An automatic merchandise facing system including a product support and display device having a product support member and a product orienting member to compel a preselected orientation of an information display surface of a product container having a product container alignment member. The product container support and display device may include a rail section projecting from the upper face of the container support surface and extending parallel to the length of the elongate channel. The automatic merchandise facing system also includes a product container having an information display surface and a product container alignment member aligned with respect to the information display surface. The product container alignment member may include any surface of the container which is aligned with respect to the information display surface and which is configured to cooperate with the product orienting member of the container support and display device. The product container alignment member be configured as a linear groove extending across the product container base for sliding engagement with the elongated track projecting from the upper face of the container support surface.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system for displaying and supporting product containers and, more particularly, to a merchandise facing system including a product container support and display device including a product orienting member to compel a preselected orientation of a display surface of a product container having a product container alignment member.
2. Background
A variety of food products, including beverages, are displayed for retail sale on a variety of racks and shelving including horizontal shelving and inclined or gravity feed type shelving. Typically, the product containers are stocked on the shelves with the labels facing forward with an identical product and product container stocked just behind the lead or facing container. Often, the product containers may be supported and displayed on an inclined display rack as shown in Bostos, U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,177; Young et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,828; Jay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,176; Parham et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,336; and Suttles, U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,221. The devices disclosed in each of the above referenced patents provide a means for displaying product containers including a means for advancing the product to the front of the display by gravity feed. This is achieved through the use of an inclined member which supports the product container.
These referenced merchandising systems have solved the problem that exists with horizontal display, which typically lacks a means to advance the product to the front of the shelf following removal of the lead product container. Ultimately, these arrangements serve one purpose in terms of the product manufacturer or distributor's objectives, that being moving the product to the front of the display case so that a consumer standing in front of the product display can readily see the product container. This objective is of utmost concern to product manufacturers and distributors who spend literally millions of dollars annually on advertisement and marketing campaigns in an attempt to have the purchasing public readily recognize their product identity, whether in the form of labeling or in the form of specific product configurations. Jay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,176, discloses a display rack including a pair of laterally spaced upstanding walls and a planar track connecting the sidewalls and also includes a front member which, with the front of the track, defines an aperture through which a substantial portion of the lead article in the channel may be viewed.
Nevertheless, devices such as those disclosed in Jay still do not solve the problem of assuring that each product container placed on the display and dispensing rack or other device is properly faced, thereby displaying the product identification label directly towards the front of the dispensing unit.
A common arrangement between distributors and retailers includes the distributor's obligation to stock his product in a retail display. Most distributors, as a matter of practice, and many retailers, as a matter of policy, require the distributor to ensure that the product is properly faced in the display. That is, that the product's identification labeling, as opposed to the consumer information labeling, faces directly forward in the display racks. The distributor's personnel, as a matter of routine, then typically spends five to ten minutes per each delivery stop facing the existing and previously stocked product prior to restocking the retailer's supply. At an average of ten to twenty stops per day, each distributor's representative will spend an approximately an hour a day simply facing product which was previously stocked on the shelves so as to display uniformly the product's product identification labeling.
Even if the distributor's representative took the time to properly face each and every container placed behind the lead article when stocking, oftentimes a customer will remove the lead article from the display, and then replace it at a later time having made a choice not to purchase that article.
What is needed is a device that provides a means whereby each article that is placed in the display device will be faced with the product identification labeling faced towards the front of the display device simply by placement on the device.


A plant pot system has at least one plant pot with side walls, an open top and a bottom wall for containing planted soil that receives a routine watering through the open top, the plant pot having two parallel rows of a number of through holes aligned circumferentially, each of the through holes being blocked by a removable closure; one or more additional pot members with the same number of through holes at levels corresponding to the through holes of the first plant pot; and at least one water leveling members for fluidly connecting any desired number of laterally disposed plant.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plant pot. More particularly, the present invention relates to a modular plant pot that can be grouped with multitudes of similar modular plant pots in fluid communications among them to automatically exchange a single water supply to any one pot with the rest of the pots in the same group minimizing wastes of daily planting water that constitutes a significant portion of water consumption in the nation.
B. Description of the Prior Art
A wide variety of self watering plant pots have been patented. U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,835 to Stern describes an example of self-watering pot comprising a doubled-walled container having an irrigation chamber embedded. The irrigation chamber contains a plurality of serially arranged irrigation ducts that reside just above the soil surface. A transport channel connects the irrigation chamber to a water input pipe extending through from the container's outside wall. A regulating valve is attached to the other end of the input pipe promoting optimal plant growth and a water supply line is attached to the input side of the valve. The water supply is turned on causing water to flow from the valve, through the input line, into the transport channel, and into the irrigation chamber. Finally, the water passes through the irrigation ducts and is uniformly distributed onto the soil surface.
This and other pot improvements have been made around each unit pot structure to better control the watering in its time, amount and place to release in the given pot body. However, as the national drought stricken and water conservation becomes the state of problem, there is an urgent need for an advanced approach to draw an excess potting water before it may be undesirably overflowing or over saturate the pot soil. At the same time, the solution should incur a negligible cost increase to justify the trouble of replacing the existing pots or repotting and it should be simple enough for a quick start to save water instantly.
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a modular plant pot for cooperating with neighboring pots of the same type to share a single source of water at the moment of wetting the pots.
Another object of the present invention is to provide minor modifications to a conventional pot and to use common materials for the fluid communications between the modular pots.


An apparatus and method for directing ultrasonic and magnetostrictively generated mechanical waves from an exterior point to an interior point within a small diameter tube, pipe, or cylindrical structure. The present invention incorporates an external mechanism for generating waves in a cylindrical waveguide tube gun of a size small enough for insertion into the target tube and configured so as to maintain mechanical contact with an inside diameter of the target tube. Standard ultrasonic wave generating devices or magnetostrictive/mechanical wave generating coils are positioned on the waveguide external to the target tube and generate appropriate mechanical waves through the waveguide to a point interior to the target tube. A mechanical interface between the waveguide and the inside diameter surface of the tube is positioned and provided at a point within the target tube to transfer both the interrogating waves and the received return signal waves between the target tube and the waveguide. Appropriate sensor devices for ultrasonic and/or magnetostrictive/mechanical waves are positioned to receive the returned signals and interpret the impedance mismatches that indicate flaws, supports and geometric variations in the tubular wall. Appropriate signal reception, amplification, and filtration elements are positioned to convert the received signal into a signal voltage suitable for display and processing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for the non-destructive evaluation of the condition of tubes, pipes, cylindrical shells and the like. The present invention relates more specifically to a probe structure and method for conducting ultrasonic, magnetostrictive, and other similar wave propagated evaluations of tubes, pipes, cylindrical structures and the like from the interior of such structures with limited access.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many industrial structures, frames, conduits, flow columns and the like, are constructed in cylindrical configurations that are often difficult to access. Inspecting small diameter tubing and pipes for defects and the effects of corrosion is important but extremely difficult due to the geometrical constraints of the available working space. Efforts to inspect such tubes and pipes from the outside diameter (OD) is restricted because of the frequent use of supporting structures that are attached to the external surface of the pipes or tubes. Ideally, the easiest longitudinal access to such tubular pipe structures is from the inside since most frequently the interior walls are free from limiting support structures. Unfortunately, the aforementioned constraints of the typical cross-sectional geometries of tubing, pipes and the like, prohibit the introduction of the necessary probes and electronics into the internal diameter (ID) of the target tubing.
Once the interior diameter of a target tube is accessed, ultrasonic waves and magnetostrictive based mechanical waves can be used to inspect the tube wall for defects and/or wall thinning. The problem in most every instance is actually injecting the interrogating waves into the interior surface of the tube walls. In addition, the types of waves most suitable for inspection of the length of a target tube are those that propagate longitudinally through the walls in a uniform and symmetrical fashion. In other words, insertion of interrogating waves at a single point in the cylindrical wall of a tube would generally introduce conflicting wave patterns that complicate the detection and analysis of signal returns from anomalies. It is preferable to inject interrogating waves in uniform and symmetrical form so as to simplify the reception, interpretation, and analysis of a return signal.

