Filter and replaceable filter leaf apparatus are provided. The filter includes a housing defining a cavity having fluid inlet and outlet ports and a lid member with a manifold coupled to the outlet port and being adapted to conduct a fluid flow between the outlet port and a plurality of attachment areas. Replaceable filter leafs are selectively movable through an opening into the housing cavity and attachable with the manifold at the plurality of attachment areas. The replaceable filter leafs include a filter envelope consisting of a filter panel, a nozzle member on the filter panel and defining a passageway adjacent an opening in the filter envelope for conducting fluids therethrough. The nozzle member is selectively attachable onto the manifold of the polishing filter apparatus at any one of the plurality of attachment areas.

The present exemplary embodiments relate to filter apparatus including industrial filters, replaceable filter leafs for use therewith, and methods of using same. They find particular application in connection with polishing filters and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiments are also amenable to other like applications.
Filtration is a common operation performed in process plants and in other industries. One of the many design considerations in the filtration art is the amount of filtration area that can be made available in a given space and cost. On one hand, a large filtration area is preferred because a larger filtration area results in higher filtration rates. Further, large filtration areas reduce or minimize the number of cleaning cycles required for a given volume of filtered material. However, on the other hand, additional considerations such as accessibility and economics motivate designs that are not specifically optimized solely for filtration area as a design parameter.
Essentially, basic filtration is accomplished by passing a fluid such as a liquid or gas bearing solids through a porous media, usually a cloth, paper, sieve, or other structure. Solid particles carried by the fluid are separated from the fluid by the filter media as the fluid passes therethrough.
Many factors influence a determination of filter design. One primary factor of filter design, however, is the degree to which solids being filtered from the fluid can be accumulated onto and, thereafter, removed from the media. At one extreme of design consideration, particles are easily filtered. There, a first filter layer is substantially permeable to the liquid or gas filtrate and permits subsequent layers to be filtered until a substantial cake of deposited particles is formed, at times up to one half inch thick or more. Cake removal usually leaves behind a clean filter media which can then be reused many times. Filters of this type are typically referred to as "process filters" and are used for applications where a cake can be built up onto the media and thereafter removed for reuse of the media several times. Examples include filter presses, leaf filters, drum filters, belt filters, and disc filters. In these cases, maximizing filtration area and providing for solids removal are major design considerations.
On the other extreme of filter design parameter consideration, the filtered particles themselves are small, irregularly shaped, or deformable. They embed themselves into the media and cannot be removed. The used media must therefore be disposed of and replaced with new media. Filters of this type are generally referred to as "polishing filters" and are used with these applications. Polishing filters are designed for ease of media replacement and, to that end, typically include cartridge filters and popular bag filters.
In addition to the above, overall, economics plays a role in filter design, construction, and use. Generally, in process filtration, the solids separated from the filtrate are either a product or a significant by-product of a process around which a business is built. Accordingly, these filters have evolved to large proportions, typically 200 square feet filtration area or more and usually include some level of automation for separation of the filtered solids from the filter apparatus and for handling and subsequent processing thereafter. Furthermore, other parts of the process are specifically arranged to generate suitable solids for cake filtration necessary for high volume. Filters of this type are thus an integral component in the process and as would be expected, a substantial capital investment for the business.
In contrast, polishing filters are typically used to remove incidental or other unwanted solids from a moving liquid or other fluid stream. The main purpose of polishing filter is to keep the filtrate clean for maintenance purposes, product appearance purposes, or where a high purity in the moving fluid is necessary. One example of an application where a polishing filter would be useful is in a closed loop cooling water system. Typical polishing filters handle a very low volume of solids and are usually small i.e. less than 20 square feet of filtration area and are inexpensive. Therefore, they are considered to be an ancillary part of the overall manufacturing or process system. Usually, therefore, it would be uneconomical to use a solids preparation step and a process filter in a polishing filter application.
A problem arises, however, when a polishing filter is placed in a situation to handle more than a small volume of solids. The typical solution is often the installation of several bag or cartridge filters in parallel. However, this solution increases the cost by adding additional equipment and manpower.
Although there have been attempts to increase the filtration area in bag and cartridge filters, one fundamental problem remains in that both the housings and replacement elements for both types of filters are typically cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical shape provides for a simple design and gives the components additional strength against the pressure of filtration and permits easy replacement of the elements. However, cylindrical filters limit the filtration area for a given filter apparatus volume.
According to the above, therefore, there is a need in the art for a leaf filter apparatus useful in applications where heretofore polishing filters were utilized. The leaf filter apparatus should be physically overall small, inexpensive, yet capable of filtering a substantial volume of incidental or unwanted solids from a moving fluid. Additionally, the filter leafs are preferably made of a disposable material and are easily detachable from the filter apparatus structure.

Leaf filter system and replaceable filter leaf apparatus


The present invention is embodied by a composition capable inducing weight loss in a patient in need thereof.

One of the most preferred ways to deliver a pharmaceutical to a subject is in an oral formulation. However, oral formulations of many pharmaceutical compounds are often unavailable due to the pharmaceutical's incompatibility with the harsh environment of the digestive tract. This is particularly true for pharmaceutical compounds such as peptides, proteins, certain small molecules, and nucleic acids.
Another issue plaguing oral delivery is the quantity of medication that must be both orally administered to affect the desired outcome in a patient. For example, poor bioavailability due to a bad solubility profile can mean that even though a certain medication tolerates the digestive milieu, it cannot be given orally in any meaningful way. It may, for example, need to be given in a substantially larger doses than would be required if given intravenously, or via another route of administration.
D-biotin is an example of a compound that, while susceptible to oral delivery, has a poor solubility profile. As a result, the amount of material that must be given to ensure activity in general, and in particular at the liver, is substantially larger than preferred. Thus, what is needed in the field of biotin delivery, is a composition capable of affecting efficient oral delivery of biotin and a biotin-derived compounds. The present invention meets these needs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Orally bioavailable lipid-based constructs


