A tunnel redirection method and an interworking function entity are disclosed. An IWS corresponding to an original tunnel receives a tunnel redirection notification sent by an IWS corresponding to a new tunnel or an MME. A currently-performed signaling interaction is terminated according to the notification. The IWS corresponding to the new tunnel or the MME sends a tunnel redirection notification to the IWS corresponding to the original tunnel. The IWS corresponding to the original tunnel terminates the currently-performed signaling interaction.

To meet challenges of wireless broadband technologies and make full use of existing network resources, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) 1× operators will use an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network to provide users with data services, use a CDMA 1× network to provide users with voice services, and provide interworking between an LTE network entity and a CDMA 1× network entity by using a 1×CS (1× Circuit Switched) IWS (Interworking Solution) function entity designed for coupling between the LTE network entity and the CDMA 1× network entity. For ease of description, the 1×CS IWS is hereinafter referred to as an IWS.
For example, a UE (User Equipment) that camps on an LTE network sends 1× signaling destined for the 1× network to an MME (Mobility Management Entity), and then the MME forwards the 1× signaling to the corresponding IWS through an S102 tunnel established with the IWS. If the current eNB (evolved NodeB) serving the UE changes, the S102 tunnel needs to be reestablished, that is, the tunnel is redirected. When handling tunnel redirection in the prior art, the MME reselects the corresponding IWS, and sends the 1× signaling, which is sent by the UE, to the reselected IWS through a new tunnel after the new S102 tunnel is established with the IWS.
In the process of implementing the present invention, the inventor finds that the prior art has at least the following disadvantages:
Before the tunnel redirection, the IWS corresponding to the original tunnel is not sure whether the tunnel has been redirected, and therefore still performs signaling interaction, which leads to waste of system resources. In addition, after the current eNB serving the UE changes, all the 1× signaling sent by the UE will be sent by the MME to the reselected IWS through a new tunnel. At this time, if the UE is performing signaling interaction with the IWS corresponding to the original tunnel, the IWS corresponding to the original tunnel will be unable to receive the 1× signaling sent by the UE, and therefore the signaling interaction will be interrupted.

Tunnel redirection method and interworking function entity


The present invention relates to a measuring instrument, in particular for measuring waste gases from heating installations, comprising at least one sensor and pump arranged in a measuring channel, a microcomputer for controlling the measuring sequence and for processing the sensor signals, which is connected to an alphanumeric display device and two control elements, wherein one control element serves for paging in a selection menu, by which one menu item is displayed on the display device, and wherein the other control element serves to input in accordance with the menu item displayed.

The invention relates to a measuring instrument which is useful for measuring waste gases from heating installations.
Various measuring instruments are known for measuring the waste gases from heating installations. However, these known instruments are quite complicated to handle and often quite heavy and large. Measuring instruments which operate with a computer are also known. However, in these instruments, the multiplicity of control elements requires intensive familiarization on the part of users with the measuring instruments.

Measuring instrument particularly useful for measuring waste gases from heating installations


A single-path enhanced-algorithm digital automatic gain control (SDAGC) integrated receiver is presented. The SDAGC has a front-end RF/IF reception/processing block and associated RF/IF AGC, which outputs to a single ADC. Output from the ADC is split into two TDM and one COFDM signal pathways, each with a respective DAGC. The TDM DAGCs are controlled according to TDM post-power signals, while the COFDM, DAGC is controlled according to COFDM post- and pre-power signals. An IF Gain Decision block determines the RF/IF gain based upon the respective gains of the TDM and COFDM DAGCs. A Gain Distributor block then distributes the total gain of the system across the RF/IF AGC and the various DAGCs. To save power, the COFDM pathways may be disabled if the COFDM pre-power signal falls below a threshold value.