Apparatus and method for inspection of pipes and tubes using guided wave probe


This invention relates to neurotrophic N-glyoxyl-prolyl ester compounds having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins, their preparation and use as inhibitors of the enzyme activity associated with immunophilin proteins, and particularly inhibitors of peptidyl-prolyl isomerase or rotamase enzyme activity.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to neurotrophic compounds having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins, their preparation and use as inhibitors of the enzyme activity associated with immunophilin proteins, and particularly inhibitors of peptidyl-prolyl isomerase or rotamase enzyme activity.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The term immunophilin refers to a number of proteins that serve as receptors for the principal immunosuppressant drugs, cyclosporin A (CsA), FK506, and rapamycin. Known classes of immunophilins are cyclophilins, and FK506 binding proteins, such as FKBP. Cyclosporin A binds to cyclophilin while FK506 and rapamycin bind to FKBP. These immunophilin-drug complexes interface with a variety of intracellular signal transduction systems, especially in the immune system and the nervous system.
Immunophilins are known to have peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) or rotamase enzyme activity. It has been determined that rotamase activity has a role in the catalyzation of the interconversion of the cis and trans isomer of immunophilin proteins.
Immunophilins were originally discovered and studied in immune tissue. It was initially postulated by those skilled in the art that inhibition of the immunophilins rotamase activity leads to the inhibition of T-cell proliferation, thereby causing the immunosuppressive action exhibited by immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin A, KF506, and rapamycin. Further study has shown that the inhibition of rotamase activity, in and of itself, is not sufficient for immunosuppressant activity. Schreiber et al., Science, 1990 vol. 250 pp. 556-559. It has been shown that the immunophilin-drug complexes interact with ternary protein targets as their mode of action. Schreiber et al., Cell, 1991, vol. 66, pp. 807-815. In the case of FKBP-FK506 and FKBP-CsA, the drug-immunophilin complexes bind to the enzyme calcineurin, inhibitory T-cell receptor signalling leading to T-cell proliferation. Similarly, the complex of rapamycin and FKBP interacts with the RAFT1/FRAP protein and inhibits signalling from the IL-2 receptor.
Immunophilins have been found to be present at high concentrations in the central nervous system. Immunophilins are enriched 10-50 times more in the central nervous system than in the immune system. Within neural tissues, immunophilins appear to influence neutronal process extension, nitric oxide synthesis, and neurotransmitter release.
It has been found that picomolar concentrations of an immunosuppressant such as KF506 and rapamycin stimulate neurite out growth in PC12 cells and sensory nervous, namely dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs). Lyons et al., Proc. of Natl. Acad. Sci., 1994 vol. 91, pp. 3191-3195. In whole animal experiments, FK506 has been shown to stimulate nerve regeneration following facial nerve injury and results in functional recovery in animals with sciatic nerve lesions.
Surprisingly, it has been found that drugs with a high affinity for FKBP are potent rotamase inhibitors causing a neurotrophic effect. Lyons et al. These findings suggest the use of immunosuppressants in treating various peripheral neuropathies and enhancing neuronal regrowth in the central nervous system. (CNS). Studies have demonstrated that neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer""s disease, Parkinson""s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may occur due to the loss, or decreased availability, of a neurotrophic substance specific for a particular population of neurons affected in the disorder.
Several neurotrophic factors effecting specific neuronal populations in the central nervous system have been identified. For example, it has been hypothesized that Alzheimer""s disease results from a decrease or loss of nerve growth factor (NGF). It has thus been proposed to treat Alzheimer""s patients with exogenous nerve growth factor or other neurotrophic proteins such as brain derived nerve factor (BDNF), glial derived nerve factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and neurotropin-3 to increase the survival of degenerating neuronal populations.
Clinical application of these proteins in various neurological disease states is hampered by difficulties in the delivery and bioavailability of large proteins to nervous system targets. By contrast, immunosuppressant drugs with neurotrophic activity are relatively small and display excellent bioavailability and specificity. However, when administered chronically, immunosuppressants exhibit a number of potentially serious side effects including nephrotoxicity, such as impairment of glomerular filtration and irreversible interstitial fibrosis (Kopp et al., 1991, J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 1:162); neurological deficits, such as involuntary tremors, or non-specific cerebral angina such as non-localized headaches (De Groen et al., 1987, N. Engl. J. Med. 317:861); and vascular hypertension with complications resulting therefrom (Kahan et al., 1989 N. Engl. J. Med. 321: 1725).
In order to prevent the side effects associated with use of the immunosuppressant compounds, the present invention provides non-immunosuppressive compounds containing small molecule FKBP rotamase inhibitors for promoting neuronal growth and regeneration in various neuropathological situations where neuronal repair can be facilitated including peripheral nerve damage by physical injury or disease state such as diabetes, physical damage to the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) brain damage associated with stroke, and for the treatment of neurological disorders relating to neurodegeneration, including Parkinson""s disease, Alzheimer""s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The present invention relates to a novel class of neurotrophic compounds having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins. Once bound to this protein the neurotrophic compounds are potent inhibitors of the enzyme activity associated with immunophilin proteins and particularly rotamase enzyme activity, thereby stimulating neuronal regeneration and outgrowth. A key feature of the compounds of the present invention is that they do not exert any significant immunosuppressive activity in addition to their neurotrophic activity.
A preferred embodiment of this invention is a neurotrophic compound of the formula:
where
R1 is selected from the group consisting of a C1-C9 straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted with C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3 or C5 cycloalkyl, C5-C7 cycloalkenyl, Ar1, where said alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups may be optionally substituted with C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkenyl, or hydroxy, where Ar1 is selected from the group consisting of 1-napthyl, 2-napthyl, 2-indolyl, 3-indolyl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thiazolyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-, 3-, 4-pyridyl, and phenyl, having one to three substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, trifuloromethyl, C1-C5 straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl, C1-C4 alkoxy or C1-C4 alkenyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and amino;
X is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, methylene (CH2), or H2;
Y is selected from the group consisting of oxygen or NR2, where R2 is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl; and
Z is selected from the group consisting of C2-C5 straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl,
wherein the alkyl chain is substituted in one or more positions with Ar1 as defined above, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl connected by a C1-C5 straight or unbranched alkyl or alkenyl chain, and Ar2 where Ar2 is selected from the group consisting of 2-indolyl, 3-indolyl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thiazolyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, and phenyl, having one to three substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, trifuloromethyl, C1-C6 straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl, C1-C4 alkoxy or C1-C4 alkenyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and amino; Z may also be the fragment:
where
R3 is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched alkyl C1-C3 optionally substituted with C3-C5 cycloalkyl, or Ar1 as defined above, and unsubstituted Ar1;
X2 is O or NR5, where R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C5 straight or branched alkyl and alkenyl;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, benzyl, C1-C5 straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl, and C1-C5 straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl substituted with phenyl; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof.
Another preferred embodiment of this invention is a neurotrophic compound of the formula:
where
R1 is a C1-C9 straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted with C3-C5 cycloalkyl, C3 or C5 cycloalkyl, C5-C7 cycloalkenyl, or Ar1, where said alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups may be optionally substituted with C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkenyl, or hydroxy, and where Ar1 is selected from the group consisting of 1-napthyl, 2-napthyl, 2-indolyl, 3-indolyl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thiazolyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, having one to three substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, trifuloromethyl, C1-C5 straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl, C1-C4 alkoxy or C1-C4 alkenyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and amino;
Z is a C2-C5 straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl, wherein the alkyl chain is substituted in one or more positions with Ar1 as defined above, C3-C5 cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl connected by a C1-C5 straight or unbranched alkyl or alkenyl chain, or Ar2 where Ar2 is selected from the group consisting of 2-indolyl, 3-indolyl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thiazolyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, having one to three substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, trifuloromethyl, C1-C5 straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl, C1-C4 alkoxy or C1-C4 alkenyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and amino; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention is a neurotrophic compound having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins which inhibit the rotamase activity of the immunophilin.
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method for treating a neurological disorder in an animal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins which inhibits the rotamase activity of the immunophilin.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention is a method of promoting neuronal regeneration and growth in mammals, comprising administering to a mammal an effective amount of a neurotrophic compound having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins which inhibits the rotamase activity of the immunophilin.
Yet another preferred embodiment of the invention is a method of preventing neurodegeneration in an animal comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of a neurotrophic compound having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins which inhibits rotamase activity of the immunophilin.
Another preferred embodiment is a neurotrophic N-glyoxyl prolyl ester compound of the formula:
where
R1 is a C1-C5 straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted with C3 to C6 cycloalkyl, or Ar1, where Ar1 is selected from the group consisting of 2-furyl, 2-thienyl, or phenyl;
X is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur;
Y is oxygen; and
Z is a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl, wherein the alkyl chain is substituted in one or more positions with Ar1 as defined above, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, Ar2 where Ar2 is selected from the group consisting of 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, having one to three substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C4 alkoxy.
Particularly preferred neurotrophic N-glyoxyl prolyl ester compounds according to the above formula are selected from the group consisting of:
3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propyl (2S)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1, 2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-prop-2-(E)-enyl (2S)1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidine-carboxylate.
2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1-ethyl (2S)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3-(3-Pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3-(2-Pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarobxylate,
3-(4-Pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3-phenyl-1-propyl (2S)-1-(2-tert-butyl-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3-phenyl-1-propyl (2S)-1-(2-cyclohexylethyl-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarobxylate,
3-(3-pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-1-(2-cyclohexylethyl-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3-(3-pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-1-(2-tert-butyl-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3,3-diphenyl-1-propyl (2S)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxopentyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarobxylate,
3-(3-pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-1-(2-cyclohexyl-1,2-dioxcethyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3-(3-Pyridyl)-1-propyl (2S)-N-([2-thienyl] glyoxyl)pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3,3-Diphenyl-1-propyl (2S)-1-(3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dioxobutyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate,
3,3-Diphenyl-1-propyl (2S)-1-cyclohexylglyoxyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate, and
3,3-Diphenyl-1-propyl (2S)-1-(2-thienyl)glyoxyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate.

