In a multi-unit combinatorial auction, reverse auction, or exchange, a number of bids can be received, with each bid including one or more items and for each item a desired quantity thereof. Each bid also includes a price. A number of unique combinations of bids can be formed from the received bids, and the one combination of bids which represents the best value in terms of an auction setting, a reverse auction setting and/or an exchange setting can be determined. Thereafter, the bids forming this combination can be declared the winning bids of the auction, reverse auction or exchange.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates combinatorial auctions, reverse auctions and exchanges, and, more particularly, to determining which combination of bids in a combinatorial auction, reverse auction, or exchange has the most favorable exchange of value.
2. Background Art
In sequential auctions, items are auctioned one at a time. If an agent has preferences over bundles (combinations of items), then bidding in such auctions is difficult. To determine one's valuation for an item, one needs to guess what items one will receive in later auctions. This requires speculation of what the others will bid in the future. This introduces uncertainty and computational cost, both of which reduce the efficiency. Furthermore, in auctions with a reasonable number of items, the lookahead becomes intractable, and there is no easy way to bid rationally. Therefore, the future uncertainties of sequential auctions result in inefficiencies making it difficult for rational agents to bid.
An alternative to sequential auctioning of the interdependent items would be to open them all for auction in parallel. However, some of the same problems prevail. For example, when bidding for an item, the bidder does not know its valuation because it depends on which other items the bidder wins, which in turn depends on how others will bid (in sealed-bid auctions this is not known to the bidder, and in open-cry auctions it may become known only later). In parallel auctions, an additional difficulty arises: each bidder would like to wait until the end to see what the going prices will be. If each bidder plans to wait until the end, bidding will not commence. Therefore, parallel auctions also have future uncertainties that result in inefficiencies.
One solution to this problem is to allow bidders to place bids for combinations of individual items instead of only one individual item.
There are, however, situations involving the exchange of items for value in which there may exist synergies in the preferences for, not only, combinations of the items, but also for the quantity of each of the items. For example, an auctioneer holding items wishes to maximize the value obtained through the auction of the items. Bidders may have a willingness to exchange more value for combinations of items and/or selective quantities thereof than they would for individual elements and/or preset quantities thereof of the combination, if considered alone and aggregated. For example, if Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 and Q5 are quantities of items A, B, C, D and E, respectively, and if a bidder wishes to acquire one-half of each of item A, item B, and item C, the bidder may have a greater willingness to acquire and pay for this combination then buying the whole of quantities Q1, Q2 and Q3 of items A, B and C. This may occur, for example, where the bidder has no use for the full quantity of a particular item, e.g., electricity markets, equities trading, FCC bandwidth auctions, transportation exchanges, pollution rights auctions, and auctions for airport landing slots. In addition, the bidder may have willingness to pay more than P1+P2+P3 for the full quantity Q1+Q2+Q3 of the three items A, B and C. This effect, which may be bidder-specific, may also be present in a reverse auction context where buyers are the auctioneers, for example, where portions of a construction contract are offered to be bid upon by construction contractors.
To the auctioneer, it is then desirable, to structure an auction to allow a bidder to bid for combinations of items and/or all or part of the quantities thereof, i.e., a multi-unit combinatorial auction, in order to gain the value of their synergies. Similarly, it is desirable for bidders to be able to bid on combinations of items and/or all or part of the quantities thereof. A bidder may be unwilling to bid more than the sum of his or her willingness to pay for all or part of the quantities available for each individual item and, thus, may have to forgo the opportunity to reap the synergistic gains. Alternatively, a bidder may be exposed to risk by overbidding in an eventually unsuccessful attempt to obtain a combination of items and/or all or part of the quantities available therefor.
Conventionally, practical implementations of the class of situations involving superadditive preferences, for example multi-unit combinatorial auctions, have proven difficult because of the complexity of considering numerous possible combinations of bids for items, especially where each bid includes one or more items and for each item a desired quantity thereof. Given the complexity of the calculations, a computer or equivalent device is a virtual necessity to perform the task. Conventionally, computer-implemented methods of selecting winning bids in a multi-unit combinatorial auction involve representing the items, the quantities of each item and the price of each of a plurality of bids in a computer or equivalent and performing particular operations on this data to determine winning bids. However, conventional methods are impractical for many applications.
Winner determination in multi-unit combinatorial auctions means choosing which bids to accept that produce the most favorable exchange of value under the constraint that all or part of the available quantity of each item can be given out. However presently, no effective method exists for testing all possible combination of bids received in a multi-unit combinatorial auction, reverse auction, or exchange, and for determining from each possible combination which combination of bids produces the most favorable exchange of value.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for determining one or more winning bids in a multi-unit combinatorial auction, a multi-unit combinatorial reverse auction, or a multi-unit combinatorial many-to-many auction (exchange). It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of bidding on bids and/or group of bids in a manner that expresses preferred bid combinations that achieve a desired bid outcome for the bidder. Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

Method for optimal winner determination in combinatorial auctions


An improved banana jack adapter assembly is provided for use in connection with a test switch in a utility meter application. The banana jack adapter assembly improves connectability of testing equipment to a meter box test switch when a field operator desires to calibrate a meter of a utility box.

It is well known to provide a meter box at various residential and commercial locations. A typical utility meter box assembly includes a test switch and a meter and the meter provides the function of measuring the amount of kilowatts that is being used by the consumer. Because the meter is an electromechanical device, it requires routine maintenance in order to assure the meter is operating properly and also to make certain it is properly calibrated. If the meter is not properly calibrated, then the utility company could be wasting energy and resources and reducing profits.
There are various methods of calibrating a meter in the field in order to assure it is properly functioning. One such example is to provide a test switch, which is placed in communication with the meter. The test switch provides easy multi-circuit testing of switchboard relays, meters and other instruments that may be present in the meter box.
Traditionally, a test switch includes a test switch ear that is nothing more than a post for a temporary attachment of alligator style test clips to a stud of the test switch. The alligator style test clips, once connected to the ear, allow an outside testing device, such as a voltage flow diagnostic tool, to be connected to the meter where diagnostic tests can be performed. The problem with the traditional test switch ear is that in use the alligator style test clips can be accidentally bumped, thus causing the clip to short against adjacent electrical components or even to become entirely dislodged from the ear. Such an event can be dangerous as up to 480 volts can run through the switch at any given time. If the alligator clip becomes dislodged, it could also cause an operator to become injured. Further, the test switch and the surrounding enclosure could be damaged if the alligator clips are somehow shorted against other switches that are within the switch housing. Also, there are other inefficiencies such as loss of employee time if the alligator clips disengage from the traditional test switch ear as it may require the operator to reconnect the alligator clips to the test ear.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved adapter for test switches that are used with utility boxes. It would also be desirable to provide an adapter for use with test switches that is operable to be utilized with banana jack style assemblies which in turn can be connected to test equipment.
One such example includes a test jack adapter for use with a test switch, which can be used with a utility meter box. The adapter includes a bracket made of conductive material that is operable to be secured to a switch stud, an elongated hollow body that is made of conductive material, an insulated washer that slides over the elongated hollow body, an insulated member that is operable to receive a portion of the insulated washer, and a nut for securing the elongated hollow body to the bracket. It will be appreciated that the test jack adapter can be part of a test switch assembly that may have a test switch cover.


An optical sensor is provided with an adjustable and variable optical path length (OPL). The optical sensor can be used in conjunction with a flow cell for ultraviolet (UV) absorbance measurements. On opposite sides of the flow cell, optical windows are installed in cylindrical window holders and held in place by window retainers. The distance between opposing faces of the optical windows defines the OPL. A fine pitch, close tolerance thread is machined on the outside of the window holders. This thread mates with a thread machined on an inside wall of a mounting ring. Rotation of the window holder and attached optics housing extends or retracts the window and window holder assembly, thereby providing the variable OPL. The OPL can be ascertained by examining external visual linear and/or rotational indicators on the sensor device.

