Methods and systems render higher bit per pixel contone images to lower bit formats using multiple registers of a SIMD processor. The rendering process uses a first register to maintain contone image values of all the pixels being simultaneously processed. A second register maintains a threshold value used during the conversion process. A third register maintains one value for the print ready format pixels (e.g., those having less bits per pixel), and a fourth register maintains the other value (e.g., 0) for the print ready format pixels. Also, a fifth register maintains the conversion error amount for all the pixels being simultaneously processed. Sixth through ninth registers maintain distributed conversion error amounts produced by the diffusing process (for different pixels being simultaneously processed); and a tenth register maintains the pixels in the print-ready format produced by the conversion for all the pixels being simultaneously processed.

Systems and methods herein generally relate to processing images and more particularly to rendering images to lower bits per pixel formats using reduced numbers of registers.
In systems that convert higher-bit size image data to reduced-bit size image data (so as to allow the image data to be more easily processed) a higher-bit pixel is compared to a threshold value (or threshold values) and, depending upon the relationship of the value of the higher-bit pixel, a reduced bit size data value is generated. For example, if the possible pixel value of the higher-bit image data has a value between 0 and 255, the threshold value may be 128. A pixel value of the higher-bit image data that is equal to or greater than 128 would generate a binary value of 1 (representing a gray scale value of 255) and a pixel value of the higher-bit image data that is equal to or less than 128 would generate a binary value of 0 (representing a gray scale value of 0). In each instance, there would be a difference between the original higher-bit pixel and the converted value, and this difference is referred to as the "error" of the conversion process.
In a conversion process that utilizes error diffusion, this error can be diffused (scattered or propagated) to neighboring pixels. In some systems, the error may be conventionally propagated to the next pixel in the scanline and to adjacent pixels in the next scanline. Moreover, in error diffusion processes, the error is weighted such that an adjacent pixel does not necessarily receive all the error, but only a portion thereof.
Such error diffusion is used in many of today's digital imaging products to render higher-bit contone images to a print-ready lower-bit format. The wide acceptance of error diffusion is mainly due to the inherent rendering properties, which provide favorable print image quality without generating artifacts (i.e. moire', etc.). Moreover, error diffusion provides a good compromise when processing documents with "mixed" content, since it faithfully preserves the image density of photographs, while at the same time rendering text, line-art, and graphics with acceptable print quality.
One drawback of error diffusion, however, is the computational cost of processing images for high-speed applications due to the serial nature of the algorithm. The error diffusion processing node is usually the system-level bottleneck. This is especially true in a software image-path (SWIP) environment (as opposed to the traditional hardware-based FPGA/ASIC devices), where developing high-speed (software-based) image-processing nodes is used to providing a flexible and viable solution.
Various multi-threaded and data parallel techniques accelerate the overall processing speed of images processed via error diffusion. For example, images can be partitioned and sequentially processed via error diffusion one raster or scanline at a time using several concurrent threads in a time-multiplexed fashion, but this requires careful scheduling of the start of each raster relative to the other, to eliminate inter-scanline boundary artifacts. Likewise, other techniques attempt to apply data parallelism on a "tile-to-tile" or "inter-raster" basis in order to improve the overall throughput rate, but these solutions tend to produce low-frequency image artifacts around the periphery of the segmented borders due to the inability to properly distribute the error from one image segment to the next.

Rendering images to lower bits per pixel formats using reduced numbers of registers


The extension of the physical addressable memory space of a computer system is achieved by a secondary storage subsystem controller which intercepts requests to non-existent physical random access memory. The requests are translated into requests for data stored within a lower-cost secondary storage subsystem. The processor accesses data and programs on the secondary storage subsystem in the same manner as data and programs are accessed in system memory. The secondary storage subsystem can simultaneously function as a conventional storage medium.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to personal computer systems and in particular to a method and apparatus for extending the system addressable physical memory space in a manner transparent to users of the address space.
2. Description of the Related Art
Personal computer systems in general, and IBM.TM. personal computers in particular, have attained widespread use for providing computer power to many segments of today's society. Personal computer systems can usually be defined as a desk top, floor standing, or portable computer that consists of a system unit having a system processor, a display monitor, a keyboard, one or more diskette drives, a fixed disk storage, and an optional printer. These systems are designed primarily to give independent computing power to a single user or small group of users and are inexpensively priced for purchase by individuals or businesses. Examples of such personal computer systems are IBM's PERSONAL COMPUTER, PERSONAL COMPUTER XT.TM., PERSONAL COMPUTER AT.TM. and IBM's PERSONAL SYSTEM/2.TM. (hereinafter referred to as the IBM PC, XT.TM., AT.TM., and PS/2.TM. respectively) Models 25, 30, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 95.
These systems can be classified into two general families. The first family, usually referred to as Family 1 Models, use a bus architecture exemplified by the IBM AT computer and other "IBM compatible" machines. The second family, referred to as Family 2 Models, use IBM's Micro Channel.TM. bus architecture exemplified by IBM's PS/2 Models 50 through 95. The bus architectures used in Family 1 and Family 2 are well known in the art.
Beginning with the earliest personal computer system of Family 1 models, the IBM PC, and through the Family 2 models the central processing unit was chosen from the Intel.TM. "86 Family" of processors. The Intel 86 Family of processors includes the 8088, 8086, 80286, 80386, and 80486 processors commercially available from Intel Corporation. The architecture of the Intel 86 Family of processors provides an upwardly compatible instruction set which assists in preserving software investments from previous processors in the 86 family. This upward compatibility of processors which preserves the software application base is one of the major factors which contributed to the enormous success of the IBM PC and subsequent models.
The IBM PC and XT were the first models of the IBM personal computer line and used the Intel 8088 processor. The next significant change to IBM personal computer systems was the IBM AT which used the Intel 80286 processor. The PS/2 line spanned several of the Intel processors. A system similar to the PC and XT was a version of the PS/2 Model 30 which used an Intel 8086. The PS/2 Models 50 and 60 both used the Intel 80286 processor. The Intel 80386 processor is used in the IBM PS/2 Model 80 and certain versions of the IBM PS/2 Model 70. Other versions of the IBM PS/2 Model 70, as well as the PS/2 Models 90 XP 486 and 95 XP 486, use the Intel 80486 processor. One of the common points in all these systems is the use of an Intel 86 family processor. A variety of commonly available and well known software operating systems, such as DOS or OS/2, can operate on various members of the Intel family of processors.
The processors in the Intel 86 family support a variety of "modes". The basic mode in the Intel 86 family is "Real" mode. Real mode is the only operating mode of the 8088 and 8086. Real mode supports a one megabyte address space. There are no protection mechanisms available in the 8088 and 8086 processors. The 80286 supports both a Real and "Protected" mode of operation. As the name "Protected" implies, Protected mode provides a protected mode of operation. This protection prevents an application from interfering with the operation of other applications or the operating system. The 80286 provides extended addressing capabilities over the 8088 and 8086 by allowing up to 16 megabytes to be directly addressed. To maintain downward compatibility the 80286 can be operated in Real mode to emulate the Real mode of the 8088 or 8086. The 80386 and 80486 extend the Intel 86 family architecture even further by providing the ability to address up to four gigabytes of physical memory. The 80386 and 80486 also support a "Virtual 86" mode of operation. The Virtual 86 mode supports the operational characteristics of the Real mode within the overall confines of the protected mode environment. This Virtual 86 mode is useful for providing a very high level of compatibility with applications which run under the DOS operating system but must now operate within an overall protected mode operating system.
By utilizing 32 address lines the 80386 and 80486 can achieve a total physical addressability of 2.sup.32 bytes which is 4,294,967,296 bytes. Currently providing that much physical random access memory on a single computer system is impractical. However, it has become practical to provide that much storage space on devices such as disks.
A hierarchy of storage exists in a computer system. As an example, the storage hierarchy arranged in order of speed can include:
1. processor registers (fastest) PA1 2. cache memory PA1 3. system random access memory PA1 4. disk PA1 5. tape (slowest)
In general, the cost per unit storage is more for the faster storage than it is for the slower storage.
The processor registers and cache tend to be small in size. System random access memory (RAM) is typically much larger and is used to store programs and data during program execution. Disk and tape storage devices have very large capacity, but data and programs on these devices must be moved into RAM before the system can use them. Increasing the amount of RAM would expand the capabilities of a computer system by allowing much larger programs and data sets to be stored where they can be accessed much faster than data or programs on disk or tape. However, RAM is a finite resource within any computer system which typically has a much higher cost per unit storage than disk or tape. Therefore, it would be desirable to increase the apparent amount of RAM without increasing the actual amount of RAM.