FIGS. 1 and 2 taken together illustrate in block diagram format the current structure of a car's audio receiver found in a Sirius™ Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) system (operating in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum 2.3-GHz "Short wave" S band, from 2320 to 2345 MHz). The SDARS system has two separate front end RF signal receiving paths, one acting as a time division multiplexing (TDM) receiver (shown in FIG. 1) and the other acting as a coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (COFDM) receiver (shown in FIG. 2). Thus the current system requires two separate automatic gain control (AGC) controllers, a TDM AGC and a COFDM AGC, to maintain for independent demodulation the received RF signal's corresponding signal levels (respectively referred to hereinafter as "SetPoint_TDM_dB_LSB" and "SetPoint_OFDM_dB_LSB").
Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, the TDM integrated receiver 1 of the SDARS is constructed of well-known electronic circuitry devices. RF signals (consisting of multiple digital signals or analog signals carrying digital data) are received by the TDM antenna 2 and routed to an antenna RF processing circuit 3 and an RF/IF processing circuit 4 where decoding of the radio signals begins. Input control of the automatic gain control of both the RF signals and intermediate frequency (IF) signals is handled by the TDM AGC controller 5. TDM AGC covers a dynamic power range for the TDM received RF signal of up to 75 dB. The TDM receiver signal path has a signal set-point value level defined as SetPoint_TDM_dB_LSB=(9.2+1.2) dB and this allows enough headroom to avoid any saturation happening at a 10-bit analog to digital converter (ADC) 6, which converts the RF signals to discrete digital numbers, even during TDM on-channel blocking.
After analog to digital conversion, the TDM received RF signal is routed to a digital down converter (DDC) 7 where it is split into two separate signals labeled as TDM1 and TDM2 as shown. The two signals are then separately demodulated by TDM1 demodulator 8 and TDM2 demodulator 9, respectively. The TDM received RF demodulated signal, indicated on FIG. 1 by reference labels TDM1 post-power and TDM2 post-power, are routed to the maximal function 10, which selects the maximal post power of TDM1 and TDM2 for output.
Hence, as can be seen for the TDM AGC, computation of the AGC gains required for the respective RF and IF processing circuits 3 and 4 are based solely upon the post-power level of TDM received RF signal after the maximal function 10.
With regard to control of the RF AGC gain in the TDM integrated receiver 1 of the SDARS, three rfstates (−1, 0, 1) are implemented with the initial state of the rfstates being set to 0. Any change of the rfstates depends on the information of the RF detector/direction sent from RF processing circuit 3. Additionally the step-size is 10 dB, and this means the RF AGC gain may be −10 dB, 0 dB or +10 dB. The IF AGC gain, on the other hand, ranges from −27.5 dB to +27.5 dB in 1 dB step-size. A Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm is implemented to update the IF AGC gain. Both the RF AGC gain and the IF AGC gain are updated at 100 Hz normally, however, the updating frequency of the RF/IF AGC gains is reduced to 50 Hz to avoid problems associated with overshooting when the RF AGC gain changes.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, the COFDM integrated receiver 11 of the SDARS is likewise constructed of well-known electronic circuitry devices. After receipt of the COFDM RF signal (consisting of broadcast digital audio and/or video signals (DAB and DVB-T)) from the COFDM antenna 12, the antenna RF processing circuit 13, RF/IF processing circuit 14, 10-bit ADC 16, DDC 17 and COFDM demodulator 18 all operate similarly to their cousins in the TDM integrated receiver, albeit with the COFDM demodulator 18 utilizing Fast Fourier Transform implementations for integration purposes. COFDM AGC, however, covers a dynamic power range for the COFDM received RF signal of up to 131 dB, and the set-point values in COFDM pre-power and post-power are (32.2+3.0+10=45.2 dB) and (32.2+3.0=35.2 dB), respectively. The pre-power, which includes the power of un-used tones, interference noise and others, is set to 10 dB higher than the post-power.
Hence, as can be seen for the COFDM AGC, computation for the COFDM AGC controller 15 to adjust the gain levels in RF and IF processing circuits 13 and 14 require both pre-power input from the DDC 17 and post-power input from COFDM demodulator 18.
With regard to control of the RF AGC gain in the COFDM integrated receiver 11 of the SDARS, five rfstates (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) are implemented with the initial state of the rfstates being set to 3. Any change of rfstates depends on the information of RF detector/direction from RF processing circuit 13. Additionally the step-size is 15 dB, and this means the RF AGC gain may be −30 dB, −15 dB, 0 dB, +15 dB or +30 dB. The IF AGC gain, on the other hand, ranges from −35.5 dB to +35.5 dB with a 1 dB step-size. An LMS algorithm is implemented to update the IF AGC gain. Both RF AGC gain and IF AGC gain are updated at 100 Hz normally, however, the updating frequency for the RF/IF AGC gains is reduced to 50 Hz to avoid overshooting problem while the RF AGC gain changes.
As can be seen then, two independent ADC controllers are needed by the SDARS system to complete the signal processing and maintain adequate performance over a range of input signal levels. Power consumption by the system, relatively speaking, is high, and operational specifications indicate there is room for increased performance. The next generation SDARS systems will need to provide better performance with lower power consumption characteristics at reduced costs.

