the basic circuits, the first signal terminal 6 is connected to a common input terminal 10. In one of the basic circuits, the second signal terminal 7 is used as an output terminal. In the other basic circuit, the second signal terminal 7 is connected to a ground terminal. In this circuit, complementary control signals are supplied to the control terminals 3 of the respective basic circuits so that the quantities of signals transmitted in respective basic circuits are controlled complementarily. Thus, when the field-effect transistor is off in the basic circuit transmitting high frequency signals to the output terminal, high frequency signals are sent to the ground terminal, so that significantly excellent isolation can be achieved.
However, the circuit shown in FIG. 9 including combination of the conventional basic circuits suffers from the following problems.
As already describe with reference to FIG. 9, a high frequency control circuit such as a switch includes a basic circuit shown in FIG. 8 as a unit, and also includes another basic circuit interposed between the input and the output, between the input and the ground, or between the output and the ground of the former basic circuit. This structure requires two control terminal systems for receiving complementary control voltage signals. The circuit shown in FIG. 9, for example, requires two control circuits for supplying complementary control voltage signals to the respective control terminals 3 of the basic circuits. Thus, two control terminals are essentially required, and further a complicated structure is required in a peripheral circuit for driving the high frequency control circuit. A similar problem also arises in a bridge T-type attenuator including combination of unit circuits, each of which is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, because it requires two control systems for inputting two complementary control signals, although this is not discussed.
Furthermore, such a problem may arise that linearity characteristics between the input and the output deteriorates, and thus distortion in the output is increased, when a high frequency signal of a high power is inputted. Therefore, when the basic circuit shown in FIGS. 8 and/or those shown in FIG. 9 are used in combination as a switch or an attenuator, only a restricted power can be applied.


A behind-the-ear type hearing aid which can improve a fit to a user includes a hearing aid main body and a tube for introducing sound output from the hearing aid main body to an external auditory meatus. The tube is comprised of a connector portion, and a tube portion having one end which connects to the connector portion and an opposite end which to an earplug. The tube portion is constructed so as to be freely transformed, into a desired shape and a metal wire for maintaining the transformed shape is embedded in the tube portion. Also, the shape of the hearing aid main body to be in contact with a user's body can be formed corresponding to the shape of a user's body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a behind-the-ear type hearing aid provided with a tube for introducing sound output from a main body of the hearing aid to an external auditory meatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional behind-the-ear type hearing aid, see FIG. 9 a hook 101 is attached to a main body of the hearing aid 100. The entire hearing aid is retained by an auricle by hanging the hook 101 on the auricle. The hook 101 is connected to an earplug 103 by interposing a tube 102 therebetween. The hook 101, the tube 102 and the earplug 103 serve to transmit sound which is output from an earphone within the hearing aid main body 100 to an external auditory meatus. Typically, the hook 101 has a few kinds of sizes including a large size, a middle size, and a small size. A user selects a suitable one depending on the shape or the size of the user's ear. Although various designs are possible with respect to the outer appearance of the hearing aid main body 100, a conventional one substantially has a banana shape.
However, since a user has to select one from only about three kinds of hooks, the selected one is not always suitable to the shape of the user's ear. On the other hand, it is not practical to prepare many kinds of hooks. In addition, since there are various different ear shapes, there are cases where a good fit cannot be achieved even if the shape of the hook is adjusted based on a merely geometric shape. Also, since the outer appearance of the hearing aid main body 100 is ready-made, there are cases where the hearing aid does not fit into the back side of the auricle so as to become unstable.
The present invention was made to solve the above-described problems of the conventional art, and the object of the present invention is to provide a behind-the-ear type hearing aid which can improve a fit to a user.


Systems and methods for managing network resources are disclosed. One method can comprise receiving first information relating to network traffic parameters and receiving second information relating to one or more contextual events having an effect on the network traffic parameters. The first information and the second information and be correlated. And one or more network resources can be allocated based on the correlation of the first information and the second information.

Current allocation of transport layer services is based on static configurations such as time of day and day of week reservation. Such reservations can cause network service issues when planned or unplanned events such as political rallies, natural disasters, or other newsworthy events occur and drive network traffic (e.g., call volumes) above a normal state for an indefinite time frame. This disclosure addresses such and other shortcomings related to network management.

Dynamic allocation of network resources using external inputs


Open-air earbuds and methods for making the same are disclosed. The earbud has a neck, which is open to the ambient environment in order to improve bass response. In order to prevent debris from entering the interior of the earbud, a filter is incorporated into the neck.

Headsets are commonly used with portable electronic devices such as portable music players and mobile phones. Headsets can include non-cable components such as a jack, headphones, and/or a microphone and one or more cables that interconnect the non-cable components. Other headsets can be wireless. The headphones—the components that generate sound—can exist in many different form factors, such as over-the-ear headphones or as in-the-ear or in-the-canal earbuds. In-the-ear earbuds are sometimes referred to as non-occluding earbuds as they generally do not form an airtight seal with the user's ear. Ear buds can also be open or closed to the ambient environment. Open-air earbuds generally have better acoustic performance than closed-air earbuds. However, debris can enter open-air earbuds and damage the earbud components. Accordingly, what is needed is an earbud that is open to the ambient environment while protecting the interior of the earbud.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Whenever N data bits are stored in a cell of a memory that programs each of its cells to represent any one of 2N different patterns of N>1 bits as a respective one of 2N ordered cell states, the N data bits are mapped to a transformed pattern of N bits according to a transformation that maps the pattern of the lowest state (typically all 1's) to a different pattern, and the cell is programmed to represent the transformed pattern. The transformation may invert all, some or only one of the bits of each pattern. Whenever the cells of the memory are read, the transformation is inverted.

