A rotatable driver comprising a Geneva type wheel is operated by a turning knob associated with climate designations on a mounting dashboard panel. The driver has drive pins that engage slots in tangential movement in driven links connected to push-pull cables. These cables in turn are connected to control doors in air ducts in vehicle climate control systems. The driver includes a wall segment selectively engageable with the driven links to serve as a stop such that upon driving movement of one of the driven links the other driven link is held stationary. One of the driven links has a cam edge that actuates an electric switch for an air conditioning unit on the vehicle in selected positions of the driven link. A directional air flow lever has an axis of rotation in alignment with the axis of rotation of the rotatable driver and operative between the turning knob and the mounting panel.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in climate control means for vehicles, and is more particularly concerned with control means for adjusting air flow in a driver's compartment.
Trucks and passenger cars, as well as other vehicles, are equipped with climate control means for directing air specifically to the operator's compartment. A choice of outside or recirculated air is often present. The climate control means include ducts that have an air inlet, outlets for the air in the driver's compartment comprising an outlet directed toward the floor, a defrost outlet directed toward the inner surface of the windshield, and outlets for intermediate vents. Heater means are incorporated in the ducts and many systems also incorporate air conditioning means. The ducts are associated with a plurality of doors for selectively directing the moving air as commanded by a climate control panel usually provided on the dashboard. These doors, upon being moved to suitable open and closed positions, or intermediate positions, provide for outside or recirculated air, vent flow, a combination vent and floor flow, a combination floor and defrost flow, and defrost flow.
The area behind the dashboard is usually very limited and thus drive means for the climate control means must adapt to this small space. Electric and air operated controls are frequently used and can be compacted in this limited area since they can utilize remote out-of-the-way drive means. However, where electric and air drive means are not practical, manual drive means, such as push-pull cables are used, and such manual systems are difficult to adapt to such limited space and at the same time be economically practical in their structure and efficiency in operation.

Air direction control means for vehicle climate control means


When data is stored in many storage subsystems, metadata, such as a sequence number, is also generated and stored with the data. When the data is accessed, the metadata is checked to ensure that the desired data element has been accessed. In conventional storage subsystems, data elements, such as logical blocks, are stored sequentially in logical pages of each logical volume. Consequently, sequence numbers closely correlate with block positions within the physical pages and sequence number/position patterns tend to repeat frequently and access errors may not be detected. Algorithms are provided to calculate new, offset, physical block positions which reduce the close association of sequence numbers and physical positions, thereby reducing such aliasing. The algorithms incorporate the logical volume number, the logical page number, or both, in addition to the logical block number. As a result, detection of access errors becomes more likely.

In a typical disk storage subsystem, the storage space of the physical disks attached to the storage subsystem is configured to appear to a host system as a collection of separately addressable logical storage volumes. When the host system requests access to a data element of a logical volume, the storage subsystem maps the address of the requested data element on the logical volume to a corresponding data element on an attached physical device and directs the access request to the correct physical location. Thus, logical devices or volumes are emulated by the storage subsystem and devices appear to the host system as a natively attached physical device. The host, therefore, is able to access logical devices or volumes independent of the physical space containing the actual data. For example, a single large physical storage space may be configured as several smaller virtual (logical) spaces. When the physical storage space comprises multiple units of media, a logical volume may span more than one such unit. Additionally, physical storage may be configured as logical volumes for use by multiple hosts and/or multiple operating systems. Details and other benefits of the virtualization of logical volumes are well known and will not be described further herein.
The virtualized logical volumes may be comprised of any type of physical storage including, without limitation, electronic memory (such as RAM or solid state memory), hard disks, RAID arrays, tape cartridges, optical discs and other media. Removable media may be (but need not be) contained with an automated data storage library.
In some storage subsystems, metadata is generated when data is written to storage and checked when the data is later read to ensure that the correct data element has been fetched. For example, when a data block is written to a SCSI disk, a sequence number comprising the two low-order bytes of the logical address of the block may be stored with the data itself. The sequence number is retrieved when the data is read and compared with the two low-order bytes of the logical address used to access the target block. If the data block was stored in the wrong location or if the wrong block was retrieved, the error will typically be detected.
In some storage subsystems, physical storage, such as hard disks, is virtualized by dividing the physical space in to fixed size "pages". Pages are then logically concatenated to create storage space for an emulated logical device or volume. The strength of sequence number verification may by compromised if the number of blocks in a page is an integral power of 2. For example, when the sequence numbers are generated from the two low-order bytes (16 bits) of the logical block addresses, there are 216=64 KB possible sequence numbers. Table 1 illustrates a prior art arrangement of logical blocks (LV Blocks) in which, for convenience, each page has eight blocks and sequence number are 2 bits (ranging from 0-3).
TABLE 1LOGICAL VOLUME 0 (Prior Art)ArrayLV BlockSequencePageArrayNo.No.No.Block No.0000110122023303400451056206730780109111102121131312014131151421615317160201712118222193232002421125222262332724030
Because the number of blocks in a page is a power of 2 and exceeds the range of the sequence numbers, all pages begin and end with the same sequence number. On the other hand, if the number of blocks in a page is less than the range of sequence numbers, the progression of sequence numbers within the pages will still repeat periodically, but over some number of pages rather than at each page. In either configuration, such "aliasing" of sequence numbers among the blocks may result in a sequence number check failing to detect an error: a miscalculation of which page is mapped to page A of volume B might cause access instead to page C of volume D. Similarly, an attempt to access a block stored in position F of page A of volume B may instead mistakenly access the block stored in position F of page C of volume B. In both instances, blocks have the same sequence number and an incorrect access (or storage) would go undetected.
Several solutions have been suggested. In one, the page sizes could be created with a number of blocks which is not an exact power of 2. However, because volumes are typically an exact multiple of a power of 2 in size, alignment to page boundaries, which prevents wasted space, becomes difficult. Moreover, arithmetic in block address calculations becomes more complicated.
In another suggestion, one or more additional fields, such as the page number, may be included in the metadata and stored with the existing sequence number. However, the overhead required to implement such a solution reduces storage capacity otherwise used for customer data. And, it would require significant modification to existing systems which are programmed to handle only a single, sequence number, field.
In alternative suggestions, the page number or the volume number may be added to the sequence number. However, in the former arrangement, every page N of every volume would have the same set of modified sequence numbers and in the latter arrangement, every page of a particular volume would have the same set of modified sequence numbers. If both the page number and volume number are added to the sequence number, aliasing may be avoided but performance would be degraded when data is transferred to the new arrangement because the sequence fields would have to be re-synthesized on the fly.
Consequently, it remains desirable to reduce sequence number aliasing without adversely affecting system performance.