Pyrrolidine derivatives and processes for preparing same


A rear drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle is provided. The rear drive unit comprises a rear link/drive shaft and an electrical motor/generator.

Today, there exist different types of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERSs) in vehicles driven by internal combustion engines (ICEs). Such KERSs are also used in hybrid electric motor vehicles having power trains with multiple power sources including an electric motor for driving vehicle wheels independently of or in combination, depending on driving conditions, with the ICE, and depending on the state of charge of a traction battery, and the power source(s), i.e., the electric motor/generator and/or the ICE, that most efficiently fulfils the present demand of power imposed by the operator of the vehicle and/or road conditions.
One example of such a KERS in a hybrid electric motor vehicle is disclosed in US 2009/0188732 A1.
However, the constant increasing demand on lowering costs for power trains, hence also hybrid electric power trains, and reducing both fuel consumption and the overall environmental stress and influence from manufacture and maintenance of parts making up vehicles over the whole life cycle for vehicle fleets have created a need for further improvement of such KERS systems.

Rear drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle


A method of load balancing messages to servers of a server farm, by a load balancer. The method includes configuring the load balancer with information on the session ID values which may be assigned by at least one of the servers, determining, by the load balancer, for at least some client messages including a non-empty session ID field, which server or sub-group of servers is associated with the ID in the ID field, responsive to the configured information, and selecting, by the load balancer, a server to receive each of the at least some client messages, at least partially responsive to the determination.

Web servers are commonly used to provide users, generally using a client computer, with information, and optionally to receive input from users. One protocol used for transmitting data between clients and Web servers is the HTTP (Hypertext transfer protocol) protocol. In the HTTP protocol, the client transmits to the server a request message that generally includes a uniform resource locator (URL) which indicates the file (or any other object) to which the request message pertains. The request message may be included in one or more packets, the first of which usually includes the URL. Responsive to the request message, the server transmits to the client a result message which includes the response of the server to the request.
The HTTP protocol generally operates over a transport protocol, e.g., TCP, which provides a connection between the client computer and the server.
In many cases, for example when providing credit card information, it is desired that the information transmitted between the client and server be encrypted to prevent eavesdroppers from extracting tangible information from the transmitted messages. One common encryption protocol is the secure sockets layer (SSL) protocol which mediates between application protocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP) and a transport protocol (e.g., TCP). Generally, when an SSL session is established, the client and server perform a negotiation phase, in which the client and server authenticate each other and negotiate an encryption algorithm and cryptographic keys. Data is transmitted in the SSL session between the server and client only after successful completion of the negotiation phase.
The negotiation phase of the SSL protocol is generally initiated by the client, which transmits an SSL "client hello" message to the server. During the negotiation phase, the server assigns the session an SSL session ID, which represents the SSL session.
The SSL protocol also defines a fast connection establishment process, which skips various security verification steps of the negotiation phase. In order to allow the fast connection establishment process, the server stores the SSL session ID assigned to negotiated sessions along with other information relating to the session, for a predetermined time after the termination of the session. If a client desires to establish an SSL connection based on an existing SSL ID, the client transmits an SSL "client hello" message to the server with the SSL session ID. A new SSL session is established by the client transmitting a "client hello" message which does not include a session ID value, for example states a zero field length in a session ID field. The ability to establish SSL connections, using the fast connection establishment process, is referred to herein as SSL persistency.
In versions 1 and 3 of the SSL protocol, the signals of the SSL negotiation phase are not encrypted and can be understood by intermediate units capturing the transmitted messages of the negotiation phase. The transmitted data, however, is encrypted and cannot be understood by intervening units.
Many Web sites are hosted by a plurality of servers, because of the large number of clients accessing the Web site, the large volume of the information carried by the Web site and/or for redundancy purposes. A load balancer receives the packets directed to the Web site and forwards them to a respective server based on one or more parameters. Load balancers are also used for other purposes, for example, for redirecting HTTP requests to a proxy cache.
If the advantage of SSL persistency is to be exploited, the load balancer should forward "client hello" messages belonging to a single client to the same server, as a different server will not necessarily have the information required for the SSL persistency of the client. One method used by load balancers to ensure that packets from a single client are forwarded to the same server is tracking the SSL session IDs of sessions handled by the load balancer. For each SSL session, the load balancer lists the session ID of the session and the address of the server to which the packets of the session were forwarded.
The storage space required for listing the SSL session IDs may be very large, substantially adding to the cost of the load balancer. In addition, the performance of the load balancer is degraded due to the need to search large lists of SSL session IDs or to manage sorted lists. Reducing the size of the SSL ID list would limit the effectiveness of SSL persistency. Furthermore, in some cases, the session ID of a session is changed during the encrypted session, and the load balancer is not aware of the change. In such cases, the load balancer will not find an entry in its list matching the session ID and the SSL persistency will be lost.


A method and an apparatus for heating a carbonization drum is especially used for heating a carbonization drum for a low-temperature-carbonization combustion process. Heating gas heated in a heat exchanger is guided in a heating gas loop from the heat exchanger through the carbonization drum. A heat sink is provided for cooling the heating gas. In order to control an energy supply to the carbonization drum, the heating gas is guided back again at least partially and in a controlled fashion through a bypass line, in which the heat sink is disposed, to the heat exchanger, while bypassing the carbonization drum. The heating gas can also be delivered partially and in a controlled fashion through the heat sink to the carbonization drum. A distribution of the heating gas into a maximum of three paths is ensured by a configuration of lines and control devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for heating a low-temperature-carbonization drum, in particular a carbonization drum for a low-temperature-carbonization combustion process, in which heating gas that is heated in a heat exchanger is carried in a heating gas loop from the heat exchanger to the carbonization drum and from there back to the heat exchanger, and in which there is a heat sink for cooling down the heating gas. The invention also relates to an apparatus for heating a carbonization drum, particularly a carbonization drum for the low-temperature-carbonization combustion process, which is disposed together with a heat exchanger in a heating gas loop for heating gas, and which communicates there with a heating gas feed line and a heating gas outlet line, with a heat sink being provided for cooling down the heating gas.
2. Description of the Related Art
Published European Application No. 0 302 310 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,440, discloses a method and a system for thermal waste disposal. The system described therein has a carbonization drum, which is referred to as a "pyrolysis reactor". That kind of system is also known from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Application DE 38 15 187 A1. In order to heat the carbonization drum, the drum is supplied with a heating gas. The heating gas is carried in the carbonization drum in tubes. There, it gives up heat energy to the material to be carbonized. A loop in which the heating gas is carried includes a heat exchanger, with which thermal energy is supplied to the heating gas. In a low-temperature carbonization combustion system, the heat exchanger may, for instance, be disposed on the combustion chamber. The heating gas then takes thermal energy from hot flue gas.
The known heating apparatus is constructed for a typical heat requirement in the carbonization drum. For instance, it may be assumed that a calorific value of the material to be carbonized lies between 6500 kJ/kg and 15000 kJ/kg.
If a material with a high calorific value, which is markedly above the typically present calorific value, is to be carbonized, then only little or no heat energy can be drawn from the heating gas in the carbonization drum. That is particularly true if the carbonization drum is driven at full load.
It is also known from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Application DE 38 15 187 A1 to use an additional heat exchanger as a heat sink, in which all of the heating gas is cooled down in the heating gas loop in a direct path between the heat exchanger and the carbonization drum. The additional heat exchanger is regulated on the secondary side, which as a rule is rather expensive. In other words, special heat exchangers are required that can be regulated on the secondary side. Moreover, heating gas that has already flowed through the carbonization drum and has therefore cooled down can be fed directly back into the heating gas line of the carbonization drum so as to lower the heating gas temperature there.

Method and apparatus for heating a low-temperature-carbonization drum


Adaptable self-powered sensor node and methods of operation providing real-time monitoring and management of node operation. The adaptable self-powered sensor node incorporates an adaptable generator and a radio transmitter to operate remotely without the need for power or communication wiring. Data analysis capabilities provide for maximizing information extracted from sensors and analysis and providing control or reporting information utilizing a strategy to minimize energy usage while reducing information entropy.