The present invention relates generally to flash memory storage systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to flash memory storage systems in which the flash memory is capable of storing multiple bits per memory cell, and in which certain disturbance effects are minimized.
Flash memory devices have been known for many years. Typically, each cell within a flash memory stores one bit of information. Traditionally, the way to store a bit has been by supporting two states of the cell—one state represents a logical "0" and the other state represents a logical "1". In a flash memory cell the two states are implemented by having a floating gate above the cell's channel (the area connecting the source and drain elements of the cell's transistor), and having two valid states for the amount of charge stored within this floating gate. Typically, one state is with zero charge in the floating gate and is the initial unwritten state of the cell after being erased (commonly defined to represent the "1" state) and another state is with some amount of negative charge in the floating gate (commonly defined to represent the "0" state). Having negative charge in the gate causes the threshold voltage of the cell's transistor (i.e. the voltage that has to be applied to the transistor's control gate in order to cause the transistor to conduct) to increase. Now it is possible to read the stored bit by checking the threshold voltage of the cell—if the threshold voltage is in the higher state then the bit value is "0" and if the threshold voltage is in the lower state then the bit value is "1". Actually there is no need to accurately read the cell's threshold voltage—all that is needed is to correctly identify in which of the two states the cell is currently located. For that purpose it suffices to make a comparison against a reference voltage value that is in the middle between the two states, and thus to determine if the cell's threshold voltage is below or above this reference value.
FIG. 1A shows graphically how this works. Specifically, FIG. 1A shows the distribution of the threshold voltages of a large population of cells. Because the cells in a flash device are not exactly identical in their characteristics and behavior (due, for example, to small variations in impurity concentrations or to defects in the silicon structure), applying the same programming operation to all the cells does not cause all of the cells to have exactly the same threshold voltage. (Note that, for historical reasons, writing data to a flash memory is commonly referred to as "programming" the flash memory. The terms "writing" and "programming" are used interchangeably herein.) Instead, the threshold voltage is distributed similar to the way shown in FIG. 1A. Cells storing a value of "1" typically have a negative threshold voltage, such that most of the cells have a threshold voltage close to the value shown by the left peak of FIG. 1A, with some smaller numbers of cells having lower or higher threshold voltages. Similarly, cells storing a value of "0" typically have a positive threshold voltage, such that most of the cells have a threshold voltage close to the value shown by the right peak of FIG. 1A, with some smaller numbers of cells having lower or higher threshold voltages.
In recent years a new kind of flash device has appeared on the market, using a technique conventionally called "Multi Level Cells" or MLC for short. (This nomenclature is misleading, because the previous type of flash cells also has more than one level: they have two levels, as described above. Therefore, the two kinds of flash cells are referred to herein as "Single Bit Cells" (SBC) and "Multi-Bit Cells" (MBC).) The improvement brought by the MBC flash is the storing of two bits in each cell. (In principle MBC also includes the storage of more than two bits per cell. In order to simplify the explanations, the two-bit case is emphasized herein. It should however be understood the present invention is equally applicable to flash memory devices that support more than two bits per cell.) In order for a single cell to store two bits of information the cell must be able to be in one of four different states. As the cell's "state" is represented by its threshold voltage, it is clear an MBC cell should support four different valid ranges for its threshold voltage. FIG. 1B shows the threshold voltage distribution for a typical MBC cell. As expected, FIG. 1B has four peaks, each corresponding to one of the states. As for the SBC case, each state is actually a range of threshold voltages and not a single threshold voltage. When reading the cell's contents, all that must be guaranteed is that the range that the cell's threshold voltage is in is correctly identified. For a prior art example of an MBC flash device see U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,825 to Harari.
When encoding two bits in an MBC cell as one of the four states, it is common to have the left-most state in FIG. 1B (typically having a negative threshold voltage) represent the case of both bits having a value of "1". (In the discussion below the following notation is used—the two bits of a cell are called the "lower bit" and the "upper bit". An explicit value of the bits is written in the form ["upper bit" "lower bit"], with the lower bit value on the right. So the case of the lower bit being "0" and the upper bit being "1" is written as "10". One must understand that the selection of this terminology and notation is arbitrary, and other names and encodings are possible). Using this notation, the left-most state represents the case of "11". The other three states are illustrated as assigned in the following order from left to right—"10", "00", "01". One can see an example of an implementation of an MBC NAND flash device using such encoding as described above in U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,580 to Chen, which patent is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. See in particular FIG. 8 of the Chen patent. It should be noted though that the present invention does not depend on this assignment of the states, and there are other ordering that can be used. When reading an MBC cell's content, the range that the cell's threshold voltage is in must be identified correctly; only in this case this cannot always be achieved by comparing to one reference voltage, and several comparisons may be necessary. For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 1B, one way to read the lower bit is first to compare the cell's threshold voltage to a reference comparison voltage V1 and then, depending on the outcome of the comparison, to compare the cell's threshold voltage to either a zero reference comparison voltage or a reference comparison voltage V2. Another way to read the lower bit is to compare the cell's threshold voltage unconditionally to both the zero reference voltage and V2. In either case, two comparisons are needed.
MBC devices provide a great advantage of cost—using a similarly sized cell one stores two bits rather than one. However, there are also some drawbacks to using MBC flash—the average read and write times of MBC memories are longer than of SLC memories, resulting in lower performance. Also, the reliability of MBC is lower than SBC. This can easily be understood—the differences between the threshold voltage ranges in MBC are much smaller than in SBC. Thus, a disturbance in the threshold voltage (e.g. leaking of the stored charge causing a threshold voltage drift, interference from operations on neighboring cells, etc.) that may have gone unnoticed in SBC because of the large gap between the two states, might cause an MBC cell to move from one state to another, resulting in an erroneous bit. The end result is a lower quality specification of MBC cells in terms of data retention time or the endurance of the device to many write/erase cycles. Thus there are advantages to using both MBC cells and SBC cells, and the selection can be different depending on the application's requirements.
While the above explanations deal with floating-gate flash memory cells, there are other types of flash memory technologies. For example, in the NROM flash memory technology there is no conductive floating gate but instead there is an insulating layer trapping the electric charge. The present invention is equally applicable to all flash memory types, even though the explanations herein are given in the context of floating-gate technology.
There are several sources of errors in flash memory devices. As mentioned above, one such source is the leakage of electrons out of the gate of a memory cell that might shift the cell's originally written state into another, incorrect state, resulting in one or more bit errors when reading the cell. The present invention is mainly concerned with a specific source of error commonly called "Program Disturb" or "PD" for short. Unlike the leakage-type effect that results in slow accumulation of errors over long time periods in which data is stored in the flash device, the PD effect results in an immediate appearance of errors, immediately following the writing of data into the cells of the device.