A storage shelf base for an item of furniture or household appliance, includes a support plate arranged on a body of the item of furniture or household appliance, and a storage shelf positively driven relative to the support plate and can simultaneously be moved rotationally and traslationally. Facing bearing surfaces of the support plate and the storage shelf have respective closed circulating running grooves, in which rolling elements are guided. The storage shelf can be moved out of an initial position into an intermediate position, relative to the support plate in an opening movement, in which the storage shelf is rotated relative to the support plate in a rotational direction and shifted in a predetermined direction and can be moved out of the intermediate position back into the initial position in a closing movement. The facing bearing surfaces of the support plate and the storage shelf have respective second running grooves, in which rolling elements are guided. The second running grooves of the support plate and the storage shelf at least partially surround the first running grooves of the support plate and the storage shelf.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a storage shelf base for an item of furniture or household appliance and an item of furniture or household appliance.
Storage shelf bases of this type, in which a support plate and a storage shelf guided on the support plate are arranged so that they can be moved simultaneously in rotation and in translation, allow access to otherwise inaccessible surfaces in the storage space of an item of furniture or household appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer.
For example, DE 42 16 765 A1 discloses storage shelf bases equipped with a turntable where the turntable is installed directly in the base plate of the storage shelf base).
The post-published DE 10 2017 106 170 A1 discloses a storage shelf that is positively guided relative to the support plate and can be moved simultaneously in rotation and translation.
The disadvantage of these prior art storage shelf bases is that the load on the rotating bearing of the shelf is very uneven, especially when the load on the shelf is unevenly distributed. This can result in one of the rolling elements forming a temporary fulcrum due to high frictional forces, which is not congruent with the instantaneous pole of the motion control and can therefore sometimes lead to jamming of the bearing.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a storage shelf base for an item of furniture or household appliance, which enables reliable operation of the storage shelf base even with unequally distributed loads.
The storage shelf base according to the invention has a support plate arranged on the body of the furniture or household appliance and a storage plate, which is positively guided relative to the support plate and can be moved simultaneously in rotation and translation.
The bearing surfaces of the support plate and the storage shelf facing each other have respective closed, circumferential first running grooves in which the rolling elements are guided.
The storage shelf can be moved relative to the support plate in an opening movement from an initial position to an intermediate position, in which the shelf is rotated relative to the support plate in one direction of rotation and displaced in a predetermined direction and can be moved in a closing movement from the intermediate position back to the initial position or further in one direction of rotation to a position rotated through 180° to the initial position.
The storage shelf is rotatable relative to the support plate in a first direction of rotation and in an opposite second direction of rotation, which further simplifies the operability of the device.
A further simplification of the operability of the device is achieved in that the storage shelf can be rotated at any angle relative to the support plate in a first direction of rotation and in an opposite second direction of rotation.
The mutually facing bearing surfaces of the support plate and the storage shelf have respective second running grooves in which rolling elements are guided, wherein the second running grooves of the support plate and the storage shelf at least partially enclose the first running grooves of the support plate and the storage shelf.
By introducing the second running grooves into the bearing surfaces of the support plate and the storage shelf, a more even force distribution is possible even with asymmetrical loading. This significantly reduces frictional forces in the bearing arrangement. In particular, the surface pressure of the rolling elements can be reduced by up to 50%, especially in the static state.
In addition, the danger of undefined movements, especially in the starting phase of the movement of the storage shelf relative to the support plate, is clearly limited by the larger radii of the second running grooves.
In accordance with an advantageous embodiment variant, the second running grooves formed in the bearing surface of the storage shelf are designed as closed, circumferential running grooves, which enables reliable guidance of the rolling elements.
According to another embodiment variant, the outer running groove integrally formed in the bearing surface of the support plate is formed open towards one side, in particular the front side of the support plate, which facilitates the installation of the storage shelf base.
In order to optimize the running-off and running-down of the rolling elements from or onto the support plate, the outer running groove towards the front side of the support plate is designed as a lead-in region, in particular as a lead-in chamfer, wherein a rounded transition can additionally be provided in the transition from the lead-in chamfer to the actual running groove profile, which is designed complementary to the rolling element profile. Instead of the lead-in chamfer, there may also be a lead-in rounding.
The rolling elements are accommodated in at least one rolling element cage according to another preferred embodiment variant.
The rolling elements of the first running grooves and the second running grooves are particularly preferably accommodated in a common rolling element cage, which also facilitates and accelerates the assembly of the storage shelf base.
The rolling element cage has a circular ring and four arms extending radially from the circular ring in a preferred embodiment variant, which enables optimized load distribution to the individual rolling elements with reduced material input.
According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the rolling elements are accommodated in receiving pockets formed in the area of the free ends of the arms and in the circular ring in the area of the connection of the arms to the circular ring.
In order to achieve the largest possible load distribution, the length of the arms is preferably greater than half the radius of the circular ring.
The bearing surfaces of the storage shelf or support plate are designed integrally with the support plate or storage shelf in accordance with an embodiment variant of the invention. In an alternative embodiment variant, at least one of the bearing surfaces is designed as a separate element that can be inserted into an appropriately shaped receptacle in the support plate or storage shelf or which can be attached to the support plate or storage shelf by connecting means.
For improved positioning of the storage shelf in the basic position, the at least predominantly closed circumferential running grooves preferably have several locking points for the rolling elements at least in the initial position and/or in a position rotated by 180° to the initial position.
In accordance with another advantageous embodiment variant of the invention, a tilting protection element is arranged on the support plate that overlaps the upper edge of the storage shelf and serves to prevent a tilting movement of the storage shelf around a tilting axis parallel to the shelf surface. Alternatively, the tilting protection element can be designed in such a way that it engages in a groove in the shelf.
The advantage of such a tilting protection element is the prevention of a tilting movement of the storage shelf, especially when the load on the storage shelf is unevenly distributed with objects placed on the storage shelf.
According to a preferred embodiment variant, a section of the tilting protection element is located in a second recess of the base plate holder, whereby an additional stabilization of the tilting protection element is achieved. The tilting protection element is designed as a catch hook, in particular formed in a C-shaped manner, according to a preferred embodiment variant.

Storage shelf base and item of furniture or household appliance


A labeling assembly and method of using same for releasably supporting a label and identifying a feature of an object upon which the labeling assembly is adapted for installation. The labeling assembly includes a protective layer having a release surface for releasably supporting the label and an information storage device located adjacent to a contacting surface of the protective layer such that the information storage device is disposed between the protective layer and the object when the labeling assembly is installed on the object. The information storage device is adapted for transmitting a signal comprising information. The method of the present invention includes using the labeling assembly for releasably supporting a label and identifying a feature of an object upon which the labeling assembly is adapted for installation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed in general to labeling systems, and more particularly to a labeling assembly with an information storage device protected by a release coated protective layer. The present invention is further directed to a method for labeling objects using the above mentioned labeling assembly. In use, pressure-sensitive adhesive labels are easily removed and replaced on the labeling assembly reflecting changes in a feature of the object without adhesive buildup on the release coating. Additional information can also be transmitted to the information storage device to protect against mislabeling of the object.
2. Description of Related Art
Reusable containers often require a labeling system to identify the contents, or other feature of each container. The label provides information such as the origin and destination of the contents, batch number, part number, serial number, quantity, and description, for example. In most cases, these containers are thoroughly cleaned prior to reuse with contents
According to a conventional labeling system, a transparent envelope for displaying a label is secured to the container. A label bearing visual indicia identifying the feature of the container is placed inside the envelope where it can be viewed, thereby indicating the feature to an observer. When the feature of the container changes, such as when its contents are changed, for example, a new label with visual indicia reflecting this change is substituted into the envelope for the previous label. A bar code is often printed on the labels to provide the observer with an automated method for extracting information pertaining to the feature. When the information conveyed by the bar code reflects that conveyed by the visual indicia on the label, the bar code provides the observer with an enhanced security against erroneous labeling. Alternatively, the bar code may convey separate information in addition that conveyed by the visual indicia, allowing the observer to include sensitive information on the label and make effective use of the visible surface area of the label.
As mentioned above, the container upon which the transparent envelope is secured is often cleansed before being reused. With each successive cleaning process, cleaning agents degrade the transparency of the envelope, causing interference with the visibility of the visual indicia on the label and the proper scanning of the bar code. Interference is also experienced where, after time, the transparent envelope becomes stained or dusty due to the environment the container is in. Also, the transparent envelopes are sometimes bulky and subject to tearing and catching on objects. Further, the bar code on the label is not adaptable to reflect changes in the feature of the container. Thus, a new bar code must be printed on each label to reflect a change of the feature. This becomes time consuming and requires printing equipment and a supply of labels upon which the bar codes can be printed.
Other proposed labeling systems call for an adhesive placard to be secured onto a container. Examples of such systems are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,858 and U.S. Reissued Pat. No. US RE37,164 E, both issued to Petrou, and both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. According to the methods described in the Petrou Patents, the adhesive placard has an exposed release layer that facilitates the easy removal and replacement of pressure-sensitive adhesive labels. When the status of the container changes such as when its contents are changed, for example, the previous label is cleanly removed without leaving residual adhesive behind and a new label with current information is substituted in its place. Although the reading of bar codes and other visual labeling indicia according to the Petrou Patents is not obstructed by a transparent envelope, the labels affixed to the release layer are prone to wear and damage resulting from daily activities common to many commercial environments. Further, the Petrou labeling systems lack a built in security measure that can protect against mistakes stemming from accidentally or intentionally mislabeled containers or illegible labels due to physical damage from everyday use.
To help correct these shortcomings, many devices have been developed in an attempt to replace the above mentioned systems. One such device is commonly known as a radio frequency identification tag ("RFID tag"). A RFID tag receives information from a transmitter in the form of a radio frequency ("RF") signal. The RFID tag, through the help of an antenna and a circuit printed directly on the tag itself, receives and stores the information which can later be accessed with electronic equipment such as a RF receiver. Thus, the RFID tag eliminates the problems associated with interpreting visual labeling indicia by using RF signals instead. However, the RFID circuits are delicate and are susceptible to damage from cleaning operations performed on the reusable containers to which the tags are secured, and other environmental elements. Further, RFID tags that are affixed directly to metal containers often experience background interference from the metal container which makes the transfer of data to or from the RFID tag difficult. And the use of RFID tags alone to label a feature of a container also requires ready access to costly RF signal transmitting/receiving devices that are usually limited in availability. This may prevent personnel who most commonly interact with the containers from properly handling their contents due to the inability to read the RFID tag because of a lack of RF signal reading equipment without other, visual indicators.


An integrated circuit, comprising a plurality of pins, including a signal output pin. The integrated circuit also comprises a plurality of signal nodes. Each node in the plurality of signal nodes is operable to store a respective internal data signal. The integrated circuit also comprises a plurality of testing circuits. Each testing circuit in the plurality of testing circuits configured to sample a respective internal data state and in response to concurrently couple a unique output signal to a same pin in the plurality of pins, other than the signal output pin.