Method and apparatus for extending physical system addressable memory

International Business Machines Corporation


The camera module with improved heat dissipation function include a base, a photosensitive chip, a circuit board; and a heat conducting sheet. Wherein the base comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A portion of the first surface is recessed to form a third surface between the first surface and the second surface, and to form a plurality of sidewalls connecting the first surface and the third surface, the third surface and the plurality of sidewalls cooperatively define a slot. Wherein the photosensitive chip is fixed on the third surface and accommodated in the slot; the circuit board is fixed on the first surface. A gap is defined between the circuit board and the photosensitive chip; the heat conducting sheet is disposed in the gap.

The camera module comprises a lens assembly, a base, a filter, a photosensitive chip, and a circuit board. The base is arranged on the circuit board, and the photosensitive chip is also arranged on the circuit board and accommodated in the base. The lens assembly and the filter are arranged on a side of the base away from the photosensitive chip. Heat may be generated during the working process of the photosensitive chip, and the air in the base may not circulate quick enough to dissipate the heat, thus causing the photosensitive chip to malfunction.

Camera module with improved heat dissipation function and electronic device


An apparatus for inspecting a surface of an object to be processed includes at least one irradiation unit for irradiating a light on the surface of the object; at least one detection unit for detecting a light scattered from the surface of the object in response to the irradiated light; and a determination unit for determining a cause of the scattered light based on the scattered light detected by the detection unit. The irradiation unit irradiates at least one irradiation light of s-polarization and p-polarization while varying an irradiation angle of the irradiated light. The determination unit determines whether the cause of the scattered light is a foreign material or a microscopic defect based on an intensity of the detected scattered light.

With regard to a semiconductor device such as a ULSI, if a particle-shaped foreign material (hereinafter, referred to as "particle") adheres to its surface, a short circuit may be caused, rendering the semiconductor device inoperable. Therefore, it is necessary to perform an inspection of whether a particle exists on a surface of the semiconductor device in a course of manufacturing it, for example, in a plasma processing system. Such inspection has been conventionally conducted by using an apparatus 150 for inspecting a surface of an object to be processed (hereinafter, referred to as "object surface inspection apparatus") using a laser scattering method, as shown in FIG. 15.
The object surface inspection apparatus 150 irradiates a laser beam to an inspection site on the surface of a wafer W mounted on a rotatable and vertically movable stage 151 from a laser beam illuminator 152 disposed above the stage slantwise. Then, a scattered light detector 153 disposed above the stage 151 detects a scattered light, which might be generated in case a particle adheres to the inspection site, and an operation unit 154 connected to the scattered light detector 153 analyzes the detected scattered light. If it is determined by the object surface inspection apparatus 150 that there exists a particle on the surface of the wafer W, the operation of a corresponding manufacturing line is stopped, and cleaning of the manufacturing line is performed in order to prevent a reduction in the yield of semiconductor devices in the manufacturing line.
At this time, a scratch, which is a polishing damage occurred on the surface of the wafer W, also generates a scattered light when a laser beam is irradiated thereto. Accordingly, even when there is no particle on the surface of the wafer W, the object surface inspection apparatus 150 erroneously determines that there is a particle due to the presence of the scratch. As a result, an unnecessary cleaning of the manufacturing line is performed, which decreases the operating rate of the manufacturing line.
For the above reason, there has been developed an object surface inspection apparatus capable of determining whether a defect on the wafer surface is a particle or a scratch. Known as such inspection apparatus is an object surface inspection apparatus using a dimensional characteristic of a scratch that it has a depth much smaller than its width (see, for example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0122174 A1). This object surface inspection apparatus uses the fact that the quantity of scattered lights generated by an irradiation of an incident light to the scratch in a direction oblique to the wafer surface is smaller than the quantity of scattered lights generated by an irradiation of an incident light in a direction normal to the wafer surface.
However, as circuits formed on a semiconductor device become finer recently, the size of particles to be inspected is also becoming finer to the extent that they have the same size as microscopic defects (for example, voids or cracks) in a resist film formed on a wafer surface. Accordingly, it is necessary to distinguish the particles and the microscopic defects. Since, however, the microscopic defects have a depth substantially identical to or greater than its width and have a shape different from the scratch, the conventional object surface inspection apparatus cannot be used to distinguish the particle and the microscopic defect.

Apparatus for inspecting a surface of an object to be processed


A structural element for a bottle closure having means for showing a first use in nominal conditions. This structural element can be made from components such as a pouring dispenser or a frame. This structural element is characterized by the use of two components which are linked such that the attachment between both disappears after the first use in nominal conditions when said structural element is mounted in the operating mode on the bottle. The first use in nominal conditions requires removing one of the components and it cannot be put back in its original position, restoring its also original attachment.

Closures with means for preventing the fraudulent refilling or manipulation of the contents of bottles are of great interest in the marketing of expensive beverages. This is the case of liquors although it is not the only case.
There are many means for showing a first use of a bottle closure such that the closure shows certain features before being opened for the first time and other features after being opened for the first time. Specific features modified in the first opening are those showing that the closure has been opened for the first time.
The means for showing the first opening can be of a different nature. For example, there are closures which make use of breakable bridges attaching two parts which are separated after the closure is opened for the first time. One of these parts can be a ring, for example, which detaches leaving part of the closure previously inaccessible visually exposed.
If the part which is exposed after the first opening has another colour, the evidence of said first opening visually stands out in a more striking way.
The changes a closure undergoes for showing the first opening do not necessarily have to be visual but they can make use of other senses. For example they can be sonorous. This is the case when there are elements fixed by means of a type of fastening which after the first opening can have a looseness causing the closure to make a sound or make a different sound when it is moved even though they can continue to be housed in a specific cavity for example.
These known elements do not allow a first use in conditions other than nominal conditions. An example is allowing the liquid to exit the bottle with a lower flow rate to provide a sample, or with a manner of pouring which clearly should not be offered in nominal conditions. In these cases the means of evidence must allow showing that the closure has already been used in nominal conditions and, if necessary, accepting designs allowing use in other conditions.
The present invention is a structural element which allows solving the aforementioned problem by means of a specific configuration and combination of components.

Structrual element for a bottle closure with means for showing its first use in nominal conditions


Techniques for suspending a TCP three-way handshake, offering the partial connection to an L-7 application or module at a proxy to perform further processing, and then allowing the L-7 application or module to instruct the proxy's network kernel to perform various actions are described. In various embodiments these actions may include: silently dropping the connection, verbosely rejecting the connection, accepting and processing the connection locally, or forwarding the connection to another proxy or the original destination. This additional functionality is provided, in one particular embodiment, via extensions to the POSIX socket API.

Establishing a TCP connection involves a three-way handshake, where a connection initiator sends a TCP <SYN> packet, the responder sends a corresponding <SYN, ACK> packet, and the initiator acknowledges with a subsequent <ACK> packet. An example of this sequence of events involving a TCP connection received at a conventional proxy is illustrated in FIG. 1. In this example, a client 10 is communicatively connected to a proxy 14 via a network 12. Proxy 14 is communicatively coupled to a server 18 across a wide area network (WAN) 16.
As illustrated, when the client 10 initiates a connection request, a TCP <SYN> packet 20 is transmitted to proxy 14. Proxy 14 responds with a conventional <SYN, ACK> packet 22, which client 10 acknowledges by sending an <ACK> packet 24. Thereafter, client 10 may send an actual request (e.g., an HTTP GET request or other request, for example where client 10 is an application other than a web browser) 26.
Only after completing the TCP handshake with client 10 and receiving an actual request does proxy 14 first attempt to contact server 18. This is because until this point, proxy 14 did not have sufficient knowledge of the intended communication to initiate contact with the server. Hence, proxy 14 initiates its own TCP handshake with server 18 by sending <SYN> packet 28. Server 18 responds by sending <SYN, ACK> packet 30, which the proxy acknowledges with <ACK> packet 32. Thereafter, proxy 14 sends request 34 on to server 18. This may be a modified or unmodified version of the original request 26 sent by client 10.
Assuming everything has gone well to this point in the above-described communication, the client and server will begin exchanging data (e.g., responses 36, 38) with one another via proxy 14. At least two separate TCP sessions are implicated in this communication; one between client 10 and proxy 14 and another between proxy 14 and server 18. However, notice that in the above-described communication the proxy 14 actually completes a TCP handshake with the client 10 before the proxy ever determines whether or not the server 18 is available and/or willing to accept the intended communication. If the proxy is operating in transparent mode, the client will assume that the server 18, and not the proxy 14, has completed the TCP handshake and will begin issuing requests. If the proxy 14 were now to report that it was unable to reach or otherwise complete a TCP handshake with server 18, this could have undesirable consequences for the overall communication and/or any applications executing on client 10.