The PD effect causes cells, that are not intended to be written, to unintentionally move from their initial left-most state to some other state. (The explanations herein assume the common practice, also used in FIGS. 1A and 1B, of drawing the threshold voltage axis such that its left direction represents lower values. This is an arbitrary practice and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention in any way). Referring to the two-bit-per-cell example of FIG. 11B, cells that are in the leftmost state corresponding to bit values of "11" (or in other words, to the cell's erased state) and that are supposed to remain in such state, are found to be in the next-to-leftmost state of "10", resulting in one bit out of the two bits stored in such cells to be incorrect. In some cases, especially in cells storing more than two bits per cell and having more than four states, PD effects might turn out not only as a move from the leftmost state to its immediately adjacent state, but also as a move from the leftmost state to more distant states, and also as a move from a state that is not the leftmost state to another state to its right (i.e. having a higher threshold voltage). However, the case described first above of moving from the leftmost state to its immediately adjacent neighboring state is the most common, and will be used herein for all examples and explanations without limiting the generality of the methods of the present invention.
By way of background for a discussion of the reason for the PD effect, FIG. 2, which is identical to FIG. 1 of the Chen patent, is a block diagram of a typical prior art flash memory device. A memory cell array 1 including a plurality of memory cells M arranged in a matrix is controlled by a column control circuit 2, a row control circuit 3, a c-source control circuit 4 and a c-p-well control circuit 5. Column control circuit 2 is connected to bit lines (BL) of memory cell array 1 for reading data stored in the memory cells (M), for determining a state of the memory cells (M) during a program operation, and for controlling voltage levels of the bit lines (BL) to promote the programming or to inhibit the programming. Row control circuit 3 is connected to word lines (WL) to select one of the word lines (WL), to apply read voltages, to apply programming voltages combined with the bit line voltage levels controlled by column control circuit 2, and to apply an erase voltage coupled with a voltage of a p-type region on which the memory cells (M) are formed. C-source control circuit 4 controls a common source line connected to the memory cells (M). C-p-well control circuit 5 controls the c-p-well voltage. Typically, in a NAND flash device, the cells controlled by one word line correspond to one or two pages of the device.
The data stored in the memory cells (M) are read out by column control circuit 2 and are output to external I/O lines via an I/O line and a data input/output buffer 6. Program data to be stored in the memory cells are input to data input/output buffer 6 via the external I/O lines, and are transferred to the column control circuit 2. The external I/O lines are connected to a controller 20.
Command data for controlling the flash memory device are input to a command interface connected to external control lines that are connected with controller 20. The command data informs the flash memory of what operation is requested. The input command is transferred to a state machine 8 that controls column control circuit 2, row control circuit 3, c-source control circuit 4, c-p-well control circuit 5 and data input/output buffer 6. State machine 8 can output a status data of the flash memory such as READY/BUSY or PASS/FAIL.
Controller 20 is connected or connectable with a host system such as a personal computer, a digital camera, a personal digital assistant. It is the host that initiates commands, such as to store or read data to or from memory array 1, and provides or receives such data, respectively. Controller 20 converts such commands into command signals that can be interpreted and executed by command circuits 7. Controller 20 also typically contains buffer memory for the user data being written to or read from memory array 1. A typical memory system includes one integrated circuit chip 21 that includes controller 20, and one or more integrated circuit chips 22 that each contain a memory array and associated control, input/output and state machine circuits. The trend, of course, is to integrate the memory array and controller circuits of a system together on one or more integrated circuit chips. The memory system may be embedded as part of the host system, or may be included in a memory card that is removably insertable into a mating socket of host systems. Such a card may include the entire memory system, or the controller and memory array, with associated peripheral circuits, may be provided in separate cards.
The reason for the PD effect is easy to understand when reviewing the voltages applied to the cells of a NAND flash device when programming a page. When programming a page of cells, a relatively high voltage is applied to the word line connected to the control gates of the cells of the page. What decides whether a certain cell threshold voltage is increased as a result of this control gate voltage is the voltage applied to the bit line connected to that cell. A cell that is not to be written with data (that is—that is to remain erased, representing an all-one state), has its bit line connected to a relatively high voltage level that minimizes the voltage difference across the cell. A cell that is to be written has its bit line connected to low voltage, causing a large voltage difference across the cell, and resulting in the cell's threshold voltage getting increased, thus moving the cell to the right on the voltage axis of FIG. 1B and causing the cell's state to change.
However, even though cells that are not meant to be written have a lower voltage difference across them than cells that are meant to be written, the cells that are not to be written still have some voltage difference across them. If the page to be written has some cells that are written to high threshold voltages (for example, to the rightmost state), then the voltage difference across non-programmed cells gets higher. This is because all control gates of all cells of the page get the same voltage applied to them, and the higher the threshold voltage to be reached, the higher is that voltage. Therefore the need to apply higher control gate (i.e. word line) voltage to some cells results in higher voltage differences at the non-programmed cells. Even though the cells are designed with the goal of not being affected by such anticipated voltage differences, in actual NAND flash devices such voltage differences stress the cells and might result in some of the cells changing their state even though this was neither intended nor desired.
To summarize the above explanation, PD is an effect in which when programming a page of cells, some cells that are intended to remain in the leftmost erased state end up in another state, resulting in bit errors when reading those cells.
PD effects can be empirically and statistically measured, and counter-measures in the form of error correction schemes may be applied to handle them. Flash device manufacturers are aware of this source of potential errors, and they take it into account when recommending to their customers the level of error correction the customers should use. So when a manufacturer of a two-bit-per-cell MBC flash device recommends a 4-bit ECC scheme (meaning that every 512 bytes of user data should be protected against the occurrence of up to four bit errors), he may base this recommendation on a statistical analysis that assumes a random data pattern stored into the device and on the probability that a PD-type error will occur under such circumstances. Obviously, other error sources and types are also taken into account in such calculations.
Unfortunately, typical real-life user data is not random. Measurements on real-life user files show that the various possible states of the cells do not have equal probability to occur. As the leftmost state of the cells is the default value of cells not being written to, this state is the most frequent. This is easy to understand—a section of memory not initialized, or not used within a file, very often corresponds to cells in the erased state.
As a result, in real-life applications the problem of PD errors is more severe than what is expected based on random data patterns statistical calculations. Relatively many cells will be in the erased state that is the most vulnerable state to PD errors, and therefore more PD errors than are predicted by random data distribution models will actually occur.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a flash memory device that is more reliable than prior art flash memory devices in the sense of being less vulnerable to PD errors when used in real-life scenarios.