The example embodiments relate to integrated circuits (IC singular, ICs plural) and, more particularly, to ICs including embedded testing circuitry and the testing of such ICs.
Design for testing (DFT) refers to IC design aspects that provide testability to the IC once it is in production or manufactured form. Typical DFT circuitry can be enabled during testing and disabled when the IC is to operate in its nominal, non-testing environment. During testing, the DFT circuit(s) allow additional apparatus, such as automated test equipment (ATE), to provide input test signals to an IC in test mode, and to observe, capture, and analyze corresponding output signals that result from the input test signals. Both DFT and ATE testing are common in IC design and production, thereby increasing IC yield and reducing IC failure once ICs are released and implemented in intended device application(s).
DFT implementations can be used in ICs of various different pin counts, but can be more challenging for ICs with relatively fewer pins (e.g., six pins or less). Specifically, for a higher pin count IC, a design may have the flexibility to include one or more dedicated test pins, either for input or output signals. In contrast, for a lower pin count IC, the design will typically have strict limits on the number of pins, in which case one or more pins may be connected to provide different functions at different times. In such instances, however, the DFT implementation may require more complex internal structure, so as to support one type of signal communication to a pin (e.g., the IC output pin) during non-testing operation and a different type of signal communication to that same pin during testing.
Accordingly, example embodiments are provided in this document that may improve on certain of the above concepts, as further detailed below.

Integrated circuit with embedded testing circuitry


In an optical disk device with various types of optical disks, the amounts of light are set for the various types of optical disks by emitting laser light from a semiconductor laser oscillator while sequentially increasing the light amount thereof for the optical disks in an order from the optical disk of the smallest set light amount. That is, first, whether or not an optical disk of CD, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM can be suitably used is determined based on the amount of reflection light from the optical disk obtained by causing the semiconductor laser oscillator to emit laser light in the smallest light amount setting state, and if it is not determined that the optical disk can be suitably used, the light amount is raised to a level higher than the lowest light amount set level by one level.

This invention relates to a recording/reproducing optical disk device for recording data on various types of optical disks and reproducing data recorded on the optical disks and a reproduction-only (read-only) optical disk device for reproducing data recorded on various types of optical disks.
Conventionally, an optical disk device for recording data on an optical disk having recording tracks by use of laser light output from a semiconductor laser oscillator mounted on an optical head or reproducing data recorded on the optical disk is put into practical use.
In the above optical device, at most two types of optical disks can be dealt with in the prior art and the types of the optical disks are determined by using an additional sensor which detects the presence or absence of a cartridge, which loads the optical disk or an ID hole formed in the cartridge.
If the number of optical disk types used increase, they cannot be correctly identified by the prior art method or, if they can, the cost becomes prohibitively high, because the number of ID hole sensors increases. Further, in a case where the optical disk, originally loaded into the cartridge and is subsequently removed, determination of the optical disk cannot be made accurately. If the determination is erroneous, there occurs the possibility that power, much greater than the optimum tolerable power of each optical disk is applied to the optical disk, resulting in the desctruction of information data, particularly in the case of a recording optical disk.

Recording and reproducing optical disk device with multi-disk type capability


A system and method are disclosed that facilitate characterizing vascular plaque tissue based upon spectral analysis of intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. In particular, split spectrum analysis of an integrated backscatter parameter introduces a spectral resolution component to parameterization of received intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. The resulting parameter values for each of multiple bands within a larger frequency band supported by an ultrasound system are applied to plaque tissue characterization criteria to render a plaque tissue characterization corresponding to the corresponding ultrasound echo signal segments.

The development of new medical technologies has provided an increasing number of options available to doctors for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The availability of such equipment has improved the ability of doctors and surgeons to detect and treat cardiovascular disease. Intravascular imaging technologies have enabled doctors to create and view a variety of images generated by a sensor inserted within a vasculature. Such images complement traditional radiological imaging techniques such as angiography by providing images of the tissue within vessel walls rather than showing a two dimensional lumen image.
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis finds particular application to a system and method for quantitative component identification within a vascular object including characterization of tissue. It should be appreciated that while the exemplary embodiment is described in terms of an ultrasonic device, or more particularly the use of IVUS data (or a transformation thereof) to characterize a vascular object, the present invention is not so limited. Thus, for example, using backscattered data (or a transformation thereof) based on ultrasound waves or even electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light waves in non-visible ranges) to characterize any tissue type or composition is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Imaging portions of a patient's body provides a useful tool in various areas of medical practice for determining the best type and course of treatment. Imaging of the coronary vessels of a patient by techniques involving insertion of a catheter-mounted probe (e.g., an ultrasound transducer array) can provide physicians with valuable information. For example, the image data indicates the extent of a stenosis in a patient, reveals progression of disease, and helps determine whether procedures such as angioplasty or atherectomy are indicated or whether more invasive procedures are warranted.
In an ultrasound imaging system, an ultrasonic transducer probe is attached to a distal end of a catheter that is carefully maneuvered through a patient's body to a point of interest such as within a coronary artery. The transducer probe in known systems comprises a single piezoelectric crystal element that is mechanically scanned or rotated back and forth to cover a sector over a selected angular range. Acoustic signals are transmitted and echoes (or backscatter) from these acoustic signals are received. The backscatter data is used to identify the type or density of a scanned tissue. As the probe is swept through the sector, many acoustic lines (emanating from the probe) are processed to build up a sector-shaped cross-section image of tissue within the patient. After the data is collected, an image of the blood vessel (i.e., an IVUS image) is reconstructed using well-known techniques. This image is then visually analyzed by a cardiologist to assess the vessel components and plaque content. Other known systems acquire ultrasound echo data using a probe comprising an array of transducer elements.
In a particular application of IVUS imaging, ultrasound data is used to characterize tissue within a vasculature and produce images graphically depicting the content of the tissue making up imaged portions of a vessel. Examples of such imaging techniques for performing spectral analysis on ultrasound echoes to render a color-coded tissue map are presented in Nair et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,188 entitled "System and Method of Characterizing Vascular Tissue" and Vince et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,268 entitled "Vascular Plaque Characterization", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, including any references contained therein. Such systems analyze response characteristics of ultrasound backscatter (reflected sound wave) data to identify a variety of tissue types found in partially occluded vessels including: fibrous tissue (FT), fibro-fatty (FF), necrotic core (NC), and dense calcium (DC).
When characterizing the response of tissue that has been subjected to ultrasound waves, parameter values are considered at a data point in an imaged field. Based upon response characteristics (e.g., power spectra) of known tissue types, tissue at the data point is assigned to a particular tissue type (e.g. necrotic core). Known systems utilize an integrated backscatter parameter that represents a power response over a frequency band. The integrated backscatter parameter generally represents a measure of total reflected ultrasound power at a particular point within a vasculature over a specified frequency band.

System and method for characterizing tissue based upon split spectrum analysis of backscattered ultrasound


According to an infusion method and pump, in order to perform infusion at a flow rate with high accuracy by allowing finger members to appropriately press a predetermined portion of an outer diameter (outer surface) of an infusion tube whose outer diameter accuracy is assured, thereby causing the infusion tube to perform a peristaltic motion, the infusion tube is stationarily held between a plurality of fingers which are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube having a predetermined outer diameter and independently driven, and a holding means. The infusion tube is pressed from the outer surface to supply a liquid by setting a small moving amount of each finger to a degree enough to eliminate the influence of the wall thickness of the infusion tube and individually driving the fingers.

The present invention relates to an infusion pump and, more particularly, to a peristaltic infusion pump for performing to infuse liquid medicine or the like by pressing the outer surface of a flexible infusion tube.
To deliver the contents or liquid filled in the infusion tube, a peristaltic infusion pump having finger members operating in the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube is used.
According to a "pumping apparatus" in European Patent No. 0426273, the following infusion technique is disclosed. Closing means for closing an infusion tube are disposed on the upstream and downstream sides of the infusion tube, and a pair of finger members integrally formed by a plurality of fingers are disposed between the closing means. After the shape portions formed in the finger members hold the infusion tube, the finger members are reciprocated to press the outer surface of the infusion tube at the shape portions to almost completely collapse the infusion tube, thereby reducing the sectional area of the infusion tube.