Method and apparatus for a single-path enhanced-algorithm digital automatic gain control integrated receiver with power management and XM interference enhancement


In one aspect, methods of biomolecular analysis are described herein. Briefly, a method comprises providing a composition comprising glycosaminoglycans and contacting the composition with a membrane comprising at least one nanopore. An electric field is applied across the nanopore, and data of glycosaminoglycan translocation events through the nanopore are recorded. A molecular weight distribution of the glycosaminoglycans is derived from the data.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear polysaccharides found ubiquitously throughout the body, where they regulate numerous physiologic and pathologic processes. Their diverse biological functions are highly dependent on structure; as a result, a variety of GAGs exist, each featuring distinct size ranges and an assortment of chemical modifications influencing their binding and/or signaling capacity.
Structural heterogeneity and chemical variations of glycans, including GAGs, have made the development of robust analytical techniques to probe glycans and glycan-protein interactions challenging, ultimately hindering growth in the glycosciences and in diagnostics. Current methods to quantify glycan size and abundance (e.g., mass spectrometry, gel electrophoresis, chromatography, etc.) tend to be expensive, cumbersome, and/or require large sample masses/volumes. Most technologies also require specialized equipment and expertise, limiting their accessibility to the field. In summary, no truly "user-friendly" method exists to study, measure or detect most glycoconjugates or carbohydrate-binding proteins. Thus, there is a need to develop translational tools and methods that can reliably probe key glycans and glycan-protein interactions and levels. For maximum impact and widespread dissemination, these tools should be easy to use, yield uncomplicated results, and be affordable.

Nanopore analysis of glycosaminoglycan compositions

THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA


A Long Term Evolution (LTE) Serving Gateway (S-GW) to indicate mode transitions of a wireless communication device comprises a communication transceiver and a processing system. The communication transceiver is configured to establish a default bearer between the LTE S-GW and an LTE Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) for the wireless communication device, establish a bearer channel between an LTE access node and the LTE S-GW, and exchange data over the bearer channel responsive to the wireless communication device entering an active mode. The processing system is configured to release the bearer channel between the LTE access node and the LTE S-GW responsive to the wireless communication device entering an idle mode, generate mode transition records indicating idle-to-active mode transitions and indicating active-to-idle mode transitions of the wireless communication device, and direct the communication transceiver to transfer the mode transition records.