Industrial equipment requires constant maintenance to remain in peak operating condition. Traditionally, as equipment failed it was repaired or replaced based on the most economically appropriate course of action. Preventative maintenance was limited to lubricating moving components and replacing components based on a timed schedule. The practice of timed component replacement was subject to replacing components not yet in need of replacement or waiting too long and incurring the catastrophic failure of the component, possibly incurring greater production downtime, increased risk of personnel injury, increased consequential damage and loss, along with added replacement costs.
The development of sensor technology such as vibration measurement sensors allowed for the implementation of systems to more accurately predict a component failure based on an increase in vibration of the equipment over time or a characteristic change in the vibration frequency spectrum. Although this technology reduced the cost of maintenance and downtime, it introduced other problems associated with installing instrumentation on equipment in remote locations. It proved expensive and sometimes difficult to provide power to the instrumentation. Additionally, wiring for data communication with the instruments was costly and in many instances impractical because of the physical location, machinery movement, or hazardous environment associated with the operation of the equipment.
A solution to the problems associated with the data wiring was found with the advent of wireless networks. This technology allowed transmission of the collected data from the equipment to a location in the local area more conducive to power and data wiring. This solution however did not solve the problem of providing power to operate the sensor, processor and transmitter for the sensing device. Partially addressing this problem was the evolution of battery technology with greater storage capacity. This development allowed sensors to operate on battery power and eliminate the requirement of running power cables to the sensor location.
As before, the new solution once again introduces new problems of operation. The batteries require exchange on a frequency based on the power consumption and at the end of their useful life required appropriate disposal. Replacing batteries in hard to reach or dangerous locations, near operating equipment, or in hazardous environments often presents unacceptable risks for individuals and for companies. Furthermore, the discharge characteristics of batteries make it difficult to determine the amount of charge remaining in the battery. Batteries with unused power are typically discarded and replaced with new batteries. The cost, logistics, and disposal of batteries have an important economic and environmental impact. All of these activities equate to costs in many cases making the implementation prohibitively expensive.
The above scenario for powering remote sensors for machinery condition monitoring can be extended to the case for operating remote sensors, processors, actuators, data storage, wireless communications, and logic to provide not only enhanced machinery monitoring and protection, but also for surveillance, mobile systems monitoring, and remote control. This model is applicable to a single remote sensor node and also to multiple sensor-processor nodes operating to monitor components or systems and to exchange information and collaborate among the remote sensor-processor nodes. The processing logic on a sensor-processor node could be of a category referred to as agents or intelligent agents. An agent is a software model that is an abstraction of real-world entities and often is operated with some local autonomy and communication capability to achieve local goals or objectives in concert with support overarching system objectives. A sensor-processor node may provide a platform for deploying multi-agent systems (MAS) where each sensor-processor node could correspond to one or more logical agents.
The recognition of the value of remote sensing technology and distributed processing to provide predictive information for equipment maintenance along with the high cost and inconvenience of either running power lines or providing a battery update regimen has created market pressure to design a system providing the benefits of self-powered wireless sensors without the added cost associated with powering the sensing device. Similarly, the need to deploy remote monitoring and control modules and the desire for distributed intelligent agents each without access to local, wired line power provides even greater need for remote, efficiently self-powered sensor-processor devices.

Maximum information capture from energy constrained sensor nodes


Customizing an image for display on a wireless device. A user accesses an image database and selects an image to customize. After the user selects an image, the image is retrieved from the image database based on a profile of the device. A customized image is produced from a composite of the selected image and a text layer generated from user text provided by a user. The customized image is formatted for the user's device based on the device profile and then transmitted to the user's device for display.

1. The Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for displaying images on a mobile or wireless device. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for displaying customized wallpaper on a mobile telephone.
2. Description of the Related Art
Advances in technology have resulted in a proliferation of electronic devices. Cellular telephones, for example, have become an integral part of people's lives. Cellular telephones, and other wireless devices, improve each year and today, cellular telephones with large, colorful displays can be easily obtained.
The ability to display colorful images has led people to customize the screens of their own devices. Many people, for example, put an image known as a wallpaper on the display of their cellular telephone. Wallpaper images are thus displayed on the screen and provide a background scene to the user.
Displaying an image on a cellular telephone is not a simple task for several reasons. For example, cellular telephones are made in a wide variety of models by many different manufacturers. As a result, different models tend to have display screens of different sizes, color capabilities, image format, and resolutions. Simply downloading a wallpaper image to a cellular telephone is not likely to result in a properly displayed wallpaper image. The wallpaper image may not fit properly on the display of the cellular telephone, for example. In addition, the image may be distorted to fill the entire display and result in an unsatisfactory wallpaper image. Alternatively, the image may leave portions of the screen that are not filled.
The problems associated with wallpaper images are further complicated when a user desires to customize the wallpaper images. Allowing a user to type in text that is simply displayed with the wallpaper image does not produce a professional result. There is no guarantee, for example, that the text is placed in the best location on the wallpaper image. Further, the text may not look as if it is part of the image. Instead, the text often looks as though someone pasted the text on top of the image. There is therefore a need in the art for improved customization of images.

Displaying customized images on a wireless device


A method for forming a gate conductor by using a masking layer above a polysilicon layer to define the length of a gate is presented. The length of the gate may be adjusted by the use of spacers. The method includes forming a plurality of layers including a dielectric layer, a polysilicon layer and a masking layer. An opening is preferably formed in the masking layer, the opening defining the location of the gate conductor. The width of the opening may be narrowed by the use of spacers. A portion of the polysilicon layer defined by the opening is implanted with an n-type impurity. An oxide layer is formed over the implanted portion of the polysilicon layer. The polysilicon layer is etched such that a gate conductor is formed underneath the oxide layer. LDD areas and source/drain areas are subsequently formed adjacent to the gate conductor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor processing and, more particularly, to a more accurate method for forming an ultra-small gate conductor of an MOS transistor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fabrication of a metal-oxide semiconductor ("MOS") transistor is well known. The manufacture of an MOS transistor begins by defining active areas where the transistor will be formed. The active areas are isolated from other areas on the semiconductor substrate by various isolation structures formed upon and within the substrate. Isolation structures come in many forms. For example, the isolation structures can be formed by etching trenches into the substrate and then filling the trenches with a dielectric fill material. Isolation structures may also be formed by locally oxidizing the silicon substrate using the well recognized LOCOS technique.
Once the isolation structures are defined between transistor active areas, a gate dielectric is formed. Typically, the gate dielectric is formed by thermal oxidation of the silicon substrate. Thermal oxidation is achieved by subjecting the substrate to an oxygen-bearing, heated ambient in, for example, an oxidation furnace or a rapid thermal annealer ("RTA"). A gate conductor material is then deposited across the entire dielectric-covered substrate. The gate conductor material is preferably polycrystalline silicon, or polysilicon. The polysilicon layer is then patterned using a photolithography mask. The mask allows select removal of a light-sensitive material deposited entirely across polysilicon. The material which is exposed can, according to one embodiment, be polymerized, and that which is not exposed removed. Selective polymerization is often referred to as the "develop" stage of lithography. The regions which are non-polymerized are removed using the etch stage of lithography.
Conventional lithography used to pattern a gate conductor suffers many drawbacks. For example, selective exposure is highly dependent upon accurately placing light on the light-sensitive material. Furthermore, the light-sensitive material must consistently respond to the light with fine-line resolution. Any elevational disparity on which the polysilicon resides will result in slight changes in the point at which light impinges on the light-sensitive material. This results in a variation of the polymerized/non-polymerized boundary.
It would be advantageous to form a gate conductor without having to rely upon conventional patterning techniques. The impetus behind wanting to change gate formation methodology is principally driven from the smaller gate sizes of modern day integrated circuits. As gate lengths and widths become smaller to accommodate higher density circuits, it is necessary that the relatively small gate conductors be accurately produced with minimal misalignment or size variation. Any changes in the placement and geometry of a gate conductor can have negative performance effects on the ensuing MOS transistor.
To lower the resistivity of the polysilicon gate, and therefore increase the speed of the transistor it is desirable that the entire polysilicon layer forming the gate be substantially doped. During a typical transistor formation process the polysilicon gate is typically doped at the same time as the source/drain areas in order to make the process more efficient. This simultaneous implantation may cause difficulties since the implant depth of the gate is typically deeper than the desired implant depth of the source/drain. It is therefore desirable to devise a method which allows the implant depth of the gate to be conducted independently of the implantation of the source/drain.
It is further desirable to produce a gate conductor which is extremely small in channel length. The small gate conductor must be one which is formed outside of the normal lithography limitations. In order to accurately produce a small gate conductor, a process must be used which avoids the limitations of lithographic exposure, develop and etch cycles applied for defining conventional gate conductors upon a gate dielectric. In order for a transistor which employs a relatively small gate conductor to achieve commercial success, improvements must be undertaken not only to the lithography procedure but also to the LDD structure itself. As Leff decreases commensurate with gate conductor size, LDD implants must be carefully controlled so as not to encroach into the relatively short channel short channel while at the same time source/drain implants must be sufficiently concentrated to minimize HCE. Still further, the spacing of the source/drain implants must not be excessive, especially at the source-side of the channel, where parasitic resistance is most problematic.