Undercarriage lights are positioned under a truck adjacent to parts of the truck requiring regular visual safety inspections to light up the parts. A control module operates the lights in coordination with an ignition switch, a manual switch outside the truck, a timer, a low light sensor, and an indicator light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vehicular lighting and particularly to a preventative maintenance undercarriage lighting system for a "tractor-trailer" or other type truck which is used to increase visibility in poor lighting conditions for visually performing safety inspections under a truck, the undercarriage lighting system comprising a plurality of retractable lights mounted to the front and rear of the undercarriage of the truck which may be retracted when not in use to protect the bulbs from road debris, an automatic timing control module, a manual trigger device and an inspection reminder system.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
To avoid accidents it is currently required that commercial drivers make a visual inspection of specific components on a tractor trailer truck. These components include the brake system, warning lights, fluids, tires, etc. The drivers are to perform the safety inspection on their truck before and after each trip.
Often the lighting conditions are poor or non-existent and it is necessary for a truck operator to climb under the truck with a flashlight to make all the necessary checks or the checks may not be made at all due to the difficulty, especially in bad weather conditions. The prior art does not adequately address the problem.
U.S. Patent Application #20030063475, published Apr. 3, 2003 by Simmons, illustrates a retractable light system which is concealed beneath a vehicle and is exposed when desired to provide rearward lighting from the vehicle. A holding frame having a rotating shaft is attached to the undersurface of the vehicle by a bearing or bracket and supports lights that rotate between a first position where the lights are retracted beneath the undersurface of the vehicle and a second position where the lights are extended below the vehicle and provide rearward lighting. The rotational mechanism for moving the lights to the deactivated and activated positions may include a motor coupled to the holding frame by a cable. Guards may be provided on the light system to protect the lights from damage. The holding frame may be attached to an accessory trailer hitch beneath the vehicle rather than directly to the vehicle. And, the retractable light system may be activated or deactivated by a remote control device such as a key chain remote.
U.S. Patent Application #20050036327, published Feb. 17, 2005 by Patel, claims an accent lighting system for automobiles that includes one or more light bars, which may have a flat rectangular cross-section, and may be rigid and flexible body. A microcontroller provides control of the operation of the light bars to display various lighting patterns and sequences. In one embodiment, the controller is coupled to the audio output of the audio system in the automobile, which controls the light patterns of the light bars in reaction to audio characteristics (e.g., frequency, amplitude, etc.) of the audio output. In another embodiment, users can select different display modes through a remote control that is operated within the comfort of their automobiles. In anther aspect of the present invention, the lighting system comprises light bars that incorporate a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and in particular "super-bright" LEDs, as their light source.
U.S. Patent Application #20060158893, published Jul. 20, 2006 by Wilkerson, describes a telescoping automobile wheel illuminating device having one end for attachment within a wheel well and an opposite end having a light source, wherein the device can be activated to extend the light source out of the wheel well to illuminate a tire rim and retract the light source back into the wheel well when not in use.
U.S. Patent Application #20050242969, published Nov. 3, 2005 by Deutsch, discloses a decorative light system for the undercarriage of motor vehicles; the system includes a hand-held remote control unit is capable of generating a wireless or infrared signal containing one or more commands. A sensor is capable of recognizing the signal from the remote control and generates a sensor signal responsive thereto. A CPU is operable on direct current and contains a microcontroller and connected to said sensor to thereby generate a control signal responsive to said sensor signal. The CPU also has an input for receiving a signal containing sound information and is capable of coordinating the control signal with the sound information. A light unit has a substantially weather resistant housing made at least partially of light penetrable material and contains therein a plurality of LEDs operatively connected to said CPU, said plurality of LEDs being capable of generating light containing one or more wavelengths responsive to the control signal from the CPU.
U.S. Patent Application #20050063194, published Mar. 24, 2005 by Lys, indicates vehicle lighting methods and an apparatus, in which an LED-based light source is configured to generate at least visible radiation associated with a vehicle. The light source is controlled such that the generated visible radiation has a variable color over a range of colors including at least three different perceivable colors. Examples of vehicles in which such methods and apparatus may be used include, but are not limited to, an automobile, airplane, boat, non-motorized vehicle, etc. The LED-based light source may be disposed inside the vehicle (e.g., dashboard, instrument panel) or outside the vehicle (e.g., brake lights, undercarriage lighting), and may be controlled to generate white light as one of the perceivable colors. A user interface may be employed to facilitate an adjustment of the variable color of the generated visible radiation. Additionally, information relating to at least one condition associated with the vehicle may be employed to control the LED-based light source such that the variable color of the generated visible radiation is based at least in part on the condition associated with the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. D497,442, issued Oct. 19, 2004 to Patel, is for the ornamental design for a flat undercar light bar.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,426, issued Sep. 24, 1996 to Cabanatan, provides a set of automotive wheel lights for illuminating the wheels of an automobile in operation at night which comprises a plurality of lights, one for each wheel, each mounted on the frame of the automobile near a respective wheel. Each light includes a light bulb in a socket, held fixed at its lighting position at the lighting end of a rigid arm bent towards the wheel of the automobile and mounted onto and extending from the automobile; the light bulb is encased in a protective light bulb cover and lens in one which directs illumination onto the entire outside surface of the wheel. The light bulb in the socket is electrically connected to the power source of the automobile sharing a single switching control with the parking lights and headlights of the automobile.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,591, issued Feb. 14, 2006 to Krumholz, shows a synchronized flashing lighting device, most specifically designed for mounting inside and outside an automobile, which is comprised of a housing and, within in, a circuit for storing at least one flashing sequence signal. At least one first array of light-emitting elements is close to this housing and generates a flashing pattern responsive to the flashing sequence signal, and at least one second array of light-emitting elements are arranged more remotely from the housing than the at least one first array and is also responsive to said flashing signal. In this way the circuit actuates said the two arrays or series of arrays in a way substantially contemporaneous with the same flashing pattern so that observation of any one array conveys information regarding the flashing pattern displayed in the other array.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,392,559, issued May 21, 2002 to Sharpe, Jr., claims an underbody lighting system for illuminating the exterior of an automotive vehicle having a remotely controlled lamp or set of lamps mounted to the underside of the vehicle for providing illumination both below the vehicle and under the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary the lamps illuminate upon receipt of a predetermined signal from a transmitter. The lamps may also illuminate upon opening a vehicle door to illuminate the path of an exiting passenger.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,305, issued Jun. 7, 2005 to Wainwright, describes a method of locating the position of a vehicle for the driver thereof, characterized in that use is made of the surface area around the vehicle by projecting a light beam from the vehicle or vehicle part to be located substantially downwards on to the surface, such that at uninhibited projection thereof, a lighted spot is created on the surface, at least substantially outside the circumference of the relevant vehicle part as seen in plan view. The invention specifically supports safe overtaking maneuvers of large vehicles like trucks. The invention further includes a device, a vehicle and an adapted road for performing the method, and based thereupon.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,917, issued Apr. 8, 2003 to Berlinghof, discloses a position indicating device that can be mounted to a truck, which comprises an electric lamp and an adjustable mounting arrangement for mounting the lamp to a rear end of the truck. The lamp is connectable to the truck's battery and has a convergent lens for emitting a focused beam of light when the lamp is illuminated. A position indicating device is mounted to the rear end of the truck near opposite corners of the truck defined between the rear end and sides thereof. The position of each lamp is adjusted so as to produce a beam of light that is directed downwardly onto a ground surface thereby to form a spot of light on the ground. The spots of light, being spaced from the truck, can be observed by the driver of the truck via the truck's rear view mirrors, thereby enabling the driver to judge the proximity of the spots of light and hence the truck, to the boundary of a confined area in which the truck is to be maneuvered.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,559, issued May 11, 1993 to Ruppel, indicates a vehicle lighting system for use with trucks or trailers which assists a driver in observing conditions at the rear of the vehicle at night when backing, turning corners and the like by illuminating the rear wheels and areas adjacent the rear wheels of the vehicle. The lighting system includes a light unit mounted under a vehicle body above but forwardly and/or rearwardly of the rear wheels with the light unit being constructed in such a manner to direct a light beam downwardly and outwardly in relation to the vehicle body and wheels to illuminate ground surface areas and obstacles that may exist up to a certain height to enable a driver to more safely operate a vehicle at night and avoid the possibility of the light shining into the eyes of other vehicle operators.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,138, issued Oct. 28, 1997 to Powell, puts forth an illumination system for a semi-trailer or the like for illuminating the rear wheel assembly of a wheeled vehicle for a predetermined period of time in response to actuation of a turn signal. An auxiliary light and corresponding circuit are provided on the underside of a semi-trailer or other wheeled vehicle, the light being turned on in response to actuation of the turn signal on the same side of the vehicle so as to illuminate the rear wheel assembly. The light remains on for a predetermined period of time after the turn signal is turned off or de-actuated, due to the dissipation of charge in a storage capacitor provided in the circuit. The circuit operatively associated with the auxiliary light is provided with a switching transistor as well as the storage capacitor, the transistor functioning to cause the auxiliary light to be illuminated when both (i) the vehicle's lights are on; and (ii) the turn signal on the appropriate side of the vehicle is actuated.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,728, issued Jul. 23, 2002 to Riggin, concerns a safety light for a vehicle. The safety light includes a housing defining a retaining space. The housing is mountable to the vehicle proximate the rear end thereof. The safety light further includes a light source supported within the retaining space of the housing such that the light source projects a visual line of reference from the housing and onto a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling substantially coextensive to the rear end of the vehicle and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle so that the driver of the vehicle is able to determine the position of an adjacent obstacle relative to the rear end of the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,625, issued Jul. 4, 1995 to Abarr, illustrates an illumination system for a semi-tractor and trailer includes a pair of illumination housings, one attached to either side of the trailer just above the rear wheels. A reflector within each housing reflects light from a light source downward and outward through a clear lens to encompass an arc extending from the vertical to a predetermined angle, e.g. approximately 45 degrees from vertical. Light is thus directed onto the pavement and any objects immediately adjacent the trailer rear wheels to aid the driver in close quarter maneuvering, turns, and when changing highway lanes. A control circuit is connected to each light source and to the turn signal lead on the respective trailer side to provide steady power to the light source only when the turn signal and/or emergency flasher circuit is enabled.
Two U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,646 issued Dec. 30, 2003 and No. 6,804,626 issued Oct. 12, 2004 to Manegold, are for a system and process to ensure performance of mandated safety and maintenance inspections comprising a handheld, portable device which is used to store data that indicates an operator was sufficiently close to each of a plurality of components during a safety inspection to actually inspect the components. The portable device includes a sensor that detects tokens, such as radio frequency identification tags, which are affixed adjacent to the components. Messages appearing on a display of the portable device prompt the operator to proceed to each checkpoint, determine a state of the component disposed there, and if the component is not operating properly, indicate a plurality of predefined conditions from which the operator can choose to identify the observed condition of the component. The state and condition of each component entered during the safety inspection are stored as data that are subsequently transferred to a remote data storage site over a wire or wireless link.
What is needed is a preventative maintenance undercarriage lighting system for a "tractor-trailer" or other type truck which is used to increase visibility in poor lighting conditions for visually performing safety inspections under a truck, the undercarriage lighting system comprising a plurality of retractable lights mounted to the front and rear of the undercarriage of the truck which may be retracted when not in use to protect the bulbs from road debris, an automatic timing control module, a manual trigger device and an inspection reminder system.