System and method of delaying connection acceptance to support connection request processing at layer-7


A fluorescent lamp electronic ballast includes a power factor correction flyback circuit and an inverter ballast circuit. The power factor correction flyback circuit is composed of a rectifier connected to a DC to DC flyback converter. The flyback converter includes a flyback transformer connected to a diode/capacitor combination. The flyback transformer is switched during operation to produce a flyback waveform that is rectified by the diode and results in a DC output at the capacitor. The inverter ballast circuit receives the DC output and converts the DC output to an AC signal for operating the flourescent lamp.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fluorescent lamp electronic ballasts and to power factor correction for fluorescent lamp electronic ballasts.
2. Background Art
Fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts are used in the aircraft industry because of the efficiency of fluorescent lighting technology. Conventional aircraft generators produce an AC voltage of nearly constant frequency. The conventional fluorescent lamp electronic ballast accommodates the nearly constant frequency AC voltage and drives one or more lamps with reasonable performance.
Recently, aircraft manufacturers have begun to employ wild frequency generators. Wild frequency AC generators are not able to control the output frequency of the generated waveform. The output frequency of the generator varies with the engine speed of the aircraft, typically producing a waveform with frequencies between 300 Hz and 800 Hz. Due to the reduction in generator complexity, wild frequency generators are more reliable, lighter, and result in lower maintenance costs when compared to conventional aircraft generators. However, conventional fluorescent lamp electronic ballasts are not able to accommodate the varying-frequency input.
Conventional ballasts that use a hold-up capacitor or passive power factor correction (PFC) L-C filters on the input are not able to operate with a varying frequency. At higher frequencies, these conventional ballasts draw excessive current, exhibit poor power factor, and exhibit poor total harmonic distortion (THD). PFC boost converters have been used in ballasts, but the boost converter topology creates inrush current at turn on. An existing inverter ballast circuit is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,992.
A recent development used in certain specific 50/60 Hz applications is the PFC flyback topology, which is intended to operate over a frequency range of 45 Hz to 66 Hz. The topology is centered on the L6561 integrated circuit from ST Microelectronics. Some background information may be found in ST Microelectronics application notes AN1059 "Design Equations Of High-Power-Factor Flyback Converters Based On The L6561," AN1060 "Flyback Converters With The L6561 PFC Controller," and AN1089 "Control Loop Modeling Of L6561-Based TM PFC." However, these recent developments have only been discussed for certain specific 50/60 Hz applications and fail to discuss problems that arise with a wild frequency generator power source.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved flourescent lamp electronic ballast.


A treadmill (10) includes a frame (12) on which are rotatably mounted first and second roller assemblies (14, 16) on axles (40, 48) disposed on spaced apart transverse axes (42, 50). An endless belt (18) is trained about the roller assemblies. A ratcheting bolt assembly (52) is rotatably secured to the frame and is engaged with one end of the second roller assembly (16) to enable adjustment of the tension in the belt. The ratcheting bolt assembly has a threaded end portion (74) that is threadably engaged with one end of the axle on which the second roller assembly is mounted. The ratcheting bolt assembly includes a ratcheting head (80) that is graspable to rotate the adjustment bolt assembly for threadably advancing the axle on the threaded end portion of the adjustment bolt assembly, thereby changing the distance between the first and second roller assemblies and adjusting the tension in the belt. The ratcheting head ratchets on the adjustment bolt assembly to prevent an increase in the belt tension in excess of a predetermined maximum belt tension.

Treadmills have become popular in recent years for both home and office use to enable exercisers to run indoors in small confines. Most exercise treadmills include first and second roller assemblies rotatably mounted across opposite ends of a frame. Each roller assembly includes a cylindrical roller that is journaled on an axle or opposing stub shafts, with the axle or stub shafts being secured to opposite sides of the treadmill frame. A belt is then trained about the roller assemblies. The distance between the first and second roller assemblies determines the tension in the treadmill belt. The tension in the treadmill belt is initially set to provide a firm footing for the exerciser without slack that could result in injury to the exerciser, and to prevent undesirable side-to-side movement of the belt on the roller assemblies.
Over time with repeated usage, the bearings on which the rollers are journaled tend to wear, and the belt material may stretch. In order to initially set the treadmill belt tension and to later enable adjustment for this wear, many treadmills include an adjustment mechanism whereby the position of one of the roller assemblies can be adjusted relative to the frame and the other roller assembly by the exerciser. In some conventional models, this mechanism may include a bolt that is longitudinally disposed and rotatably mounted on the frame, and that has a threaded end that is engaged within a threaded cross-hole formed through one end of the roller assembly axle. Rotation of the bolt results in movement of that end of the axle along the length of the bolt, changing the distance between the roller assembly axles. The other end of the axle may also be adjustably mounted to the frame with a similar adjustment bolt to enable the roller assemblies to be maintained in parallel relationship.
A drawback of such conventional treadmill belt tensioning adjustment mechanisms is that the exerciser may inadvertently or purposefully overtighten the belt by drawing the axles too far apart from each other. This can result in excessive wear of the belt and the roller bearings, shortening the life of the treadmill.

Exercise treadmill with tension-limited belt adjustment


A system and method for estimating noise using measurement based parametric fitting non-uniformity correction is disclosed. Fixed pattern noise (“FPN”) is estimating from an overall noise component within a detection system to enhance candidate target detection and tracking. A sensor in the detection system receives energy, such as radiant flux, that is converted to a digital image. A non-uniformity correction device generates an estimated FPN according to an applicable temperate range and integration time. A memory storing an array of coefficients is accessed to determine the estimated FPN. The valves within the array of coefficients are based on actual FPN measurements that are parametrically fitted.

Fixed pattern noise ("FPN") is a component of the overall total noise in a candidate target detection and tracking system. For example, an infrared ("IR") sensor on a missile can have FPN in addition to other noise. A high count of FPN reduces a detection sensor's sensitivity and hampers target tracking and identification due to a large noise component. In typical sensor applications, the standard deviation of FPN from a raw, uncorrected image can be as high as 300-400 counts. A count corresponds to the IR energy received at the IR detectors. A count can be proportional to the output voltage from the detectors for the received IR energy. For example, a weak potential target can have 10 to 20 counts. Temporal noise can be 1 to 2 counts, varying according to the outside temperature. A high count of FPN prevents detection of weak targets.
One purpose of any candidate target detection and tracking system is to identify candidate targets as early as possible. A non-uniformity correction ("NUC") system reduces FPN to allow early target detection and reliable target tracking and recognition/identification. Traditional NUC systems seek to reduce the FPN to around or below the temporal noise ("TN") level.
Known NUC systems incorporate a rotating "chopper-wheel," or a blurring/deform lens, to separate the outside scene and the inside FPN on the focal plane array ("FPA") of the sensor. A chopper wheel system rotates the blurring lens to remove the FPN from the total noise component. The chopper wheel system uses a motor to rotate the lens across the FPA. The hardware and software components to implement a chopper wheel with a lens and motor takes up space within the missile or detection device and adds complexity and cost. As detection systems get smaller, space can become a critical constraint on future designs for missiles, aircraft, and the like.
Other known NUC systems include scene-based NUC. Scene-based NUC systems use dithering to reduce the FPN. One-pixel level FPA dithering movement is difficult to control within scene-based NUC systems, and the rate of reducing the FPN is slow. Scene-based NUC systems can use a convergent median filter, but this change results in the rate of reducing the FPN being even slower.
Other NUC systems use estimated FPN components to remove the FPN from a received frame. Estimating FPN over the temperature ranges needed for today's applications and platforms is complex. Offset and gain values related to the received flux energy can vary greatly, over different temperature ranges. The estimation algorithms include high-order polynomials that result in complex processing loads on the detection sensor.
Removal or reduction of the FPN in a detection sensor is needed to maximize potential target identification, to detect targets early and to maintain tracking of an acquired target. Known NUC systems that estimate and reduce FPN, however, tend to be slow or not feasible due to their size.

System and method for estimating noise using measurement based parametric fitting non-uniformity correction


A culinary implement is disclosed that includes a handle, an attachment arm, and a rotatable head portion. The handle has an elongate configuration, and the attachment arm extends beyond an end of the handle. The attachment arm incorporates a first part of an attachment mechanism that is located proximal an end of the attachment arm. The head portion incorporates a second part of the attachment mechanism. The second part is joinable with the first part to secure the head portion to the attachment arm, and the second part is separable from the first part to detach the head portion from the attachment arm. When the head portion is detached, one of a plurality of alternate head portions may be secured to the attachment arm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to culinary implements. The invention concerns, more particularly, a culinary implement with a handle and a rotatable head portion that is interchangeable with one of a plurality of other head portions.
2. Description of Background Art
A variety of culinary implements are utilized in the culinary arts, including knives, tenderizers, marinating tools, and mincers, for example. In general, each of these implements is a separate device and, in combination, may require a significant quantity of storage space. In order to limit the degree of storage space necessary for such culinary implements, various multi-purpose culinary implements have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,286 to Stowell, et al. discloses a culinary implement that includes a universal handle and a plurality of interchangeable portions that include a brush, a spatula, and a spoon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,708 to Thomas discloses a utensil holder for infants that includes interchangeable forks and spoons of various configurations. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,918 discloses a culinary implement with an interchangeable cutter, peeler, and brush. Although the various prior art devices may provide interchangeable elements, the devices do not provide an effective structure for interchanging a variety of rotatable elements.