Storage of data blocks of logical volumes in a virtual disk storage subsystem

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for increasing the thickness of field oxide layer is provided. At first, a layer of pad oxide and a layer of silicon nitride mask are defined on a semiconductor substrate, and then a field oxide layer, which isolates active device regions, is formed. After the layer of pad oxide and the layer of silicon nitride are removed, a layer of silicon oxide is formed overlying the field oxide layer. The mentioned silicon oxide layer can increase the thickness of field oxide layer for effectively isolating active device regions without enlarging Bird's Beak. The present invention can also effectively improve the Gate Coupling Ratio in a Flash EEPROM.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method of forming a thick field oxide layer of a semiconductor substrate, and more particularly to a method of increasing the thickness of the field oxide layer by forming a silicon dioxide on the field oxide layer. The invention is illustrated in an example with regard to a method of increasing the thickness of the field oxide layer to improve the Gate Coupling Ratio (GCR) with regard to the manufacture of a Read Only Memory (ROM), more particularly to the manufacture of a Flash Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (Flash EEPROM).
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A microcircuit can be described as an "ensemble of active and passive components, interconnected within a monolithic block of semiconductor material." Thus the first requirement is to devise schemes for fabricating components that are electrically isolated from each other in order to allow design flexibility. One of the numerous different approaches been in use today is the localized oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) which is specific to silicon microcircuits. In the LOCOS process, a field oxide layer is formed onto a silicon substrate. The field oxide layer can isolate components from each other for their independent operation.
In general, the field oxide layer is formed at exposed regions of a silicon substrate by using a method of thermal oxidation. One of the technological problems which arise during the application of LOCOS is "bird's beak", which is a lateral extension of the field oxide into the active area of the device. This effect leads to predictions that LOCOS isolation would decrease the active area of the device and increase difficulties in the semiconductor processing.
The thicker the field oxide is, the better the isolation between devices is. However, one of the parameters upon which the length of the bird's beak depends is the thickness of the isolation field oxide. Therefore, increasing the thickness of isolation field oxide without limiting the size or area of the active device regions can not only improve the isolation between devices but also increase the range of applications on a Read Only Memory (ROM).
In the fabrication of a ROM, particularly an EEPROM, it is often necessary to fabricate a storage cell that retains data after the applied power is turned off, that is, a storage cell having almost permanent data characteristics. The storage cells are generally mass data storage files where each cell corresponds to the presence or absence of a stored charge on a floating gate of a storage cell transistor. Specifically, the storage cell includes at least two conducting layers, i.e., one conducting layer is the control gate for control of the cell operation. The floating gate is formed on a thin gate oxide formed on the substrate. The control gate is located above the floating gate, and the control gate and floating gate are isolated from each other by a thin dielectric layer known as an "interpoly oxide", which may typically be composed of oxide/nitride/oxide (ONO). In some typical EEPROMs, data is programmed into the cells by applying a high voltage to the control gate to inject hot electrons (or tunnel electrons in some devices) into the floating gate. The process of programming data is often called coding. In coding, the charge is transferred from the silicon substrate through the thin gate oxide layer to the floating gate. The interface area A2 (FIG. 1) between the floating gate and the control gate are related to the Gate Coupling Ratio (GCR) of the EEPROM. A larger interface area between floating gate and control gate can get a higher the Gate Coupling Ratio (GCR) of the EEPROM. Thus, the required voltage of driving electrons for programming and erasing data would be lowered.
In EEPROMs, especially for flash EEPROMs, it is generally critical to grow a high-quality, thin gate oxide (used as a tunneling oxide) in the storage cell and (used as a thin gate oxide) in some transistors in the periphery of the storage cell region in order to provide high driving capability for higher speed. Controlling the thickness of the thin gate oxide is crucial, especially since design rules for devices with gates are becoming increasingly smaller and require thinner gate oxides. Because high-voltage supplies are used, thicker gate oxides at the periphery of the storage cell region are needed to maintain device quality and reliability after long-term high voltage stress from the high voltage (e.g., up to or greater than .+-.12 V) generated through a pumping circuit for storage cell coding and/or erase. Therefore, implementing larger field oxide thickness in EEPROM devices is an important aspect of the fabrication of high performance devices.
FIG. 1 shows a cross-section view of an EEPROM structure formed according to conventional steps. The EEPROM is made using a LOCOS process. The field isolation oxide layer is generally made by forming a thickness of silicon dioxide 111 using an oxidation process, i.e., thermal treatment, overlying a silicon substrate 101. Each of the isolation structures includes active device regions between the isolation structures. Next, a thickness of silicon dioxide (not shown), which is made for a gate oxide layer, is formed on the surface of the active device regions using an oxidation process. A first polysilicon layer 131 as the floating gate of the ROM is formed onto the gate oxide layer. Then, a second polysilicon layer 141 as the control gate of the ROM is formed overlying the field oxide 111 and the first polysilicon layer 131.
Referring to FIG. 1, the interface area A2 between the first polysilicon layer 131 and the second polysilicon layer 141 depends upon the surface area of the first polysilicon layer 131. If the thickness of the field oxide layer 111 is increased but the length of the field oxide 111, then A2 can be increased effectively and the interface area A1 between gate oxide and silicon substrate can be maintained. Thus, the Gate Coupling Ratio (GCR) of the EEPROM would be improved without enlarging bird's beak, and the operating voltage of the EEPROM would be lowered.
From the above, it is seen that the technique of the present invention for improving the isolation between integrated circuit devices by increasing the thickness of field oxide layer and simultaneously increasing the GCR to lower the operation voltage of devices is highly desired.

Method of increasing thickness of field oxide layer


The present invention provides for novel immungens that are comprised of an activated polyhydroxypolymer backbone to which is attached 2 separate antigenic determinants. The 1st antigenic determinant includes a B-cell or CTL epitope and the 2nd antigenic determinant includes a T-helper epitope. In preferred embodiments, the antigenic determinants are derived from different molecules and species. Exemplary immunogens of the invention are constituted of a linear tresyl-activated dextran backbone to which is coupled B-cell or CTL epitopes of an antigen and to which is also coupled universal T-helper epitopes. Also disclosed are immunogenic compositions comprising the immunogens, methods of immunization and a method for identification of suitable immunogens of the invention.

Agents for immunizing or vaccinating animals include a large variety of different solutions to various problems involved in immunization.
When immunizing with small antigens or haptens, one problem is often the absence of peptide sequences in the immunogen that can trigger CD4+ cells to provide the necessary help for B-cell or CTLs to mount a sufficient immune response. This problem is especially important when the antigen is of self-origin.
The traditional approach has been to covalently couple (conjugate) the antigen of interest to a large immunogenic carrier protein. In recent years this technology has been refined by utilising immunogens comprised of short peptide antigens fused to relevant carrier proteins or even to known universal T-helper epitopes.
However, both of these prior art technologies suffer a number of drawbacks. If using the traditional carrier approach, it is difficult to characterise the resulting product and it is further a problem that the immune response induced will have a tendency to be directed towards the carrier moiety and not to towards the peptide antigen—this phenomenon is known as "carrier suppression".
Furthermore, when coupling a small peptide to a large carrier, it is normally not predictable whether or not the antigenic determinant(s) of the peptide will be accessible to the immune system, since the carrier moiety to some degree will shield the peptide.
Similar problems exist with fusion of carriers to peptides—this problem is to some extent avoided when using "carriers" that are constituted of short T-helper epitopes. Nevertheless, this may also give rise to problems. Due to the small size of both the peptide and the T-helper epitope, it is not in any way a certain thing that the ratio between T-helper epitopes and antigenic determinant is optimal in order to trigger the most effective immune response.
In conclusion, there is a definite need to device novel strategies for preparing vaccine based on small antigenic peptides or small haptens.


A method includes simulating one or more states of a movable object by implementing a movable object model. Each simulated state is associated with simulated state data of the movable object. The method further includes determining one or more sets of simulated sensor data corresponding to the one or more simulated states respectively by implementing a plurality of sensor models, determining environment data of a simulated environment surrounding the movable object by implementing an environment model, providing the one or more sets of simulated sensor data to a movable object controller configured for generating control signals to adjust states of the movable object, and providing the simulated state data and the environment data to a vision simulator configured for visualizing operations of the movable object in the one or more simulated states.

Movable objects such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for performing surveillance, reconnaissance, and exploration tasks for military and civilian applications. A movable object usually is associated with a plurality of sensors configured for performing various functions. It is important to test the performance of the movable object and the performance of the plurality of sensors under various environments.