The biotechnology industry has progressed over the years from relatively simple lab benches to highly complex manufacturing processes. The industry has adopted manufacturing techniques and equipment from various existing processes and modified such processes to meet certain distinct uses. For example, in-line optical monitoring instrumentation (originally developed for applications ranging from brewing to chemical process) has been modified for use in the biotechnology field.
The biotechnology industry has evolved considerably with the development of new processing equipment and techniques to improve yields, ensure regulatory compliance, and increase production capabilities. However, optical monitoring instrumentation, which is an integral part of nearly every production process in the biotechnology industry, has not kept pace with this trend. Current in-line optical instrumentation is functionally no different than the instrumentation adopted from other industries many years ago.
Most modern biotechnology manufacturing facilities use three distinct inline optical monitoring technologies to help monitor and control their processes. Near infrared (NIR) absorption sensors are used primarily to monitor cell density in bioreactors and to measure certain concentrations in various separation stages, such as centrifugation, perfusion, and filtration. Scattered light turbidmeters are used to detect low concentrations solids carryover in the purified centrate or filtrate streams from these separation processes. Further downstream, ultraviolet (UV) absorption sensors are used to measure protein concentrations on the outlet of chromatography columns.
The protein concentration measurement using UV absorption sensors is one of the primary control parameters in the entire manufacturing process. A UV absorption sensor typically comprises an inline flow cell with quartz or sapphire windows and lamp and detector assemblies mounted on opposing sides of the flow cell. The distance between the windows provides the optical path length (OPL). The protein concentration can be measured or otherwise determined by directing light through the windows, and then determining the amount of light absorbed by the material (e.g., protein) that is present between the windows.
A variable that is available to adjust the range of measurement is the OPL. Increasing the OPL improves sensitivity but reduces the maximum measurement range. Decreasing the OPL has the inverse effect. This need for changes in the OPL can be driven by a process change that results in higher protein concentrations or the switch to an entirely different product, for instance, which happens quite frequently in process development and manufacturing facilities.
To achieve a desired OPL, current online UV sensors employ a combination of optical windows of different thickness with flow cells of varying internal dimensions, thereby obtaining a range of discrete OPLs available for a given line size. Typically, available OPLs range from 1-10 mm in 1-2.5 mm increments for a given UV sensor. Regardless of the particular OPL for a given UV sensor, the commonality is that the OPL is fixed for any given sensor.
One of the drawbacks of current UV sensors is that even minor OPL changes require time-consuming and sometimes expensive hardware changes. For instance, to change the OPL requires, at a minimum, replacement of the optical windows, and quite frequently, replacement of the flow cell as well. To replace both optical windows and the flow cell can cost $2000-$2500. More importantly, if the specific required flow cells are unavailable from a vendor or other supplier, this switch can delay processing for 4-6 weeks or other significant amount of time.
As an illustration with the currently available UV sensors, a combination of three different flow cells and up to six different windows might be required to achieve all available optical path lengths from 1-10 mm for a given line size. In order to maintain maximum flexibility, a process development facility, vendor, or other entity might have to stock all of these parts. Furthermore, if a manufacturing facility needs to inventory all possible spares (which is typical), the manufacturing facility would usually have to stock numerous flow cells and numerous window combinations to cover all of their applications. Maintaining this inventory also has additional associated costs based on the requirement of traceability of materials. This procedure is not just a matter of grabbing a flow cell off of a shelf, but rather also involves locating and recording all appropriate paperwork and certifications.
Existing UV sensors also have significant drawbacks in precision/accuracy. With traditional hardware, the accuracy of the OPL is determined by three parameters: the distance between the window seats on the flow cell as well as the thickness of each of the two optical windows. Using tightly controlled manufacturing methods, current manufacturers have been able to maintain the tolerances on each of these dimensions to ±0.05 mm. This means that a cumulative error of ±0.15 mm is still within tolerance. Probably the most common optical path length for chromatography applications is 1 mm, which means that the stated tolerances could result in an error of ±15%. The worst-case scenario would have the readings on redundant UV sensors deviating from one another by 30% (one +15%, one −15%), and still being within tolerance. Typically, when manufacturers use redundant sensors, the sensor readings have to be within a certain tolerance of one another (usually 5-10%) or the run will have to be terminated. Because of the OPL deviations, several manufacturers have had to modify their sensor readings with a "fudge factor" to keep the readings within tolerance. These deviations are impractical in situations where a precise determination of OPL is desirable.
On the UV sensors currently used in the industry, there is no external indication of optical path length. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to determine the actual OPL of an installed UV sensor without removing the flow cell from the process, and in many cases, completely disassembling it. This problem has led to many instances of faulty calibration based on incorrect assumptions about optical path length. Numerous situations exist where users have assumed that they are operating with a certain OPL (for instance 2 mm), when in reality, the manufacturer has provided a UV sensor with a different OPL (for instance 1 mm OPL). Also, because the windows for different optical path length are identical in appearance except for small variations in length (sometimes as small as 0.5 mm, for instance), it is extremely easy for users to mismatch windows when re-assembling flow cells after cleaning or service, again resulting in incorrect OPLs. Since there is no external indication of optical path length, this type of problem can take many hours to resolve. Because many of the line sizes used are too small to allow use of a ball mill or other mechanism to directly measure the OPL, the only way to reliably determine OPL is to completely disassemble the flow cell, measure the window thicknesses with calipers, and then consult with the factory to determine what OPL that window combination and flow cell will yield. Again, these hours are often inside of a controlled clean room. In the worst-case scenario, the manufacturer actually makes product using the improperly configured sensor to control cuts.
Other costs are associated with current UV sensors having fixed OPLs. For instance, there is also the additional cost of bringing the UV sensor back into a clean environment and re-sterilizing after an OPL change has been made. Clearly therefore, current UV sensors having fixed OPLs are impractical in many situations.

Optical sensor device having variable optical path length


An external connector mounted on a printed circuit board of a steering system is composed of a first movable carriage to which flexible terminals are secured, a second movable carriage for guiding the first movable carriage in the X direction, and a support carriage for guiding the second movable carriage in the Y direction so that the first and second movable carriages can move in the X and Y directions, respectively, with respect to the support carriage. When a fixed direct coupler of a rotary connector is connected to the thus constructed external connector, if the fixed direct coupler is displaced with respect to the external connector, the first and second movable carriages of the external connector move in the X and Y directions, respectively, with respect to the support carriage, whereby the relative displacement between the fixed direct coupler and the external connector can be absorbed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connecting apparatus for providing continuity between two devices with a direct coupling type connector, and more particularly, to an electrical connecting apparatus suitable for use between a rotary connector and a steering system of an automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
A rotary connector is briefly comprised of a pair of housings connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a flexible cable wound in a storage section defined between the housings. Both ends of the flexible cable are electrically led out of each of the housings while being fixed thereto. One of the housings is used as a movable member and the other one is used as a stationary member. When the movable housing is rotated in either clockwise and counterclockwise directions, the flexible cable is wound unwound in the storage section in accordance with the direction of rotation.
The rotary connector thus briefly constructed is incorporated in a steering system of an automobile which is an external device, and used as an electrical connecting means such as an air bag circuit or a horn circuit in such a manner that a movable housing is mounted to a steering wheel which is a rotor member, and a fixed housing is mounted to a combination switch which is a stator member. It is necessary to connect an external connector of the external device, such as an air bag inflator and a horn switch, etc. to the flexible cable of the rotary connector, so the tip of the flexible cable led out of the housing is provided with connector terminals corresponding to the external connector.
Hitherto, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,544 for example, direct coupling type rotary connectors have been known in which the connector terminals (direct coupler) is fixed to the housing itself, and the external connector of an external device is directly connected to the direct coupler. Since the direct coupler is formed integrally with the housing, such rotary connectors not only provide an easier assembly operation in which the rotary connector is mounted at a predetermined position of the steering system and the direct coupler is simultaneously connected to the external connector, but also simplify the structure and are advantageous in reducing the size thereof, as compared with rotary connectors of the type in which the tip of the flexible cable or a lead wire led out of the housing is provided with a specialized connector.
In the above conventional direct coupling type rotary connectors, the direct coupler is formed integrally with the housing and the direct coupler is connected to the external connector when the rotary connector is mounted at the predetermined position of the steering system. Therefore, unless the direct coupler of the rotary connector and the external connector of the steering system are correctly aligned, it becomes difficult to connect the direct coupler to the external connector. Particularly, when a guide mechanism for guiding the rotary connector to the mounting position of the steering system is adopted for the purpose of improving assembly operability, there arises a problem in that the direct coupler cannot be connected to the external connector when the direct coupler and the external connector are even slightly displaced from each other.
Such a problem also arises in various electrical connecting apparatuses for providing continuity between two devices with a direct coupling type connector.

Electrical connector with movable mechanism


To achieve both uniform illumination and a reduction in the LED light sources, after simplifying illumination control of the light sources. In an illumination unit 130, when arranging LED light sources in a linear arrangement on a light source base plate 160, installation thereof will be thinned out in the center, while providing the base plate left and right ends with LED light sources 160L1 and L2 and LED light sources 160R1 and R2. The light emitted by the LED light source 160L1 and the LED light source 160R1 will be reflected by a left inside wall face 131LS and a right inside wall face 131RS respectively, and directed onto the table upper face. The light emitted by the LED light source 160L2 and the LED light source 160R2 lying towards the center zone of the light source array where the light source placement has been thinned out will be reflected by a left outside wall face 171LS and a right outside wall face 171RS respectively, and directed onto the table upper face.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image device adapted to simultaneously illuminate and image a imaging-object mounted on a table.
2. Related Art
An imaging device of this kind will typically be equipped with an illumination unit intended to be employed when the imaging-object which has been mounted on a table is being imaged by a camera of a camera head, in order augment the quantity of light during the imaging process. Such illumination units are encountered, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Gazette 2003-209717 and Japanese Patent No. 3682285. Illumination units in conventional devices are furnished with a large number of low-luminance light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide uniform illumination over a wide area of the table, however, the use of such a large number of LEDs contributes to more complicated wiring schemes, as well as posing the problem of laborious maintenance.
Also, in imaging devices of this kind, the illumination unit is composed of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a line at equal pitch, with the light of each LED being directed onto the table upper face to illuminate it.
However, where light is directed in the same way from each LED of an array of LEDs that have been arranged in a line at equal pitch, differences in brightness may arise between the table center area and areas to the sides thereof on the table upper face, and uneven brightness may occur in the area being imaged by the camera head as well. For this reason, in Japanese Patent No. 3682285, it is proposed to reduce uneven brightness by using an illumination unit that has large number of LEDs arrayed in a line along a prescribed length, and to carry out control whereby all of the LED are lit at once, as well as on/off control of LEDs according to the extent of uneven brightness.
However, as such on/off control of LEDs according to the extent of uneven brightness necessitates measurement of uneven brightness, the complexity of doing so must be pointed out. Moreover, while the complexity of control can be reduced by illuminating all of the LEDs at once, due to the need to arrange a large number of LEDs in a line along a prescribed length, problems were encountered in terms of an increased number of parts and higher power consumption.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A measuring device for use with at least one measuring cup comprised of: a microprocessor, an ultrasonic transmitter, and an ultrasonic sensor, all positioned on a printed circuit board housing, all of which are contained within a housing, and a display screen on the housing. The transmitter emits a signal (e.g. an ultrasonic pulse that reflects off of the top surface of a liquid contained in the measuring cup,) and the ultrasonic sensor detects the reflected ultrasonic pulse. The microprocessor calculates the precise volume of liquid within the measuring cup and displays the volume on the display screen. The measuring device can alternately be programmed to emit an alert when a predetermined volume is reached. The measuring device and measuring cup unit can also be used with solids and/or slurries.