Culinary implement with interchangeable elements


A data capture system includes a data collection terminal and a wireless communications module comprising a transceiver arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from a remote station in the data capture system. At least one flat antenna embedded within the communications module, and a pair of flat antennas may be included. A connector is arranged to removably couple the communications module with the data collection terminal and to transmit signals. A microprocessor is coupled with the connector and is arranged to standardize the logic levels and the format of the signals transmitted over the connector such that the data collection terminal may be engaged by the communications module through the connector without adjustment of the communications module.

This invention generally relates to data collection systems wherein a hand-held unit is operated from battery power and functions to collect and process data by a sequence of automated and manual operations. A typical automated process is the non-contact scanning of bar code data by means of a cyclically deflected laser beam or with the use of an image photosensor of the CCD type. Once a valid bar code reading has been obtained, a keyboard may be manually operated to indicate an associated quantity. The user may then manually initiate a further operation, for example, the on-line transmission of the data to a remote host computer e.g. via a radio frequency communications link.
The presently known data capture devices which include a user interface such as a keyboard and display, and a non-contact automatic reader function have tended to be highly specialized, bulky and expensive. In a prior art device having the desired functions, it may be necessary to completely invert the device after a bar code reading, in order to view the display, and/or to actuate the keyboard.
Devices which essentially add a keyboard and display to an existing scanner design may be particularly awkward to use, for example because the keyboard and display are applied at the forward end of the scanner where they are not conveniently accessible and where manual forces applied to the keyboard are tedious to counteract with the supporting handle which is much closer to the user's body.
It would be desirable to have a basic data capture terminal which is light weight and compact, and which could be readily converted for on-line wireless communications and bar code scanning as needed. Such a versatile data capture system would be particularly suitable for small scale operations where low cost is a major objective, and versatility of the terminal unit is especially advantageous. Furthermore, in order to realize the benefits of mass production, it is desirable from the manufacturer's standpoint if a basic computerized terminal configuration can be readily adapted to the needs of diverse end users by the selective addition of low cost modules.

Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules


The present invention relates to novel 3-oxindole derivatives, to a process for their preparation and to the use of said derivatives as dyes for manufacturing pH sensitive textiles and as indicators in titration methods. The invention also relates to a method to manufacture pH sensitive textiles and to textiles so obtained.

Color changeable dyes (chromic dyes) are known and used in many applications. These dyes can change upon an external stimulus, which can be light, heat, electric current, pressure, a solvent, pH or others.
There is an existing need for color changeable dyed textile materials, especially denim, i.e. materials colored with dyes that can be easily changed under conditions which can also be accessible to the final user, who can thus customize his own garments and textiles.
EP3257900 discloses dyes for textile materials showing irreversible color changeable properties, said dyes having an indigo structure.

pH sensitive dyes for textile materials, a process for their preparation and uses thereof

Sanko Tekstil Isletmeleri San. Ve Tic. A.S.


A composition suitable for transdermal electrotransport delivery of an agent through a body surface comprises a free acid/base form of an agent to be delivered by transdermal electrotransport, and a salt form of the agent, and optionally a permeation enhancer. Methods of enhancing transdermal electrotransport delivery and of forming a composition for the enhancement of transdermal electrotransport drug delivery, and a transdermal electrotransport delivery device (10) utilizing the compositions of the invention are disclosed.