Method and system for simulating movable object states


The invention is embodied in an anisotropic, soft magnetic thin film article comprising a cobalt-iron-chromium-nitrogen (Co--Fe--Cr--N) alloy. The thin film is formed such that the alloy has a relatively high saturation magnetization (4.pi.M.sub.s), e.g., greater than approximately 8 kilogauss (kG), a relatively low coercivity (H.sub.c), e.g., less than approximately 2.0 oersteds (Oe), a relatively high squareness ratio (M.sub.r /M.sub.s), e.g., greater than approximately 0.90, and a relatively high anisotropy field (H.sub.k), e.g., greater than approximately 20 Oe, in an as-deposited condition or, alternatively, with a relatively low temperature treatment, e.g., below approximately 300.degree. Celsius. The inventive films are suitable for use in electromagnetic devices, e.g., in microtransformer cores, inductor cores and in magnetic read-write heads.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to thin films of magnetically soft alloys. More particularly, the invention relates to articles comprising these alloys and methods for making such articles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thin film soft magnetic materials are useful in modern, high-frequency, electromagnetic devices, e.g., as a field-amplifying component in the read-write head of magnetic disk memories in computers or as a core in microtransformers and inductors. Among the desired properties of these films are relatively high saturation magnetization (4.pi.M.sub.s), low coercivity (H.sub.c), high permeability, high electrical resistivity and high corrosion resistance. Various applications of soft magnetic thin films are described, e.g., in books Magnetic Thin Films by R. F. Soohoo, Harper and Row, 1965; Thin Ferromagnetic Films by M. Prutton, Butterworth, 1964; and in articles such as C. R. Sullivan and S. R. Sanders, IEEE Trans. on Power Electronics, Proc. 24th Annual Power Electronics Specialists Conf., p. 33-40, June 1993; and T. Yachi et al., IEEE Trans. Magn. 28, 1969-1973 (1992).
Among conventional soft magnetic thin films, nickel-iron (Ni--Fe) based films such as 80% Ni-20% Fe (permalloy) are useful because of their favorable magnetic properties and zero magnetostriction characteristics. Iron-based films such as iron-tantalum (Fe--Ta), iron-zirconium (Fe--Zr) and iron-hafnium (Fe--Hf) alloys generally exhibit saturation magnetizations (4.pi.M.sub.s) of approximately 15-20 kilogauss (kG) as compared to approximately 10 kG for the 80% Ni permalloy films (see, e.g., N. Kataoka et al., Japanese J. Appl. Phys. 28, L462-L464, 1989, Trans. Jap. Inst. Metals 31, 429, 1990). However, iron-based films exhibit poorer soft magnetic properties and require post-deposition heat treatment.
To obtain improved soft magnetic properties, nitrogen-containing films of these iron-based alloys such as iron-tantalum-nitrogen (Fe--Ta--N) have been prepared. See, e.g., E. Haftek et al., IEEE Trans. Magn. 30, 3915-3917 (1994); N. Ishiwata et al., J. Appl. Phys. 69, 5616 (1991); J. Lin et al., IEEE Trans. Magn. 30, 3912-3914 (1994); and G. Qiu et al., J. Appl. Phys. 73, 6573 (1993). However, although desirable magnetic softness, e.g., a coercivity (H.sub.c) of less than approximately 2 oersteds (Oe) (for microtransformer applications), is obtainable in these nitrogen-containing films, it is apparent from the aforementioned articles that such desirable soft magnetic properties are difficult to obtain in an as-deposited form, but are possible after post-deposition heat treatment at high temperatures.
However, such heat treatment of deposited films is an additional processing step that needs to be avoided if possible, not only from a manufacturing cost point of view but also because of the complications of having to expose various other components and materials in the devices to high temperatures. Therefore, it is desirable for the required soft magnetic properties in the films to be obtained in the as-deposited condition, or at worst, with a very low temperature heat treatment below approximately 150.degree. Celsius.
Desirable high-frequency properties for soft magnetic films include relatively high permeability and low power loss. There are several sources of loss in ferromagnetic materials, including hysteresis loss, eddy current loss and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) loss.
Hysteresis loss is reduced or minimized, e.g., by avoiding magnetic domain wall displacement, such as by performing alternating current (AC) operation of the magnetic films in the magnetically hard-axis so that magnetization only by spin rotation is used. Such mode of operation is accomplished most conveniently by providing a strong anisotropy (H.sub.k) and a square magnetic hysteresis (M-H) loop. For example, see co-pending application Ser. No. 08/595,543, filed Feb. 2, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,175 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
Eddy current loss increases in proportion to the square of the operating frequency, and thus plays an important role in the high-frequency applications. Eddy current loss is reduced, e.g., by increasing the field penetration depth (skin depth) with relatively high electrical resistance in the magnetic material, either by using a thin film configuration or by selecting relatively high resistivity materials.
The occurrence of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in high-frequency ranges such as approximately 10 megahertz (MHz) or greater in most of the soft magnetic materials generally causes the magnetic permeability to drop off and the magnetic loss to increase by orders of magnitude, often spanning a frequency range from approximately 1-2 orders of magnitude. Such behavior is conventional for Ni--Zn ferrites. For example, see generally R. S. Tebble and D. J. Craik, Magnetic Materials (Wiley, New York, 1969), p. 598.
Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) occurs when the frequency of the applied AC field matches the characteristic precession frequency of spins in the magnetic material. This precession frequency, fr, is determined by the total anisotropy field (H.sub.k) experienced by the spins. For a thin film, for which the demagnetizing field (H.sub.d) along the z direction is approximately equal to the saturation magnetization (4.pi.M.sub.s), the FMR frequency is expressed as EQU f.sub.r =2.pi..gamma..multidot.(H.sub.k .multidot.4.pi.M.sub.s).sup.1/2,
where .gamma. is the gyromagnetic constant (2.pi..gamma.=2.8 MHz/Oe), and H.sub.k is the in-plane anisotropy field. This relation applies for the case when the AC field is applied in the plane of the film perpendicular to the easy-axis. In order to raise the FMR frequency so that ferromagnetic resonance does not interfere with the high-frequency operation of the magnetic materials, a higher anisotropy field (H.sub.k) and higher saturation magnetization (4.pi.M.sub.s) are needed. Typically, values of the anisotropy field (H.sub.k) up to approximately 10-15 oersteds (Oe) are obtainable, but anisotropy fields (H.sub.k) higher than 15 Oe in soft magnetic films generally are difficult to obtain. However, in high-frequency applications such as in wireless cellular communications, magnetic films with FMR frequencies of at least approximately 1 gigahertz (GHz) are desired.
Therefore, it is desirable to have soft magnetic thin films with greater saturation magnetization (4.pi.M.sub.s) and greater anisotropy fields (H.sub.k) than conventional soft magnetic thin films.

Article comprising anisotropic Co-Fe-Cr-N soft magnetic thin films


A system, method, and program product are provided that identifies a remote stored procedure stored in a remote database management system, and automatically generates a local stored procedure stored in a local database management system. To automatically generate the local stored procedure, local and remote metadata are gathered corresponding, respectively, to a local database management system and a remote database management system. The remote metadata is used to create a call statement to the remote stored procedure. The created invocation method maps input values, input to the local stored procedure, to input parameters of the remote stored procedure. Results in the local stored procedure are set by mapping the data returned from the remote stored procedure to the corresponding return values (e.g., parameters and result sets) in the local stored procedure values.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to a system and method for accessing remote databases. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method that virtualizes stored procedures to allow the use of non-native stored procedures from a database environment.
2. Computer Program Listing Appendix
A Computer Program Listing Appendix has been filed concurrently with the present application and is incorporated by reference in its entirety, herein. Listings of four computer programs in the Java programming language are included on the CD-ROM in compliance with CFR §1.96 and MPEP §608.05. Two identical copies of the CD-ROM, labeled "Copy 1" and "Copy 2," have been included.
The files "INIT", "CREATEJAVASOURCECODE.TXT", and "DB2ORACLEDATATYPEMAPPING.TXT," were created on or before Jul. 21, 2005, and the program named "DB2SPNAME.TXT" was created on or before Jun. 7, 2006.
3. Description of the Related Art
Relational database applications have the ability to run "stored procedures" that are essentially, software applications with SQL statements and other control-flow language instructions. While stored procedures usually include SQL statements, they differ from SQL statements in that stored procedures are generally pre-compiled by the database management system (DBMS). Stored procedures are widely used by relational database application developers. Some of this popularity stems from the pre-compilation aspects of stored procedures, as mentioned above.
As indicated above, stored procedures are used with a particular database management system (DBMS). A DBMS is a collection of programs that enables the user to store, modify, and extract information from a database. There are many different types of DBMSs, ranging from small systems that run on personal computers to huge systems that run on mainframes. There are also many different vendors that supply DBMSs, such as International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Oracle Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Teradata, Sybase, Inc. and others. These DBMS vendors often offer multiple DBMS products to serve different needs and markets. Consequently, each DBMS has its strengths and weaknesses when compared with other DBMSs.
Stored procedures in most modern database environments have many similarities to other programming languages. In particular, stored procedures are often able to accept input parameters and return multiple values in the form of output parameters to the calling procedure or batch; and contain programming statements that perform operations in the database, including calling other procedures; return a status value to a calling procedure or batch to indicate success or failure (and the reason for the failure).
While stored procedures are widely used, there are some shortcomings to their use. One shortcoming faced by relational database application developers is that stored procedures are specific to a particular DBMS. In other words, a stored procedure native to a first type of DBMS cannot inherently call stored procedures that are native to a second, different, type of DBMS.
What is needed, therefore, is a system, method, and program product that virtualizes a stored procedure native to a remote DBMS so that it can be integrated with a local remote procedure. What is further needed is a system, method, and program product that runs the remote stored procedure on the remote DBMS and returns the resulting data to the local stored procedure in a format usable by the local stored procedure.