Method of avoiding errors in flash memory


An improved frame is disclosed for automatic paint stirring equipment of the type which stirs cans of paint in a side-by-side relationship. Each can includes a cover having a stirring element rotatably mounted to the cover and a driven member secured to the stirring element. The improved frame includes a plurality of substantially identical drive assemblies wherein each drive assembly includes a drive mechanism for engaging and rotatably driving the drive members on the paint can covers. Each drive assembly furthermore includes an elongated planar top having two ends and which forms a shelf for supporting the paint cans. At least one, and preferably two, connectors are secured to each end of each drive assembly. Each connector has an upper and lower cylindrical portion which extend respectively above and below its associated drive assembly. A plurality of elongated tubular cylindrical supports then secure the drive assemblies together in a spaced apart and parallel relationship. The lower end of each support slidably receives the upper cylindrical of one connector while, similarly, the upper end of each support slidably receives the lower cylindrical portion of the connector on the next higher drive assembly. A pin and channel arrangement between the supports and the connectors releasably locks the supports and connectors together.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to automatic paint stirring equipment and, more particularly, to an improved frame for automatic paint stirring equipment.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Automatic paint stirring equipment of the type commonly found in automotive paint shops typically comprise a housing having a plurality of elongated planar shelves for supporting paint cans in a side-by-side relationship. These shelves are typically constructed of sheet metal while, similarly, the side panels for the housing are likewise constructed of sheet metal.
These previously known housings for automatic paint stirring equipment while adequate in operation, are difficult and time consuming to assemble. Typically, the manufacturer of the automatic paint stirring equipment ships the housing in a disassembled condition. Upon arrival at the automotive paint shop, the housing must be assembled.
The assembly of these previously known housings require the side walls, top, bottom and shelves to be screwed together by personnel at the automotive paint shop. Such assembly of the housing is not only difficult and time consuming to accomplish, but also frequently requires two laborers in order to complete the assembly of the housing. One laborer is required to position the shelf or sides of the housing while the other laborer actually makes the attachment between the sides and the shelf.

Frame for automatic paint stirring equipment


cDNAs encoding (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, 1,8-cineole synthase and (+)-sabinene synthase from common sage (Salvia officinalis) have been isolated and sequenced, and the corresponding amino acid sequences has been determined. Accordingly, isolated DNA sequences (SEQ ID No:1; SEQ ID No:3 and SEQ ID No:5) are provided which code for the expression of (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase (SEQ ID No:2), 1,8-cineole synthase (SEQ ID No:4) and (+)-sabinene synthase SEQ ID No:6), respectively, from sage (Salvia officinalis). In other aspects, replicable recombinant cloning vehicles are provided which code for (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, 1,8-cineole synthase or (+)-sabinene synthase, or for a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, 1,8-cineole synthase or (+)-sabinene synthase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith. In yet other aspects, modified host cells are provided that have been transformed, transfected, infected and/or injected with a recombinant cloning vehicle and/or DNA sequence encoding (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, 1,8-cineole synthase or (+)-sabinene synthase. Thus, systems and methods are provided for the recombinant expression of the aforementioned recombinant monoterpene synthases that may be used to facilitate their production, isolation and purification in significant amounts. Recombinant (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, 1,8-cineole synthase and (+)-sabinene synthase may be used to obtain expression or enhanced expression of (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, 1,8-cineole synthase and (+)-sabinene synthase in plants in order to enhance the production of monoterpenoids, or may be otherwise employed for the regulation or expression of (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, 1,8-cineole synthase and (+)-sabinene synthase, or the production of their products.