The transdermal delivery of drugs, by diffusion through the epidermis, offers improvements over more traditional delivery methods, such as subcutaneous injections and oral delivery. Transdermal drug delivery by passive diffusion avoids the hepatic first pass effect encountered with oral drug delivery. Transdermal drug delivery also eliminates patient discomfort associated with subcutaneous injections. In addition, transdermal delivery can provide more uniform concentrations of drug in the bloodstream of the patient over time due to the extended controlled delivery profiles of certain patches. The term "transdermal" delivery, broadly encompasses the delivery of an agent through a body surface, such as the skin, mucosa, or nails of an animal.
The skin functions as the primary barrier to the transdermal penetration of materials into the body and represents the body's major resistance to the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents such as drugs. To date, efforts have been focussed on reducing the physical resistance or enhancing the permeability of the skin for the delivery of the therapeutic agent by means of passive diffusion. Various methods for increasing the rate of transdermal drug diffusion have been used. For example, drug-impermeable backing layers made of metal, plastic and other materials have been employed in skin patches in order to limit diffusion of drugs away from the skin, increase the hydration of the skin and, thereby, increase the diffusion of drugs through the skin. Increases in the rate of absorption of agents through the skin have been produced by varying the temperature and the relative humidity of the atmosphere adjacent to the skin. Other efforts have been directed at abrading or piercing the skin by mechanically disrupting its outermost stratum corneum layer. Chemical absorption promoters (also referred to as flux enhancers or permeation enhancers) have also been utilized, both as integral components of transdermal therapeutic drug delivery devices compositions or applied to the skin as a pretreatment step before applying the transdermal patch.
The utility of fatty acid permeation enhancers in passive transdermal drug delivery has been previously recognized. (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,045,553 and 5,023,085 (fatty acid with additional cycloketone). Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,069,909 (for buprenorphine), 5,001,139 and 4,892,737 disclose the use of fatty acid esters in mixtures with other enhancers for passive transdermal delivery. More generally, C.sub.5 -C.sub.30 aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are disclosed as transdermal drug permeation enhancers in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,241 for the passive delivery of Nethoxycarbonyl-3-morpholino sydnonimine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,737 utilizes a mixture of quaternary ammonium salts with saturated and unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids for the passive transdermal electrotransport of agents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,163 passively delivers monoxidine with the aid of an alkyl aliphatic acid of at least 12 C-atoms. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,930, C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 fatty acid esters are used for the delivery of nicardipine hydrochloride.
A composition for the passive delivery of salicylic acid, which comprises aliphatic diols, an ester of a mono- or polyhydric alcohol and a saturated fatty acid is disclosed in published PCT patent application WO 90/08507. A composition containing salicylic acid, an aliphatic 1,2-diol such as propane- or butane-diol, and a fatty oil, such as triglycerides and their fatty acid derivatives, is disclosed in published PCT patent application WO 89/00853. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,605,670 and 5,128,376, in addition, disclose the passive percutaneous administration of an active agent in a composition containing a mixture of (1) an ester of a C.sub.7 -C.sub.18 aliphatic acid and an alcohol, a C.sub.8 -C.sub.26 aliphatic monoalcohol, or mixtures thereof, and (2) C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 cyclic amides such as pyrrolidones, and diols, triols, or mixtures thereof.
These passive methods have generally had only limited success in significantly increasing the transdermal flux of drug.
Transdermal drug permeation rates (fluxes) can also be increased over that obtained with passive diffusion by employing electrically assisted, ie, electrotransport delivery. The term "electrotransport" as used herein refers to delivery of an agent through a body surface with the assistance of an electrical field. Electrotransport, thus, refers generally to the passage of an agent through a body surface, such as the skin, mucous membranes, or nails, which is at least partially induced by applying an electrical current through the surface. Many therapeutic agents, including drugs, may be introduced into the human body by electrotransport. The electrotransport of an agent through a body surface may be attained by one or more of several known phenomena. One widely used electrotransport phenomenon is iontophoresis, which involves the electrically induced transport of charged ions. Electroosmosis, another type of electrotransport, involves the movement of a liquid, which liquid contains one or more therapeutic agent(s) dissolved therein, through a biological membrane under the influence of an electrical field. Electroporation, still another type of electrotransport, involves the movement of an agent through transiently-created pores formed in a biological membrane under the influence of an electric field. When any given agent is electrotransported, more than one of these phenomena, including the phenomenon of passive diffusion, may occur simultaneously to some extent. The term electrotransport, as used herein, is given its broadest possible interpretation to include the electrically induced or enhanced transport of charged species, uncharged species, or mixtures thereof, regardless of the specific mechanism(s) by which the agent(s) is(are) actually transported.
Electrotransport devices require at least two electrodes, both being in electrical contact with some portion of the skin, nails, mucous membrane, or other membrane surfaces of the body. One electrode, commonly referred to as the "donor" or "active" electrode, is the electrode from which the therapeutic agent, such as a drug or prodrug, is delivered into the body. The other electrode, typically termed the "counter" or "return" electrode, serves to close the electrical circuit through the body. For example, if a cationic (ie, a positively charged) agent is to be delivered, the anode will be the active or donor electrode while the cathode is the counter electrode. Alternatively, if the agent to be delivered is an anion, i.e. a negatively charged ion, the cathode will be the donor electrode while the anode is the counter electrode. When anionic and cationic drugs need to be delivered at the same time, both the anode and cathode may be used for this purpose and the anionic drug placed in the cathode while the cationic drug is placed in the anode. In addition, electrotransport delivery devices include an electrical power source, typically in the form of one or more batteries, and optionally electrical control circuitry which regulates the flow of electric current through the electrodes and thereby the rate of drug delivery. Alternatively, the power may be supplied, at least in part, by a galvanic couple formed by contacting two electrodes made of dissimilar materials. A complete electrical circuit is formed by electrically contacting one pole of the power source to the donor electrode, the donor electrode to the body, the body to the counter electrode, and the counter electrode to the opposite pole of the power source.
The donor electrode typically includes a reservoir containing a solution of the agent or drug to be delivered. The donor reservoir may take the form of a pouch, a cavity, a porous sponge, a pad, and a pre-formed gel body, among others. The counter electrode likewise typically includes a reservoir containing a biocompatible electrolyte salt solution. Such reservoirs are electrically connected to the anode or cathode of the electrotransport device to provide either a fixed or a renewable source of one or more therapeutic agents or drugs.
It is known that electrotransport drug flux is roughly proportional to the level of electric current applied by the device. However, there is a limit to the current density (current density is the level of electric current (mA) applied by the device divided by the skin contact area (cm.sup.2) of the electrodes) which may be comfortably tolerated by a patient. This limit on the level of current density which may be comfortably tolerated by a patient becomes more problematic as the size of the electrotransport system and, therefore, the skin contact areas of the electrodes, is reduced, ie, for electrotransport systems which are designed to be wearable. Thus, there is a limit to the level of electric current which may be applied by any electrotransport device of a given size and this current limit becomes lower as the size or the skin contact area of the device is reduced. In certain instances, electrotransport devices operating at these current limits have been unable to deliver therapeutically effective amounts of drug. In those cases, the incorporation of a permeation enhancer into the electrotransport device may increase the amount of the agent delivered to adequate levels.
In the context of this application, the term "permeation enhancer" includes absorption promoters and surfactants and broadly describes a chemical species which either reduces the physical resistance of a body surface to the passage of an agent therethrough, alters the ionic selectivity of the body surface, increases the electrical conductivity or the permeability of the body surface, and/or increases the number of pathways therethrough. The use of electrotransport enhancers may help reduce the size of the electrotransport device by requiring a reduced electrical potential (ie, voltage) to generate a particular level of electric current (ie, mA) through the skin and thereby reduce the size and/or number of batteries needed to power the device. A reduction in the size of the device also improves patient comfort, and a reduction in the number of batteries reduces the cost of the device.
A limited number of permeation enhancers for the electrotransport delivery of therapeutic agents have been disclosed in the literature. Ethanol has been utilized as an electrotransport enhancer for polypeptides. See Srinivasan et al, J. Pharm. Sci. 79(7):588-91 (1990). In U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,726 to Sanderson et al., the skin surface is treated with an ionic surfactant (eg, sodium lauryl sulfate) to reduce competition with tissue ions migrating outwardly through the skin. U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,085 to Francoeur et al. discloses the use of unsaturated C.sub.14 -C.sub.20 acids, alcohols, amines, and esters, along with ketones for the iontophoretic delivery of certain drugs. Published PCT Patent Application WO91/16077 discloses the use of fatty acids, such as oleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, as penetration enhancers for the iontophoretic delivery of drugs. European Patent Application 93/300198.4 discloses delivering therapeutic agents transdermally by iontophoresis with the aid of a broadly described group of "lipid modifiers". The modifiers are generally described as having a C.sub.5 -C.sub.28 aliphatic chain and moieties such as hemiacetals amids, acetals, alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, and others, but containing no more than 50 to 60 carbon atoms. Only a few dioxolanes, an aliphatic carbonate, and a pyrrolidone are exemplified.
Many drugs exist in both free acid/base form and a salt form. For example, a base drug may exist in either free base form or in salt form, eg, an acid addition salt. One example of a base drug is lidocaine. In free base form, lidocaine is an amine. Lidocaine is also available as a hydrochloride acid addition salt. Conversely, an acid drug may exist in either free acid form or in the form of a salt, eg, a base addition salt. One example of an acid drug is salicylic acid. This drug also exists as a salt, ie, sodium salicylate. In general, the salt form of a drug is preferred over the free acid or free base form for electrotransport delivery since the salt form generally has much better water solubility and water is the preferred liquid solvent for electrotransport delivery due to its excellent biocompatability. An "acid form" of a drug or other therapeutic agent, as used herein, refers to a form of the agent which is a Lewis acid, i.e. any form of the agent which can attach itself to a molecule with an unshared pair of electrons. Similarly, a "base form" of a drug or other therapeutic agent, as used herein, refers to a form of the agent which possesses an unshared pair of electrons.
In general, many drugs exist in both (1) a salt form, and (2) either a free base or acid form. For example, a drug having an amino group may have an R.sub.3 N base form, e.g. lidocaine, or a R.sub.3 N.HCl acid addition salt form, e.g. lidocaine hydrochloride, in which a hydrogen atom is associated with, or weakly bonded to, the nitrogen atom of the amino moiety. The base form generally has poor water solubility. This is undesirable in electrotransport systems since water is the preferred liquid solvent for forming a solution of the drug to be delivered by electrotransport. Although the salt forms of drugs are likely to have higher water solubility, the pH produced by the salt form of the drug may not be optimal from the strandpoint of transdermal drug flux. For example, human skin exhibits a degree of permselectivity to charged ions which is dependant upon the pH of the donor solution of an electrotransport device. For anodic donor reservoir solutions, transdermal electrotransport flux of a cationic species (ie, a cationic drug) is optimized when the pH of the donor solution is about 6 to 9, and more preferably about 7.5 to 8. For cathodic donor reservoir solutions, transdermal electrotransport flux of an anionic species (ie, an aninoic drug) is optimized when the pH of the donor solution is about 3 to 6, and more preferably about 3.5 to 5.
A problem which arises with the addition of pH-altering species (eg, an acid or a base) to the drug solution in an electrotransport device is that extraneous ions having the same charge (ie, same sign charge) as the drug are introduced into the solution. These ions generally compete with the therapeutic agent ions for electrotransport through the body surface. For example, the addition of sodium hydroxide to lower the pH of a cationic drug-containing solution will introduce sodium ions into the solution which will compete with the cationic drug for delivery by electrotransport into the patient, and thereby makes the electrotransport delivery less efficient since it takes more electric current to delivery a set amount of drug. A similar competing ion effect can be seen with the addition of permeation enhancers in the form of salts. For example, the addition of sodium laurate as a permeation enhancer to a cationic drug-containing reservoir composition will have two opposing effects. The laurate groups will increase skin permeability, and hence increase the drug delivery rate. On the other hand, the sodium ions will compete with the cationic drug for electrotransport through the body surface and, thus, reduce the efficiency of drug delivery. The sodium ions, in this context, are termed "competing ions". As used herein, the term "competing ions" refers to ionic species having the same charge as the agent to be delivered by electrotransport, and which may take the place of the agent and be delivered through the body surface in its place. Similarly, agents which are used to buffer the pH of a donor reservoir solution can likewise result in the addition of competing ions into the donor reservoir which results in lower efficiency electrotransport drug delivery, ie, less drug is delivered per unit of electrical current applied by the device due to competing ions carrying the current as opposed to the drug ions.