System and method for virtualization of relational stored procedures in non-native relational database systems


A line retrieve-release system is provided for mounting on the hull of a boat. First and second jaw mechanisms coupled to the hull face substantially forward and aft, respectively, relative to the boat's bow. Each jaw mechanism is capable of movement between a partially open position and a fully open position. First and second latches are coupled to the first and second jaw mechanisms, respectively. Each latch is biased to cooperate with its respective jaw mechanism in the partially open position thereof to thereby define a corresponding enclosed region. Each latch permits one-way entry to its associated enclosed region when a force is applied thereto from outside of the enclosed region. Each jaw mechanisms' partially open position defines a “ready-to-retrieve” and “line capture” position of the system, while each jaw mechanisms' fully open position defines a “line release” position of the system. Additional mechanism(s) are provide to (i) move each of the jaw mechanisms to their respective fully open position to thereby open the associated enclosed regions to facilitate the release of a captured line, and (ii) reset the retrieve-release system to its “ready-to-retrieve” and “line capture” position.

A ship or other surface-floating vessel frequently must be able to deploy and/or retrieve a "line" (e.g., tow rope or cable, towed sensor array, mooring line, etc.) floating at or near the water's surface. For example, an autonomous ship/vessel is frequently deployed from a mother ship and recovered by a mother ship using a mechanism (mounted on the autonomous ship/vessel) that can automatically retrieve and release a line that is towed behind a mother ship. Given the prevalence of autonomous ships/vessels in the Navy, there is a need for a mechanism that can accomplish these tasks quickly and reliably.

Hull-mounted line retrieval and release system

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


An implant assembly and associated method for selectively performing reverse and traditional arthroplasty for a shoulder joint that includes a humerus and a glenoid. The implant assembly may include a head, a cup, a humeral stem and an adaptor. The method includes inserting the humeral stem to the humerus and connecting a male taper of the adaptor to a female taper of the head. For reverse arthroplasty, the method includes attaching the adaptor to the glenoid and the cup to the stem. For traditional arthroplasty, the method includes attaching the adaptor to the humeral stem and the cup to the glenoid. The method also includes articulating the head with the cup.

A natural shoulder joint may undergo degenerative changes caused by a variety of reasons. When these degenerative changes become so far advanced and irreversible, it may ultimately become necessary to replace a natural shoulder joint with a prosthetic shoulder joint. In the traditional implantation of a shoulder joint prosthesis, the natural head portion of the humerus is resected and a cavity is created in the intramedullary canal of the host humerus for accepting a humeral component. The humeral component generally includes a stem and a head portion, which is used to replace the natural head of the humerus. Once the humeral component has been implanted, the glenoid cavity positioned at the scapula may also be resected and shaped to accept a glenoid component. The glenoid component generally includes an articulating surface or cup which is engaged by the head portion of the humeral component. Modular designs for the humeral and glenoid components are currently available for the traditional shoulder arthroplasty, and components of different sizes or shapes are at the disposal of the surgeon performing the operation.
The traditional shoulder joint arthroplasty typically involves the coupling of a humeral head with a modified humerus, while a concave bearing member can be placed on a prepared glenoid. In the reverse shoulder prosthesis, the humeral component includes a stem and a cup connected to the stem. The glenoid component supports a head which articulates with the cup.
It is not always practical to determine well in advance of the procedure whether a reverse or traditional shoulder prosthesis should be used. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a selection of modular components that can be combined for use in traditional as well as reverse shoulder arthroplasty, with the goals of increasing flexibility and choice and for providing interchangeable and easy to use components that are also cost effective.


A multi-functional ratchet includes first and second bars with left and right axially opposed ends respectively. Each bar is provided with a channel formed therein with a longitudinal length that is less than the longitudinal length of the bar. The apparatus further includes first and second beams with axially opposed proximal and distal ends. The beams are pivotally attached to the bars. Each beam is provided with a channel formed therein with a longitudinal length that is less than a longitudinal length of the beam. A mechanism winds a strap about a central portion of the ratchet when the first and second beams are laterally displaced away from equilibrium. The winding mechanism is connected to the bars and the beams respectively. The strap is freely rotated about the central portion while the first and second beams are maintained at a static position.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to ratcheting apparatuses and, more particularly, to a multi-functional ratchet and associated method for assisting a user to quickly and easily wind an existing strap housed by said multi-functional ratchet.
2. Prior Art
Due to high moving costs many Americans choose to move home furnishing themselves, by employing pickup trucks, flatbed trucks, etc. The mover loads the belongings onto the truck and then secures the belongings thereto so the objects do not move or fall out of the truck and be damaged. Most of these belongings are secured using lengths of cord or commercially available ratchet and strap systems. Cords can fray and separate, and are also hard to tightly secure and tie down adequately. Ratchet and strap systems can be frustrating to use and often become tangled and useless.
One prior art example shows a two-arm tensioning device that is used to tighten and to lock load-fastening belts. The arms are pivotally mounted about a reel drum on which are mounted toothed discs which turn with the drum. Upon pivoting of the first arm the belt is wound onto the reel drum by the engagement of a first catch on the first arm with the teeth of the discs. A second catch on the second arm is provided to prevent, through its engagement with the disc teeth, turning movement of the drum in the opposite direction. The second arm includes a locking member arranged to releasably engage the first catch to prevent unintentional pivoting of the first arm after tightening of the belt. A special safety catch in the form of a projection is provided on the first arm to releasably retain the second catch in engagement with the disc teeth. Unfortunately this prior art example does not provide a means for a user to wind the length of strap onto the spindle for storage and transport purposes.
Another prior art example shows a ratchet strap tightener that is manufactured by a plastic injection molding process and includes a body, a lever and a ratchet device. The body has two parallel strap holders adapted to hold one end of a strap. The lever is pivotally attached to the body with the ratchet device to allow a strap shaft to rotate toward the lever when the lever is pivoted away from the body. A strap slot is defined in the axle and is adapted to hold the other end of the strap. The strap is rolled on the axle to tighten the strap which binds around an object when the lever is pivoted continuously. Unfortunately this prior art example does not allow a user to wind a longer-than-normal length of strap around the spindle during non-operating conditions.
Accordingly, a need remains for a multi-functional ratchet and associated method in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing an apparatus that is convenient and easy to use, is lightweight yet durable in design, and assists a user to quickly and easily wind an existing strap housed by said multi-functional ratchet. Such an apparatus allows the user to easily wind the strap around the spindle during non-operating conditions without tangling the strap. The apparatus saves time, and also allows the user to employ a longer-than-normal strap during operating conditions. The present invention is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use.

Multi-functional ratchet and associated method


A microwave shielding plate and a cooking device are disclosed. The microwave shielding plate includes one or more conductive layers, a conductor is provided in each of the conductive layers, and two ends of the conductor are provided with wiring points, so that a shielding section covering the conductive layers is formed when the conductor is coupled into a conductive loop.

Taking a microwave oven as an example, a metal mesh is used for microwave shielding in a conventional microwave oven door. When the metal mesh serves as a microwave shielding layer, the damage of the microwave shielding layer is relatively intuitive. With the application of visualized microwave oven doors, microwave shielding layers meeting the visualization requirement have emerged, and damages of these visible microwave shielding layers are not easily observed by the naked eye, and causing microwave leakage after microwave shielding layers of microwave cooking devices are damaged.

Microwave shielding plate and microwave cooking device


Assembled viral particles derived from rotavirus proteins are disclosed. The assembled particles include the inner capsid protein, VP6, in combination with either or both of the outer capsid proteins, VP4 and VP7. These assemblies can be used in vaccine compositions for the treatment and prevention of rotaviral disease.