Preventive maintenance undercarriage lights


An improvement in a PVT apparatus, which improvement includes a fluid path model having a fluid path and a sampling section, wherein the depth of the fluid path within the sampling section is substantially uniform and is less than about 100 μm. The apparatus may be configured to provide a micron-scale slim tube which may be used in a manner similar to a conventional slim tube apparatus. A method for characterizing an interfacial property of a dispersion such as, for example, miscibility of a first fluid and a second fluid as a function of pressure. The method includes collecting sets of transmittance images representing transmittance of electromagnetic radiation through the dispersion, generating values of a general interfacial property factor from the transmittance images, and characterizing the interfacial property using the values of the general interfacial property factor.

A dispersion is a system in which one or more dispersed phases are distributed throughout a dispersion medium. The dispersed phase and the dispersion medium may both be comprised of one or more solids, liquids, gases or supercritical fluids.
The study of dispersions is relevant to many fields and industries. Generally speaking, such study is often performed in order to obtain information relating to the character or nature of a particular dispersion system under selected or defined conditions.
The information obtained from such study may be used for many purposes, including for the optimization or enhancement of the composition of a particular dispersion for use under defined conditions or for the optimization or enhancement of the conditions to which a particular dispersion may be exposed in order to achieve a desired result or effect. In other words, the information may be used to tailor either or both of the composition of the dispersion or the conditions to which the dispersion may be exposed in order to achieve the desired result or effect.
The study of a dispersion often involves analysis or characterization relating to the interaction amongst the constituents of the dispersion. This interaction is influenced by the behaviour of the interfaces between the constituents, which behaviour is defined by the interfacial properties of the dispersion. The interfacial properties of a dispersion may be dependent upon time, upon the composition of the dispersion, and upon the conditions, such as pressure and temperature, to which the dispersion is subjected.
Interfacial properties may affect the stability of a dispersion as well as the relative solubility and/or miscibility of the constituents of the dispersion.
As one example, the stability of a foam or an emulsion may be governed by the interfacial properties of the constituents of the foam or emulsion. As a second example, the tendency of solid particles in a dispersion to undergo precipitation, flocculation, agglomeration or deposition may be governed by the behaviour of the solid particles relative to the dispersion medium. As a third example, the ability of a first fluid in a dispersion to mix with a second fluid in the dispersion may be governed by the interfacial properties of the first fluid and the second fluid.
Interfacial properties are important in enhanced oil recovery processes which involve fluid/gas flooding of oil reservoirs. In such processes, the goal is often to achieve miscibility between the flooding fluid (sometimes referred to as a solvent) and the hydrocarbon liquid contained in the reservoir. Miscibility is a state in which the interfaces between constituents of a dispersion essentially disappear as the interfacial tension between the constituents approaches zero.
When miscibility is achieved, the flooding fluid or solvent and the hydrocarbon liquid essentially move as a single phase so that the hydrocarbon liquid may be effectively flushed from the reservoir by the flooding fluid.
It is therefore desirable to know in advance the conditions, such as temperature and pressure, under which a dispersion comprising hydrocarbon liquid and a flooding fluid will become miscible. Of particular interest is the "minimum miscibility pressure" of the dispersion, which is the minimum pressure at which the hydrocarbon liquid and the flooding fluid will become miscible at a given temperature.
Several methods exist in the prior art for determining the minimum miscibility pressure of a dispersion in the context of enhanced oil recovery processes.
One prior art method for determining minimum miscibility pressure is the conventional Slim Tube Test. In the Slim Tube Test, a coiled slim tube apparatus about 4 millimeters to about 19 millimeters in diameter and about 15 to 20 meters long is packed with sand and then filled with a hydrocarbon liquid of interest. A volume of a flooding fluid or solvent equal to 1.2 times the pore volume of the slim tube apparatus is then injected at a constant pressure into one end of the slim tube apparatus and the volume of hydrocarbon liquid produced at the other end of the slim tube apparatus is measured. The test is repeated at different constant pressures in order to obtain at least four data points representing the produced volume of hydrocarbon liquid as a function of pressure. The minimum miscibility pressure of the hydrocarbon liquid and the flooding fluid or solvent is then determined from the data points.
Although the conventional Slim Tube Test can provide useful results, the method does have limitations. For example, the Slim Tube Test requires relatively large sample volumes, typically requires several days in order to complete each test, and has a maximum operating pressure of only about 70 MPa.
A second prior art method is the Rising Bubble Test. In the Rising Bubble Test, a discrete bubble of a flooding fluid or solvent is injected into the lower end of a windowed pressure vessel which is maintained at a constant pressure and temperature. The rising of the bubble in the vessel is observed to determine whether the bubble dissolves or dissipates before it reaches the top of the vessel. If the bubble totally dissolves, the hydrocarbon liquid/flooding fluid dispersion is considered to be miscible at the particular temperature and pressure. If the bubble does not totally dissolve, the pressure is incrementally increased and the test is repeated until the minimum miscibility pressure at the particular temperature is determined.
The Rising Bubble Test is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,273 (Christiansen et al). Variations of the Rising Bubble Test are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,160 (Christiansen), U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,522 (Christiansen et al), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,074 (Mihcakan et al).
The Rising Bubble Test requires relatively smaller sample volumes than does the Slim Tube Test and requires significantly less time than the Slim Tube Test to perform (up to ten or fifteen tests per day may be performed using a single Rising Bubble Test apparatus). However, the Rising Bubble Test has a maximum operating pressure of only about 35 MPa. In addition, since the solvent bubble must be observed "rising" in the pressure vessel, there are limitations in the types of hydrocarbon liquids which may be evaluated using the Rising Bubble Test. For example, the hydrocarbon liquid must be relatively transparent or translucent in order to permit observation of the rising bubbles and the hydrocarbon liquid must have a relatively moderate viscosity in order to facilitate rising of the bubbles therein.
Other prior art methods and approaches for determining minimum miscibility pressure in enhanced oil recovery applications are discussed in: (1) Kechut, Nor Idah; Zain, Zahidah Md.; Ahmad, Noraini; and Ibrahim, Anwar Raja, "New Experimental Approaches in Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP) Determination", SPE 40286, 1999; (2) Zain, Zahidah Md.; Kechut, Nor Idah; Nadeson, Ganesan; Ahmad, Noraini; Raja, Dr. D. M. Anwar, "Evaluation of CO2 Gas Injection for Major Oil Production Fields in Malaysia-Experimental Approach Case Study: Dulang Field", SPE 72106, 2001; (3) U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,860 (Cullick et al); and (4) U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,558 (Luks et al).
There remains a need for an apparatus and a method for characterizing an interfacial property of a dispersion, such as minimum miscibility pressure, which addresses some or all of the limitations of the prior art apparatus and methods. There is a particular need for a method for characterizing an interfacial property of a dispersion which utilizes images and image processing techniques and for an apparatus which can be used for collecting images for processing in the method and which may also facilitate other aspects of the performance of the method.