Measuring cups are known and can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and glass, and most other materials which can be safely placed on a dishwasher. Measuring cups traditionally have volumetric indicia marked on the cup's side wall. When made of glass (e.g., Pyrex®) or another transparent material, the user must place the measuring cup upon a level surface, pour the contents to be measured into the measuring cup, either stoop down to the vertical level of the measuring cup or lift the measuring cup to eye level and attempt to hold the measuring cup steady, and attempt to visually detect the bottom of a liquid meniscus or to a level surface of solid contents in order to read the volume of the liquid or solid in the measuring cup. Depending on how precise a measurement is needed, such an imprecise measurement may be inadequate. In addition, for opaque materials, such as some plastics or metal, such a side view is impossible, making precise measurement of the solid or liquid in the measuring cup impossible.
Such a method of measuring the solid or liquid contents in a measuring cup may be inadequate for users with poor eyesight or who find it difficult to position themselves to accurately read the volume of contents in a measuring cup placed on a level surface, but may also have just as much difficulty in lifting the measuring cup to eye level and holding the cup steady to read the volume of contents held therein.
Accurate measurements may be necessary for cooking, measuring medication, mixing chemicals, color formulations, fragrances, and for combining solutes and solvents. Moreover, in some applications, precise volumetric measurement of the contents within a measuring cup may be critical. For example, mixing chemicals, mixing solutions for automobiles, fertilizers, paint, pharmaceutical, and educational uses can all require very specific measurements of solids and/or liquids.


A method of testing a scattering bar by simulation includes preparing an OPC mask model including a main pattern and a scattering bar pattern, forming a scattering bar OPC model by adjusting an image plane of the OPC mask model located at a middle portion of a photoresist layer to a top portion of the photoresist layer, simulating an exposure of the scattering bar OPC model, simulating a profile of the exposed scattering bar OPC model, and testing the simulated profile.

IC manufacturing technology is a complex process that advances rapidly. A key parameter to characterize the integrated circuit manufacturing technology is the minimum feature size, i.e., critical dimension (CD). Ongoing shrinkage of the critical dimension of circuit elements, even down to nanoscale width, has made it possible to integrate millions of devices on a chip.
Lithography is the driving force for the development of integrated circuit manufacturing technology, and is also one of the most sophisticated process. Lithography plays an important role in the integrated circuit manufacturing processes. Before starting a lithographic process, a pattern is transferred to a mask using a specific apparatus, and then the pattern of the mask is imaged onto a substrate (silicon wafer) using a specific wavelength of light through a lithographic apparatus to produce chips. However, due to the reduced size of semiconductor devices, distortion occurs in the transfer of mask pattern onto the wafer, and the distortion may cause failures of the manufacturing processes. Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, optical proximity correction (OPC) techniques are utilized to modify the mask to compensate for optical proximity effect of the exposure system.
In order to increase the contrast of the pattern in the OPC process, the target pattern (alternatively referred to as "main pattern" hereinafter) and scattering bar (alternatively referred to as "sbar" hereinafter) are generally formed on the mask. The scattering bar is disposed around the main pattern to generate optical proximity effects and are not formed on the wafer after exposure. The scattering bar may have various shapes such as long sham, block sham, etc. in general, conventional techniques use the middle portion of the image plane of a photoresist layer to collect data for the calibration of the OPC model of the main pattern, and simulate the sbar under an overexposure condition. However, due to the smaller size of sbar, light intensity of the sbar in the photoresist layer is much smaller than the light intensity of the main pattern, so that only the sbar is imaged onto the top surface of the photoresist layer, and the image plane of a conventional OPC template is imaged in the middle portion of the photoresist layer, so that it is not possible to accurately detect the sbar printing, and it is thus likely to have the sbar formed onto the wafer, resulting in device failure and low production yield.
Although the conventional method includes the simulation of the image plane of the main pattern and the sbar pattern and collection of data associated with the simulation, however, the simulation is only accurate in connection with the main pattern. Due to the small size of the sbar and the image plane on the top surface of the photoresist layer, the conventional method is not able to accurately simulate the sbar. Therefore, a need exists for an improved method to accurately simulate the sbar.

Method of detecting a scattering bar by simulation

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation


Methods and systems for high-confidence utilization of datasets are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a metric for determining substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives in a data set, applying an optimization technique, and obtaining, from the results of the optimization technique, a value for at least one optimization parameter, the value for at least one optimization parameter resulting in substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives. A number of true positives and a number of false positives are a function of the one or more optimization parameters.

The present teachings relate to methods and systems for high-confidence utilization of large-scale datasets.
The recent sequencing of large number of genomes including human and development of arraying and other high-throughput technologies has resulted in increasing utility of these advances to study organismal scale data (cells, tissues, organisms etc.). With these advances and increasing output of large-scale and high-throughput data has increased need for methods and systems to utilize the data with high confidence (i.e., reduce false discovery) to optimally allocate resources for further development of concepts, hypotheses, technologies and products. Many of these technologies have been developed in the last decade and their quality is constantly improving, and so are the tools to utilize the datasets and to further refine the technologies. Here a few concepts and tools are presented that satisfy some of the needs of the latter goals.
Many systems used in large-scale measurements of organismal/cellular state involves multiple independent measurements of each parameter (e.g., genes/transcripts/proteins etc.). Two common forms of this type of technology that are widely used are (i) GeneChip® (Affymetrix, Calif.), where each transcript of a genome is measured using multiple independent probes, with each probe having a corresponding mismatch probe to estimate cross-hybridization—the former called a perfect match (PM) probe and the latter mismatch probe (MM)—(well described in patents and literature; e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,551,784, 6,303,301) (ii) typical measures of mixtures of proteins as peptide fragments using several variations mass spectrometry (e.g., Washburn et. al., 2001 and many variations for direct and comparative applications). A variety of applications of this type of multiple independent measurements of each parameter are currently in use and can be envisaged. Due to well documented prior knowledge (in literature and in patents) and evolving applications, the use of the technologies and generation of the data are not described here.
Most biological experiments (due to limitations of biological and other resources) utilizing such high-throughput data generation systems are conducted with small number of replicates. When possible the resultant data is analyzed using statistical or mathematical principles (for example to detect differentials between datasets exploring different conditions) to increase the confidence of the downstream steps used. But, the small number of replicates significantly reduce the statistical power in the analyses. In principle, the utilization of the independent measures of each parameter should alleviate significant part of this problem (at least in terms of improving power with respect to technical aspects of all steps of the process—e.g., manufacturing, handling, hybridization etc.). In the utilization of multiple independent measures there is a need for an understanding of the system specific properties and the behavior of the different parameters used in such analyses with respect to each other. Conversely, understanding properties of such datasets would help design better measurement technologies.
Whether applied to datasets with design principles similar to above example (multiple measures of each parameter under each condition) or otherwise the datasets across different conditions and replications comparable should be available. This step in data analysis is usually termed normalization (in this document used to represent the step after pre-processing data for technological design and data-collection specific effects, e.g., background correction). A good normalization is prerequisite to all further analysis and interpretations of the data.
The above brief background outlines the need i.e., constantly evolving technology and newer algorithms being proposed and no uniform or consensus approach been accepted and even lesser methods are accepted and predictably useful in dealing with multiple independent measures of each parameter (without an intermediate processing into a unified model based summary) highlights the need for improvements that would satisfy the many emerging needs in efficient and productive utilization of the deluge of data being generated in life sciences and other fields, and sets the stage for one kind of dataset being part of the invention.