Rotaviruses cause gastrointestinal disorders and diarrhea in a wide variety of avian and mammalian species, including man. Several serotypes of rotavirus have been identified, four of which (serotypes 1 to 4) are found in humans and five of which (serotypes 3 to 7) are found in other animals. Recent studies indicate that cross protection among strains belonging to different serotypes may occur in animals including man. Ijaz et al., J Virol (1990) (In Press); Flores et al., J Clin Microbiol (1989) 27:512-518. The rotavirus genome is thought to consist of eleven segments of double-stranded RNA. The eleven genes encode the production of at least six structural proteins of the virus. In complete virus particles, these six proteins occur in a double-shelled arrangement. The outer shell or capsid is comprised of three proteins--virus protein 7 (VP7), virus protein 4 (VP4), and a third protein which has not yet been well characterized. There are three inner shell proteins designated virus protein 1 (VP1), virus protein 2 (VP2), and virus protein 6 (VP6).
VP7 is the major outer shell glycoprotein with an approximate molecular mass of 38 kD in its unreduced form (as determined by SDS-PAGE) and 42 kD in its reduced form (as determined by SDS-PAGE). VP7 has approximately 325 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of several rotavirus isolates has been determined and the sequences are approximately 75 to 86% homologous. Regions of conservation among human and animal species have been reviewed by Estes, M. K. et al., Microbiol Rev (1989) 53:410-449. This protein is known to bind to host cells (Sabara, M. et al., J Virol (1985) 53:58-66). Epitope mapping of VP7 using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies has localized a neutralizing-absorption domain to a component peptide with an approximate molecular mass of 14 kD (Sabara, M. et al., supra). Synthetic peptides derived from within this 14 kD fragment have also been shown to neutralize viral infectivity (Ijaz et al., supra).
A second outer capsid protein, VP4 (formerly designated VP3), is composed of 776 amino acids and has an approximate molecular mass of 82 kD in its unreduced form and 84 kD in its reduced form. The sequence of bovine VP4 has been determined (Potter, A. A. et al., Nucl Acid Res (1987) 15:4361) as has the partial amino acid sequence for simian VP4 (Mackow, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1988) 85:645-649. VP4 possesses hemagglutinating activity, and induces the production of neutralizing antibodies which provide heterotypic passive protection in vivo (Offit, P. A. et al., J Virol (1986) 58:700-703). VP4 is responsible, in combination with VP7, in determining virus serotype.
Dimers of VP4 combine to form the surface spikes of rotavirus that extend distally from the rotavirus outer shell. VP4 is important in the penetration of the virus into the host cell and infectivity is increased by the cleavage of VP4 by trypsin. Trypsin enhanced infectivity is a common feature of all rotaviruses and the cleavage site for trypsin is also conserved as reviewed in Estes et al. (supra).
The inner capsid of rotavirus includes at least three proteins designated VP1, VP2 and VP6. Of interest herein is VP6 which is a 45 kD protein. Bovine VP6 appears to exist in trimeric units in both the virus particle and in infected cells, with the intersubunit linkage consisting of noncovalent interactions. These trimeric units complex further by virtue of disulfide bridges into larger units which likely represent the ring-like structures observed by several investigators using electron microscopy.
VP6 has been identified as the subgroup antigen and has also been described as the common rotavirus group antigen since some monoclonal antibodies raised against this protein react with all rotaviruses and polyclonal serum raised against a single rotavirus type can detect most other rotavirus strains. In addition to its antigenic properties, this nucleocapsid protein is extremely immunogenic and several investigators have found that the antibody raised to this protein has neutralizing ability. (See, e.g. Offit, et al., J Virol (1986) 58:700-703).
VP6 is an effective carrier protein (Redmond, M. J., et al. Mol Immunol (1990) (In Press) and VP4 is able to associate with VP6 monomeric and oligomeric protein units. (Redmond, M. J., et al. supra). The VP4-VP6 association has been shown to withstand harsh treatment such as boiling in SDS. Additionally, VP6 is capable of forming particles in vitro with VP2 and VP7 using a calcium dependent process (Ready, K. F. M., et al., Virology (1988) 167:269-273). The resulting assembly is immunoreactive with antibodies specific for the whole virus as well as for immunodominant sites on VP6 and VP7 and this immunoreactivity is equivalent to that of native bovine rotavirus (BRV). (Ready, K. F. M., et al., supra).
The present invention provides assembled viral particles including peptides or proteins corresponding to VP7 and/or VP4, or immunogenic regions thereof, in combination with VP6. These assembled particles are effective as vaccines and in eliciting the production of neutralizing antibodies. Such a vaccine provides an alternative to the use of a live attenuated virus vaccine.

Assembled viral particles and their use in a vaccine to rotaviral disease


An example information processing device calculates an attitude of an input unit having a magnetic sensor. The information processing device repeatedly obtains detected magnetic vectors detected by the magnetic sensor. The information processing device repeatedly estimates a center position of a spherical body having a curved surface which is estimated based on end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors. The attitude of the input unit is calculated based on a direction vector representing a direction from the center position to the end point position of the detected magnetic vector. The information processing device calculates the attitude while relatively decreasing an influence of a newly-obtained detected magnetic vector as the end point position of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector is farther away from the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors used for the estimation of the center position.