Apparatus and method for characterizing an interfacial property of a dispersion


A carrier or cart for holding and transporting two or more containers, in particular, garbage/trash cans or bins. The cart is designed for easy maneuverability to facilitate storage and simultaneous transport of multiple containers.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a carrier or cart for holding and transporting containers, in particular, garbage cans or bins. The cart is designed for easy maneuverability to facilitate storage and transport of multiple containers.
2. Description of Related Art
The conventional trash or garbage container is normally placed in the garage of one's home or near the back door of residences, apartments, restaurants, stores and manufacturing facilities. With the exception of commercial and industrial usage where trucks equipped with front end lifts upend large trash bins into the trucks, most trash containers have to be hand carried. In order to minimize the time and cost of refuse collection, and to reduce work related injuries, most urban areas require that trash be carried to the curb on garbage collection days rather than picked up at the back door/alley by sanitation workers. Thus, householders must carry their trash bags and barrels to the curbside outside their homes or the trash will not be collected. For many, curbside pickup is merely an inconvenience; for others, it is a difficult task.
Moving heavy and often unwieldy trash cans can be a strenuous activity, not only to those who are employed to do so, but also to homeowners. Carrying a heavy trash container to the alley or front curb for trash pickup is awkward for an adult and even more trying for a youngster. Moreover, moving heavily loaded garbage storage cans ordinarily requires great effort and can often injure the workman or person attempting to move the same. In addition, many individuals suffer from impairments of the back or spine and other physical problems which limits activity. For those with chronic back pain, as well as for elderly people, transporting trash cans to the curb on collection day is a physically difficult and demanding task.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,676 discloses a carrier for transporting trash burners. The carrier comprises an open framework adapted to receive a trash burner. The framework is mounted upon wheels to facilitate movement from place to place. U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,007 discloses a rolling garbage can comprising a container mounted upon wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 2,904,345 is directed to attachment means for lifting and moving a container, in particular a garbage can. U.S. Pat. No. 3,188,109 discloses a combined cart and stand for containers such as garbage cans. Each of these patents disclose wheelbarrow type devices for holding and transporting a container whereby the container can be tilted and wheeled from place to place. Such trash can holders require the user first to lift and then to push or pull the holder and contents thereof to its destination. Merely lifting a cart holding a heavily loaded container can tax the strength of the user. Moving and steering such carts is also difficult and awkward.
Americans produce 160 million tons of solid waste every year, more than three pounds per person each day--the highest per capita rate among industrialized nations. A family of four typically fills two, three or more garbage cans per week. Since most municipalities collect trash only once a week, multiple trips between the house and curbside on collection day is usually required. The need to make numerous trips further complicates this strenuous and unpleasant chore.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,085 is directed to a trash cart for hauling two trash containers. The cart is formed of two cart members each of which are movably supported by a single laterally extending axle means. The cart members are longitudinally connected as a single unit by pivot means extending longitudinally therebetween.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,612 discloses a convertible trash container carrier having four corner located retractable wheels. Retracting the wheel assemblage converts a wheeled carrier for transportation to a ground supported unit which is more or less a stationary holder of a trash container. Coupling means are described for attaching two trash container carriers together.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,147 is directed to a transporter for moving trash cans. A platform is provided having upwardly extending means which are radially adjustable for accommodating containers of different sizes. A plurality of wheels are provided underneath the platform, with at least one wheel being a swiveled forward wheel. Coupling holes are provided in the front and rear of the platform. A connector means can be hooked into the rear coupling hole of one platform and into the forward coupling hole of a trailing platform to form a train for moving several trash cans at once.
While many carriers, carts, dollies and other devices have been designed to simplify and reduce the difficulties of trash removal, a way to make trash removal faster, easier, safer and move convenient continues to exit in the art.

Carrier for holding and transporting containers


An example method includes partitioning a memory element of a router into a plurality of segments having one or more rows, where at least a portion of the one or more rows is encoded with a value mask (VM) list having a plurality of values and masks. The VM list is identified by a label, and the label is mapped to a base row number and a specific number of bits corresponding to the portion encoding the VM list. Another example method includes partitioning a prefix into a plurality of blocks, indexing to a hash table using a value of a specific block, where a bucket of the hash table corresponds to a segment of a ternary content addressable memory of a router, and storing the prefix in a row of the segment.

The communications industry is rapidly changing to accommodate emerging technologies and ever increasing customer demand. Customer demand for new applications and increased performance of existing applications are driving communications network and systems providers to use networks and systems having greater speed and capacity. In particular, routers and switches that typically forward data packets within and between networks, face increasingly high performance demands. Routers perform packet classification and IP lookups to forward data packets based on information categories, network configurations and other considerations. In addition, routers may perform admission control, firewall and intrusion detection, policy based routing, resource reservation, per-flow queuing, and various other functions. The various functionalities of the router, coupled with growing network demand, drive a need for faster throughput, higher efficiency, better performance router configurations.

System and method for packet classification and internet protocol lookup in a network environment


Limiting the number of concurrent requests in a database system. Arranging requests to be handled by the database system in at least one queue. Defining a maximum value (SS) of concurrent requests corresponding to the at least one queue. Monitoring at least one queue utilization parameter corresponding to the at least one queue and calculating a performance value based on the at least one queue utilization parameter. Adapting the maximum value (SS) of concurrent requests of the at least one queue dynamically based on the performance value (PF) in order to improve system performance. Limiting the number of concurrent requests of the at least one queue dynamically based on the dynamically adapted maximum value (SS).

The present invention relates generally to the field of database systems, especially database systems with a server to access the database. More specifically, the present invention is related to a method and a system for limiting the number of concurrent requests in a database system and therefore reducing lock occurrences in server/database systems.
In conventional client-server architectures, one or more nodes are connected to one or more servers via a network that allows for bi-directional communication between a client and a server. Typically, a server receives requests from multiple sources and handles them according to a defined processing scheme. Most commonly, a first-in first-out (FIFO) approach is used allowing for the first received request to be handled first by the server, the second request to be handled second, and so forth. In database systems incoming requests of the clients are handled using queues to organize the sequential arrangement of the requests.
The quality of service in a given client-server architecture is established based on the latency between a request being sent to a server and the time the requesting client receives a response from the server. The higher the load on a server, the more likely it is that the latency for receiving a response is increased. In many cases, the clients have built-in mechanisms that use "timeout" facilities to avoid waiting long periods of time for a request to be answered. In such cases, the request is aborted, and even if results are directed to the requesting client from the server, the requesting client ignores the results, or is unable to receive them as the connection has been terminated already by a client. In some applications, the client generates another request with the expectation that this request will be answered within the allotted time frame. This scheme may result in additional loading of the server's queue, thereby causing additional delays in the server's response time.
In large database environment with many clients connecting to the server to send requests to be processed and pushed to the database, database operations can become bottleneck and affect overall system performance. When the system performance is decreased, clients cannot connect to the server. Typically they are trying to get a connection later on, i.e. the number of server connections is increasing. It results in a downward spiral because the server has so many incoming connections that the database performance is decreased by resource-consuming lock handling. The poor database performance results in delays in request-processing which in turn increases the number of concurrent requests to be processed.
In addition, a request that waits to long on a server may be considered as failure, even though it was eventually processed by the server, because a time-out was triggered.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a mechanism for handling overload situations in a client-server environment. More specifically, it would be advantageous to have a mechanism that actively avoids time-out situations and allows the system to achieve maximum throughput.

Reducing lock occurrences in server/database systems

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods of forming NERS-active structures are disclosed that include ordered arrays of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles covered with an outer shell may be arranged in an ordered array on a substrate using Langmuir-Blodgett techniques. A portion of the outer shell may be removed, and the exposed nanoparticles may be used in a system to perform nanoenhanced Raman spectroscopy. An ordered array of nanoparticles may be used as a mask for forming islands of NERS-active material on a substrate. NERS-active structures and an NERS system that includes an NERS-active structure are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for performing NERS with NERS-active structures.