Composition and method of enhancing electrotransport agent delivery


Disclosed herein is a process for the preparation of a color liquid crystal display device charged with a liquid crystal into a space between a substrate having pixel electrodes and an opposite substrate thereto, which comprises the steps of forming an electroconductive layer on the substrate, on which the pixel electrodes will be provided, forming a patterned photosensitive resin layer on the electroconductive layer, patterning the electro-conductive layer through the patterned photosensitive resin layer to form the pixel electrodes, and coloring the patterned photosensitive resin layer to form respective color filters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a color liquid crystal display device suitable for use in color televisions, personal computers and the like, and a color liquid crystal display device produced thereby.
2. Related Background Art
With the advancement of personal computers, particularly, portable personal computers in recent years, the demand for liquid crystal display devices, particularly, color liquid crystal display devices tends to increase. It is however necessary to reduce the cost of the color liquid crystal display devices for further spreading them. There is an increasing demand for reduction in the cost of color filters particularly given much weight from the viewpoint of the cost.
Various processes have heretofore been attempted for meeting the above demand while satisfying properties required of the color filters. However, no process satisfying all the required properties is yet established under the circumstances. The typical processes for the preparation of color filters will hereinafter be described.
The first method is a pigment dispersing process. In this process, a layer of a photosensitive resin, in which a pigment has been dispersed, is first formed on a base and then subjected to patterning, thereby obtaining a pattern of a single color. This step is repeatedly performed three times, thereby forming a color filter composed of colored patterns of R (red), G (green) and B (blue).
The second method is a dyeing process. In the dyeing process, a water-soluble polymeric material, which is a material to be dyed, is applied to a base, and the coating film thus formed is patterned in the desired form by a photolithographic process. Thereafter, the base on which the coating film has been patterned is immersed in a dye bath to obtain a colored pattern. This step is repeatedly performed three times to form a color filter composed of colored patterns of R, G and B.
As the third method, there is an electrodepostion process. In this process, a transparent electrode is first patterned on a base. The base is then immersed in an electrodeposition coating fluid containing a pigment, a resin, an electrolytic solution and the like to electrically deposit the first color. This step is repeatedly performed three times, thereby forming a color filter layer composed of colored patterns of R, G and B. Finally, this color filter layer is calcined to form a color filter.
The fourth method is a process in which pigments are separately dispersed in a thermosetting resin, the resultant thermosetting resin dispersions of R, G and B colors are separately applied to a base by repeating printing three times, and the resin portions thus applied are then thermoset to form a layer composed of colored patterns of R, G and B, thereby forming a color filter.
It is general to form a protective film on the colored layer in each process.
The need of repeating the same step three times to form the colored patterns of R, G and B is common to these processes. Therefore, the production cost is necessarily increased. There is also offered a problem that a yield is reduced as the number of steps increases. Besides, in the electrodeposition process, formable patterns are limited. It is hence difficult to apply this process to a TFT color liquid crystal display device in the existing technique. Further, the printing process involves a drawback that resolution is poor, and is hence unfit to form fine-pitch patterns.
In order to eliminate these drawbacks, processes for producing a color filter by using an ink-jet system have been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 59-75205, 62-109002, 63-235901, 1-217302, etc.
In particular, the following problems arise upon the production of a color filter according to the ink-jet system.
(1) Color mixing at boundaries between adjacent pixels of different colors; and
(2) Blank areas occurred at boundaries between colored portions and black matrices, and color irregularity caused by the distribution of optical density in colored pixels.
A method for preventing the color mixing at boundaries between adjacent pixels in a color filter has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-75916. According to this method, ink-phobic portions are formed by exposure using a photomask, thereby bringing about an effect of preventing the color mixing between inks. However, this process requires to newly produce a mask for exposure when a cell size is changed due to a change in the size or resolution of a liquid crystal display device, or the like. The exposure step in this process is required to align with black matrices with high precision, and so the process is disadvantageous from the viewpoints of yield and cost.
Therefore, a method to conduct back side exposure using black matrices in place of a mask has been proposed (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-227012).
On the other hand, black matrices are subject to such wide variations as their material is Cr or a resin, and they are provided on a substrate opposite to a color filter substrate or on a TFT substrate. Accordingly, the process for the preparation of a color filter must be changed according to the type of black matrices.

Preparation process of color liquid crystal display device


An apparatus for lowering people from a building or platform which includes a lowering line that is looped through a block member having a cylindrical ratchet with a grooved rim that is rotatably mounted on a shaft centrally positioned between two side plates forming the sides of the block member. The block member includes a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the shaft mounting the cylindrical ratchet and includes an attaching device which is offset a predetermined distance to one side of the longitudinal axis. On the opposite side of the block member from the attaching device is a pair of spaced pivots which make up a narrow entry and exit opening through which the incoming and outgoing ends of the lowering line extend. The pivots are equally spaced on either side of the longitudinal axis with the outgoing end of the lowering line passing adjacent to the pivot which is arranged on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis from the attaching device. The grooved rim of the cylindrical ratchet is formed as a pair of side walls which taper inward at a predetermined angle so as to produce friction between the side walls of the ratchet rim and the lowering line when a load is placed on the outgoing end of the line. A load on the lowering line causes a pawl to engage the ratchet and lock it from rotating in the downward direction and causes the block member to tilt toward the side corresponding to the outgoing end of the lowering line to bend the line around the pivot to increase and control the friction on the lowering line.

Swedish Patent no. 452,951 describes a lowering apparatus that is to be used from buildings. This apparatus is not suited for universal applications. It is poorly suited for suspending people from their body which is required for mast assembly workers on oil platforms and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 659,093 describes a lowering apparatus with a rope block where a grooved brake lever acts as the brake unit. However, the braking effect is difficult to control and so this device may not be too easy to use. The breaking effect is also difficult to adjust due to people having differing weights. This means that either children are lowered too slowly, or heavier adults will be lowered too quickly. Neither of these lowering devices are suited for releasing a person who is hanging unconscious, for example on a power line pole.

Apparatus for lowering people from buildings and the like


A fluorescence endoscope apparatus includes a light source that radiates excitation light and reference light onto an examination target; a fluorescence-image generating portion that generates a fluorescence image by capturing fluorescence generated at the examination target due to irradiation with the excitation light; a reference-image generating portion that generates a reference image by capturing return light that returns from the examination target due to irradiation with the reference light; a division-image generating portion that generates a division image by dividing the fluorescence image generated by the fluorescence-image generating portion by the reference image generated by the reference-image generating portion; and a corrected-image generating portion that generates a corrected image based on the division image and the fluorescence image, wherein the corrected-image generating portion generates a corrected image in which a region that has relatively high luminance and that the division image and the fluorescence image have in common is emphasized.

In the related art, there is a known fluorescence endoscope apparatus with which an observation target site that is administered with a fluorescent reagent that preferentially accumulates in a diseased portion, such as cancer cells or the like, is irradiated with excitation light that excites the fluorescent reagent, generating fluorescence, and with which a fluorescence image having high luminance in the diseased portion can be obtained by capturing the generated fluorescence (for example, see Patent Literature 1). The fluorescence endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 corrects changes in the fluorescence intensity in a fluorescence image, which depends on the observation distance, the observation angle, and so forth, by dividing the fluorescence image, which is based on the intensity of fluorescence generated at the observation target site irradiated with excitation light, by a reference image, which is based on the intensity of return light returning from the same observation target site irradiated with reference light.


The invention provides a lighting device comprising a plurality of solid state light sources and an elongated ceramic body having a first face and a second face defining a length (L) of the elongated ceramic body, the elongated ceramic body comprising one or more radiation input faces and a radiation exit window, wherein the second face comprises the radiation exit window, wherein the plurality of solid state light sources are configured to provide blue light source light to the one or more radiation input faces and are configured to provide to at least one of the radiation input faces a photon flux of at least 1.0*1017 photons/(s·mm2), wherein the elongated ceramic body comprises a ceramic material configured to wavelength convert at least part of the blue light source light into at least converter light, wherein the ceramic material comprises an A3B5O12:Ce3+ ceramic material, wherein A comprises one or more of yttrium (Y), gadolinium (Gd) and lutetium (Lu), and wherein B comprises aluminum (Al).

Luminescent rods are known in the art. WO2006/054203, for instance, describes a light emitting device comprising at least one LED which emits light in the wavelength range of >220 nm to <550 nm and at least one conversion structure placed towards the at least one LED without optical contact, which converts at least partly the light from the at least one LED to light in the wavelength range of >300 nm to ≤1000 nm, characterized in that the at least one conversion structure has a refractive index n of >1.5 and <3 and the ratio A:E is >2:1 and <50000:1, where A and E are defined as follows: the at least one conversion structure comprises at least one entrance surface, where light emitted by the at least one LED can enter the conversion structure and at least one exit surface, where light can exit the at least one conversion structure, each of the at least one entrance surfaces having an entrance surface area, the entrance surface area(s) being numbered A1 . . . An and each of the at least one exit surface(s) having an exit surface area, the exit surface area(s) being numbered E1 . . . En and the sum of each of the at least one entrance surface(s) area(s) A being A=A1+A2 . . . +An and the sum of each of the at least one exit surface(s) area(s) E being E=E1+E2 . . . +En.
US2007/279914 describes an illumination system including a source of incoherent light capable of generating light in a first wavelength range and an elongate body that emits light in a second wavelength range when illuminated by light in the first wavelength range. The body has a length dimension, a width dimension and a height dimension. At least a portion of the body is tapered so as to increase in width and/or height along the length dimension. The body further includes an extraction surface. A first non-extraction surface extends along at least a portion of the length of the body and is disposed so as to share a common edge with the extraction surface. At least some of the light at the second wavelength is totally internally reflected at the non-extraction surface. At least one external reflector is disposed proximate to the non-extraction surface so as to create a gap between the external reflector and the non-extraction surface.
US2011/210658 describes a ceramic composite laminate including a wavelength-converting layer and a non-emissive layer, wherein the ceramic composite laminate has a wavelength conversion efficiency (WCE) of at least 0.650. The ceramic composite laminate can also include a wavelength-converting ceramic layer comprising an emissive material and a scattering material, wherein the laminated composite has a total transmittance of between about 40% to about 85%. The wavelength-converting layer may be formed from plasma YAG:Ce powder.