There are conventional techniques for calculating the attitude of a device using a magnetic sensor. For example, by detecting the direction of a magnetic field using a magnetic sensor, it is possible to calculate the attitude of a device with respect to the direction of the magnetic field.
Where the attitude of a device is calculated using a sensor, such as a magnetic sensor, which gives an output by detecting a value that is dependent on the attitude, the ability to precisely calculate the attitude is required.
Thus, the present disclosure provides a storage medium having information processing program stored thereon, an information processing device, an information processing system, and an attitude calculation method capable of precisely calculating the attitude of a device.
(1)
This application describes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing an information processing program to be executed by a computer of an information processing device for calculating an attitude of an input unit having a magnetic sensor. The information processing program causes the computer to execute the following.
The computer repeatedly obtains detected magnetic vectors detected by the magnetic sensor. The computer repeatedly estimates a center position of a spherical body having a curved surface which is estimated based on end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors. The computer calculates the attitude of the input unit based on a direction vector representing a direction from the center position to the end point position of the detected magnetic vector.
The computer calculates the attitude while relatively decreasing an influence of a newly-obtained detected magnetic vector as the end point position of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector is farther away from the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors used for the estimation of the center position.
With configuration (1) above, if the end point position of a newly-obtained detected magnetic vector is relatively far away from the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors obtained thus far, the information processing device calculates the attitude of the input unit while relatively decreasing the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector. Then, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the attitude is calculated based on an inaccurate direction vector in such a case as described above. Thus, it is possible to precisely calculate the attitude of the input unit.
With configuration (1) above, if the end point position of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector is relatively close to the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors obtained thus far, the information processing device calculates the attitude of the input unit while relatively increasing the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector. Then, even when the estimated center position has not sufficiently converged to the vicinity of the actual center position, it is possible to calculate the attitude using a direction vector which is considered accurate to some degree. That is, with the configuration above, even if the estimated center position has not sufficiently converged to the vicinity of the actual center position, it is possible to calculate the attitude using a direction vector, whereby the calculation will not result in an inaccurate attitude. Therefore, with configuration (1) above, it is possible to calculate the attitude early.
(2)
The computer may calculate the attitude while relatively decreasing the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector as a difference between a length from the center position to the end point position of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector and a length determined based on lengths from the center position to the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors used for the estimation of the center position is larger.
With configuration (2) above, the information processing device calculates the attitude while relatively decreasing the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector depending on the difference between the two lengths. Then, it is possible to adjust the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector on the attitude calculation while taking into account the accuracy of the center position.
(3)
The computer may update the center position using the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector, independent of a relationship between the end point position of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector and the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors used for the estimation of the center position.
With configuration (3) above, even if the attitude is not calculated, the center position is updated. Therefore, since the center position can be updated to a more accurate position even when the attitude is not calculated, it is thereafter possible to more precisely calculate the attitude.
(4)
The computer may correct the attitude of the input unit, which is calculated by a different method other than a method of using the detected magnetic vectors, based on the direction vector.
With configuration (4) above, since the attitude of the input unit is calculated by the different method, it is possible to calculate the attitude even when it is not possible to accurately calculate the attitude by the method of using a magnetic sensor, for example.
(5)
The information processing program may cause the computer to further execute: setting a degree of correction based on a difference between a length from the center position to the end point position of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector and a length determined based on lengths from the center position to the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors used for the estimation of the center position. Then, the computer varies an amount of correction using the direction vector depending on the degree of correction.
With configuration (5) above, the information processing device sets the degree of correction based on the difference between the two lengths. Then, it is possible to set a degree of correction taking into account the accuracy of the center position, and it is possible to adjust the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector on the attitude calculation while taking into account the accuracy of the center position.
(6)
The computer may calculate the center position using a condition regarding a length from the center position to the end point position of the detected magnetic vector.
With configuration (6) above, using the length as a condition (e.g., using a condition that the lengths come close to being an equal length), it is possible to precisely calculate the center position of the spherical body.
(7)
When a detected magnetic vector is newly obtained, the computer may update the center position so that lengths from the center position to the end points of the detected magnetic vectors used for the estimation of the center position are each brought closer to an average between these lengths.
With configuration (7) above, it is possible to precisely calculate the center position of the spherical body.
(8)
Each time a detected magnetic vector is newly obtained, the computer may update the center position using at least the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector. Then, each time a detected magnetic vector is newly obtained, the computer calculates the attitude of the input unit based on the direction vector determined based on the updated center position.
With configuration (8) above, since the center position is updated each time a detected magnetic vector is obtained, it is possible to calculate a more accurate center position based on the latest detected magnetic vector, and it is therefore possible to calculate a more accurate attitude.
(9)
The computer may calculate the attitude using the direction vector at least on a condition that an area determined based on the end point positions of the obtained detected magnetic vectors has become larger than a predetermined reference.
With configuration (9) above, the attitude is not calculated when it is difficult to calculate an accurate center position because the directions of the obtained detected magnetic vectors are too unevenly distributed. That is, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an inaccurate attitude is calculated using an inaccurate center position, and it is therefore possible to more precisely calculate the center position.
(10)
The computer may calculate the attitude while relatively decreasing the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector as an amount of change of the center position before and after an update is larger.
With configuration (10) above, when the amount of change (the amount of movement) of the center position is large, the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector on the attitude calculation is decreased. Now, when the amount of change of the center position is large, it is believed that there is a possibility that the center position is inaccurate. Therefore, with configuration (10) above, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an inaccurate attitude is calculated using a center position that may possibly be inaccurate, and it is therefore possible to precisely calculate the attitude.
(11)
The computer may calculate the attitude while relatively decreasing the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector as dispersion between lengths from a current center position to the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors used for the estimation of the center position is larger.
With configuration (11) above, when the dispersion is large, the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector on the attitude calculation is decreased. Now, when the dispersion is large, it is believed that there is a possibility that the center position is inaccurate. Therefore, with configuration (11) above, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an inaccurate attitude is calculated using a center position that may possibly be inaccurate, and it is therefore possible to precisely calculate the attitude.
(12)
The information processing program may cause the computer to further execute: setting a detected magnetic vector which is detected when a predetermined operation is performed by a user as a reference magnetic vector. Then, the computer calculates the attitude while relatively decreasing the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector as a direction from the center position to the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector is farther away from a direction from the center position to the reference magnetic vector.
With configuration (12) above, the influence of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector on the attitude calculation is decreased as the two directions are farther away from each other. Now, when the two directions are far away from each other, there is a possibility that the magnetic field around the input unit has changed, whereby it is not possible to accurately calculate the attitude. In contrast, with configuration (12) above, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an inaccurate attitude is obtained due to a change to the magnetic field around the input unit, and it is therefore possible to precisely calculate the attitude.
(13)
The information processing program may cause the computer to further execute: storing the detected magnetic vectors in a storage unit where each detected magnetic vector is classified based on a direction from a reference position, which is determined based on the detected magnetic vector, to the end point position of the detected magnetic vector. Then, the computer estimates a center position of a spherical body having a curved surface which is estimated based on the end point positions of detected magnetic vectors obtained by extracting, from among the classified detected magnetic vectors, at least one detected magnetic vector for each class.
With configuration (13) above, each detected magnetic vector is classified based on the direction from the reference position to the end point of the detected magnetic vector. Now, by using direction vectors extending in various directions, it is more likely that the estimated center position is calculated more accurately. That is, by classifying each detected magnetic vector based on the direction from the reference position to the end point of the detected magnetic vector, as in configuration (13) above, it is possible to estimate the center position using detected magnetic vectors extending in various directions. Thus, it is possible to more accurately estimate the center position, and therefore to precisely calculate the attitude of the input unit.
(14)
This application also describes another example information processing program to be executed by a computer of an information processing device for calculating an attitude of an input unit having a sensor for detecting a value which varies depending on the attitude of the input unit. The information processing program causes the computer to function as an obtaining mechanism, a center estimating mechanism, and a attitude calculating mechanism.
The obtaining mechanism obtains detected vectors detected by the sensor. The center estimating mechanism estimates a center position of a spherical body having a curved surface which is estimated based on end point positions of the detected vectors. The attitude calculating mechanism calculates the attitude of the input unit based on a direction vector representing a direction from the center position to the end point position of the detected vector. If an end point position of a newly-obtained detected vector is farther away from the end point positions of the detected vectors used for the estimation of the center position than a predetermined reference, the attitude calculating mechanism calculates the attitude while relatively decreasing an influence of the newly-obtained detected vector.
With configuration (14) above, where the attitude of the input unit is calculated using a sensor for detecting a value which varies depending the attitude of the input unit, similar advantageous effects to those of configuration (1) above can be obtained.
Note that the present specification discloses an information processing device and an information processing system including various units that are equivalent to various units implemented by executing the information processing program recited in configurations (1) to (14) above, and also discloses an attitude calculation method to be carried out in configurations (1) to (14).
With the storage medium having information processing program stored thereon, the information processing device, the information processing system and the attitude calculation method, the attitude of the input unit is calculated while relatively decreasing the influence of a newly-obtained detected magnetic vector, depending on the degree by which the end point position of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector is relatively far away from the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors obtained thus far. Thus, it is possible to precisely calculate the attitude of the input unit.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Storage medium having information processing program stored thereon, information processing device, information processing system, and attitude calculation method


A belt tensioner for a seat belt includes a piston/cylinder unit. The tube of the unit has a wall which is flattened in the region of its fastening end to form a fastening flange. The fastening end is engagable by a fastener for attaching said belt tensioner to the vehicle or the vehicle seat.

Hitherto it was usual for belt tensioners to be secured to a vehicle or vehicle seat by screw fasteners, a screw extending through a strap welded to the wall of a tube defining the cylinder. In addition to this, belt tensioners also exist in which an additional element secured to the tube, such as e.g. a cable deflector, is provided with flanges by means of which the belt tensioner can be secured to the vehicle or vehicle seat, the belt tensioner being securely located in at least one plane due to the flat flange. However, providing straps or flanges welded to a tube or to an additional element for securing the belt tensioner makes its manufacture more expensive.


An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises: a gas sensor having different sensitivities in temperature for each of a plurality of gases; and a processor for calculating a concentration of at least one of a plurality of gases on the basis of an output value of the gas sensor for different temperature sections.

A gas sensor is a device for measuring the concentration of a specific gas, and is provided in a device such as an air purifier and used to measure contaminants.
The gas sensor includes a semiconductor gas sensor, a contact combustion type sensor, an electrochemical sensor, or the like, according to a measurement principle. Among these, in the semiconductor gas sensor, resistance changes as a material subject to measurement adsorbed on a surface of the gas sensor is oxidized or reduced, and an amount of gas is measured by using a degree of change in the resistance.
Since most of the gas except an inert gas has an oxidation/reduction tendency, the target gas to be measured by the semiconductor gas sensor, as well as other gases present therewith, are also detected together. Therefore, the gas sensor was merely able to measure the concentration of the total gas reacted with the gas sensor, and there was a problem in that it is not discernable what kind of and how much gas exists.