Methods and systems for high confidence utilization of datasets


The present invention provides, as one aspect, a signal processor for a gas sensor that is disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and senses concentration of a specific component in exhaust gas. The signal processor includes a calculation unit that performs moderation operation at every instant for a sensor output of the gas sensor, an evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of pressure variation impact on the sensor output caused in the exhaust passage, and a change unit that changes a mode of the moderation operation according to a result of the evaluation by the evaluation unit.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a signal processor for a gas sensor.
2. Related Art
This type of gas sensor is in practical use as an A/F (air-fuel ratio) sensor, for example, provided at an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. The air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture is detected based on the output of the sensor. In an air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine, air-fuel ratio feedback control is performed in order to have the actual air-fuel ratio that has been detected by the A/F sensor matched with a target air-fuel ratio at every instant.
It is considered that, in the exhaust passage, variation is caused in the exhaust pressure (exhaust pulsation), which causes variation in the output of the A/F sensor induced by the exhaust pulsation. To take measures against the variation in such sensor output induced by exhaust pulsation, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-150379, for example, suggests a technique with which a moving average process is performed in respect to a plurality of outputs. Performing the moving average process can moderate sensor outputs, whereby an A/F detection value that has been suppressed with the exhaust pulsation can be obtained.
A moving average process performed in respect to a plurality of outputs as mentioned above may reduce the variation in the sensor output, which variation is induced by exhaust pulsation. However, there has been a concern that the moving average process may deteriorate the responsiveness of the sensor output to actual changes of the gas atmosphere (gas concentration change). Specifically, although output occurs in an A/F sensor in response to the actual gas concentration change, the execution of the moving average process by a microcomputer or the like may disable detection of the intrinsic sensor output, or may increase response delay for the intrinsic sensor output.
Recent study, in particular, has put a focus on detecting the air-fuel ratio of each cylinder in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine and on effecting air-fuel ratio control for each cylinder based on the result of the detection of the air-fuel ratio of the cylinder, in order to further improve the exhaust emissions of the internal combustion engine. Such a cylinder-specific air-fuel ratio is detected based on the output of an A/F sensor provided at an exhaust concentrated portion in the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. Disadvantageously, however the moving average process performed in respect to the outputs of the sensor as mentioned above may disable highly-responsive detection of the cylinder-specific air-fuel ratio.


Method to produce a more active ribozyme by introducing a modified base into a substrate binding arm of the ribozyme or its catalytic core.

This invention relates to enzymatic RNA molecules or ribozymes having a modified nucleotide base sequence.
Ribozymes are RNA molecules having an enzymatic activity which is able to repeatedly cleave other separate RNA molecules in a nucleotide base sequence specific manner. Such enzymatic RNA molecules can be targeted to virtually any RNA transcript, and efficient cleavage achieved in vitro. Kim et al., 84 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 8788, 1987; Haseloff and Gerlach, 334 Nature 585, 1988; Cech, 260 JAMA 3030, 1988; and Jefferies et al., 17 Nucleic Acids Research 1371, 1989.
Ribozymes act by first binding to a target RNA. Such binding occurs through the target RNA binding portion of a ribozyme which is held in close proximity to an enzymatic portion of the RNA which acts to cleave the target RNA. Thus, the ribozyme first recognizes and then binds a target RNA through complementary base-pairing, and once bound to the correct site, acts enzymatically to cut the target RNA. Strategic cleavage of such a target RNA will destroy its ability to direct synthesis of an encoded protein. After a ribozyme has bound and cleaved its RNA target it is released from that RNA to search for another target and can repeatedly bind and cleave new targets.
By "complementarity" is meant a nucleic acid that can form hydrogen bond(s) with other RNA sequence by either traditional Watson-Crick or other non-traditional types (for example, Hoogsteen type) of base-paired interactions.
Six basic varieties of naturally-occurring enzymatic RNAs are known presently. Each can catalyze the hydrolysis of RNA phosphodiester bonds in trans (and thus can cleave other RNA molecules) under physiological conditions. Table I summarizes some of the characteristics of these ribozymes. In general, enzymatic nucleic acids act by first binding to a target RNA. Such binding occurs through the target binding portion of a enzymatic nucleic acid which is held in close proximity to an enzymatic portion of the molecule that acts to cleave the target RNA. Thus, the enzymatic nucleic acid first recognizes and then binds a target RNA through complementary base-pairing, and once bound to the correct site, acts enzymatically to cut the target RNA. Strategic cleavage of such a target RNA will destroy its ability to direct synthesis of an encoded protein. After an enzymatic nucleic acid has bound and cleaved its RNA target, it is released from that RNA to search for another target and can repeatedly bind and cleave new targets.
The enzymatic nature of a ribozyme is advantageous over other technologies, such as antisense technology (where a nucleic acid molecule simply binds to a nucleic acid target to block its translation) since the effective concentration of ribozyme necessary to effect a therapeutic treatment is lower than that of an antisense oligonucleotide. This advantage reflects the ability of the ribozyme to act enzymatically. Thus, a single ribozyme molecule is able to cleave many molecules of target RNA. In addition, the ribozyme is a highly specific inhibitor, with the specificity of inhibition depending not only on the base-pairing mechanism of binding, but also on the mechanism by which the molecule inhibits the expression of the RNA to which it binds. That is, the inhibition is caused by cleavage of the RNA target and so specificity is defined as the ratio of the rate of cleavage of the targeted RNA over the rate of cleavage of non-targeted RNA. This cleavage mechanism is dependent upon factors additional to those involved in base-pairing. Thus, it is thought that the specificity of action of a ribozyme is greater than that of antisense oligonucleotide binding the same RNA site.
The following discussion of relevant art is dependent on the diagram shown in FIG. 1, in which the numbering of various nucleotides in a hammerhead ribozyme is provided. This is not to be taken as an indication that the Figure is prior art to the pending claims, or that the art discussed is prior art to those claims.
Odai et al., FEBS 1990, 267:150, state that substitution of guanosine (G) at position 5 of a hammerhead ribozyme for inosine greatly reduces catalytic activity, suggesting "the importance of the 2-amino group of this guanosine for catalytic activity."
Fu and McLaughlin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 1992, 89:3985, state that deletion of the 2-amino group of the guanosine at position 5 of a hammerhead ribozyme, or deletion of either of the 2'-hydroxyl groups at position 5 or 8, resulted in ribozymes having a decrease in cleavage efficiency.
Fu and McLaughlin, Biochemistry 1992, 31:10941, state that substitution of 7-deazaadenosine for adenosine residues in a hammerhead ribozyme can cause reduction in cleavage efficiency. They state that the "results suggest that the N.sup.7 -nitrogen of the adenosine (A) at position 6 in the hammerhead ribozyme/substrate complex is critical for efficient cleavage activity." They go on to indicate that there are five critical functional groups located within the tetrameric sequence GAUG in the hammerhead ribozyme.
Slim and Gait, 1992, BBRC 183, 605, state that the substitution of guanosine at position 12, in the core of a hammerhead ribozyme, with inosine inactivates the ribozyme.
Tuschl et al., 1993 Biochemistry 32, 11658, state that substitution of guanosine residues at positions 5, 8 and 12, in the catalytic core of a hammerhead, with inosine, 2-aminopurine, xanthosine, isoguanosine or deoxyguanosine cause significant reduction in the catalytic efficiency of a hammerhead ribozyme.
Fu et al., 1993 Biochemistry 32, 10629, state that deletion of guanine N.sup.7, guanine N.sup.2 or the adenine N.sup.6 -nitrogen within the core of a hammerhead ribozyme causes significant reduction in the catalytic efficiency of a hammerhead ribozyme.
Grasby et al., 1993 Nucleic Acids Res. 21, 4444, state that substitution of guanosine at positions 5, 8 and 12 positions within the core of a hammerhead ribozyme with O.sup.6 -methylguanosine results in an approximately 75-fold reduction in k.sub.cat.
Seela et al., 1993 Helvetica Chimica Acta 76, 1809, state that substitution of adenine at positions 13, 14 and 15, within the core of a hammerhead ribozyme, with 7-deazaadenosine does not significantly decrease the catalytic efficiency of a hammerhead ribozyme.
Adams et al., 1994 Tetrahedron Letters 35, 765, state that substitution of uracil at position 17 within the hammerhead ribozyme.substrate complex with 4-thiouridine results in a reduction in the catalytic efficiency of the ribozyme by 50 percent.
Ng et al., 1994 Biochemistry 33, 12119, state that substitution of adenine at positions 6, 9 and 13 within the catalytic core of a hammerhead ribozyme with isoguanosine, significantly decreases the catalytic activity of the ribozyme.
Jennings et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,612, indicate that nucleotides within a "minizyme" can be modified. They state
"Nucleotides comprise a base, sugar and a monophosphate group. Accordingly, nucleotide derivatives or modifications may be made at the level of the base, sugar or monophosphate groupings . . . . Bases may be substituted with various groups, such as halogen, hydroxy, amine, alkyl, azido, nitro, phenyl and the like."