In various embodiments, an optical system is provided. The optical system includes two honeycomb condensers, which are connected one behind the other and in each case have two lenticular array sheets, which are connected one behind the other, and at least one diffuser which is connected downstream of the honeycomb condensers.

For producing bright projectors it is typical to use a powerful halogen or discharge lamp or a multiplicity of LED light sources. When using a plurality of light sources, a problem that rises is that of outputting the emitted radiation via an optical system in a manner such that no inhomogeneity in color and/or in the brightness distribution in the emitted light occurs. In particular, parallel but non-collinear irradiation of an optical unit from different light sources results in a non-homogeneous color and/or brightness distribution in the emitted light. Insufficient homogeneity is a reason not only for a lack of suitability for some technical tasks, but also especially creates a disturbing impression in the case of an observer.
Optical systems having a conductor loop, arranged on an optical element, made of optically relatively transmissive indium tin oxide (ITO) or zinc oxide (ZnO) as part of a monitoring device, are known for example from DE 10 2015 220 838 A1, US 2014/0009952 A1 or US 2016/0290856 A1.

Optical system with diffusers and honeycomb condensers


Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for rapid and sensitive detection of toxin or enzyme activity. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin or enzyme molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. The ALISSA is significantly faster and more sensitive than methods routinely utilized in the art. This assay is applicable for use for detection of a variety of toxins or enzymes having proteolytic activity, such as botulinum neurotoxin, bacillus anthracis lethal factor, human chitinases, and aspergillus fumigatus proteases. Also provided are methods for constructing and identifying novel luminescent or fluorescent substrates suitable for use with the ALISSA method.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are important medical agents, used to treat dystonias, blepharospasms, hyperhidrosis and other neurological diseases. However, BoNTs also represent the most toxic substances known and their potential abuse as a threat agent is feared (Arnon 2001; Wein 2005). The detection of Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) in complex samples such as foods or clinical specimens represents an analytical challenge. The current "gold standard" in the art for detecting BoNT is the mouse toxicity assay, which can detect as little as 10 pg BoNT (Ferreira 2003). However, BoNT can be lethal to humans in systemic doses as low as 1 to 2 ng/Kg body weight (Arnon 2001). Therefore, there is a need in the art for more sensitive assays for detecting the presence of BoNT in a sample.

Methods for detection of botulinum neurotoxin


A downhole tool includes a blade coupled to a body. The body and blade rotate about a longitudinal axis. A pre-formed faceplate is connected to the blade and partially defines a cutter pocket therein. Another portion of the cutter pocket is defined by the blade. The cutter pocket includes a sidewall and a base, with the sidewall formed by the blade and the pre-formed faceplate, and the base formed by the blade. The pre-formed faceplate includes a pre-formed hardfacing element. A downhole tool includes a blade coupled to a body. The body and blade rotate about a longitudinal axis. A pre-formed segment is connected to the blade and has a cutter pocket therein. The cutter pocket includes a sidewall and a base, and a cutting element is coupled to the pre-formed segment and within the cutter pocket. The pre-formed segment is optionally made of a different material than the blade and has increased wear and/or erosion resistance compared to the blade.

Wellbores are drilled into a surface location or seabed for a variety of exploratory or extraction purposes. For example, a wellbore may be drilled to access fluids, such as liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, stored in subterranean formations and to extract the fluids from the formations. A variety of drilling methods may be utilized depending partly on the characteristics of the formation through which the wellbore is drilled.
During drilling of a wellbore, cutting tools such as drill bits and underreamers are used to remove material from the earth to extend or enlarge the wellbore. The cutting tools include cutting elements that may experience wear or damage during the cutting operations. Damaged or lost cutting elements can reduce the effectiveness of the cutting tool and slow or stop work on the wellbore. Additionally, the cutting elements of the cutting tool may reach the end of their operational lifetime before the body of the cutting tool itself.

Cutting tool with pre-formed hardfacing segments


A new Method and Apparatus for Self Injecting Medicine for offering a device designed to assist individuals who must give self injections. The inventive device includes a support base, a track, a sub-base, syringe plunger retainer, syringe nose retainer and a medicine vial support. In use, a syringe is inserted and retainably, removably attached with the handle between the first wall and the second wall and the plunger therefore protrudingly extending out a first end of the device and wherein a nose of the syringe is retainably and removably held within a syringe nose retainer by biasedly opposing spring fingers wherein arcuate bottle mating surface engages a periphery of a medicine vial and therefore supports and retains the medicine vial from movement to and aft and rotationally and wherein adjustment of the medicine vial can be accomplished linearly within the sliding track and the medicine vial can therefore be slid to allow a needle of the syringe to protrudingly extend into the medicine vial, therefore allowing removal of liquid medicine by the drawing back of a plunger of the syringe.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medicine dispensing syringes and more particularly pertains to a new Method and Apparatus for Self Injecting Medicine for offering a device designed to assist individuals who must give self injections.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of medicine dispensing syringes is known in the prior art. More specifically, medicine dispensing syringes heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art medicine dispensing syringes include U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,406; U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,736; U.S. Pat. Des. 347,894; U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,959; U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,620; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,921.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Method and Apparatus for Self Injecting Medicine. The inventive device includes a support base, a track, a sub-base, syringe plunger retainer, syringe nose retainer and a medicine vial support. The inventive device is produced of plastic and measures approximately 8 inches in length and 1 1/2 inches in width and includes suction cups on the base to enable the device to be held in place on any flat surface. Positioned at one end of the base is a clip into which the medicine vial would be secured and attached at the opposite end is a stabilizing support into which the syringe is inserted. This holds the syringe and the barrel in a secure position while the syringe is being filled from the vial. The vial is locked in place but can be easily removed when a replacement is necessary. The clip is adjusted to position the hub of the vial in an accessible location to allow the individual to insert the syringe.
In these respects, the Method and Apparatus for Self Injecting Medicine according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of offering a device designed to assist individuals who must give self injections.

Method and apparatus for self injecting medicine


When the distributed load system of grid computing is applied to printers, multi-functional peripheral equipments, and the like connected to a computer network, if a device which inputs a job received from the client is executing processing, the distributed processing requires much time, and the user of the client cannot obtain the print result soon. Hence, when a print job is input, the processing time upon executing distributed processing of data processes in the print job by computer devices connected to the computer network is estimated. Based on the estimation result, the print job or jobs divided from the print job are transmitted to the computer devices connected to the computer network.

A plurality of proposals have been made about a clustering mechanism that allows high-speed printing by distributing output destinations upon printing a large number of pages or copies. A device (printer, multi-functional peripheral equipments, or the like) on the network distributes its processes to other network-connected devices to execute distributed processing, thus rapidly completing the processes.
The distributed processing based on the clustering mechanism divides pages or copies to be printed and makes a plurality of devices execute processes up to printing of the divided pages or copies, and a device designated by a client does not print all pages or copies. Therefore, such processing is suited to parallelly print a large quantity of printed matters. However, upon executing a finishing process such as page sorting or the like, printed matters separately output by a plurality of devices must be collected using arbitrary means, and must then be processed and finished.
As distributed processing associated with printing, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-204277 discloses a technique which improves the processing speed of the entire system by efficiently collecting print data rasterized by a plurality of devices on the network. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-218861 discloses a technique which shortens an idle time (i.e., the control waits for another job while holding intermediate data of processing) upon scheduling parallel processing of printer description language (PDL) data.
When the distributed load system of grid computing is applied to computer devices such as printers, multi-functional peripheral equipment, and the like connected to a computer network, if a device that inputs a job which is received from a client and includes a large number of pages or requires a long processing time is executing another job (e.g., a print job received from a host computer), the distributed processing requires much time, and the client user cannot obtain the print result soon.

Information processing apparatus and its control method


Preserving an audio signal in an audio system includes selecting a first audio signal from a plurality of audio signals. The first audio signal is applied to a first transducer. Mix a portion of the first audio signal with a second audio signal from the plurality of audio signals to provide a mixed audio signal. A gain of the first audio signal that is applied to the first transducer is decreased while a portion of the mixed audio signal is applied to a second transducer to preserve at least a portion of the first audio signal.