The cyclization of the universal precursor geranyl diphosphate (GPP) to form monocyclic and bicyclic monoterpenes is catalyzed by a group of enzymes termed monoterpene synthases (or cyclases). The biochemical transformation of GPP to cyclic products has been investigated using enzymes from a variety of plants, including both angiosperms (Croteau, R., Chem. Rev. 87:929-954, 1987) and gymnosperms (Lewinsohn et at., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 293:167-173, 1992; Savage et al., i J. Biol. Chem. 269:4012-4020, 1994; Savage et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 320:257-265, 1995). A mechanistic paradigm for these transformations is well established (Croteau, R., Chem. Rev. 87:929-954, 1987; Wise, M. L., and Croteau, R., in Comprehensive Natural Products Chemistry: Isoprenoids (Cane, D. E., ed) Vol. 2 (in press), Elsevier Science, Oxford, 1998). In summary, geranyl diphosphate is initially ionized and isomerized to form either 3R- or 3S-linalyl diphosphate, depending on the particular enzyme, which is converted to the .alpha.-terpinyl cation as a central intermediate. Further transformations of this reactive intermediate may be effected by additional intramolecular electrophilic additions, hydride shifts or other rearrangements before termination of the sequence by deprotonation of the final cation or capture by an external nucleophile, such as a hydroxyl ion or the diphosphate group. Although the fate of the substrate has been well characterized in numerous monoterpene cyclization reactions, the molecular mechanisms by which the enzymes effect these transformations is still poorly understood.
Culinary sage (Salvia officinalis) produces a number of monoterpenes, including (+)- and (-)-.alpha.-pinene, (+)- and (-)-.beta.-pinene, (+)- and (-)-camphene, (+)-sabinene, (+)- and (-)-limonene, myrcene, 1,8-cineole, and (+)-bornyl diphosphate (Croteau, R., Chem. Rev. 87:929-954, 1987). Because sage produces this broad range of acyclic, monocyclic and bicyclic monoterpenes, including several olefin isomers, a cyclic ether and a diphosphate ester, this plant has provided an ideal system for the study of a variety of biosynthetic enzymes, all of which utilize the same substrate but produce different products by variations on a single reaction mechanism (Croteau, R., Chem. Rev. 87:929-954, 1987; Wise, M. L., and Croteau, R., in Comprehensive Natural Products Chemistry: Isoprenoids (Cane, D. E., ed) Vol. 2 (in press), Elsevier Science, Oxford, 1998). These monoterpene synthases include (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase (the enzyme producing the precursor of (+)-camphor) (Croteau, R., and Karp, F., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 198:512-522, 1979; Croteau, R., and Karp, F., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 198:523-532, 1979), 1,8-cineole synthase (Croteau et al, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 309:184-192, 1994), (+)-sabinene synthase (the enzyme producing the precursor of (-)-3-isothujone) (Croteau, R., in Recent Developments in Flavor and Fragrance Chemistry (Hopp, R., and Mori, K., eds), pp. 263-273, VCH, Weinheim, Germany, 1992; Croteau, R., in Flavor Precursors: Thermal and Enzymatic Conversions (Teranishi, R., Takeoka, G. R., and Guntert, M., eds), American Chemical Society Symposium Series, No. 490, pp. 8-20, Washington, DC, 1992), and several pinene synthases (Gambliel, H., and Croteau, R., J. Biol. Chem. 257:2335-2342, 1982; Gambliel, H., and Croteau, R., J. Biol. Chem. 259:740-748, 1984; Wagschal et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 308:477-487, 1994; Pyun et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 308:488-496, 1994).
As is typical of monoterpene cyclases, many of these enzymes from sage generate multiple products from geranyl diphosphate (Wise, M. L., and Croteau, R., in Comprehensive Natural Products Chemistry: Isoprenoids (Cane, D. E., ed) Vol. 2 (in press), Elsevier Science, Oxford, 1998; Wagschal et al., Tetrahedron 47:5933-5944, 1991). For example, investigations with the partially purified native enzymes have suggested that a single enzyme, termed (+)-pinene synthase (cyclase I), is responsible for the synthesis of both (+)-.alpha.-pinene and (+)-camphene, with lesser amounts of (+)-limonene and myrcene, whereas a second enzyme, (-)-pinene synthase (cyclase II), has been shown to produce (-)-.alpha.-pinene, (-)-.beta.-pinene and (-)-camphene, with minor amounts of (-)-limonene, terpinolene and myrcene (Gambliel, H., and Croteau, R., J. Biol. Chem. 257:2335-2342, 1982; Gambliel, H., and Croteau, R., J. Biol. Chem. 259:740-748, 1984).
More recently, a third synthase from sage, termed cyclase III, has been described which produces a mixture of (+)-.alpha.-pinene and (+)-.beta.-pinene, along with minor amounts of myrcene (Wagschal et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 308:477-487, 1994; Pyun et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 308:488-496, 1994). Evidence that these reactions are catalyzed by individual, multifunctional enzymes is provided by co-purification and differential inhibition studies (Gambliel, H., and Croteau, R., J. Biol. Chem. 259:740-748, 1984), as well as by isotopically sensitive branching experiments (Wagschal et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 308:477-487, 1994; Wagschal et al., Tetrahedron 47:5933-5944, 1991; Croteau et al., Biochemistry 26:5383-5389, 1987). In spite of considerable effort, the (+)-pinene synthase has never been chromatographically separated from the aforementioned (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, suggesting that (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase and (+)-pinene synthase might, in fact, be a single, multifunctional enzyme (McGeady, P., and Croteau, R., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 317:149-155, 1995). Similarly, the (-)-pinene synthase has never been fully resolved from 1,8-cineole synthase, although, in this case, stereochemical considerations indicate that the two are distinct enzyme species (Croteau et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 309:184-192, 1994; Croteau et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264:2075-2080, 1989).
The unusual ability of the monoterpene synthases to synthesize multiple products from a single substrate requires the nomenclature of these enzymes to be based on the identity of the principal product synthesized by each enzyme. Thus, starting from the common precursor geranyl diphosphate, (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase characteristically produces a mixture of monoterpenes of which at least 60% is (+)-bornyl diphosphate; 1,8-cineole synthase characteristically produces a mixture of monoterpenes of which at least 60% is 1,8-cineole and (+)-sabinene synthase characteristically produces a mixture of monoterpenes of which at least 60% is (+)-sabinene.