An approach is described for representing search results via a three-dimensional matrix. An associated method may include receiving a search query, querying at least one database based upon the search query, and receiving results to the search query from the at least one database. The method further may include representing the results via a three-dimensional matrix graphically depicting a plurality of categories corresponding to the results. Each of the plurality of categories may be associated with the results via a respective tag in the at least one database. Upon detecting activity from an input device, the method further may include filtering the plurality of categories of the three-dimensional matrix, and prioritizing the results based upon the filtering. Representing the results via the three-dimensional matrix may include presenting the results in a list correlated to the three-dimensional matrix, and prioritizing the results based upon the filtering may include prioritizing the list.

The various embodiments described herein generally relate to processing search results. More specifically, the various embodiments describe techniques for representing search results via a three-dimensional matrix.
Conventional results of a search query generally may be difficult to interpret or prioritize. Possible filters associated with the query may be unintuitive, and a user often must provide substantial feedback in order to categorize the results. Furthermore, with conventional search tools, multiple queries often must be performed and/or multiple filters must be applied in succession in order to obtain results consistent with user preferences.

Representing search results via a three-dimensional matrix

International Business Machines Corporation


A camera system includes a camera main body, a transmitter for transmitting a signal to a flash device, a single communication path between the camera main body and the flash device, and a receiver for receiving a signal from the transmitter. The signal received by the receiver is selectively switched by a selector in the receiver in accordance with communication control data or emission control data with respect to the flash device. The selector switches the communication path to the emission control side only when data representing that the communication path is used as a signal path for emission control data with respect to the flash device is transmitted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a camera system and, more particularly, to a camera system which is constituted by a camera main body and a flash device between which the exchange of control signals, as data communication, is performed, and which is designed to decrease the number of signal lines between the camera main body and the flash device.
2. Description of the Related Art
When photography is to be performed by using a flash device, the device is either mounted (clipped) on a camera main body or is installed separately from the camera main body. When the flash device and the camera main body are placed at different positions, a cord is often used as a signal path for transmitting a control signal from the camera main body to the flash device so as to cause the flash device to produce flashlight.
If, however, a cord is used, a cumbersome wiring operation is required. In addition, as the user or the like tries to walk over the cord, he/she may catch his/her foot on the cord, thus damaging the camera main body or the flash device.
If, for example, emission control on the flash device is performed by radio using radio waves, infrared rays, visible light, or the like, no such inconvenience is caused.
If the flash device is placed at a position separated from the camera main body, every time a set value (emission mode, radiation angle, or the like) of the flash device is to be changed, the user must go to the installation position of the flash device to manually change the set value. This operation requires much time and labor. In order to avoid such a troublesome operation, the use of a signal path for data communication, in addition to a signal path for emission control, has been proposed. More specifically, when an operation of changing a set value of the flash device is performed on the camera main body side, the corresponding information is transmitted from the camera main body to the flash device through the signal path for data communication. The flash device then changes the set value on the basis of the information.
In order to realize this data communication, a camera system may be constructed, in which a radio signal path using electric waves, infrared rays, visible light, or the like is formed between a camera main body and a flash device, and proper modulation and demodulation are performed, like a system in which a plurality of computers communicate with each other through, e.g., telephone lines as signal paths, by modulating/demodulating signals using a modem.
A camera system having such an arrangement, however, requires at least two signal paths. In addition, such a camera system requires two circuits for demodulation and modulation, and hence an increase in cost is inevitable. In addition, an increase in the size of each device cannot be avoided.
Furthermore, in a camera system using signal paths such as radio stations for data communication, the number of usable signal paths (channels) is limited, besides channels are regarded as public resources. Therefore, it is undesirable to occupy two channels. In order to avoid this, communication for emission control and data communication may be performed through one signal path. However, communication for emission control must be performed in real time.
If an emission command and an emission stop command are communicated as data between the camera main body and the flash device, a time delay occurs. When, for example, an 8-bit signal as data is to be transmitted from the camera main body, since each transmission data requires a start bit and a stop bit, a period of time corresponding to at least 10 bits is required. Provided that the transmission rate is 1,200 bps, a time delay of at least 8.3 msec is caused. In such a camera system, therefore, the following problems are posed owing to this time delay: (i) an asynchronous curtain operation is caused unless the shutter speed is set to be sufficiently low, and (ii) an emission stop command cannot be transmitted, in effect, with a time delay of 8.3 msec, because the flash device produces flashlight within several msec upon reception of an emission command.

Camera system having communication function between camera main body and flash device


A portable acoustic device comprising: a device housing that defines an internal cavity, the device housing comprising a speaker housing portion and a stem portion extending away from the speaker housing portion; a first acoustic port formed through a wall of the speaker housing; an audio driver disposed within the speaker housing portion and aligned to emit sound through the acoustic first port; a battery disposed within the speaker housing portion and positioned an opposite side of the audio driver than the acoustic port; an antenna disposed in the stem; a user input region disposed along the stem; and a system in a chip disposed in the stem, the system in a chip comprising: a processor that controls operation of the portable wireless acoustic device, charging circuitry, an accelerometer, a wireless communication controller, support components for the antenna and support components for the user input region.

Portable listening devices, such as headphones, can be used with a wide variety of electronic devices such as portable media players, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, stereo systems, and other types of devices. Portable listening devices have historically included one or more small speakers configured to be place on, in, or near a user's ear, structural components that hold the speakers in place, and a cable that electrically connects the portable listening device to an audio source. Relatively recently, wireless portable listening devices that do not include a cable and instead, wirelessly receive a stream of audio data from a wireless audio source, have become ubiquitous. Such wireless portable listening devices can include, for instance, wireless earbud devices or wireless in-ear hearing devices that operate in pairs (one for each ear) or individually for outputting sound to, and receiving sound from, the user.
While wireless portable listening devices have many advantages over wired portable listening devices and have become a very popular with consumers, improved wireless portable listening devices are desirable.


Provided is a printer which includes a carriage which includes a recording head performing recording on a paper sheet, a transport driving roller which transports the paper sheet to the recording head side and is driven by a driving source, and a transport driven roller which is pressed to the transport driving roller, is rotationally driven in contact with the paper sheet, and has a diameter larger than that of the transport driving roller. The transport driving roller is located below a guide frame as a support member supporting the carriage and is located in an area of the guide frame in a paper transport direction (in other words, a y direction).

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus represented by a facsimile or a printer.
2. Related Art
In an ink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus, a pair of transport rollers which transport a recording paper sheet as an example of a medium is provided on an upstream side of a recording head. Generally, the pair of transport rollers is constituted of a driving roller driven by a motor and a driven roller pressed to the driving roller.
There is a so-called serial-type printer in which a carriage including a recording head can move in a scanning direction of the recording head. In such a serial-type printer, the carriage is supported by a support member (in other words, a guide member) and is guided in the scanning direction of the recording head. An example of such a serial-type recording apparatus is disclosed in JP-A-2006-247932.
Examples of the support member supporting the carriage include a shaft-shaped member and a plate-shaped member as disclosed in JP-A-2006-247932. In this specification, the support member includes, in addition to the shaft-shaped member and the plate-shaped member disclosed in JP-A-2006-247932, members of every types which extend in a carriage movement direction, regardless of the shape thereof, and support the carriage.
Meanwhile, it is necessary to further reduce the size of a printer. Particularly, in a case of a mobile-type printer which may be carried by a user, it is necessary to further reduce the size thereof.
In a case of a printer of the related art disclosed in JP-A-2006-247932, in other words, a printer including a support member which supports a carriage and guides the carriage in a scanning direction of a recording head and a pair of transport rollers, particularly, a reduction in the size of an apparatus in a depth direction is not necessarily considered in view of such a size reduction request.


A head rest is mountable on a vehicle seat back with at least one hollow support bar. The support bar is adjustable to adjust the height of the head rest relative to the seat back. An airbag is located in the head rest and a connection is provided in the hollow head rest support bar between the airbag and an airbag system component in the seatback.

A potential cause of head injuries in vehicle rollover accidents occurs when a vehicle roof impacts the ground. The impact may cause the roof to deform and to impact an occupant's head. A headliner may not provide enough cushioning to mitigate head trauma and injuries in such a rollover accident. Deploying an airbag above the head of a vehicle occupant could mitigate this potential head trauma. However, existing mechanisms for over-the-head airbags suffer from various deficiencies. For example, an airbag deployed from a vehicle seat back may undesirably force the occupant's head forward, and/or cause neck discomfort. Further, mechanisms to deploy over-the-head airbags from seat headrests require costly and aesthetically displeasing components to activate the airbag. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved over-the-head (or roof) airbag system.


A support structure for a flexible boat cover includes an extensible bar supported entirely by at least one cord extending therefrom to cleats located at the bow and stern of the boat. This invention provides multiple supports spaced laterally from the centerline of the boat without any additional hardware. The cord preferably elastic, may extend over the top of the windshield to provide an inclined support structure to prevent collection of water in the boat cover. The bar is extensible to accommodate boats of various widths and to reduce its length for storage when not in use. Additionally, the bar can be supported by posts underneath to support ice and snow in colder climates during the winter.