Raman spectroscopy is a well-known technique for performing chemical analysis. In conventional Raman spectroscopy, high intensity monochromatic light provided by a light source, such as a laser, is directed onto an analyte (or sample) that is to be chemically analyzed. A majority of the incident photons are elastically scattered by the analyte molecule. In other words, the scattered photons have the same energy, and thus the same frequency, as the photons that were incident on the analyte. However, a small fraction of the photons (i.e., about 1 in 107 photons) are inelastically scattered by the analyte molecules. These inelastically scattered photons have a different frequency than the incident photons. This inelastic scattering of photons is termed the "Raman effect." The inelastically scattered photons may have frequencies greater than or, more typically, less than the frequency of the incident photons.
When an incident photon collides with a molecule, energy may be transferred from the photon to the molecule or from the molecule to the photon. When energy is transferred from the photon to the molecule, the scattered photon will emerge from the sample having a lower energy and a corresponding lower frequency. These lower-energy Raman scattered photons are commonly referred to in Raman spectroscopy as the "Stokes radiation." A small fraction of the analyte molecules are already in an energetically excited state. When an incident photon collides with an excited molecule, energy may be transferred from the molecule to the photon, which will emerge from the sample having a higher energy and a corresponding higher frequency. These higher-energy Raman scattered photons are commonly referred to in Raman spectroscopy as the "anti-Stokes radiation."
The Stokes and the anti-Stokes radiation is detected by a detector, such as a photomultiplier or a wavelength-dispersive spectrometer, which coverts the energy of the impinging photons into an electrical signal. The characteristics of the electrical signal are at least partially a function of the energy (or wavelength, frequency, wave number, etc.) of the impinging photons and the number of the impinging photons (intensity). The electrical signal generated by the detector can be used to produce a spectral graph of intensity as a function of frequency for the detected Raman signal (i.e., the Stokes and anti-Stokes radiation). A unique Raman spectrum corresponding to the particular analyte may be obtained by plotting the intensity of the inelastically scattered Raman photons against the frequency thereof. This unique Raman spectrum may be used for many purposes such as identifying an analyte, identifying chemical states or bonding of atoms and molecules in the analyte, and determining physical and chemical properties of the analyte. Raman spectroscopy may be used to analyze a single molecular species or mixtures of different molecular species. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy may be performed on a number of different types of molecular configurations, such as organic and inorganic molecules in either crystalline or amorphous states.
Molecular Raman scattering of photons is a weak process. As a result, powerful, costly laser sources typically are used to generate high intensity excitation radiation to increase the otherwise weak Raman signal for detection. Nanoenhanced Raman scattering (NERS) is a technique that allows for generation of a stronger Raman signal from an analyte relative to conventional Raman spectroscopy. In NERS, the analyte molecules are adsorbed onto, or placed adjacent to, an active metal surface or structure (an "NERS-active structure"). The interactions between the molecules and the active structure cause an increase in the strength of the Raman signal. The mechanism of Raman signal enhancement exhibited in NERS is not completely understood. Two main theories of enhancement mechanisms have been presented in the literature: electromagnetic enhancement and chemical (or "first layer") enhancement. (For further discussion of these surface enhancement mechanism theories, see A. M. Michaels, M. Nirmal, & L. E. Brus, "Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Individual Rhodamine 6G Molecules on Large Ag Nanocrystals," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 121, 9932-39 (1999)).
Several NERS-active structures have been employed in NERS techniques, including activated electrodes in electrolytic cells, activated metal colloid solutions, and activated metal substrates such as a roughened metal surface or metal "islands" formed on a substrate. For example, it has been shown that adsorbing analyte molecules onto or near a specially roughened metal surface made from gold or silver may enhance the effective Raman scattering intensity by factors of between 103 and 106 when averaged over the illuminated area of the sample.
Recently, NERS has been performed employing randomly oriented nanostructures, such as nanometer scale needles, particles, and wires, as opposed to a simple roughened metallic surface. The intensity of the Raman scattered photons from a molecule adsorbed on such a nanostructure may be increased by factors as high as 1014. Thus, the intensity of Raman scattered photons could be increased over what is obtained presently if there was a method for forming NERS-active structures that included nanoscale features having well controlled size, shape, location, and orientation. Also, the inability to produce such NERS-active structures is impeding research directed to completely understanding the enhancement mechanisms and, therefore, the ability to optimize the enhancement effect. In addition, NERS-active structures require significant time and money to fabricate. If these problems can be overcome, the performance of nanoscale electronics, optoelectronics, and molecular sensors may be significantly improved.
Accordingly, there is a need for NERS-active structures that include nanoscale features having well controlled size, shape, location, and orientation, and methods for their manufacture. In addition, there is a need for methods for producing high quantities of such NERS-active structures at relatively low cost.

Ordered array of nanoparticles for efficient nanoenhanced Raman scattering detection and methods of forming the same

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Method and apparatus for locally enhancing image data represented as pixels having CT numbers is provided. The image data includes bony structures, and the method comprises segmenting pixels within the image data into areas based on the pixel's CT number. A first area represents a combination of soft tissue and lower density bones and a second area represents higher density bones. A subset of pixels is identified within the first area representative of the lower density bones. An enhancement is applied to the subset of pixels within the first area and to the second area to create an enhanced dataset, and a locally enhanced image is generated based on the image data and the enhanced dataset.

This invention relates generally to computed tomography (CT) image processing, and more particularly, to improving the quality of an image by improving the visualization of both higher and lower density bones.
Efforts have been undertaken to enhance the quality of inner auditory canal (IAC) structure images. Image quality issues with IAC structures include a lack of "sharpness" in the IAC structure and excessive aliasing artifacts that obstruct human anatomy. Undershooting between bones and soft tissues is also a problem related to the deconvolution process.
CT IAC imaging requires good spatial resolution for visualization of both higher density and lower density bones. A higher spatial resolution could be achieved by using higher data sampling for the region and high-pass filtering. Unfortunately, these possible solutions often require additional hardware investment and a higher dose of radiation to the patient in order to maintain the same level of image noise. The extra cost of equipment and increased radiation exposure are both undesirable.
Therefore, a need exists for CT image processing systems and methods which improve the visualization of bone having varying densities within an image without increasing the image noise, and also without requiring purchase of additional equipment or increasing a patient's exposure to radiation. Certain embodiments of the present invention are intended to meet these needs and other objectives that will become apparent from the description and drawings set forth below.

Method and apparatus for improving inner auditory canal images


According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus has an image forming unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, a first conveying path, a second conveying path, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms a toner image. The control unit controls execution of a print-less sheet passing processing in which, in a state where a toner image forming operation of the image forming unit is stopped, the first conveying path and the second conveying path convey a sheet to the transfer unit again through the transfer unit and the fixing unit. The control unit controls the execution of the toner image forming operation to the sheet subjected to the print-less sheet passing processing.

Conventionally, image forming apparatuses adopting an electrophotographic system and so on have been put into practical use. It is known that when performing printing in a state where the humidity inside the apparatus is high, the image forming apparatus might cause a failure of print image quality.
Specifically, the image forming apparatus adopting an electrophotographic system, and so on may sometimes perform printing in a state where a ratio (hereinafter, called a moisture absorption ratio) in which a printing sheet (hereinafter, simply called a sheet), that is an image recording medium, absorbs moisture is high. When performing printing in the state where the moisture absorption ratio is high, the image forming apparatus, at the time of transferring a toner image carried on an image carrier of the image forming apparatus to a sheet, generates a transfer failure and so on of the toner image to the sheet, and thereby might cause a failure of print image quality.
In contrast, the conventional image forming apparatus has a heater (a damp heater) for preventing dew condensation, so that receiving the influence of the air temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus, a sheet does not generate dew condensation or absorb moisture. The damp heater is a heater of about 5-10 W which is arranged for each sheet feeding cassette for housing a sheet, for example. Even when the main power source is in an OFF state, the image forming apparatus energizes the damp heater at any time.
However, in order to perform the above-described moisture absorption measure to a sheet, the image forming apparatus continues to consume electric power for the damp heater, even when the main power source is OFF.


Optical waveguides and optical transmission/reception units are placed on one principal plane of a semiconductor substrate. A light source is placed on one end surface of the semiconductor substrate and guides generated light to the optical waveguides. In the optical transmission/reception units, each of optical resonant members optically resonates with partial light of one of light beams propagating in the optical waveguides and emits the partial light into an optical transmission member if voltage is applied thereto. In the optical transmission/reception units, each of another optical resonant members optically resonates with light propagating in the optical transmission member and emits the resonated light into a photodetector unit if voltage is applied thereto.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to an optical integrated circuit apparatus, and, more specifically, it relates to an optical integrated circuit apparatus that allows direct optical communication among arbitrary multiple optical transmission/reception units or an optical integrated circuit apparatus that allows arbitrary optical communication among multiple optical transmission/reception units at a same time.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, an opto-electronic integrated circuit apparatus has been known (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-67770). The opto-electronic integrated circuit apparatus includes an optical wiring substrate, multiple opto-electronic integrated circuit (IC) chips, and multiple optical waveguides.
The multiple opto-electronic IC chips are discretely placed on the optical wiring substrate. Then, each of the multiple optical waveguides is placed between adjacent two opto-electronic IC chips.
Then, the adjacent two opto-electronic IC chips transmit and receive optical signals through the optical waveguide placed there between.