Monoterpene synthases from common sage (Salvia officinalis)

Washington State University Research Foundation


A adjustable clamping device for applying pressure to a puncture site of an artery. The clamping device has a radial arm movably supported on a column which extends from a base. A carrier movably mounted on the end of the arm supports a pressure pad. The radial arm extends in a parallel attitude over the base and may be adjusted vertically upwardly and downwardly in reference to the base and may also be pivoted in reference to the column. Lateral movement of the arm facilitates positioning the pressure pad over the puncture site. A releasable feed mechanism on the arm controls movement of the carrier and thus the pressure pad. With the feed mechanism engaged, rotation of the carrier provides a controlled feeding of the carrier relative to the arm. With the feed mechanism disengaged, the carrier may be rapidly advanced or retracted. Independent locking mechanisms are provided for clamping of the lateral movement of the arm separate from the vertical and pivotal movements.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for applying pressure to a puncture site of an artery to arrest blood flow from the puncture upon removal of an instrument from the artery and particularly to a quick adjusting clamping mechanism for rapidly and finely controlling the pressure applied to a puncture site of an artery.
2. Background Information
It is well known in medical practice to penetrate an artery, such as a femoral artery, of a human by various instruments to extract a blood sample, inject fluids, insert instruments for diagnostic purposes and other procedures. The penetration of the artery produces an opening or wound and upon removal of the penetrating instrument bleeding occurs. It is necessary to apply pressure to the area of penetration particularly the puncture site to insure coagulation of the blood.
One of the methods employed is applying pressure to the area by an attendant's hand or fingers. This has been found to be less than satisfactory since it generally requires applying pressure for a number of minutes and the attendant is unable to perform other duties relating to the care of the patient. Further it is often difficult for the attendant to apply consistent pressure throughout the time period required.
To free the attendant for other duties and to provide a more consistent controlled clamping, mechanical clamping devices have been utilized to apply pressure to the puncture site to control bleeding. The clamping devices have a configured pad that is forcibly applied to the area of the puncture site to provide the necessary pressure to control the bleeding from the puncture.
One of the problems with the clamping device is the time required to place, position and adjust the clamp. The clamp must be positioned so that the pressure pad is strategically placed in reference to the puncture site so that the pressure pad may be forcibly placed against the puncture site at the desired time. A typical clamp has a base which is slid under the thigh of the patient to maintain the clamp in position. A vertical support member extends from the base and a lateral arm is movably mounted on the support with the arm extending over the base. The arm will thus be extended over the thigh when the clamp is positioned relative to the patient. A pressure pad is mounted on the end of the extended arm and extends downward in relation to the arm. The arm is pivoted and adjusted vertically on the vertical support and the arm is adjusted laterally relative to the vertical support to position the pressure pad over the puncture site. The arm is preferably positioned at a distance above the thigh so as not to hinder access to the puncture site, either visually or for instrument manipulation. The pressure pad is mounted on an adjusting screw so that the pad may be adjusted relative to the arm and thus may be advanced or retracted relative to the puncture site when the clamp is in position. The fine adjustment afforded by the adjusting screw provides control over the pressure applied to the puncture site by the pressure pad. Adjustment to either advance or retract the pressure pad any distance is, however, slow and time consuming. In many situations the adjusting screw must be rotated through a great number of revolutions to just advance the pressure pad so that it will contact the puncture site. Similarly, the adjusting screw must be rotated many revolutions to retract the pad away from the puncture site.


A beverage dispensing system incorporates an insulated python for delivering a plurality of beverages from sources thereof to remotely located dispensing valves. A coolant line extends through the python for cooling the beverages. A pump provides for pumping of a coolant through the coolant line from a refrigerated source thereof, through the python and back to the refrigerated source. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the circulating coolant for regulating the operation of the pump in accordance with the sensed temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to beverage cooling systems and has particular reference to beverage cooling systems used in connection with so-called python systems.
2. Background
A python comprises a large diameter (10 cm) insulated plastics tube containing a plurality of beverage lines which are used to interconnect a series of beverage storage containers with a series of beverage dispense points. The python prevents the beverages, or beverage components such as beer, carbonated water and syrup, from being over-heated in their passage from a temperature stabilized cellar to the beverage dispense point. Typically, in a bar or restaurant, the beverage dispense lines pass through the bar area which area can be very warm relative to the desired dispensing temperature of the beverage. Where the beverage is dispensed intermittently, and in the absence of an insulated python, the beverage would become over-warm in the beverage lines.
Normally, the small diameter beverage lines are placed concentrically around a central, larger diameter, pipe through which cold water is pumped to maintain the product temperature. This water is re-circulated via a chiller.
In order that the re-circulation system can provide the initial lift for the water, a large pump is necessary to pump the water through the larger pipe and back to the water chiller. However, once the initial lift of water has been provided, a quantity of chilled water far in excess of the system's usual requirements continues to be pumped around the system.
Normally, the chilled water is obtained from a water bath containing an ice bank, the ice bank having been formed on an evaporator of a refrigeration system. The ice bank builds up during periods of low demand and is used to even out the refrigeration load requirement.
Unfortunately, with high water flow rates, the excess of water slowly eliminates the ice bank, thus reducing the efficiency of the cooler unit. Furthermore, the high flow rate of chilled water can over-chill the drinks in the python and the initial drinks served after the python has been standing for some while can be at too low a temperature.