Boats having open cockpits are susceptible to water damage and damage due to direct sunlight unless covered when not in use. Typically, these covers are comprised of flexible fabric sheets which extend over the cockpit of the boat. Unfortunately, due to the stretching of the material, and they can sag and collect water, which further stretches the material, which causes further sagging, ultimately resulting in the failure of the cover. The present invention alleviates this problem by providing a firm support underneath the cover without requiring modification to the boat or risking damage to the boat.
To prevent the failure of the cover, various apparatuses have been invented to support the cover to prevent sagging. U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,872 to Hulett, for example, provides two extensible poles extending from the center of the bow of the boat to the center of the stern. The flexible cover is then draped over these poles and the windshield to protect the interior of the boat. The problem with this device is that for wider boats or boats with low profile windshields, the cover is still susceptible to collecting water between the poles and the sides of the boat.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,457 to Sommerhauser et al. provides three parallel extensible poles which extend from the stern of the boat to the top of the windshield. The problem with this apparatus is that it is heavy and bulky and complicated to set up.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,509 to Talbot provides one or more bridge straps extending from bow to stern attached at each end with the boat being draped by a single plastic film. This method requires the installation of additional hardware to tie down the straps.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,536,152 and 2,542,586 to Bass and Skjeveland, respectively, each employ a plurality of support structures placed along the length of the boat, each of which extends from either side of the boat upwards to an apex over the centerline of the boat.
These aforementioned patents have the drawback that they either require the installation of additional hardware or are unstable. In addition, they are cumbersome to set up and inconvenient to store when not in use.

Support structure for protective cover for boats


A jewelry display and storage apparatus having top and bottom frame members is provided. The top frame member defines an open gridwork, the gridwork being formed of a series of openings. The bottom frame member is matingly engageable with the top frame member so that when the top frame member and the bottom frame member are matingly engaged, the top and bottom frame members form a peripheral channel about the perimeter of the frames. One or more jewelry mounting pads are provided for mounting within the openings. The jewelry mounting pads are provided with a top surface upon which jewelry may be mounted and displayed, a bottom surface and peripheral side walls. The bottom surface and a portion of the peripheral side walls are securable within a corresponding opening. Spacing means are provided which space top frame member from bottom frame member to facilitate mating engagement and to provide for easy separability of the upper and lower frame members.

Jewelry articles such as earrings, pendants and chains can be stored and displayed in a variety of storage devices such as trays, holders or racks. The common type of storage device is a cushioned pad through which the earrings and or pendant posts can be inserted and through which mounting pins can be placed to hold a chain. Other storage and display devices that are in use today are platforms fabricated from wood and covered with cardboard and cushioned vinyl or felt. These platforms are provided with a plurality of tab extensions for retaining the jewelry items. These tab extensions are individually fastened by hand to the cardboard support by a thin wire which is twisted in place. As well, an ornamental band is typically provided about the perimeter of the platform in order to present an aesthetically pleasing display.
Other jewelry display and storage trays are provided with a plurality of openings for receiving jewelry holders. These holders are provided with pads which are normally provided with a peripheral pull tab, and are mounted in a framework or box divided into a series of closed bottom chambers. The peripheral pull tab allows the pad to be removed from the framework for closer inspection by the vendor or potential purchaser.
In order to effect a degree of storage economy, such a framework is often designed to stack upon a similar frame. This is often done by the use of spacer elements or a peripheral downward extending lip. Because the pads are of substantial thickness and are placed in a closed bottomed framework, however, the spacer elements must be of a size that prevents contact between the displayed jewelry and the bottom of the next stacked frame.
This requirement for additional height limits the number of tray frames which may be stacked in a given volume. Further, the use of the peripheral pull tab on the jewelry mounting pad often makes it difficult to remove the pad from the framework as often as insufficient amount of the tab projects upwardly above the frame. Further, the use of such tabs produces a somewhat untidy appearance. Still further the individual pads normally sit within the tray without any means for insuring that they remain affixed therein.
With reference to the aforementioned wood platforms, these platforms do not have the stackability feature as described herein.
As set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,456, a jewelry display and storage apparatus which is provided with an open grid frame and a plurality of domed jewelry display pads is provided. The walls of the frame and the display pads cooperate to form a mechanism wherein the pads are removably retained within the frame. Mounting means are located on the display pads for securing jewelry items thereto. The mounting means are offset so that a 180 degree rotation of the pad or frame clearance is established between jewelry items and adjacent frame levels when stacked.
However, this reference does not teach or suggest a jewelry display and storage apparatus having top and bottom frame members defining an open gridwork, the bottom frame member being matingly engageable with the top frame member so that when said top frame member and said bottom frame member are matingly engaged, the top and bottom frame members form a slotted channel about the interior perimeter of the openings of the inter-engaged frames for receiving and securing one or more jewelry mounting pads within the slotted channel. As well, this reference does not teach or suggest a jewelry display and storage apparatus having spacing means and groove means positioned on either the top or the bottom frame members for spacing the top and bottom frame members and for facilitating mating engagement.


An LED display collision warning circuit for vehicles is provided. This circuit causes an LED display installed at tail of a vehicle to show warning indications. The LED display has six lamps which group into three display units with each unit consisting of two laterally symmetrically positioned lamps. These three display units show different warning indications in response to signals from a door-actuated circularly lighting and extinguishing circuit, a brake-actuated alternately flashing circuit, or a headlight-actuated night distance detection circuit so as to effectively prevent collisions and accidents.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-functional collision warning circuit for vehicles and more particularly to a special control circuit which when used together with an LED display capable of showing changeable patterns and rear mounted on vehicles, produces different indications at the time a vehicle door is opened, the brake is actuated, or the headlights are turned on. The display pattern of the LED display may also change with different distances between the vehicle having the warning circuit mounted thereon and a vehicle behind it.
2. Prior Art
When driving at night, it is usually more difficult to judge the distance between one vehicle and another ahead of it due to insufficient road brightness that inevitably increases the dangers in traffic. Currently a tail lamp is added to a vehicle to indicate the braking and stop states of a vehicle so as to warn a vehicle approaching from the rear. However, such tail lamps are turned on or off depending only on the braking state of the vehicle without any significant eye-catching effect and therefore such requires improvement. Up to the present time there is no system designed to warn a vehicle approaching from the rear as to a door opening state of another vehicle. Additionally, there is not any system for warning the driver of the rapidly decreasing distance between the vehicle and the approaching vehicle. Thus, the subject concept has been developed to provide a multi-functional vehicle collision warning circuit to improve the shortcomings existing in the prior warning systems and lamps of vehicles.


A method is provided for blood pressure measurement by means of an inflatable cuff (50) applied to a limb of a vertebrate and pneumatically coupled to a first port (112A) and a second port (112B) of a blood pressure measurement apparatus (100). A pump (160) coupled to the second port inflates the cuff pneumatically. During an initial cuff inflation period, a first pressure sensor (180) pneumatically coupled to the first port senses a first pressure and a second pressure sensor (182) pneumatically coupled to the second port senses a second pressure. An analysis module (142) compares the magnitude of the first pressure to the magnitude of the second pressure to determine the relative relationship between the respective magnitudes of the first pressure and the second pressure. The relative relationship between these pressure may be used to determine whether a single lumen or dual lumen cuff is use, to determine whether the blood pressure measurement procedure selected is correct for the cuff actually in use, or to automatically select the proper blood pressure measurement procedure to be used for the actual cuff in use.