Audio systems with surround sound features are prevalent in theaters, home entertainment systems, and automobiles. In general, surround sound features enhance the overall listening experience by increasing the aural stimulations associated with music, motion picture soundtracks, and other audio performances. The surround sound capability is provided by using a collection of spatially diverse transducers. Typically, primary (or front) transducers are located in front of the listener or audience and surround sound transducers are located behind and/or to the sides of the listener or audience. Surround sound processing of an audio input controls the signal that is sent to each transducer and causes each transducer to produce a different audio output. As a result, listeners may be presented with the sensation of being seemingly surrounded by sound and/or with the sensation of sound originating from a particular direction.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Controlling fading and surround signal level


A charging and communication cable system for a handheld computer system is disclosed. The charging and communication cable system includes a first interface for connecting to the handheld computer system, a second interface for connecting to another computer system, and a third interface for coupling to a charger system. In one embodiment, the third interface used to coupled to a charger system is the same as the interface on the handheld computer system such that the charger may be coupled to the charging and communication cable system or directly to the handheld computer system.

Handheld computer systems have become a standard business tool for traveling professionals. Handheld computer systems allow traveling professionals to access large amounts of personal information such as an address book, a personal calendar, and a list of to-do items. In particular, handheld computer systems based upon the PalmOS® from Palm Computing, Inc of Santa Clara, Calif. have become the de facto standard of handheld computer systems. Most handheld computer systems are designed to synchronize information with a larger computer system such as a personal computer system.
The various owners of handheld computer system use their handheld computer systems in different manners. Some handheld computer system users work mainly with a desktop personal computer system but bring their handheld computer system when attending meetings. Other handheld computer system users constantly travel and rarely ever work in one place.
Furthermore, the personal computer systems owned by various handheld computer system users vary widely. Most handheld computer system users also use a desktop personal computer system. However, many use notebook personal computers. Some handheld computer system users use computer workstations such as those produced by Sun Microsystems, Inc. Other handheld computer system users do not use any other computer system at all.
It is impossible to accommodate the particular needs of all these different types of users with a single packaged handheld computer system product. However, it would be desirable to provide handheld computer system package that accommodates the needs of most of the potential purchasers with additional extra packages available for those users with less common requirements.

Charging and communication cable system for a mobile computer apparatus


A semiconductor device with high turn off capability includes a plurality of stripe trench lines which are provided in each of adjacent cell regions of a semiconductor layer in parallel and extended from one cell region toward the other cell region, a gate insulating film formed in each of the trench lines, and a gate electrode embedded in each of the trench lines with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween. In this semiconductor device, in each of the cell regions, part of adjacent ends of the plurality of trench lines on a side of the other cell region are connected to each other by connecting portions, and portions between the remaining adjacent ends are open. Moreover, at least one of the connecting portions of one cell region faces one of the open portions of the other cell region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including a trench gate structure typified by a vertical field effect transistor, and specifically relates to a semiconductor device provided with a structure suitable for increasing a turn off capability or latch-up immunity.
2. Description of the Related Art
For higher electric power in power semiconductor devices, there has been an increasing demand for reduction in loss and increase in current capacity of elements, recently.
To reduce the loss of the elements, it is important to reduce an on-voltage, and trench insulated gate bipolar transistors (hereinafter, referred to as trench IGBTs), which are vertical field effect transistors advantageous in low on-voltage characteristics, is often used. To increase the current capacity of elements, it is required to increase chip size, and chips with a size of not less than 1 cm square are used.
However, when the chip size is increased, there is a problem that gate resistance is increased because a trench IGBT cell is distanced from a gate terminal lead section and the switching loss is increased.
Therefore, the trench IGBT cell is divided into a plurality of cells, and gate wiring sections are provided on peripheries of the divided trench IGBT cells as well as on the periphery of the chip to reduce the gate resistance.
In the trench IGBT, a trench pattern is formed in a semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode is embedded in the trench pattern with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. For the trench pattern, a stripe structure in which a plurality of parallel trench lines are formed has hitherto been often used.
In the trench pattern of this stripe structure, both ends of each trench line are unconnected, so that dislocations caused by oxidation-induced stress tend to be generated in the vicinity of each end.
As shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication [KOKAI] Hei 10-256545, there has been known a semiconductor device including a trench pattern to solve this problem.
A description will be given of a trench pattern of a semiconductor device disclosed in the Publication with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing a main portion of the semiconductor device.
As shown in the drawing, an end 102a of a trench line 101a is bifurcated and integrally connected to ends 102b and 102c of trench lines 101b and 101c adjacent to both sides of the trench line 101a with connecting portions 103a and 103b interposed therebetween, respectively. Accordingly, a viscous flow of the gate insulating film is not blocked, therefore the oxidation-induced stress is reduced and the generation of dislocations is suppressed.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing an example of the trench IGBT using the trench pattern disclosed in the Publication. FIG. 5A is a plan view showing two trench IGBT cells horizontally separated, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C—C of FIG. 5A and viewed in a direction of an arrow. Electrode wires not shown in FIG. 5A are shown in FIG. 5B.
As shown in the drawings, an end 112a of a trench line 111 is integrally connected to ends 112b and 112c of trench lines adjacent to the both sides of the trench line 111 with connecting portions 113a and 113b interposed therebetween, respectively.
However, a trench IGBT 115 composed of trench IGBT cells 114a and 114b, each having the trench pattern disclosed in the Publication, has a problem. When the trench IGBT 115 is turned on, holes injected into an n-type layer 117 through a P+ type semiconductor substrate 116 are accumulated in a region directly under a gate wire 118 sandwiched between the adjacent trench IGBT cells 114a and 114b. When the trench IGBT 115 is turned off, the accumulated holes remain to cause malfunction of the trench IGBT 115.
These accumulated holes should be discharged through emitter electrodes 119a and 119b of the nearest trench IGBT cells. However, current paths between the emitter electrodes 119a and 119b and the region directly under the gate wire 118, in which the holes are accumulated, are divided by trenches 120a and 120b, therefore holes are difficult to be discharged.
Therefore, the holes remaining in the region directly under the gate wire 118 activates an NPN transistor (NPN transistor formed of an N+ type emitter layer 121, a P type base layer 122, and an N− type layer 117) in the vicinity thereof to cause malfunction of the trench IGBT 115.
Accordingly, in the IGBT with the trench pattern disclosed in the Publication, in which the end of a trench line is connected to the ends of the trench lines adjacent to both sides thereof, the latch-up immunity is lowered, and elements could be broken. Therefore, increasing the current capacity is difficult.
In the aforementioned IGBT with the stripe trench pattern, high gate voltage withstand capability cannot be obtained. On the other hand, the IGBT with the trench pattern disclosed in the Publication has the problem with the latch-up immunity. In other words, it has been difficult that the conventional trench IGBT satisfies both the gate voltage withstand capability and the latch-up immunity when the chip size is increased.


A seat includes a bladder assembly having a plurality of pneumatic bladders arranged one within another. The compressibility of each pneumatic bladder is based at least in part on a pressure within the pneumatic bladder, and/or on a thickness of an outer layer that defines the shape of the pneumatic bladder. In a configuration, an inner bladder is inflatable independently from an outer bladder, for adjustable, targeted support and compressibility.

Seats are prevalent in a wide variety of technologies, from office chairs to bicycle seats. Several problems with conventional or traditional seats include providing sufficient directional support based on the seating application and/or the form and forces exerted on the seat by its user.
Traditional bicycles, for example, commonly employ a seat that consists of a rigid base. The base may or may not be covered with cushioning material. The cushioning material typically consists of a thin layer of foam padding. These types of seats provide support in a limited number of directions, usually only for a small area of human anatomy, and very little suspension.
One alternative type of seat employs an air bladder. The air bladder includes one or two air bladders positioned between the rigid base and a cover layer, arranged either one in front of the other, or side-by-side. These air bladders, which range in thickness from about 0.5 to 1.5 inches, provides minimal cushioning and no actual suspension, and only cushion alternative sides of a rider's buttocks. This results in a loss of energy due to the compression and decompression alternating between the bladders.
For bicycle applications, the vibrations and shocks one receives from riding, distributed among varying intensity and directions, particularly in off-road riding, are not sufficiently absorbed by traditional or conventional seats. For bicycles and other applications, what is needed is a seat that can offer omni directional shock and vibration absorption and cushioning, that can absorb shocks as large as 8 to 10 inches or more, such as those encountered in real world cycling, and that can be adjustable or reconfigurable for various bicycle riding scenarios or for a variety of rider types, rider ability, rider weight, terrain conditions, and riding style/intentions.

Seat with adjustable omnidirectional suspension