To establish a communication session with a wireless access network, a user operates a wireless communication device to communicate in a wireless protocol with a wireless access node. Once the communication session is established, the wireless communication device enters into an active mode in order to send and receive information during a data session. In particular, the wireless communication device operating in active mode exchanges user communications with other systems and communication networks in order to provide a communication service, such as voice communications, streaming media, or some other data session over the Internet.
To conserve battery power, a wireless communication device may enter into an idle mode when not actively receiving application data. In idle mode, the wireless communication device does not remain registered with the serving base station and releases all network resources. By deregistering from the base station, idle mode removes the wireless communication device's active requirement to perform handover procedures between base stations. The wireless communication device becomes periodically available to receive downlink broadcast traffic messages without registration at a specific base station. If the idle wireless device detects pending traffic at the network, the device must again register with a base station to receive such data. This re-registration process can add significant delay and signaling overhead to reconnect the wireless device to the network prior to receiving the pending traffic.
Overview
A method of operating a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Serving Gateway (S-GW) to indicate mode transitions of a wireless communication device is disclosed. The method comprises establishing a default bearer between the LTE S-GW and an LTE Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) for the wireless communication device. The method further comprises establishing a bearer channel between an LTE access node and the LTE S-GW and exchanging data over the bearer channel responsive to the wireless communication device entering an active mode. The method further comprises releasing the bearer channel between the LTE access node and the LTE S-GW responsive to the wireless communication device entering an idle mode. The method further comprises generating mode transition records indicating idle-to-active mode transitions and indicating active-to-idle mode transitions of the wireless communication device. The method further comprises transferring the mode transition records.
A Long Term Evolution (LTE) Serving Gateway (S-GW) to indicate mode transitions of a wireless communication device comprises a communication transceiver and a processing system. The communication transceiver is configured to establish a default bearer between the LTE S-GW and an LTE Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) for the wireless communication device, establish a bearer channel between an LTE access node and the LTE S-GW, and exchange data over the bearer channel responsive to the wireless communication device entering an active mode. The processing system is configured to release the bearer channel between the LTE access node and the LTE S-GW responsive to the wireless communication device entering an idle mode, generate mode transition records indicating idle-to-active mode transitions and indicating active-to-idle mode transitions of the wireless communication device, and direct the communication transceiver to transfer the mode transition records.
A computer apparatus to operate a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Serving Gateway (S-GW) to indicate mode transitions of a wireless communication device comprises software instructions and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the software instructions. The software instructions are configured, when executed by the LTE S-GW, to direct the LTE S-GW to establish a default bearer between the LTE S-GW and an LTE Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) for the wireless communication device, establish a bearer channel between an LTE access node and the LTE S-GW and exchange data over the bearer channel responsive to the wireless communication device entering an active mode. The software instructions are further configured to direct the LTE S-GW to release the bearer channel between the LTE access node and the LTE S-GW responsive to the wireless communication device entering an idle mode. The software instructions are further configured to direct the LTE S-GW to generate mode transition records indicating idle-to-active mode transitions and indicating active-to-idle mode transitions of the wireless communication device, and transfer the mode transition records.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Indication of mode transitions of a wireless communication device


An electrical connector includes an insulating housing including a base, a mating tongue and a positioning portion, terminals and a first positioning board. The positioning portion defines first positioning grooves along a bottom face thereof. Each conductive terminal comprises retained portion interfered with the base, mating portions vertical leg portion and connecting portion connecting with the retained portion and the leg portion. The connecting portion comprises a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The first positioning board is sandwiched between the horizontal portions. The first positioning board defines second positioning grooves, the horizontal portions of first terminals are limited in the first positioning grooves while the horizontal portions of second terminals are limited in the second positioning grooves.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electrical connector and an assemble method of the electrical connector, more particularly to an lower profile electrical connector.
2. Description of Related Art
TaiWan Utility patent issued No. 274932 discloses an electrical connector, which comprises an insulating housing, conductive terminals retained in the housing and a metallic shell assembled on the housing. The housing includes a base and a mating portion extending forwards from the base with a mating slot therein. The terminals include mating portions along two opposite sides of the mating slots, leg portions out of the housing in two rows and retained portions connecting with the mating portions and leg portions respectively. The retained portions of each row of the terminals are staggered from each other, that is to say, one retained portion bend upwards and the neighbor retained portion bend downwards. The construct of the terminals meet to enhance strength of the insulating housing, but has no benefit of lower profile.
Hence, an improved electrical connector is desired.

Electrcial connector and assemble method of the same


Systems and methods for controlling instruction throughput are disclosed. One embodiment of a system may comprise a comparator that determines a difference value in an actual instructions per clock cycle throughput and a target instructions per clock cycle throughput setting, and a throttle control that sums a plurality of difference values to determine an average difference value over a plurality of clock cycles and adjusts the actual instructions per clock cycle throughput based on the average difference value.

Modern processors include extensive execution resources to support concurrent processing of multiple instructions. A processor typically includes one or more integer, floating point, branch, and memory execution units to implement integer, floating point, branch, and load/store instructions, respectively. In addition, integer and floating point processing units typically include register files to maintain data relatively close to the processor core. One drawback to providing a processor with extensive execution resources is that significant amounts of power are required to run them. However, few programs require the full range of a processor's execution resources for significant intervals. Cooling systems for maintaining a processor at a maximum allowable temperature and associated maximum power dissipation are designed to cool the processor at it maximum instruction throughput capacity.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


In general, the present invention is related to biopolymer and biocomposite materials and structures, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to oriented collagen based biocomposite materials and structures, and methods of making.