The measurement of blood pressure is a common procedure used in hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices as a tool to assist in diagnosis of illness and monitoring of sick patients, as well as an indicator of the general status of a person's health. In standard non-invasive blood pressure measurement practice, blood pressure is measured using an inflatable cuff that is wrapped about a patient's arm or leg. The cuff is then inflated to provide a certain amount of pressure on the artery in the arm or leg beneath the cuff. The cuff is inflated by air supplied by means of an inflation device, such as a pneumatic bulb or an electric pump, connected to the cuff by a tube or tubes. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures are determined as the air inflating the cuff is slowly released thereby deflating the cuff and reducing the pressure on the artery.
The initial pressure to which the cuff is inflated depends upon the particular patient whose blood pressure is being measured. The pressure to which the cuff is initially inflated will be higher for an adult, than for a child, than for an infant, than for a neonate. The maximum pressure to which the cuff is inflated must be controlled to ensure that the patient is not injured by the pressure. This is particularly necessary when measuring the blood pressure of a neonate. Additionally, as the size of the limbs of an adult male will be greater than the size of the limbs of a child or a neonate, different size cuffs are available. For example, cuffs are available sized for use on large adults, average adults, small adults, children, small children, infants and neonates.
Electronic blood pressure measurement devices are in common use that automatically performs a blood pressure measurement procedure, either upon initiation by a clinician or at selected preprogrammed intervals. In using such automatic measurement devices, the clinician must select the mode of measurement to be used, e.g. adult, pediatric, infant, or neonatal. The clinician must also remember to connect the correct blood pressure cuff to the device before initiating a measurement procedure. Therefore, the potential exists for an incorrect cuff to be inadvertently connected to an automatic blood pressure measurement device that is an improper cuff type may be connected with respect to the patient whose blood pressure is to be measured.
Automatic sphygmomanometers are known that are programmed to identify the particular cuff connected to the sphygmomanometer. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,254, Skelton discloses an automatic blood pressure monitor for unattended operation wherein the pressure-time characteristic is monitored during initial pressurization of the cuff to determine the cuff size in use. The cuff size in use is determined by matching the initial pressure-time characteristic measured against a set of predetermined pressure-time characteristics for known cuff sizes that are stored in a microprocessor associated with the automatic blood pressure monitor. Having determined the cuff size in use, the microprocessor controls the inflation process to pressurize the cuff to a preselected pressure for that cuff size and deflates the cuff in accord with a preselected deflation sequence for the particular size cuff in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,280, Hood, Jr., discloses an automated blood pressure monitor adapted to use a variety of cuff sizes, including neonatal, wherein the time of propagation of an acoustical pressure pulse through the cuff and back to a pressure transducer in the monitor is used to verify the type of cuff in use in connection with the monitor. Prior to execution of a blood pressure measurement routine, the cuff is inflated to a given pressure, whereupon a pressure control valve is opened thereby creating a pressure/acoustical pulse which propagates at the speed of sound through the cuff and back to the pressure transducer in the monitor. The total time of propagation is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold intermediate the typical propagation times of neonatal and adult cuffs, respectfully.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,654, Malkamaki et al., discloses an automatic identification method for the cuff of a sphygmomanometer wherein a pressure pulse is trigger from a valve upstream of the cuff to a pressure sensing element downstream of the cuff. The pulse width is measured and compared with a predetermined pulse width threshold value to distinguish between a smaller cuff and a larger cuff.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,981, Kankkunen et al., discloses a method for identification of the cuff being used in connection with a non-invasive automatic sphygmomanometer wherein a flow restriction means, such as an orifice, is disposed in the tube from the pump to the cuff. To identify the cuff in use, the cuff is rapidly inflated to a pressure of 20–30 mmHg. The inflation is abruptly stopped and the change in the pressure differential across the flow restriction means is monitored as the pressure downstream and upstream of the flow restriction means equalizes. A control element identifies the size of the cuff on the basis of data received from the sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,966, Hanna, also discloses a method for automatically identifying a given cuff out of a plurality of cuffs wherein a different flow restrictor is associated with each cuff type. Prior to a blood pressure measurement procedure, the cuff is at least partially and then deflated through the flow restrictor. A pressure measurement is taken downstream of the flow restrictor during the deflation process and this pressure measurement is used to identify the particular type of cuff in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,676, Rantala et al., also discloses a method for automatically identifying a given cuff of at least a pair of cuffs wherein a flow restrictor is associated with at least one of the cuffs. Prior to a blood pressure measurement procedure, the cuff is inflated and the pressure magnitude variations sensed both upstream and downstream of the cuff. The sensed upstream and downstream pressure magnitude variations are compared and from this comparison which cuff is connected to the sphygmomanometer is determined.
Although the aforementioned methods of automatically identifying what cuff is connected to an automatic sphygmomanometer are effective, some of these methods require a distinct cuff identification procedure prior to initiation of a blood pressure measurement routine. Some of these methods require that a sensed pressure characteristic associated with the cuff in use be compared to a set of predetermined pressure related characteristics for a respective set of cuffs be preprogrammed into the sphygmomanometer memory for identification of the cuff in use. As such, the method may only be used to identify cuffs for which the required pressure characteristic has been preprogrammed.

Mode detection and safety monitoring in blood pressure measurement


The present invention provides methods and systems for providing efficient use of available CPU cycles that may be achieved by reducing the length of the echo canceller filter. An echo canceller's adaptive algorithm may be implemented to reach a lower mean squared error due to the increased training time allowed by cycle reduction. Total power consumption of a processor may be reduced by reducing the number of multiplications (and/or other operations) that may be performed by an echo canceller filter for each time iteration. This may be achieved by not performing multiplications on taps that are not being used. For higher rates, a shorter echo canceller filter may be implemented by transmitting less energy in low frequencies. As a result, the temporal length of the echo channel may be shortened thereby reducing the total number of taps needed to model the channel. The present invention may further enhance performance by reducing CPU cycles and allowing for more echo canceller training time.

Traditionally, a modem converts data between the analog form, used for communicating over telephone lines, and the digital form, used on computers for the purposes of computer processing and computer-to-computer communication. Generally, standard modems may transmit data at a maximum rate of 56,000 bits per second (bps) or 56kbps. However, inherent limitations of phone systems may translate to lower modem speeds and other limitations. Modems at a transmitting end modulate the digital data of computers into analog signals to send over telephone lines, such as Plain Old Telephone System (POTS). Then, modems at a destination receiving site demodulate the analog signals back into digital signals to be read by a destination computer on the other end. There are standards to ensure that modems made by different manufacturers can communicate with each other. For example, modems communicating with each other may be required to use the same speed and comply with other requirements.
More recently, modems for cable and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service have come to be known as digital modems while those used for traditional dial-up networking are referred to as analog modems. DSL technology provides high-speed, broadband network connections to homes, businesses and other users. DSL utilizes the same cabling used for normal telephones, while offering higher data rates and other advantages through the use of digital modem technology.
G.SHDSL is a standard that enables manufacturers and other entities to develop Central Office (CO) loop access equipment and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) around a single standard, thereby increasing market share and decreasing component costs. As a symmetric multi-rate DSL, G.SHDSL can operate over a single pair of copper wires. For speed versatility, the technology can also be deployed over dual copper pairs. G.SHDSL has associated with it a global standard developed by the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) Telecommunications Standards Sector based in Geneva. Higher bit rate and longer copper transmission line (or loop) are additional factors that strengthen G.SHDSL.
G.hs (handshake) protocol negotiates the highest achievable data rate given the loop conditions. Using the G.hs protocol during pre-activation, service type may be negotiated during start-up (e.g., training). With this protocol, the most efficient framing type may be negotiated to avoid unnecessary overhead and latency on the DSL link.
Optimization of various factors, such as power back off, determination of data rates, filter lengths, transmit power spectral density, and other factors, may affect modem and system performance.
Traditional methods for determining power back off (PBO) are generally computed in the time domain. Similarly, current methods for determining an optimal data rate involve calculating SNR in the time domain and providing an estimate of the capacity. Traditional methods for dynamically adapting the length of a filter result in higher costs and power consumption. Estimation of a base-2 logarithm of a number generally involves a separate polynomial for each range of input numbers or an expansion requiring a large number of terms, which are oftentimes complicated and difficult to implement.
Therefore, there is a need in the art of modem systems for a more efficient method and system for providing efficient communication between modems.

Method and system for varying an echo canceller filter length based on data rate


An apparatus comprising a storage element coupled between a first and a second bond pad, the storage element having a physical characteristic that can be measured and altered. Data may be stored in the storage element by altering the physical characteristic.

The present invention relates to a method and/or architecture for storing flags generally and, more particularly, to a programmable pin flag.
Information regarding semiconductor devices on a wafer such as test results, repair status, wafer location, and manufacture lot need to be available after the devices are assembled into integrated circuit packages. Devices without the information stored and readily accessible must be tested (or retested) after packaging to determine, for example, speed of operation or cause of failure. Information such as manufacturing lot or wafer location can not be determined after packaging. Conventional methods for storing device information on devices include (i) placing visible. markings on the device, (ii) adding memory cells and control circuitry for storing the information, and (iii) adding laser blown fuse circuits.
However, conventional approaches have one or more of the following disadvantages: (i) visible markings are destroyed or unreadable when the device is packaged, (ii) increased process expense and design complexity, (iii) added memory circuitry can require significant die area and overhead, and/or (iv) laser blown fuses require a laser as well as test circuitry on the test fixture.
It would be desirable to have an architecture and/or method for storing information at a device pin.
The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising a storage element coupled between a first and a second bond pad. The storage element having a physical characteristic that can be measured and altered. Data may be stored in the storage element by altering the physical characteristic.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention include providing a programmable pin flag that may (i) be implemented with a simple wafer process, (ii) be implemented with a simple circuit, (iii) be programmed at sort and retrieved for class testing, (iv) share bond pads with standard circuitry, (v) have no effect on standard circuit operation, (vi) minimize program and retrieval times, (vii) allow easy data retrieval, (viii) use little die area, and/or (ix) have low fabrication cost.


Heat is transferred between a linear CMP belt and an adjacent heat transfer source, providing a predetermined lateral temperature distribution across the belt. Temperature sensors generate feedback signals to control the heat transfer sources. Alternatively, process monitoring sensors provide feedback signals. The heat transfer source can include multiple selectively controllable individual heat transfer sources having differing temperatures, which can be above or below ambient temperature. The mechanism of heat transfer can include one or more of convection, conduction, and radiation. The configuration provides substantial flexibility to establish and maintain selective non-uniform temperature distributions across the polishing belt. This in turn permits precise control and stability of the polishing process. Heat transfer sources can include pulleys, slurry dispensers, polishing pad conditioners or conditioner back supports, fluid nozzles, and sealed fluid cavity belt supports.