The invention relates to a power-supply connector for shelves, comprising a bottom cover, a top cover disposed on the bottom cover, positive and negative power-supply contacts clamped between the bottom cover and the top cover, and a cable with one end extending into a holding cavity formed by the bottom cover and the top cover, wherein the cable is electrically connected with the positive and negative power-supply contacts. According to the invention the positive and negative power-supply contacts are respectively rotatably supported about a pivot center, so that when one of the two free ends of a respective power-supply contact moves in a direction away from the top cover in the corresponding through-hole the other of the two free ends of the respective power-supply contact moves in a direction closer to the top cover.

Shelves are widely used in supermarkets, shopping malls and other places. In order to facilitate the display of goods, it is necessary to provide a lighting on the shelves. In the past, the power-supply of shelves was set on the backlight of shelves. Therefore, LED lamps on the illuminated surface of shelves were connected with the power-supply by threading cables or winding cables from the illuminated surface of the shelves to the backside of the shelves.
This method is prone to result in many problems, such as too many lead cables, disorderly wiring, not conducive to maintenance and aesthetics. Chinese utility model CN 206958710 U, with the title 'A kind of shelf power take-off head and its shelf power take-off system' takes a different approach. The power-supply system for shelves disclosed in this document includes a column, a power-supply strip support frame fixed in the column, two power-supply strips disposed on the power-supply strip support frame, a support arm arranged on the column and a connecting head for electric power-supply of an associated shelf arranged on the support arm. The column comprises a plurality of through-holes. When the free ends of the positive and negative electrical contacts are both inserted into the through-hole, the positive and negative electrical contacts of a connecting head are respectively pushed against two power-supply strips on the power-supply strip support frame to thereby establish an electrical connection between the two power-supply strips and the associated shelf, so as to overcome the above problems.
However, the design accuracy of the connector for power-supply of shelves disclosed in this document needs to be high. Because the connector for power-supply of shelves does not have a device to fix the connector, the connector is likely to be separated from the original conductive position after being inserted and extracted multiple times, so that it cannot reliably conduct electricity for power-supply. In other words, the design of the connector is subject to a limit as regards the number of operations of being inserted and extracted.

Power-supply connector for shelves and power-supply system with tracks for use thereof


A holder for a rolled medium is provided. The holder has a mandrel having a drive surface adapted to receive the rolled medium and is adapted to be rotated so that an amount of rolled medium on the drive surface can be unrolled therefrom. A stop is located on a stop end of the drive surface. A retaining surface is located on a load end of the drive surface and is separated from the stop so that a rolled medium can be disposed therebetween with the retaining surface being movable between a first position where the retaining surface projects above the drive surface and a second position where the retaining surface does not project above the drive surface. A resilient biasing structure is joined to the retaining surface to drive the retaining surface toward the first position and the drive surface drives the rolled media toward the stop.

Thermal printers are becoming an increasingly popular form of commercial and home printing. Such printers require precise alignment of media relative to a printing head throughout a printing operation. However, as media is driven through a thermal printing operation, a possibility arises that the lateral location of the medium on the holder will be adjusted and that registration problems can arise. Even minor registration problems can create unacceptable image artifacts in an image formed by a thermal printer. Accordingly, what is needed is a low cost mechanism to ensure that rolled mediums such as thermal donor or receiver mediums maintain a constant position on during printing operations. Similar considerations arise in other forms of rolled medium printing.
One approach to solve this problem is found in the Shinko Electric Company's model CHC-S7045 printer. In this printer, a holder assembly has a first flange that is retained to a spring-loaded steel shaft and a second removable flange that is located at a fixed position on a threaded end of the steel shaft using a wing nut, which is also threaded onto the shaft. Once the wing nut is unthreaded, the removable flange can be slid off of the steel shaft allowing rolled media to be placed over the steel shaft and interface with the spring-loaded flange remaining on the shaft. The removable flange is re-installed over the steel shaft and the wing nut is threaded onto the steel shaft. The wing nut to removable flange is then tightened to a prefixed location with regard to the edge of the steel shaft creating a fixed dimension from the end of the shaft to the inside flange of the removable flange to thereby constrain the rolled medium.
It will be appreciated, however, and that such approach requires manual threading and provides a fixed structure that is expensive and time consuming to load.
Thus, what is needed is a low cost system for retaining rolled medium on a mandrel that allows quick replacement of the rolled medium and that provides dynamic constraints to the control the positioning of the rolled medium. What is also needed is an effective and inexpensive system for warning a user when a medium is not located properly thereon.


A method and apparatus for electronic commerce using a digital ticket are provided. The method for electronic commerce using a digital ticket includes hiding a message comprising a random number and transmitting the hidden message to a ticket issuer, receiving the hidden message signed with a digital signature by the ticket issuer, verifying the digital signature on the message, and transmitting the message with the verified digital signature to the ticket issuer to consume a digital ticket.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for electronic commerce using a digital ticket, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for electronic commerce using a digital ticket, by which anonymity is guaranteed so that information exposure of a digital ticket user is minimized and the use of a service is facilitated.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Internet enables efficient collection and processing of useful information, and acquisition of diverse goods and services online (i.e., without physical contact). Thus, various electronic payment schemes such as an encrypted credit card, electronic cash, and a micropayment system have been designed and implemented for electronic commerce. For example, a service provider on a network usually issues a certificate to ensure a user's special right to use a service. This certificate is referred to as a digital ticket. The concept of electronic commerce using the digital ticket has been disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,236,971 discloses a related art system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets.
However, the related art digital ticket allows ticket issuers or service providers to easily monitor and record a user's behavior during the issuing and consuming (e.g., redemption or usage) of the ticket, which may cause a problem in that the sensitive information of the user is revealed.

Method and apparatus for electronic commerce using digital ticket to provide anonymity


The invention relates to cathodically depositable, aqueous electrodeposition coating materials which are characterized in that they contain particles of wax having a diameter of from 1 to 20 .mu.m.

The invention relates to cathodically depositable aqueous electrodeposition coating materials and to a process for coating electrically conductive substrates, in which
(1) the substrate is immersed in a cathodically depositable aqueous electrodeposition coating material, PA0 (2) the substrate is connected as cathode, PA0 (3) using direct current, a film is deposited on the substrate, PA0 (4) the coated substrate is removed from the electrodeposition coating material, and PA0 (5) the deposited coating film is baked.
Cathodically depositable, aqueous electrodeposition coating materials and the above-described process for coating electrically conductive substrates are known (cf. e.g. EP-B-301 293, DE-A-35 18 732, DE-A-35 18 770, EP-A-4090, EP-A-12 463, EP-A-262 069, U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,854, U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,050, U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,703, U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,711, DE-A-31 08 073, DE-A-27 01 002, EP-A-59 895, DE-A-31 03 642 and DE-A-32 15 891). Cathodic electrodeposition coating using cathodically depositable, aqueous electrodeposition coating materials has become established as a process for the automatic coating of bulky products, in particular vehicle bodies. Advantages of electrodeposition coating using cathodically depositable, aqueous electrodeposition coating materials are, for example, its environmental friendliness (water as solvent), very good material yield and high reliability with extensive automation of plants.
The present invention is based on the object of providing new cathodically depositable, aqueous electrodeposition coating materials which give coats having improved properties, in particular with regard to the formation of runs (runouts, boilouts), sensitivity to drops of water, and bridging.
Interfering runs can be formed if, during the baking process, electrodeposition coating material emerges from, for example, seams and runs down the coated surface. When the substrates present are of complex shape (e.g. V-shaped metal sheets) the emerging electrodeposition coating material may solidify in the form of bridges. In this case, bridging defects are the result. If--prior to the baking process--water or diluted electrodeposition coating material drips onto the electrodeposition coating film which, although not yet baked, has dried superficially, then, in the case of electrodeposition coating films with a high sensitivity to water drops, water-spotting defects can be seen after baking.
It is often attempted to eliminate the defects described above by adding surfactants. However, in many cases the addition of surfactants results in new interfering side-effects, for example the formation of foam and/or delamination of coatungs applied subsequently.
The present invention is based in particular on the object of eliminating as far as possible the defects described above without producing new interfering side-effects, for example the formation of foam and/or delamination of coatings applied subsequently.
This object is surprisingly achieved by adding, to cathodically depositable, aqueous electrodeposition coating materials known per se, particles of wax having a diameter of from 1 to 20 .mu.m. When incorporating the particles of wax into the electrodeposition coating material, those skilled in the art can employ all methods known to them for incorporating particulate additives into electrodeposition coating materials. It is preferred to incorporate the particles of wax in powder form or in the form of a dispersion in water, in a water-miscible organic solvent or in a mixture of water-miscible organic solvents into the pigment paste.

Electrodeposition coating materials and a process for coating electronically conductive substrates