Collagen gels, bandages, sponges and fibers have been used as carrier for stem cells. Collagen is a natural protein present in many tissues. It supplies tensile strength to the tissues as well as providing attachment sites for cells to bind, migrate and proliferate. However, collagen gels and pulverized collagen lack tensile strength and tend to dissipate in the tissue under pressure and thus are not well suited to the task of maintaining cells in defined locations.
Collagen can be isolated in pure form from a variety of tissues as a soluble protein which can be reconstituted into fibers. In general, fibers lack the superstructure they exhibit in different tissues. This has limited the success of using collagen in many medical applications.
Tissue damage to heart, striated muscle, skin, bone and cartilage, spinal cord, etc. often progresses and causes the breakdown of normal surrounding tissue increasing the area damaged and seriously impairing tissue function. Current concepts suggest that various factors or cells could be introduced into the damaged area by direct injection and prevent further damage and even restore the damaged area. Indeed, preclinical as well as clinical trials have shown improved heart function when mesenchymal stem cells are injected into the site of tissue damage. However, such studies have also shown that significant amounts of the injected cells leak out of the tissue and most of the cells remaining rapidly die. Thus there is a need for devices which allows delivery of various types of cells to specific sites in damaged tissue and maintain their survival and expansion. However, the physical properties of different tissues vary strikingly (compare heart muscle with striated muscle with skin or spinal cord. Thus, delivery vehicles should have sufficient strength to allow them to be placed in a specific tissue without causing alterations in tissue function due to poorly matched physical factors. This calls for materials whose physical properties are suitable for the tissue in which they are to be used. Also, cells require factors and surfaces to support their survival, migration and production of specific repair factors. In brief, the treatment of damaged tissues should be improved by novel devices which would deliver and maintain stem and other cells in specific sites to allow them to survive and produce factors that sustain tissue at risk.
Tendon and ligament injuries are among the most common health problems affecting the adult population. It is estimated that 175,000 Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstructions were performed in the year 2000 in the United States at a cost of more than $2 billion. There are 50,000 patients requiring surgical repair of rotator cuff and 5 million new cases of tennis elbow each year in the United States alone. In addition, 11% of regular runners suffer from Achilles tendinopathy. In 2000, treatments for shoulder pain cost the United States government up to $7 billion and the total cost for tendon and ligament injury has been estimated at $30 billion annually; see Chen, J., Xu J., Wang A., Zheng M., 2009. Scaffolds for tendon and ligament repair: review of the efficacy of commercial products. Expert Rev. Med. Devices. 6. 1:61-73.
Current methods to repair tendon and ligaments of the hand and foot have had only limited success. In some cases, the joints are immobilized for four weeks while scar tissue builds up. This scar tissue, which has poor mechanical properties, must assume the function of the original tendon/ligament but has a high rate of failure. In other cases non-absorbable sutures anchored to bone are used. These sutures lack the appropriate elasticity and often evoke an immune response. In other cases, repair is not possible and the replacement procedures available have various limitations.
Current clinical and research practice utilizes animal and human grafts as the primary material in daily clinical practice to repair tendon and ligament defects. Biological substitutes include autografts, allografts, and xenografts.
Autologous grafts of patellar tendon and hamstring tendons are considered the "gold standard" in tissue repair and are usually preferred to avoid rejection. However, these autografts suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, autografts require additional surgery on the patient which may cause donor site morbidity, increased recovery time, and/or possible pain at the harvesting site plus harvest site infection, nerve injury, and patellar fracture. An additional disadvantage in the use of the hamstring tendon for ACL reconstruction is the lack of efficient tendon-bone healing, which affects patient recovery due to instability of the tendon-bone interface.
Allografts are obtained from tendons, dermis and other tissues of cadavers. Xenografts are harvested from animal tendons, small intestine submucosa, dermis and skin, and pericardium. Allografts and xenografts are primarily composed of type I collagen with similar mechanical properties to human tendons. However, allo- and xenografts can potentially transmit disease or infection, and may elicit an unfavorable immunogenic response from the host.
Synthetic grafts exhibit excellent short-term results but the long-term clinical outcome is poor, with a failure rate of 40 to 78% from fragmentation, stress shielding of new tissue, fatigue, creep, and wear debris, which can eventually lead to arthritis and synovitis.
Current cell-seeding techniques include: a) delivering cell-gel composites into the region of the scaffold and b) delivering cell suspensions into scaffolds in a static or dynamic situation. However, there are some disadvantages to these techniques, such as the low efficiency of cell attachment to dense fibrous matrix or scaffolds and the weak mechanical strength of gel systems. These disadvantages make it very difficult to seed a significant number of cells on dense tissue grafts. Thus the limitations of current technology prohibit the use of stem cells to improve the efficiency of large tissue grafts for tissue repair. To address these limitations partial thickness incisions and ultrasonication were developed to allow the seeded cells to infiltrate the tendon in culture prior to implantation. Without incisions or ultrasonication, extrinsic cells seeded onto the tendon surface have difficulty penetrating the tendon. However, with incision and ultrasonication, the mechanical strength of the grafts is reduced which limits the potential of clinical application.