Poly recessed fabrication method for defining high performance MOSFETS


A monolithic integrated semiconductor optical element is disclosed. The semiconductor optical element including a substrate, a first waveguide, formed on the substrate, including a first active layer for generating light, and a semi-insulating, grown on the substrate so as to surround a perimeter of the first waveguide layer, including a window area for diffusing the light outputted from the first waveguide and outputting the diffused light. The semiconductor optical elements also includes at least one second waveguide, formed in the window area close to the first waveguide, including a second active layer for detecting a part of the light diffused by the window area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source for generating an optical signal, and more particularly to a light source including an optical detector for detecting intensity of an optical signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical communication systems and various digital media require low-priced, miniaturized and effective light sources. Semiconductor-type light sources, such as a semiconductor laser, are widely used as general light sources. For example, distributed feedback lasers or Fabry-Perot lasers may be used as the above-mentioned semiconductor laser.
Such semiconductor lasers may be embodied as an integrated type, provided with an electric-absorptive modulator for modulating generated light, on a single substrate. Such integrated type devices are advantageous because it is possible to minimize the semiconductor laser product or system.
However, such semiconductor lasers have a shortcoming because the intensity of light output from the semiconductor laser varies according to the variation in external temperature, driving current and operation time. Accordingly, such conventional light sources must further include a means for continuously monitoring and maintaining the intensity of the output optical signal.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional semiconductor optical element. The conventional semiconductor optical element includes a semiconductor light source 120 and an optical detector 110 positioned in the rear of the semiconductor light source 120.
The semiconductor light source 120 employs a reflection-type semiconductor optical amplifier, a distributed feedback laser, and a Fabry-Perot laser, which outputs first and second light signals respectively through both terminals thereof. A non-reflective layer is formed on one terminal of the semiconductor light source 120 for outputting the first light therethrough, and a high-reflective layer is formed on the other terminal of the semiconductor light source 120 for outputting the second light therethrough. The second light signal is a part of the first light signal passing through the high-refection layer.
The optical detector 110 detects the second light signal output from the semiconductor light source 120. In this way, the intensity of the first light signal output from the semiconductor light source 120 is monitored.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a conventional semiconductor optical element including a beam splitter. The conventional semiconductor optical element shown in FIG. 3 includes a semiconductor light source 210, an optical detector 220, and a beam splitter 230 for a splitting light signal output from the semiconductor light source 210. A portion of the split light signal is then input to the optical detector 220.
The beam splitter 230 serves to split light signal output from the semiconductor light source 210 and then inputs part of the split light signal to the optical detector 220. The optical detector 220 detects the part of the light output from the beam splitter 230 and monitors the intensity of light output from the semiconductor light source 210.
The intensity of the light output from the rear terminal of the light source is linearly converted from the intensity of the light output from the front terminal of the light source in the above conventional semiconductor optical elements. However, it is difficult to accurately calculate the intensity of the light output from the front terminal of the light source.
In addition, the conventional semiconductor optical element shown in FIG. 1 is restrictedly used only in cases where the ratio of output of the light from the front terminal to the rear terminal of the Fabry-Perot laser, or etc. including a reflection mirror or reflective layer positioned in the rear of the light source is uniform.
Moreover, in the conventional semiconductor optical element shown in FIG. 2 , the beam splitter splits light output from the light source, which complicates the structure of the semiconductor optical element and also increases the loss in the intensity of the light.


The invention relates to a floor cleaning system, having a mobile floor cleaning apparatus that comprises at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface, a reservoir for receiving a cleaning liquid, a dirt receiving device for taking up dirty liquid from the floor surface, and a dirty liquid container into which the dirty liquid is transferable; and further having a docking station for the floor cleaning apparatus, which is docked thereto in a docked position; wherein the docking station has at least one supply conduit with a connection element arranged thereon, the floor cleaning apparatus having at least one liquid conduit with a connection element arranged thereon; wherein the floor cleaning apparatus comprises a rinsing device on or in the dirty liquid container; and wherein, when the floor cleaning apparatus is in the docked position, the connection elements are coupled to one another such that the reservoir is fillable with the cleaning liquid via the at least one liquid conduit and a rinsing liquid for rinsing the dirty liquid container is applicable to the rinsing device via the at least one liquid conduit.

With a floor cleaning apparatus of the aforementioned kind, the floor surface may be cleaned using at least one cleaning unit. The cleaning unit comprises for example a roller-shaped or plate-shaped cleaning tool that is drivable in rotation. For enhancing the cleaning effect, a cleaning liquid, usually water, from the reservoir may be applied to the floor surface. As a supplementary measure, a chemical cleaning agent may be added to the water. The mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid—the dirty liquid—may be taken up from the floor surface by the dirt receiving device and transferred to the dirty liquid container. The dirt receiving device has for example a suction bar and a suction unit that applies negative pressure thereto.
The mobile floor cleaning apparatus may be configured to be self-propelling and self-steering in order to enable autonomous cleaning of the floor surface. The floor cleaning apparatus is thus in particular a cleaning robot.
As an alternative or in addition, the floor cleaning apparatus may be guided manually. An operator may guide the floor cleaning apparatus over the floor surface. Optionally, the floor cleaning apparatus may be provided with a drive for a travelling gear.
An object underlying the present invention is to provide a floor cleaning system that is more user-friendly.


A process for preparing solutions of hemoglobin hyperpolymers by fractionating hemoglobin hyperpolymers having a nonuniform molecular weight distribution according to molecular weight using a polyhydroxy compound to precipitate different fractions of hemoglobin hyperpolymers, wherein each fraction has a different but more uniform molecular weight distribution as compared to the starting hemoglobin hyperpolymers. Preferably, the polyhydroxy compound is a polyalcohol, especially polyethylene glycol.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for obtaining hyperpolymeric hemoglobins.
2. Description of Related Art
Chemical modifications of native hemoglobins for the purpose of varying the oxygen affinity or their degree of polymerization are performed with the aim of developing a synthetic oxygen carrier. This carrier is intended to support oxygen transportation by the blood in man.
Artificial oxygen carriers can be infused, for example, after an accident resulting in bleeding that is difficult to control, or in the case of a risk of infection (hepatitis, AIDS) as a substitute for a temporarily unavailable matching replacement blood. This also applies when a person is in shock due to an insufficiency of blood volume. An artificial oxygen carrier can possibly break through such insufficiency shock easier than banked blood because the preserved erythrocytes stiffen increasingly in storage and therefore have a reduced ability to pass through the capillaries, since they have to be deformed greatly while passing through the capillaries. Such artificial oxygen carriers contain no blood group antigens. Therefore they can be used universally and without cross matching beforehand.
In comparison with banked blood, an artificial oxygen carrier furthermore offers an advantage in cases in which, despite ABO and Rh factor compatibility, there is a danger of an immunological over-reaction against leukocytes. An artificial oxygen carrier, on the other hand, is entirely free of white blood corpuscles which might cause these reactions. Filtration of banked blood, through cotton for example, has proven insufficient to eliminate white blood cells. It was shown many years ago by animal tests that blood volume insufficiency shock can be combated more effectively with artificial oxygen carriers than with simple plasma expanders (review article on this subject: R. Pabst, Med. Klin. 72 (1977), 1555-1562.)
It is furthermore to be expected that chronic circulatory disturbances of a coronary, cerebral or peripheral nature can be treated effectively by means of appropriate polyhemoglobin solutions. Furthermore, oxygen deficiency conditions without circulatory deficiency, such as chronic anemia, can be treated effectively with such solutions. This is shown by the fact that oxygenated hemoglobin can yield its freely dissolved oxygen better than oxygen "packed" in erythrocytes or liposomes (see below). These indications are estimated to form ten times the market potential of "blood make-up" in the form of volume replacement. In such cases the artificial oxygen carrier must be administered as a hypooncotic additive, as blood replacement.
For the preparation of artificial oxygen carriers various approaches have been used, namely,
1. The use of emulsions of fluorinated hydrocarbons in which oxygen is very soluble (for a review: Issues from the Vth International Symposium on Blood Substitutes, Artificial Cells, Blood Substitutes, and Immobilization Biotechnology 22 (1994).) This method, however, has the disadvantage that when fluorinated hydrocarbons are used tissue reactions occur due to macrocytic cells; of decisive importance here is a critical size of the vesicles, which is about 0.3 .mu.m. PA0 2. The microencapsulation of concentrated hemoglobin solutions in phospholipid vesicles to form so-called artificial erythrocytes or "hemosomes" (Review article: Gaber et al., Encapsulation of Hemoglobin in Phospholipid Vesicles; Preparation and Properties of a Red Cell Surrogate in "The Red Cell, Sixth Ann Arbor Conference," G. J. Brewer (publisher); Alan R. PA0 3. The preparation of appropriate hemoglobin solutions, also with covalent bonding of the hemoglobin to dextran, by which renal excretion is said to be reduced; dextrans tend, however, to stimulate the immune system. PA0 4. Crosslinking the hemoglobin molecules with one another likewise prevents renal excretion. In addition, there is an advantage over the dextran-bound hemoglobins of a higher oxygen binding capacity. Recently it has been possible by crosslinking to obtain soluble hyperpolymeric hemoglobins whose colloid osmotic pressure with respect to standard pressure (32 mbar) in the presence of the necessary concentrations is negligible (Potzschke et al., Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology; N. Back et al. (Eds.) Vol. 345, 205-213, Plenum Press New York 1994). This approach combines most of the advantages referred to.
Liss, Inc., New York, (1984), 179-190).) Here the danger of macrocytic activation is involved. As in par. 1, a change of the artificial emulsifiers into the (dynamic) membranes of the cell is probable, so that the function of these membranes can be disturbed.
The various approaches mentioned are reflected in the following patents:
Patent DE-OS 24 17 619 describes, for example, the synthesis of polymerized, linked hemoglobin as a substitute plasma protein, hemoglobin linked with dicarboxylidat [sic] being prepared.
Patent DE-OS 27 14 252 describes the preparation of hemoglobin linked with pyrodoxal phosphate.
Patent DE-OS 30 29 307 relates to an artificial carrier which is made by covalent linking of a polysaccharide, dextran for example, with cell-free hemoglobin. Patent BE-PS 838 933 describes the preparation of a water-soluble, linked, polymerized hemoglobin by the reaction of free hemoglobin with a polyfunctional linking agent, followed by stopping the reaction with inactivating agents. A polymeric hemoglobin is made with a molecular weight of 61,000 to 1,000,000 daltons.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,401 relates to a linked, polymerized hemoglobin as a plasma expander with a molecular weight of 64,000 to 1,000,000 daltons, which is obtained with the linking agents, glutaraldehyde, hexamethylene diisocyanate or butadiene diepoxide.
European Patent EP 0 201 618 describes a method for the preparation of extra-high molecular weight, compact, soluble polymers of hemoglobin from a highly concentrated solution of monomeric hemoglobin. These polymers of high molecular weight are referred to as hyperpolymers.
In Patent DE-PS 37 14 351, this process is simplified in that erythrocytes are used directly, and the crosslinking agent no longer needs to be added in a lipid phase.
In the preparation of suitable modified hemoglobin solutions for use in clinical practice, the necessity arises of keeping the viscosity of the solution as low as possible. The viscosity of the blood co-determines the so-called total peripheral resistance of the organism. If it is too great, the circulatory system will no longer tolerate it. In particular, an additional burden is placed on the heart. In the case of dissolved hyperpolymers and also hemoglobin polymers, such problems are intensified if polymerization to chain molecules occurs.
Einstein's viscosity law says that uniformly large spheres in a fluid have a minimal viscosity regardless of their radius. This viscosity depends solely on the overall volumetric content of the spheres in the solution. For the viscosity of the solutions to remain low, the polymer molecules must accordingly be so compact--say "spherical"--that with the viscosity of the plasma at a minimum, a maximum amount of the oxygen carrier can be transported.
Therefore, to minimize the viscosity it is important to be able to produce oxygen carrying molecules that are as uniform as possible. Such molecules are also found in nature, e.g., in the earthworm. The uniformity of the molecules and the achievement of a very high molecular weight is a requirement of an artificial oxygen carrier which will satisfy the requirement of a negligible colloidal osmotic pressure. To achieve this, at least all of the hyperpolymeric hemoglobin content in question must be removed.
With EP Patent 0 201 618 and German Patent 37 14 351, the problem of linking hemoglobin to form compact, but soluble, giant molecules can be considered solved. The methods described therein, however, lead to a hyperpolymer mixture with a wide distribution of the molecular weight and a severely disproportional increase of the viscosity with increasing concentration (Bernikol and Burkhard, Adv. Exp. Biol. Med. 248 (1989) 335-340), especially in the range of concentration in which the artificial carrier is to be used.