High-performance multilayer film for packaging


A metal oxide thin film substrate which can increase light trapping efficiency and light extraction efficiency, a method of fabricating the same and a photovoltaic cell and organic light-emitting device (OLED) including the same. The metal oxide thin film substrate includes a base substrate, and a metal oxide thin film formed on the base substrate. The metal oxide thin film has voids which are formed inside the metal oxide thin film to scatter light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a metal oxide thin film substrate, a method of fabricating the same and a photovoltaic cell and organic light-emitting device (OLED) including the same, and more particularly, to a metal oxide thin film substrate which can increase light trapping efficiency and light extraction efficiency, a method of fabricating the same and a photovoltaic cell and OLED including the same.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, the use of a transparent metal oxide thin film is determined depending on its conductivity. For example, the transparent metal oxide thin film can be used for a transparent conductive oxide electrode of a photovoltaic cell or a light extraction layer which is intended to increase light extraction efficiency of an organic light-emitting device (OLED).
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a typical substance used for the metal oxide thin film which forms a transparent conductive oxide electrode of a photovoltaic cell and a light extraction layer of an OLED. Here, ZnO is formed as a thin film which coats a glass substrate by, for example, sputtering or atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) that is regarded as being suitable for mass production due to its rapid coating rate and high productivity, thereby forming a transparent electrode for a photovoltaic cell or a light extraction layer of an organic light-emitting device.
The metal oxide thin film has superior light efficiency as the haze value thereof increases. The haze value is determined by the texture formed on the surface of the metal oxide. When the metal oxide thin film is used for a transparent conductive oxide electrode of a photovoltaic cell, doping by adding an external element is required in order to increase electrical conductivity. However, doping smoothens the surface shape of the texture, thereby lowering the haze characteristic of the metal oxide thin film. In contrast, when the haze value of the metal oxide thin film is increased by controlling the texture shape of the surface of the metal oxide thin film in order to improve light efficiency, the sheet resistance Ω/□ of the metal oxide thin film increases, thereby deteriorating the electrical characteristics of the metal oxide thin film, which is problematic.
In addition, when the metal oxide thin film is used for a light extraction layer, a high haze value is required. In order to increase the scattering characteristic using only the texture on the surface, a texture thickness of at least 3 μm is required. In this case, however, light absorption is increased, that is, light transmission is decreased, thereby reducing light extraction efficiency, which is problematic.
Accordingly, the related-art methods of controlling the surface structure have limited ability to improve the scattering characteristic.
The information disclosed in the Background of the Invention section is provided only for better understanding of the background of the invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms a prior art that would already be known to a person skilled in the art.

Metal oxide thin film substrate, method of fabricating the same, photovoltaic cell and OLED including the same


A riflescope comprises a body, an elevation knob, a windage knob, and an eyepiece. The elevation knob may be mounted on the body and configured to generate an elevation setting corresponding to the elevation of the riflescope. The windage knob may be mounted on the body and configured to generate a windage setting corresponding to the left and right offset of the riflescope. The eyepiece is for viewing a target and may include a display configured to show a range to the target as determined by the elevation knob or the offset determined by the windage knob.

Rifles and other firearms often employ telescopic sights or riflescopes to assist a shooter in aiming and hitting targets. Because a bullet's trajectory is an arc rather than a flat line, many riflescopes incorporate a means to mechanically change or adjust the elevation, so that the resulting reticle or aiming point setting coincides with a given point in a bullet's trajectory, for a given distance or range. Thus, the shooter's point of aim coincides with the bullet's point of impact. To achieve this coincidence, the shooter must know the bullet's trajectory at each distance he intends to fire, or carry such trajectory data in the field, interpret how he must calibrate this data to the increments of his elevation, manually apply this data by setting or resetting the riflescope's elevation, and only then reacquire his target in the scope's field of view and take a well-aimed shot. To do this, the shooter must have an extensive knowledge of ballistics and must understand the degree to which his incremental elevation adjustments affect his point of impact at any distance. Unfortunately, these steps often cause shooters to lose sight of the target while resetting the scope's elevation for the required distance. Further, because the elevation knob or turret presents its numerical settings in small print, a shooter can have difficulty seeing any particular setting under ideal lighting, and cannot see the settings at all in darkness. Likewise, a riflescope's horizontal or windage adjustments to compensate for the effects of wind or target movement are confusing and too easily incorrect.

Synchronized elevation trajectory riflescope


A method for displaying digital images on a display device. The method includes obtaining an input image set including one or more input image, processing the input image set to generate an output image set including a number of output images, displaying the output image set in a sequence on the display device at a frame rate in excess of five frames per second. The first and second image-processing transformations and the sequence are chosen such that a time-integrated average luminance in each region of the display over successive frames approximates to the luminance distribution of a corresponding region of the input image set.

The present invention relates to display of still or moving images and, in particular, it concerns systems and methods for enhancing perception of the content of displayed images.
All imaging hardware systems are inherently limited in the level of detail and the fidelity of images they produce. Such limitations include spatial resolution, dynamic pixel range, optical distortions, background noise levels and overall sensitivity. Particularly when pushed to their performance limits in cases of high magnification, poor illumination, motion or other environmental disruptions, image quality may be seriously impaired. Examples of image impairment include, but are not limited to, loss of contrast and blurring. Image degradation may also be caused by subsequent handling of image data such as by data compression and changes of format. For these and other reasons, situations occur in which the details of various still or moving (video) images are not readily perceived by the human eyes.
There exist many image processing techniques which can be useful for emphasizing specific information in a poor quality image. Examples of such processing techniques include, but are not limited to, image sharpening, contrast enhancement and edge detection. Although such techniques are useful for highlighting certain features, they also introduce further distortions into the image. These added distortions may be misleading to the eye and typically cause significant corruption of the overall visual impression perceived by the viewer.
Even where image quality is good, limitations of equipment used for displaying the images sometimes limits the amount of information which can be presented to the eye. For example, certain displays are limited to 8-bit (256 shade) intensity levels, and are therefore unable to reproduce the information in an image stored with a greater dynamic range (such as 16-bit with 65536 shades of intensity).
There is therefore a need for improved systems and methods for enhancing perception of the content of displayed images.

System and method for image display enhancement


The present invention relates generally to a tile or panel having at least one magnetic material embedded therein, and fully or partially covered with at least one layer of parchment. The invention also encompasses at least one discrete permanent magnet that is placed at an appropriate location within a panel or tile, and wherein at least a portion of the panel or tile and the at least one magnet are then optionally covered with at least one layer of at least one barrier material, and then at least one parchment layer partially or fully envelopes this assembly. The inventive tile having at least one magnetic type material can have at least one indicia or design on at least one surface, and the inventive tile can be magnetically attached to a wall or another panel having at least one magnetic type material to form a wall or panel surface.

Panels of various shapes and sizes have been known and used for many years to protect various surfaces, and for a variety of reasons.
Magnets and magnetic material have been used in many applications, and for a variety of purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,428 (Yasuzo Murata, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a magnetic display panel having a transparent or translucent front substrate and a rear substrate bonded thereto by an adhesive with a dispersing liquid confining space formed between the substrates, preferably in the form of multiple cells. The dispersing liquid, composed of a fine particulate thickener, fine magnetic particles, a colorant and a dispersing medium, has a yield value of at least 5 dyne/cm2. A clear, long-lasting image is recordable by tracing a permanent magnet upon the face of the first substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,459 (Yoshimoto Odagawa, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a magnetic tile sensor that has a permanent magnet having a surface coated with a magnetic fluid and housed in a hollow portion of a nonmagnetic case, and a magnetic sensing element arranged outside the bottom portion of the case. When the case is tilted or is abruptly moved, the permanent magnet in the case is relatively displaced. The magnetic sensing element detects this displacement. Since the nonmagnetic case is sealed by a cold welding method, workability and reliability can be increased. In addition, a cap having a predetermined weight covers the permanent magnet so that a response characteristic is improved.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,395 (Antonio Pan, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for the manufacture of magnetic field generators including the steps of marking at least one tile made of conventional material with an identification code; cutting each marked tile into n strips having two dimensions and A-A axis orientation same as the initial tile; rotating the strips 90 degree to obtain rotated strips having a second A-A axis orientation; selecting and rearranging the rotated strips to obtain the desired characteristics of symmetry and compensation of the magnetic characteristic variations of the input tiles; assembling the rotated strips to form a new tile with different A-A axis orientation; cutting the assembled tiles into portions or sections of predetermined geometric shape; magnetizing the sections; assembling a set of these sections into magnet forming elements; tuning the magnet forming elements; assembling the elements to obtain finished magnets; and tuning the finished magnets.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,733 (Richard W. Whittington), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a magnetic name tag that has a pole piece panel elongated in one direction and with opposite end portions. One or more magnets assembled with the pole piece panel establish respective separate, complete magnetic flux paths at each of the end portions. A magnetically attractive keep plate elongated in generally complementary relation to the pole piece panel carries indicia thereon. The keep plate is attracted towards the magnet by the magnetic flux paths which effect a stabilized magnetic holding attraction for the keep plate in any assembled orientation of the pole piece and magnet assembly relative to the keep plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,587,022 (Rita M. Devine), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a foldable, portable, magnetic tool mat. The tool mat includes generally rectangular obverse and reverse panels each formed of flexible material and connected together along substantially common side and end margins and along evenly spaced apart seam lines extending between said side margins defining elongated magnet bar holding portions. An elongated permanent magnet bar is held within each holding portion each without substantially inhibiting selective tool mat folding for fit and storage. The reverse panel is substantially thicker than the obverse panel for better wear characteristics and maximal magnetic attractive forces for tool and hardware retention. An attaching strap holds the tool mat.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,309 (Nicholas DiGiammo), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an alignment tool which includes a cylindrical coil extending outward from one side of a steel base plate. The opposite side of the base plate includes a raised center lip portion for alignment and placement of a magnet thereon. The magnet includes a partially magnetic steel form attachment surface. The alignment tool cylindrical coil is screwed into a foam panel leaving the partially magnetic side exposed and substantially flush with a foam panel side. One or more alignment tools may be secured to a foam panel depending on the dimensions of the panel. The foam panels are then placed in a concrete form with the alignment tool partially magnetic side attaching to a concrete form steel member. The alignment tool keeps the foam panel secured and stable within the form while the form is being filled with concrete.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0005613 (Mack Daniel Gleekel, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a magnetic-backed plaque having a clock on its front side which is used as an award plaque or promotional plaque. A back side of the magnetic-backed plaque includes recessed areas for retaining a battery and for accommodating a nail or a hook for attaching the plaque to a non-magnet attracting surface. The plaque also includes a magnetic sheet attached to the back side of the panel member so that the magnetic sheet covers at least half of the back side of the panel member.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0237138 (Andreas Reymann), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an anchoring magnet for anchoring onto a magnetic or magnetizable substrate that has a plurality of panel-shaped magnet elements extending in parallel fashion and panel-shaped pole elements extending parallel thereto. The magnet and pole elements are clamped alternatingly into an assemblage. The magnet elements have nonmagnetic protective layers. The protective layers are joined exclusively to the magnet elements.
This invention improves on the deficiencies of the prior art and provides an inventive panel or tile.