Several research groups have attempted to tissue engineer neo-ligaments in vitro for tendon and ligament replacements as described in Hairfield-Stein M. et al. 2007. Development of Self-Assembled, Tissue-Engineered Ligament from Bone Marrow Stromal Cells. Tissue Engineering. 13. 4:703-710. One of the first promising results in this direction has been published by Goldstein J D et al. in Goldstein, J D, et al. 1989. Development of a Reconstituted Collagen Tendon Prosthesis. The Journal of Bone and Joins Surgery. 71. A. 8: 1183-1191; and Dunn et al. Dunn, MG. et al. 1992. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a composite collagenous prosthesis. A biomechanical & histological rabbit study. Am J Sports Med. 20. 507-515. Constructed scaffolds of collagen fibers are bundled in different configurations with and without a collagen gel to hold them together. Dunn et al. and other groups used collagen scaffolds with and without seeded cells. The main problems of this approach have been: a) the rate of degradation of scaffold collagen was higher than the rate of newly synthesized collagen causing the neo-ligament to fail to support in vivo loading; and b) the cost of production was too high and reproducibility was low.
To reduce the rate of degradation, several research groups have used silk and other synthetic materials. This solved the enzymatic degradation problem but generated other problems including immune reactions, fibrosis, and wear debris. Attempts to eliminate extracellular matrix scaffolds have led to a new approach of so-called "functional tissue-engineering" or "spontaneous 3-dimensional tissue development" as described in Calve, S., Dennis R G, Kosnik P E, Baar K, Grosh K, Arruda E M. 2004. Engineering of functional tendon. Tissue Engineering. 10, 755-761. This method does not rely as heavily upon the material properties of pre-existing artificial or biological scaffolds which limit the physiologic or mechanical properties of the newly formed tissue. Rather media like collagen gels, fibrin gels, Matrigel, or synthetic gels are employed to orchestrate the formation of the newly formed tissue. Chen et al in Chen X, Zou X H, Yin G L, Ouyang H W. 2009. Tendon tissue engineering with mesenchymal stem cells and biografts: an option for large tendon defects? Frontiers in Bioscience. S1. 23-32 present a comprehensive review of this and other stem cell tissue engineering methods for tendon repair. However, the problems (a) and (b) highlighted above are still valid in the case of functional tissue engineering.
Several efforts have been made to render reconstituted collagen structures with some degree of orientational anisotropy. The alignment of molecules and fibrils by mechanical loading, microfluidic channels, flow and magnetic field induced alignment, electrochemical processing, interstitial flow, high magnetic field, oriented electrospinning, Langmuir-Blodgett deposition, and extrusion processes have been demonstrated in the research lab. The collagen matrices produced by each of these processes have successfully caused the alignment of different cells. However, they do not mimic natural extracellular matrices (ECMs) and lack the essential natural spatial complexity, for example, controlled fibril diameters, aligned fibrils, crimps, periodicity and angular distribution. The lack of secondary structure results in poor strength in the synthetic scaffold and affects cellular survival and behavior. Builles et al. (2007) demonstrate the importance of the cell environment on a newly synthesized ECM. Some have achieved better control of fibril size and demonstrate the formation of tissue-like patterns. However, there are problems with the size of the construct they produce and the lengthy process required. The importance of nano- and micro-structures and their orientation is especially important for tendons and ligaments, since these tissues require strength, elasticity and a guide for cells to attach and migrate for repair to occur. For example, a recent review devoted to cellular-extracellular architecture of human tissue has no discussion about fibril orientation or alignment in ECM, although it states that "the importance of scaffold architecture in tissue engineering is increasingly being realized, which has resulted in a change in trend in the designs of scaffolds, from isotropic scaffolds to heterogeneous and anisotropic "biomimetic" scaffolds, with the goal being to mimic the organization of the cells (such as alignment or clustering) and/or the ECM of the tissue under consideration." See 30. Singh M., Tech B, Berkland C, and Detamore M S. 2008. Strategies and Applications for Incorporating Physical and Chemical Signal Gradients in Tissue Engineering. Tissue Engineering. Part B. 14. 4: 341-366.
More recently, methods to deposit collagen in ordered arrays on glass or plastic substrate to make a thin film with skin-like, tendon-like, aligned-braided, and other fibrillar structures have been described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0069893 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/951,324, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Importantly, these aligned and ordered collagen deposits direct the orientation of cells applied to them. Specifically, cells attach and align on the films and migrate along the axis of alignment. Such films can be treated with factors, such as growth factors which enhance cell survival, migration and proliferation. Other biopolymers can and have been devised to deliver cells to tissues but many lack biocompatibilities, are not lost or incorporated into the tissue or have physical properties quite different from the tissue and alter its function.
Despite substantial efforts to develop biomaterials to mimic tendon, skin and other collagen-based fibrillar tissues, to date there is no industrial manufacturing method for producing these materials. Accordingly, significant further developments are much needed.