Method for obtaining uniform fractions of hyperpolymeric hemoglobins


A method for controlling reflectivity in imaging system has steps of establishing a model describing the input image is a linear combination of a body reflection and an interface reflection; eliminating the minimum component of RGB for each pixel of the input image, and adding a mean of a sum of the minimum RGB chromaticity of the pixels to the input image to be modified; using a threshold strategy to identify at least one highlight region and at least one non-highlight region in input image; reconstructing color information of the at least one highlight region and obtaining a reconstructed image considering as the body reflection; evaluating the weights of the body reflection and the interface reflection; eliminating the interface reflection term of input image and considering the body reflection term as a reference image; and controlling the LCOS reflector to modify the input image according to the reference image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for controlling reflectivity in imaging system, and more particular to controlling a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) which is applied to an optical reflector capable of selectively reflecting light to prevent image from overexposure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, in the related art of suppressing image overexposure (or anti-blooming), the principle is to expand the dynamic range for image expressing, o especially to the nighttime image having extraordinary brightness variation. Generally, the solutions of that are divided into two ways of hardware modification and algorithm computation.
Regarding the hardware solution, a way is to additionally install a transmitting controller to handle the transmitting light to be sensed, which is known as an anti-blooming cell, and has a benefit of fast processing speed. However, this kind of hardware installation may directly influence the effective resolution of the image.
Regarding the software solution, conventional means such as image alignment, high dynamic range generation and object movement removal have been used in the art. However, most algorithms are not adapted to an imaging device installed on a high-speed moving stage, for example, on a car. Because it may cause the image alignment variable and influence the computation result. Moreover, this technique may reduce the image frame rate due to a large computation burden.

Method for controlling reflectivity in imaging system

NATIONAL CHUNG INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


A car sharing system includes a car share device mounted on a vehicle. The car share device performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal, to which code information is registered so that the mobile terminal is actuated as a vehicle key of the vehicle, to authenticate the code information through the wireless communication. In an authentication completion state of the code information, the car share device performs ID verification through an electronic key system of the vehicle to allow the mobile terminal to operate an on-board device. The car sharing system further includes a position monitor that monitors whether the mobile terminal has approached the vehicle, and an automatic transmitter that automatically transmits an actuation permission request, which requests a permission for actuation of the on-board device, from the mobile terminal when the position monitor determines that the mobile terminal has approached the vehicle.

A car sharing system in which a vehicle is shared by a number of people is known in the art (refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this type of car sharing system, for example, the use of car sharing is registered to a server or the like in advance. When a reservation of a vehicle is made with, for example, a mobile terminal (e.g., high-performance mobile phone), the vehicle is permitted to be used in the reserved time.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-115077
Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-71834

Car sharing system and car sharing program

KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO


An optical system for efficiently extracting plural signal beams from a bundle of rays reflected from a multilayer optical disc.

In recent years and continuing, optical discs (e.g., CDs (Compact Disc) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Disc)) serving to record computer programs, audio information, video information (hereinafter also referred to as "contents") are drawing greater attention due to the advances in digital technology and the improvements in data compression technology. Accordingly, as the optical discs become less expensive, optical disc apparatuses for reproducing the information recorded in the optical discs have grown to become widely used.
The amount of information to be recorded in the optical discs is growing year by year. Therefore, further increase in the recording capacity of a single optical disc is expected. As for measures that are being developed for increasing the recording capacity of the optical disc, there is, for example, increasing the number of recording layers. Accordingly, vigorous research is being made on optical discs having plural recording layers (hereinafter referred to as "multilayer disc") and optical disc apparatuses that access the multilayered discs.
In the multilayer discs, there is a possibility that the signals from a target recording layer be adversely affected by spherical aberration if the spaces between the recording layers are too large. Accordingly, there is a trend of reducing the space between the recording layers. However, reducing the space between the recording layers causes cross-talk between the recording layers (so-called "interlayer cross-talk"). As a result, the bundle of rays returning (reflected) from the multilayer disc contains not only desired beams reflected from a target recording layer (hereinafter referred to as "signal beams") but also a significant amount of undesired beams reflected from recording layers besides the target recording layer (hereinafter referred to as "stray beams"). This leads to the decrease in S/N ratio of reproduction signals.
An apparatus which reduces interlayer cross-talk during reproduction of a multilayer disc is proposed in, for example, Japanese Registered Patent No. 2624255.
However, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Registered Patent No. 2624255 requires the diameter of a pinhole to be further reduced in order to further reduce stray beams incident on a detector. The reduction of incident stray beams, however, leads to undesired reduction of signal beams incident on the detector.

Optical system, optical pickup apparatus, and optical disc apparatus for extracting signal beams


A piezo electric element generates a vibrating voltage in response to a striking force on a pad. The piezo electric element is connected across a series connection of a linear resistor and a nonlinear resistance network. The voltage appearing across the nonlinear resistance network is taken as an output voltage. The nonlinear resistance network is comprised of a parallel connection of a first and a second resistance circuitry. The first resistance circuitry is a series connection of a resister and two diodes connected in parallel in an opposite polarity to each other. The second resistance circuitry is a series connection of another resister and two Zener diodes connected in series in an opposite polarity to each other.