XYZ coordinates of an object are measured by projecting pulse slit light onto the object, imaging the slit line formed on the surface of the object by a TV camera, and processing the video signal from the camera according to the scanning signals from the camera. The position of the slit line on the camera is detected, based on the weighted average of the intensity values of the video signal. The relation of the position of the slit line to the actual XYZ coordinates on the object has been previously established, taking account of the distortion of the lens of the TV camera and stored in a look-up table. Data read from this table is stored in a memory in synchronism with the projection of each pulse slit light. The XYZ coordinates on the object can be accurately detected even though its physical position varies at a high speed or its reflectivity changes widely.

In production processes for manufacturing mechanical parts or products, it is often required that XYZ coordinates on a moving or vibrating object be detected at a high speed, for measuring the dimensions of the object or for inspecting it. Especially, where the object to be investigated has a three-dimensional contour, there is strong demand for quick detection of the XYZ coordinates of numerous points on the surface of the object under investigation to efficiently and precisely measure the three-dimensional profile of the object, for grasping the geometrical features of the object. One known measuring means consists in projecting pulses of slit light onto the surface of an object and arithmetically processing only the vicinities of the two-valued slit light image to quickly detect the profile of the moving object (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 78109/1989).
In this known measuring means, the central position of the slit line is transformed into a thin line after the central position is converted into two values. Therefore, the ability to resolve the central position of the slit line is 0.5 picture element and thus the accuracy with which the profile is detected is poor. Also, a special camera controller and a special arithmetic control portion are necessary to read parts of TV camera signals. Hence, the system is expensive. In this way, some problems must be solved for putting the system into practical use.
The present inventor and others have devised an apparatus which detects XYZ coordinates on a real-time basis by the optical triangulation, using a slit light source and a TV camera. Each time the TV camera takes a horizontal scan, the center of gravity of the slit line is detected, and then the XYZ coordinates are detected on a real-time basis by referring to a table of data.
However, this apparatus is unable to detect XYZ coordinates appropriately. In particular, slit light is projected continuously, and the reflected light is imaged by the TV camera for 1/30 second. If the object under investigation moves during this time interval of 1/30 second, then the image is blurred.
Where disturbing light having a wide range of wavelengths such as sunlight exists in a factory or the like, a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio (referred to as s/n hereinafter) will not be obtained using only a band-pass filter which passes only the wavelength of the slit light source.


A fuel injection system comprises a fuel conveying member and a nozzle tip assembly threadably engaged thereto. A pair of sealing elements is engaged in a fuel passage between the fuel conveying member and the nozzle tip for sealing the junction therebetween. The pair of sealing elements includes a first and a second sealing element located proximate each other and having different cross-sectional shape.

A gas turbine engine may have an internal manifold with attached fuel nozzle tips. Often, a fastening/sealing method such as a brazing process is utilized in order to achieve a rigid joint between the fuel conveying member and the nozzle tips that does not introduce a leak during engine operation. In order to achieve a high quality brazing joint, precision machining of the mating components is required which is costly for the manufacturers. Furthermore, the use of an expensive brazing paste is necessary to carry out the brazing process. Due to a very small parts size, particularly in smaller gas turbine engines, the assembly operation is time consuming and requires a highly skilled technician to do the work. Once a nozzle tip is assembled, it is very difficult and often not at all possible to overhaul the nozzle tip or fuel conveying member if necessary. Consequently, one damaged nozzle tip could be a reason to scrap the nozzle or entire internal manifold.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved fuel injection system.

Fuel injection system for a gas turbine engine


A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a polymorphic algorithm-based network slice orchestrator service is provided. The service may manage network slices based on radio access network performance metrics, core network performance metrics, network slice performance metrics, a machine learning framework, and polymorphic algorithms. The service may be applied to a multi-tier network. The service may include management of a data network access point of the network slice on a per-tier basis.

Development and design of networks present certain challenges from a network-side perspective and an end device perspective. For example, Centralized Radio Access Network (C-RAN) and Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architectures have been proposed to satisfy the increasing complexity, densification, and demands of end device application services of a future generation network.

Method and system for polymorphic algorithm-based network slice orchestration


An apparatus for storing a firearm, particularly a long gun, in a secure manner but in which the firearm is readily available to an authorized person. The apparatus may be mounted on a vertical wall. A door assembly is pivotally connected to a main housing and can be locked in a closed position to secure the interior of the housing against unauthorized entry. Adjustable access inhibitor components allow the apparatus to be customized for use with a user-selected model of firearm without compromising security. Movable components within the housing interior hold the selected firearm in a desired position.

Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the field of firearms security, more particularly to an apparatus for securely storing long rifles and shotguns, and specifically to a firearm security apparatus that allows an authorized person to access a secured firearm quickly in the event of an emergency.
Background Art
Firearms ownership is common in the United States of America, and is increasing in popularity in this and other nations. A vast majority of firearms owners are responsible and exercise care in the use and storage of their firearms. One desirable aspect of responsible firearms ownership is the secure storage of the firearm(s) against their access by unauthorized persons including thieves and children. However, another facet of firearms ownership is the right to use a firearm for self-defense, especially within the firearm owner's home or business. Thus, there is a need for a means and method for storing a firearm against unauthorized use, but in a manner permitting rapid access to the firearm when needed for personal defense (e.g., in the event of a criminal home invasion), or under other exigent circumstance, such as a house fire or natural disaster.
Presently, there exists in the art a variety of firearm racks, retainers, security locks, safes, lockboxes and other devices constructed for the purpose of securing and protecting one or more firearms. Many such devices are customized for use in securing and protecting handguns, but others are adapted specially to accommodate long guns. "Long guns" commonly (but not necessarily exclusively) refers to shotguns having a barrel length of at least eighteen inches, or rifles having a barrel length of at least sixteen inches. Conventional heavyweight safes offer optimum security, but typically are not opened quickly and are always bulky.
Some devices adapted to secure long guns are configured to support on the butt end of the firearm most of its weight, with some support on a point on the barrel, in order to distribute the mass of the firearm, as well as to permit reasonable access to the firearm. Means for securing or locking the firearm include trigger guard key lock assemblies, as well as barrel capture/locking mechanisms. In single-weapon racks and holders, a few known security devices may be customized to receive a single type or style of rifle or shotgun. However, many security firearm racks known in the art cannot accommodate mounting rails, scopes, lights and other accessories frequently attached to a long gun. Gun racks known in the art typically are wall-mounted or free standing, and occupy substantial space. Those long gun storage devices which do offer some adjustability nevertheless are restricted to a limited selection of models of rifle or shotgun.
Significant effort has been expended in the past to provide rapid-entry security devices for use with handguns. Relatively little effort has been made in this regard respecting long guns. Long guns nevertheless are suitable and sometimes preferable tools for use in home and personal defense. Thus, there remains an unmet need for an apparatus and method for safely and securely storing a long gun against unauthorized access, but which also permits an authorized user facile and rapid access to the weapon in an urgent time of need. The presently disclosed apparatus more fully satisfies, among others: (a) the need for a versatile long gun security apparatus that is adaptable/adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of types, styles and sizes of long guns, including firearms equipped with a telescope, lights, or other accessories; and (b) the need for a long gun security apparatus that is simply and rapidly used to access the weapon, and yet offers reasonably reliable protection against unauthorized access.
Against the foregoing background, the presently disclosed apparatus was invented.


Disclosed is a radiation-crosslinkable thermoplastic polymer composition, a process for the preparation thereof, an angioplasty balloon and a medical catheter made using such a composition. The composition contains a reactive monomer cross-linker facilitates cross-linking of the reaction product upon contact of the cross-linker-containing composition with energy from a radiation source.

Thermoplastic polymers, are relatively easy to process into a wide variety of fabricated products. Unfortunately, however, for many of these thermoplastic polymers, the high temperature stability, and their physical properties such as mechanical strength at elevated temperatures, as well as their stability in some commonly-used organic solvents, are less than might be desired. Accordingly, methodology has been previously developed to provide heat-induced crosslinking to convert certain thermoplastic polymers, such as thermoplastic polyurethanes, into thermoset polyurethanes having the desired stability at high temperatures and in the presence of solvents. By way of illustration, U.S. Pat. No. 4,255,552 discloses thermoset polyurethane elastomers obtained by adding organic peroxides to a liquid polyurethane-forming composition prior to reacting the composition to form the polyurethane. The '552 patent teaches that a liquid polyurethane-forming composition containing "unactivated hydrogen peroxide" may be formed in a mold into a desired article and then heated to solidify and thermoset the article, or a composition in solid form such as sheet, crumbs, or granules containing "unactivated hydrogen peroxide" may be provided which are can then be formed into a desired article that is then thermoset by heating the article in a press. The organic peroxides disclosed in the '552 patent are said to have a half-life of greater than one hour at 100 deg C. Unfortunately, these peroxide-containing compositions are less stable than might be desired or necessary for a thermoplastic process such as extrusion or molding. The peroxide containing polyurethane composition would most likely thermoset prior to forming the desired finished article, thus providing technology that is not commercially practical for thermoplastics.
An alternative to heat induced crosslinking of thermoplastics into thermosets by irradiation is known in the art. For example, a technical journal article entitled "Radiation Crosslinked Thermoplastic Polyurethane", published in the journal International Polymer Science and Technology, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. T/6-T/9 (1992), discloses the production of a thermoset polyurethane by using a polyisocyanate and methacrylate monomer as a radiation-cross-linkable monomer. This technical journal article does not disclose the particular polyisocyanate used in making polyurethanes disclosed therein. Further, not all polyisocyanates perform alike in irradiation-crosslinking of TPUs.
Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,884 issued Aug. 9, 1988 for "Process for the Production of Radiation-Crosslinked Thermoplastic Polyurethanes". This patent discloses the use of a cross-linking agent being a monomeric acrylate or methacrylate.
In view of the above, there is a continuing need in the polymers manufacturing community for new thermoplastic polymer compositions that can be readily thermoset by cross-linking when desired. Such compositions would provide advantageous processing capability, such as by extrusion, when the composition is in the thermoplastic state, and advantageous elevated temperature stability, solvent resistance and other enhanced properties when the composition is thermoset after formation into the desired product. Moreover, new uses for compositions known to be cross-linkable in the presence of irradiation, would also be desirable. The present invention provides such desirable polymer compositions, together with processes for the production of the composition, as well as new uses for compositions known to be irradiation cross-linkable.

Irradiation conversion of thermoplastic to thermoset polymers