In sub-micron scale integrated circuits, CMP techniques are used to create the planarity required in multi-level interconnect structures. Specifically, to create a planar surface for depositing an interconnect layer, e.g. aluminum, tungsten, or copper, an interlayer dielectric (e.g., silicon dioxide) is planarized by a polishing process. This polishing process uses a polishing pad, usually polyurethane, under pressure in frictional contact with the wafer surface. The polishing pad carries an alkaline or acidic slurry with a fine abrasive.
CMP in semiconductor processing removes the highest points from the surface of a wafer to polish the surface, as described for example in Leach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,341, issued Mar. 4, 1997. CMP operations are performed on unprocessed and partially processed wafers. A typical unprocessed wafer is crystalline silicon or another semiconductor material that is formed into a nearly circular flat wafer. A typical wafer, when ready for polishing, has a top layer of a dielectric material such as glass, silicon dioxide, or of a metal conformally overlying one or more patterned layers. These underlying patterned layers create local protrusions on the order of about 1 .mu.m in height on the dielectric surface of the wafer. Polishing smoothes the local features, so that ideally the surface of the wafer is flat or planarized over an area the size of a die (a potential semiconductor chip) formed on the wafer. Currently, polishing is sought that locally planarizes the wafer to a tolerance of about 0.3 .mu.m over the area of a die about 10 mm by 10 mm in size.
To maintain uniformity over the polished surface of the interlayer dielectric and to provide wafer-to-wafer reproducibility (global uniformity) of the polishing process, the polishing surface, typically a polyurethane pad, is required to be conditioned during use or between uses.
Polishing rate and uniformity depend in a complex fashion on a number of process variables at the wafer-pad interface, significantly contact pressure, relative velocity between the polishing pad and wafer surface, hardness (durometer) of the polishing pad, properties of the slurry, and rate of chemical reaction. Many of these variables are temperature dependent, particularly the chemical reaction rate, although the polishing pad durometer and slurry viscosity, for example, are also temperature dependent.
Because of the temperature dependence of process variables in CMP, it is desired to regulate the temperature in order to stabilize these process variables. It is additionally desired to provide precise control of temperature over the range of interest, i.e., a range of about 40 degrees F. to 120 degrees F. (about 4.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C.). It is ultimately desired to provide a controlled distribution of temperature locally across a wafer surface and from wafer-to-wafer.
Traditionally, CMP is performed using a planetary CMP apparatus. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a planetary CMP apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 1, CMP apparatus 100 includes a polishing table or platen 103, rotating in the direction indicated by reference numeral 105. Onto platen 103 is mounted a polishing pad 104. A silicon wafer (not shown) is mounted onto a polishing head 101 and is pressed against the surface of polishing pad 104. Polishing head 101 rotates the silicon wafer in a direction 109, generally in the same direction 105 of rotating platen 103. In addition, an oscillating arm 106 reciprocates polishing head 101 laterally along an arc indicated by reference numerals 108a and 108b. Correspondingly, a conditioning pad (not shown) is mounted onto a smaller platen 102 against polishing pad 104. Platen 102 rotates in the direction indicated by reference numeral 110 and is reciprocated by an oscillating arm 111 along an arc indicated by reference numerals 107a and 107b throughout the CMP process. Slurry is sprayed or otherwise applied onto the surface of polishing pad 104 by a slurry dispenser 113 throughout the CMP process.
Temperature regulation is difficult to achieve in the traditional planetary CMP configuration of FIG. 1. Non-uniform heating is produced by friction at the wafer-pad interface, due to the locally variable and complex motion of the polishing pad relative to the wafer surface. Temperature stabilization has been attempted by passing temperature controlled water or other heat transfer fluid through passages (not shown) internal to platen 103. Fluid temperatures have typically ranged from about 4.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. Internal fluid cooling requires complicated rotary fluid feedthroughs. Additionally, platen 103 has a large thermal mass, and therefore causes substantial thermal hysteresis. Further, it is difficult to transfer heat between rotating platen 103 and the wafer-pad interface with a distribution that offsets the frictional heating profile.
Temperature stabilization of a CMP process has also been attempted by cooling or heating the slurry prior to dispensing by slurry dispenser 113. As with platen temperature stabilization, the result has been at best to bias the average process temperature lower or higher. This temperature bias can increase or decrease the removal rate globally, but cannot offset the complex local non-uniform temperature profile generated by frictional heating at the wafer-pad interface.
Thus, attempts at temperature regulation in a traditional planetary CMP process have produced unsatisfactory results. What is needed in the art is an apparatus and method to regulate the temperature in order to stabilize a CMP process. Additionally needed are an apparatus and method to provide precise control of temperature in a CMP process over the temperature range of interest, typically a range of about 4.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. Ultimately needed in the art are an apparatus and method to provide a controlled local temperature distribution across a wafer surface and from wafer-to-wafer in a CMP process. The above needs should be fulfilled without incurring excessive cost, complexity, or detrimental side effects such as thermal stresses.


A device includes a digital frontend. The digital frontend is configured to digitally modulate symbols for digital signals of a plurality of channels according to a transmission protocol. Each channel is associated with at least one respective carrier frequency within a transmission bandwidth. The digital frontend is further configured to combine the digital signals to obtain a digital output signal. The device further includes an analog frontend having a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital output signal into an analog output signal. The analog frontend also includes a programmable gain amplifier configured to apply an analog gain to the analog output signal. The device further includes a control logic configured to determine the analog gain based on calibration data indicative of the frequency response of the analog frontend across a transmission bandwidth.

In various communication systems, multi-channel transmission is employed. Here, multiple channels are multiplexed onto a transmission spectrum, wherein different channels occupy different bandwidths (BWs) within the transmission spectrum. Each channel may include data of a certain application and/or subscriber.
Sometimes, it can be required to set a signal level—e.g., defining the power or power spectral density (PSD)—individually for each one of the plurality of channels. Different channels of the plurality of channels may employ at different signal level.
An example of a multi-channel transmission protocol is Data-Over-Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) 3.1, Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. 2013-2016. For example, the physical layer of the DOCSIS 3.1 transmission protocol requires a specific output power for upstream transmission, see DOCSIS 3.1, Physical Layer Specification, CM-SP-PHYv3.1-109-160602, e.g., Chapter Chapters 188.8.131.52 and 220.127.116.11.
To achieve this, typically, a certain gain is set at the transmitter. For example, according to reference implementations, the analog gain may be set individually for each channel of a plurality of channels. Thereby, the gain of each channel may be set accurately and with great flexibility.
However, such techniques face certain restrictions and drawbacks. For example, according to reference implementations, an analog programmable gain amplifier may be required for each channel. Provisioning a plurality of programmable gain amplifiers can be costly. Furthermore, this may restrict the flexibility with which channels can be created or discarded.

Multi-channel transmission with flexible gains


A therapeutic treatment table includes a frame and a table section for supporting at least a portion of the body of a patient. The table section includes a body support and a drop mechanism that is mounted between the frame and the body support and adapted to drop the body support from an upper position to a lower position. A fluid actuator is mounted between the frame and the body support and adapted to raise the body support from the lower position to the upper position, and a mechanism is provided for controlling the flow of fluid to the fluid actuator in order to control the rate by which the fluid actuator raises the body support from the lower position to the upper position.

Chiropractic tables are known for use in treating patients suffering from a variety of orthopedic and neuropathic maladies. Such treatments include placing the patient's spine in vertical flexion (head to chest motion), extension (head to back motion), lateral flexion (left and right motion) and rotation (turning motion), as well as coupling vertical and lateral flexion to produce circumduction. Chiropractic tables are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,454 of Ekholm, U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,100 of Moon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,626 of Paolino, U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,552 of Moon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,581 of Ekholm, U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,905 of Barnes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,286 of Scott et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,750 of Steffensmeier and U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,905 of Peetros, et al. Chiropractic tables commonly include one or more sections, some or all of which may include a drop mechanism for use in treating a particular portion of the patient's body. Generally, these drop mechanisms include an actuating mechanism that allows the table section, or a portion of the table section, to move abruptly and rapidly through a controlled distance when a force or pressure is applied to a body part that is supported on the table section by a chiropractor or other therapist. It is common for a chiropractor or other therapist to employ a series of drop treatments in succession in order to provide a therapeutic benefit. Consequently, a mechanism must be provided to raise the drop section of the table back up to its "pre-drop" level after each drop treatment. Some chiropractic tables are provided with a manually-operated "cocking" device to raise the drop section by using a hand lever to rotate a cocking shaft that is connected to the drop section. However, a disadvantage of such mechanisms is that they are time-consuming to operate and require considerable effort on the part of the practitioner, particularly if the patient is heavy. Other tables include a cocking device which includes a fluid actuator that is employed to raise the drop section. However, these actuators tend to raise the drop section rather quickly, and some patients find this uncomfortable and/or disconcerting. U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,626 of Paolino describes a table which includes a motorized cocking device in which an electric motor, a speed reducing gear train and an eccentric linkage assembly are employed to rotate a cocking shaft to raise the drop section. Although this motorized cocking device is reported to provide a "gentle cocking action which will not injure or alarm the patient", it does require a complicated and expensive assembly of components.
It would be desirable, therefore, if a therapeutic device could be developed for providing a controlled cocking action to raise the drop section at a rate that is comfortable for the patient. It would also be desirable if such a device could be provided utilizing reliable and inexpensive components.

Control system for lift assembly associated with chiropractic drop mechanism