Known in the art are such electronic percussion musical instruments which have music playing manipulation devices in the form of pads (i.e. playing pads) to be struck by the player and generate electronic musical tones resembling drum sounds and cymbal sounds when the pads are struck, such as disclosed in examined Japanese patent publication No. H5-64463 and issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,303. When the player strikes the playing pad, the impact strength of the strike onto the pad is detected by an impact sensor such as a piezoelectric element or device. The impact sensor generates a vibrating voltage having a maximum amplitude which depends on the strength of the strike, which is a manipulation quantity of the player.
FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of a drum pad circuit in a conventional device. The reference numeral 101 denotes a drum pad circuit, which is installed in the body of a drum pad. The drum pad circuit comprises a piezoelectric element 2, a resister 3 having a resistance value R1, a resister 102 having a resistance value RL, and a pad output terminal 12. The vibrating voltage generated by the piezoelectric element 2 is divided by the resisters 3 and 102, and outputted from the pad output terminal 12 as a pad output voltage.
FIG. 5a shows a block diagrammatic configuration of a conventional percussion voicing device consisting of a drum pad circuit and a voicing unit, and FIG. 5b is a graph showing a response characteristic of the voicing unit of FIG. 5a. In FIG. 5a, the drum pad circuit 101, the one shown in FIG. 4, detects a strike onto the pad and outputs the detection voltage at the pad output terminal 12, which in turn is connected to an input terminal 104 of a voicing unit 103, which generates a percussion tone signal or a percussion tone representing signal accordingly responsive to the detection voltage from the drum pad circuit 101. The voicing unit 103 is installed in a general-purpose electronic musical instrument or in a dedicated electronic percussion instrument. Or alternatively, the voicing unit 103 can be installed in the body of a drum pad device, or the drum pad device itself may be comprised in a general-purpose electronic musical instrument or a dedicated electronic percussion instrument.
In the voicing unit 103, the drum pad output voltage input to the input terminal 104 is input to an envelope shaping circuit 105, which produces envelope signal representing an envelope shape of the vibrating voltage from the drum pad circuit 101. The envelope shaping circuit 105 includes a half-wave or full-wave rectifier circuit and an integrator circuit connected in cascade to output an envelope wave formed by bridging the peaks (crests) of the respective cycles of the rectified waveform one after another. The output from the envelope shaping circuit 105 is input to an A/D (analog-to-digital) converter 106, which samples the envelope wave by a predetermined sampling rate to produce a train of digital values representing the shape of the envelope wave digitally.
A central processing unit (CPU) 107 executes a computer program using a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), not shown though, and detects the maximum amplitude value of the envelope wave. Typically, the peak value (crest value) of the first cycle of the vibrating voltage which is generated by a single strike will make the maximum amplitude value among the decaying vibrating wave cycles caused by the single strike. It is simply because of easiness of the signal processing that the vibrating voltage wave is shaped into an envelope waveform, but the input vibrating voltage wave itself or a half-wave rectified or full-wave rectified wave of the input vibrating voltage wave may be input to the A/D converter 106. The CPU 107 digitally outputs in real time the maximum amplitude value as an output representing the magnitude of the strike force at the time point when the maximum amplitude is detected as a moment (time point) of the strike. For example, the CPU 107 outputs a note-on event message under the MIDI protocol containing the maximum amplitude value as a velocity value in the MIDI message. The CPU further drives a tone signal generator 108 to generate, at the moment of the strike, a percussion tone wave signal having an amplitude which corresponds to the maximum amplitude value of the vibration. The generated percussion tone wave signal which is a digital signal is then converted to an analog tone wave signal by a sound system 109 to be emitted from a loudspeaker as audible sound.
The drum pad circuit 101 shown in FIG. 4, however, has a drawback in that the operating range (i.e. the dynamic range) of a percussion voicing device will be limited to some narrow extent, making it difficult to generate faithful sounds for both a very strong strike and a very weak (soft) strike, when combined with the voicing unit 103 shown in FIG. 5a. The graph of FIG. 5b explains the response characteristic of the voicing unit 103 representing the relationship between the input voltage (absolute value of instantaneous voltage) to the input terminal 104 taken in abscissa and the output (absolute value of instantaneous voltage) from the A/D converter 106, which output is the digital conversion from the analog envelope wave, taken in ordinate. The characteristic line consists of three segments 110a, 110b and 110c. Strictly speaking, the line segment 110b is stepwise, but for simplicity it is depicted in a straight line.
The output of the A/D converter 106 in the voicing unit 103 is a digital value which is proportional to the input voltage at the input terminal 104 as depicted generally by a line segment 110b. More specifically, however, the A/D converter 106 will not increase its output value beyond its operating range where the input value exceeds its upper limit value (max), and keeps its maximum digital value as shown by a line segment 110c. Thus the increase in the input voltage will not be reflected as an increase in the output digital value. On the other hand, the A/D converter 106 outputs a zero value where the input value does not exceed its lower limit value (min), which is equal to one half of the resolution, and its digital "0" value is maintained within a certain dead zone 111 as shown by a line segment 110a. In the case of an A/D converter 106 with a limited number of coding bits, the amount of this lower limit input value (min) is not negligible. Therefore, in order for the voicing unit 103 to output digital values which increase faithfully in accordance with the input voltage, the input voltage (absolute value of instantaneous value) should be within the response range between the lower limit input value (min) and the upper limit input value (max). Where the operating range of the A/D converter 106 is narrow, the upper limit input value (max) cannot be high enough, and where the resolution is low (i.e. the number of coding bits is small), the lower limit input value (min) cannot be small enough, the response range will be narrow accordingly.
The problem in connection with the A/D converter 106 has been described above. In addition, there can be a problem that the voicing unit 103 may operate erroneously when the magnitude of the input voltage is small as compared with the noise level in the unit. Further, depending on a specific circuit configuration of the envelope shaping circuit 105, a small input voltage may not give an output due to the diodes included in the rectifying circuit, which means the envelope shaping circuit 105 also has a restriction of a lower limit input value (min). Still further, where the vibrating voltage is amplified through an amplifier, the amplifier may place a restriction of an upper limit input value (max) due to the saturation phenomenon of the amplifier.
Thus, in order for the voicing unit 103 to respond to any maximum amplitude values of the vibrating voltage, there is a restriction as to the input range of the maximum amplitude values of the vibrating voltage. To cope with such a restriction, it will be necessary to properly adjust or set the division ratio by the resistors 3 and 102 in the drum pad circuit 101 shown in FIG. 4, so that the maximum amplitude values of the vibrating voltage outputted from the drum pad circuit 101 should not exceed the above-described input range of the voicing unit 103 within the range of strength of the strikes given by the player.
On the other hand, the division ratio by the resistors should be set rather high so that the maximum amplitude value of the vibrating voltage outputted from the drum pad circuit 101 should not fall within the dead zone 111 as shown in FIG. 5b, even when the player strikes the drum pad weakly. Then, trouble is that the maximum amplitude values of the vibrating voltage would exceed the upper limit input value (max) while the strength of the strikes is not so large yet. As a result, even though the player strikes the pad strongly, the maximum amplitude values of the vibrating voltage outputted from the A/D converter 106 would not be accordingly high.

Strike input device for electronic percussion instrument


The present disclosure provides colored compositions formulated to provide water repellency and crocking resistance when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). The compositions include a colored pigment, a wax emulsion, a latex polymer, and a halogenated phosphate ester. Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface, are also provided.

Water repellants ("sealants") are commonly applied to surfaces of manufactured structural wood products in order to provide visual differentiation and to retard water absorption in the event of exposure to precipitation. Wood products treated with sealants on at least one surface include solid-sawn lumber and composites such as oriented strandboard (OSB), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and others. In North America the sealants are typically applied to the wooden substrates on finishing lines at the primary manufacturing plant. Most sealants are water-based in order to comply with environmental and safety regulations and are made by combining a wax emulsion, a polymer latex and one or more colored pigment dispersions.
Many colored sealants for manufactured structural wood products exhibit "crocking," which is the tendency for colored material from the sealant to be transferred to a second surface that is being rubbed against the previously applied sealant. Unfortunately, manufactured structural wood products are routinely handled and contacted during the process of packaging, transporting and use of the products during construction. Sealants that exhibit significant crocking present problems, which include unwanted transfer of colored material from the sealant to hands, gloves, boots, shirts, pants, equipment, and other objects that might contact the applied sealant on the surface of the wood product. In many cases the transferred colored material is unsightly and can be difficult to remove.
The tendency for a sealant to exhibit crocking can be easily evaluated by rubbing a white paper towel across a layer of dried sealant. If colored material transfers from the sealant to the paper towel, then the sealant is considered to exhibit crocking. Crocking is somewhat analogous to marking a paper with a crayon, which is generally comprised of colored pigment and wax. Some sealants have greater crocking potential than others. Sealants with greater crocking potential would be associated with greater color transfer in a standard rubbing procedure. Sealants that exhibit some level of crocking include CBS 197H (green), which is manufactured by the Willamette Valley Company (Eugene, Oreg., USA), and WE1460, which is manufactured by Walker Industries (Burlington, ON, CAN). In fact, essentially all colored sealants (comprised of wax emulsion, polymer latex and colored pigments) exhibit some level of crocking.
Upon application of an aqueous sealant to a wood product substrate, the water in the formulation either evaporates or absorbs into the substrate. The residual portion of the formula generally exists as a film of pigment particles dispersed in a soft, elastic matrix of wax (major component) and polymer (minor component). A relatively high wax level is required in order to impart water-repellency to the sealant. Unfortunately, the wax component is relatively soft and is particularly prone to transfer to another object via a rubbing action. The polymer component is relatively expensive and is usually less hydrophobic than the wax, but it imparts elasticity and toughness to the film and also improves wet adhesion to the wood. Higher levels of elastic polymer tend to reduce the crocking potential of the sealant, but this modification results in increased cost and reduced water repellency.
Thus, there is a need to improve the crocking potential of aqueous, colored, sealants for use in wood products without significantly increasing costs or reducing water-repellency.