Biocomposites and methods of making the same


A electronic corrosion protection (ECP) device includes a physical interface for connecting to an on-board diagnostic port of a vehicle. The ECP device can be easily and safely installed in a vehicle and provide corrosion protection to metal components of the vehicle.

Vehicle On Board Diagnostic ("OBD") interfaces are standardized by statute on all modern vehicles. These interfaces conform to both physical and protocol specifications. The communication protocols used by OBD include serial (e.g.: RS-232) and controller area network (CAN). There are at least 5 different standards based protocol specifications in use for current OBD systems, including SAE J1850 PWM/VPW, ISO 9141-2, ISO 14230 KWP2000, and ISO 15765 CAN. Starting in 2008, all US vehicles must use ISO 15765 CAN based communication protocols for the OBD interface. Various standards are known for OBD, such as OBD-I, OBD 1.5, and OBD-II which include various standard interfaces, signal protocols, data communications, etc.
Electronic corrosion protection (ECP) devices have become a viable and popular alternative to traditional chemical spray coating as a means of protecting automobiles from corrosion. ECP devices function by inducing an electrical current into the metal structures of the automobile. ECP devices are typically connected directly to the automobile's 12V battery as well as to a metal surface of the vehicle. ECP devices are typically located in the engine compartment in order to facilitate connecting the ECP device to the battery and the metal surface, which could be a metal part of the vehicle's chassis.