Tile with magnetic type material and covered with a layer of parchment and process thereof


The present invention relates, in general, to vascular smooth muscle proliferation and, in particular, to a method of inhibiting arterial and venous smooth muscle proliferation resulting, for example, from arterial injury or vein grafting. The invention also relates to an expression construct encoding a G.beta..gamma. inhibitor suitable for use in such a method.

Several growth factors that induce cellular mitogenesis and proliferation act through membrane-embedded G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs couple to, and stimulate, heterotrimeric G proteins which, upon activation, dissociate to G.alpha. and G.beta..gamma. subunits. Both these molecules can transduce intracellular signals via activation of specific effector proteins. The intracellular signaling events leading to cellular proliferation following GPCR-activation appear to be transduced largely through the activation of p21.sup.ras (Ras) and subsequent activation of the p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Growth factors which act through GPCRs, such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) via the LPA receptor and norepinephrine via .alpha.2-adrenergic receptors, have been shown to activate Ras and MAP kinase primarily through G.beta..gamma. (Koch et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:12706 (1994)).
The last 194 amino acids (Gly.sup.495 -Leu.sup.689) of the bovine .beta.-adrenergic receptor kinase-1 (.beta.ARK-1) represent a specific and selective G.beta..gamma.-inhibitor (see FIG. 1 for amino acid sequence of .beta.ARK-1-(495-689) and a nucleic acid sequence encoding same, SEQ ID NOS:1 and 2). .beta.ARK-1 is a G.beta..gamma.-dependent, cytosolic enzyme which must translocate to the membrane where it can phosphorylate its receptor substrate by physically binding to the membrane-anchored G.beta..gamma. (Pitcher et al, Science 257:1264 (1992)). The peptide encoded by the plasmid designated .beta.ARK-1-(495-689) Minigene (which peptide is designated .beta.ARK.sub.CT) contains the specific G.beta..gamma.-binding domain of .beta.ARK-1 (Koch et al, J. Biol. Chem. 268:8256 (1993)). When cells are transfected with the .beta.ARK-1-(495-689) Minigene (that is, the .beta.ARK.sub.CT Minigene), or peptides containing the G.beta..gamma.-binding domain of .beta.ARK-1 are introduced into cells, several G.beta..gamma.-dependent processes are markedly attenuated including .beta.ARK-1-mediated olfactory receptor desensitization (Boekhoff et al, J. Biol. Chem. 269:37 (1994)), phospholipase C-.beta. activation (Koch et al, J. Biol. Chem. 269:6193 (1994)) and G.beta..gamma.-dependent activation of Type II adenylyl cyclase (Koch et al, Biol. Chem. 269:37 (1994)). These studies demonstrate that the .beta.ARK-1-(495-689) peptide (that is, .beta.ARK.sub.CT) is G.beta..gamma.-specific, that is, that it does not alter G.alpha.-mediated responses (Koch et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:12706 (1994); Koch et al, Biol. Chem. 269:37 (1994)). A further study utilizing the .beta.ARK.sub.CT Minigene has demonstrated that the growth factor IGF-1, by binding to its specific receptor, activates the Ras-MAP kinase pathway via G.beta..gamma.. These results indicate that certain receptor-tyrosine kinase-mediated cascades include a G.beta..gamma. component, as do those for LPA and other agonists that activate classical GPCRs (Luttrell et al, J. Biol. Chem. 270:16495 (1995)).
The present invention is based, at least in part, on the observation that the .beta.ARK.sub.CT peptide mediates inhibition of G.beta..gamma. function in vivo and that, in smooth muscle cells, that inhibition is associated with a modulation of cell proliferation.

Method of inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation


A scanning unit for use in an image-forming device includes, for example, four light sources that emit light beams corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan and black images. The light beams are scanned over the corresponding photosensitive drum with the use of a single polygon mirror and four optical reflection systems each including reflection mirrors. The curved orientation of the scan lines on the photosensitive drum can be equalized for all four light beams by regulating the number of reflection mirrors, that is, by setting the number of reflection mirrors to an even number or an odd number.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scanning unit for used in an image-forming device, and more particularly to a scanning unit including a polygon mirror for scanning light beams, the polygon mirror having a plurality of reflecting surfaces on which a plurality of light beams are obliquely incident from different positions in a subscanning direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a laser printer or other electrophotographic image-forming device, a light source such as a semiconductor laser emits a light beam that is deflected by a polygon mirror or other deflecting means onto a photosensitive member, the surface of which has a uniform charge, so as to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member by scanning the light beam thereon. The latent image is subsequently developed into a visible image with toner, and the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium, such as a sheet of paper, to form an image on the recording medium.
Conventional image-forming devices form color images by superimposing toner images in the colors cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Color image-forming devices that employ the tandem system are provided with a plurality of image-carrying members (photosensitive drums or the like), one for each color. The surface of each image-carrying member is exposed by a light beam according to image data corresponding to each color image, forming a latent image that is subsequently developed with toner. The toner images of each color are then transferred sequentially and superimposed over one another on an intermediate transfer medium or a paper or other recording medium, thereby forming a color image.
When the image-forming device includes a plurality of image-carrying members as in the tandem system (or scans a single image-carrying member at different exposure positions) to form color images by sequentially superimposing toner images in each color, problems in color registration can occur when the shape of the scan lines for each color do not match, resulting in a loss of image quality. Color registration is particularly difficult when light beams are irradiated so as to be obliquely incident on the reflecting surfaces of the polygon mirror, because the distance that the light beam travels from the reflecting surface to the fθ lens is different than when the light beam is not obliquely incident and produces a curved scan line.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-221617 describes an optical scanning device employing polygon mirrors to deflect a plurality of light beams emitted from light sources corresponding to each color. In this technology, the optical scanning device employs two polygon mirrors, and light beams are emitted so as to be obliquely incident on the front surface and rear surface sides of each polygon mirror. Optical reflecting systems corresponding to each of the plurality of light beams reflected off the reflecting surfaces of the polygon mirrors are configured of reflecting mirrors or other reflective optical reflecting elements for guiding the respective light beams to the corresponding image-carrying members in order to expose the surfaces of the image-carrying members.
In the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-221617, the number of reflective optical reflecting elements constituting each optical reflecting system is adjusted so that all light beams expose the photosensitive members from the same side in order to produce uniform scan line curves.
However, there has been much demand in recent years to produce more compact image-forming devices, such as the tandem type color image-forming devices described above for forming color images using a plurality of image-carrying members. Here, the use of two polygon mirrors as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-221617 does not contribute to the production of a more compact device

Image-forming device and scanning unit for use therein