Colored water-repellant and crocking-resistant compositions


A connection method of a plurality of input/output channels between a plurality of sub-channels of an information processing system having a virtual machine running on a physical machine under control of a hypervisor and a plurality of devices. The method includes issuing from the hypervisor a command for setting configuration information defining a plurality of configuration structures between the sub-channels set for the respective virtual machines and the devices in a storage device and acquiring configuration information containing the sub-channel corresponding to a designated device from the configuration information corresponding to one of the virtual machines based on the device designation contained in the input/output command from the one virtual machine. The virtual machines are enabled after the issuance of the set command and before the issuance of the input/output command. The corresponding configuration information is searched by using ID information of the virtual machine which issued the input/output command in order to execute the step so that one of a plurality of channel paths between a plurality of devices and the sub-channels is selected to execute the input/output designated by the input/output command.

The present invention relates to an extending method of an input/output channel of an information processing system, and more particularly to an extending method of an input/output channel in an information processing system in which a plurality of virtual machines operates on a physical machine.
As a common method for operating a plurality of operating systems (hereinafter referred to as OSs) on a single information processing system, a technique called a virtual machine or logical partition (hereinafter referred to as a VM or LPAR) has been known. In this technique, a control program called a virtual machine control program (hereinafter referred to as a hypervisor) is operated on a physical machine, a plurality of LPARs are generated under control of the hypervisor and independent OSs are operated on the respective LPARS. In order to operated the plurality of LPARs on the single physical information processing system (physical machine), the hypervisor is provided with a function to allow the respective LPARs to share hardware resources of the physical information processing system. A method for allowing the respective LPARs to share the hardware resources includes a method for allocating the hardware resources in time-division fashion under control of the hypervisor, a method fore logically dividing the hardware resources and exclusively allocating them to the respective LPARs, and a method for allocating by the mixture of the above two methods.
On the other hand, as a prior art method of an input/output method of the information processing system, an extended channel system (hereinafter referred to as an ECS) has been known. In the ECS, a plurality of sub-channels which one-to-one correspond to a plurality of input/output devices are provided, transfer paths of output commands and data due to input/output operations between the sub-channels and the input/output devices are determined through a channel path selection circuit and the transfer paths are determined without intervention of a program which starts the input/output operations. Each sub-channel holds input/output configuration information containing an input/output number of the corresponding input/output channel and a physical channel path number to which the input/output device is connected, and initial information of the input/output configuration information of the sub-channel is stored in a memory of a service processor (hereinafter referred to as a SVP). In an initialization process of the information processing system, the input/output configuration information in the memory of the SVP is loaded in a hardware system area (hereinafter referred to as HSA) to which a user program in a main storage cannot access and it is used to control the input/output operations.
When the input/output operation in a virtual machine system is conducted under control of the ECS, a plurality of sub-channels are generated for one input/output device, and the input/output device and the sub-channels are controlled to correspond one-to-one for each of the plurality of LPARs. In this case, each sub-channel corresponding to one input/output device has an LPAR identification ID corresponding to a virtual machine ID and one of the input/output configuration information.
A maximum number of input/output channels (number of CHPs) of the extended channel system is determined by a hardware architecture of the physical information processing system, that is, a designated data length of the CHP defined in the input/output configuration information. For example, when the designated data length of the CHP of the input/output configuration information is 8 bits, the maximum number of input/output channels is 256 channels.
Accordingly, when two systems of the LPARs which are the virtual machines in the prior art are constructed and the physical input/output processors are logically divided and they are allocated to an LPAR1 and an LPAR2, an upper limit of a total number of input/output channels (total number of CHPs) of the number of input/output channels is restricted by the maximum number of input/output channels determined by the hardware architecture having the number of input/output channels mounted as the physical input/output processors. For example, when the designated data length of the CHP in the input/output configuration information determined by the hardware architecture of the physical information processing system is 8 bits, the maximum total number of input/output channels which may be designated in the LPAR1 and the LPAR2 is 256 channels.
Accordingly, in the prior art method of logically dividing the physical input/output processors and the input/output channels (CHPs) and allocating them to the respective LPARs, it is not possible to conduct the input/output operations by using the number of CHPs which exceeds the maximum number of input/output channels determined by the hardware architecture.

Method and apparatus for connecting i/o channels between sub-channels and devices through virtual machines controlled by a hypervisor using ID and configuration information


An oil reservoir chamber 22 in an engine E is formed into a tubular shape having annular corner portions 22a and 22b at opposite ends, and an oil slinger 25 is secured to a crankshaft 13 and has two splashing blades 25a and 25b with their tip ends being in proximity to the corner portions 22a and 22b, so that a lubricating oil in the oil reservoir chamber 22 is splashed by at least one of the two splashing blades 25a and 25b during rotation of the oil slinger 25 with any operative position of the engine E. Thus, a lubricating oil mist can be produced with any operative position of the engine E by the oil slinger of a simple structure including the two blades.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for producing a lubricating oil mist in an engine, which is designed so that an oil mist for lubricating the inside of the engine is produced by splashing an lubricating oil in an oil reservoir chamber provided in an engine body.
2. Description of the Related Art
The applicant of this application has already proposed a system for producing a lubricating oil mist in an engine, including an oil reservoir chamber provided in an engine body, and an oil slinger secured to a crankshaft or a rotary shaft operatively associated with the crankshaft for splashing a lubricating oil stored in the oil reservoir chamber to produce an oil mist, so that with any operative position of the engine, the lubricating oil in the oil reservoir can be splashed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 7-327665).
In the above proposed system, however, the oil slinger is comprised of two pairs of larger and smaller splashing blades to enable the lubricating oil in the oil reservoir chamber to be splashed with any operative position of the engine. For this reason, there is a problem that the structure is complicated, resulting in an increase in cost.

System for producing lubricating oil mist in engine


A headband including an elastic glitter ribbon, a top portion of which forms the outside of the headband, where the elastic glitter ribbon has a 360-degree glitter pattern. The headband further includes a stretch velvet ribbon, a bottom portion of which forms the inside of the headband. The elastic glitter ribbon is attached to the stretch velvet ribbon using a stretch and stitch method. The ends of the elastic glitter ribbon and the stretch velvet ribbon are connected to form a 360-degree elastic headband, where the top of the elastic glitter ribbon includes material that sparkles, and where the bottom of the stretch velvet ribbon includes a velvet-like material that forms a gripping portion. The outside of the headband includes a 360-degree view of the sparkles with no break. The inside of the headband includes 360-degree gripping portion with no break.

1. Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a headband that includes a 360-degree glitter pattern that has non-slip and non-snag properties.
2. Description of the Related Art
Headbands are widely used by a variety of people, including athletes and others with long hair, with one of the purposes of the headband being to keep hair out of the wearer's field of vision. Headbands are conventionally found in a variety of styles and are popular among girls and women.
Headbands may be made of various materials. The design of the headbands of the prior art have problems with slipping, causing hair snag, or creating a headache for the wearer. Some headbands are made from rigid materials and are oblong in shape with an opening at the bottom end to slide over the head of the wearer where each end fits behind the wearer's ear to secure itself in place by pressure behind the ear. These styles can often cause the wearer discomfort as pressure is felt from the point of contact behind the ears. Other headbands are adjustable, which are advertised as being comfortable and can be worn during strenuous activity. These adjustable headbands may include a rubber band or an elastic material which can slide off the wearer's head during strenuous activity. Alternatively, these headbands can be uncomfortably tight to securely stay on the head, which can cause the wearer to develop headaches.
Often, styles of headbands include a wraparound style headband that include a portion of a circular piece of elasticized material, which is secured in place by pressure from the elastic band as the elastic constricts around the head and hair of the wearer. These bands often slide off the wearer's head when used as a headband if they are not tightly fitted around the wearer's head. If a wraparound style headband does not include an elastic portion that has gripping properties, they tend to easily slide off a wearer's head.
Alternatively, many headbands of the prior art use a piece of black elastic to provide the "stretch" on the band, and do not have an elastic portion that wraps around the entire head—the band stops and the remainder is a plain elastic. While these headbands are marketed as "no slip," there is still a degree of slide due to the grip not going all the way around the band. These products cause a "headband headache" due to lack of elasticity.
There is a continuing unmet need for headbands comprising comfortable fabric which remain comfortable during prolonged wear and remain secure, as well as comfortable and stylish, during vigorous activity.

Headband with 360-degree glitter pattern