A medium transporting apparatus is used for transporting a label web including a carrier web and labels adhered thereto. A platen roller transports the label web in a transport path. A pressure roller is disposed downstream of the separating member with respect to the transport path, and causes the carrier web to be kinked. The pressure roller urges the carrier web against the platen roller. A support member is mounted on a cover and rotatably supports the pressure roller. The cover is pivoted between an open position and a closed. Immediately after the cover has moved to the closed position, the pressure roller contacts the platen roller and then slides by a predetermined amount on the circumferential surface of the platen roller in a direction away from the separating member. Thus, the carrier web sandwiched between the pressure and platen rollers becomes taut.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a label separator that separates labels from a carrier web and a label printer equipped with the label separator.
Description of the Related Art
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an existing label printer 101. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an existing label separator 120. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the existing label separator shown in FIG. 21.
Referring to FIG. 20, the label printer 101 includes a thermal head 103 mounted to an upper cover 106, and a platen roller 104 and a paper roll holder 105 mounted on a chassis 102.
The roller paper holder 105 holds a print medium in the form of a label web. The paper roll holder 105 includes two opposing support members for rotatably supporting the label web. The distance between the two opposing support members is adjustable depending on the width of the label web. The core about which the label web is wrapped is rotatably fitted to a boss on each support member of the holder, thereby loading the paper roll on the paper roll holder 105.
The upper cover 106 is pivotally supported on supports of the chassis 102. When the upper cover 106 is opened or closed relative to the label printer 101, the thermal head 103 moves into or out of engagement with the platen roller 104. The tip portion of the label web is led out through a gap between the thermal head 103 and the platen roller 104, and further outwardly from the chassis 102. The upper cover 106 is then closed with the label web sandwiched between the thermal head 103 and the upper cover 106. The rotation of the platen roller 104 causes the label web to advance, and the thermal head 103 prints on the label web under pressure.
A label web 110 includes a series of labels 112 affixed to a long belt-shaped carrier web 111, the labels being spaced by a predetermined distance. The label printer prints on the series of labels.
As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the label printer 101 includes a label separator 120 for separating the labels 112 from the carrier web 111.
This type of label separator 120 is disposed downstream of the thermal head 103 with respect to transport of the label web, and includes an edge member 107, a pressure roller 108, and a front cover 109. The edge member 107 abuts the label web 110 transported by the platen roller 104, causing the carrier web 111 to be kinked at a predetermined angle. The edge member 107 separates the label 112 from the carrier web 111, allowing only the carrier web 111 to advance to the gap between the pressure roller 108 and the platen roller 104. The pressure roller 108 is rotatably mounted on the front cover 104, and presses the carrier web 111 against the platen roller 104 under pressure, while being driven by the platen roller 3 in rotation.
The label web 110 is transported by the platen roller 104 past the edge member 107 after the label 112 is printed by the thermal head 103, and the label 112 is then separated from the carrier web 111 and is further transported to the outside of the apparatus through a label discharging path.
The label 112 is transported further in a substantially straight path while the carrier web 111 is bent by the edge member 107 and is then advanced to a pressing point where the carrier web 111 is pressed by the pressure roller 108 against the platen roller 104. The carrier web 111 is then transported along the label discharging path of the carrier web to the outside of the apparatus.
In this manner, the existing label separator operates to separate printed labels from the carrier web.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-145527 discloses another type of label separator in which a drive roller is mounted to an openable-and-closable member pivotally mounted on the label printer and cooperates with a driven roller mounted to the label printer to hold the label web between the drive roller and driven roller, and the edge member causes the label to separate from the carrier web.
The above-described existing label, separator suffers from the following drawbacks. The label web is first sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head, and then the leading end portion of the label web is passed by manually through a gap between the pressure roller and the platen roller, and the leading end portion is pulled by the operator through the discharging path located, for example, under the front cover. If the label web is pulled by tension smaller than necessary, the label web tends to have slack therein with the result that the edge member cannot engage the label web at a sufficient angle with the carrier web, failing so separate the labels reliably.

Label separator and label printer incorporating the label separator


A device is provided for aligning a ribbon cable relative to an electrical connector to crimp the electrical connector onto the ribbon cable with a tool. The device includes a side portion and a central piece. The side portion includes an upper end and a cable track having a width sized to receive the ribbon cable. The central piece is coupled to the side portion and includes an upper surface. The upper surface of the central piece and the upper end of the side portion at least partially define a connector retaining segment sized to receive the electrical connector.

The subject matter disclosed within relates generally to flat cable installation devices for electrical connectors. In particular, the subject matter relates to installation devices for installing ribbon cables on connectors such as, but not limited to, those used in conjunction with network transmission media of the type used in industrial control, monitoring, and similar power and data network systems.

Systems and methods for flat cable installation


An improved control system for operation of a liftcrane having mechanical subsystems powered by a engine and connected thereto by a closed loop hydraulic system with one or more individual closed hydraulic loops. The liftcrane includes controls for outputting signals for operation of the mechanical subsystems and a programmable controller connected and responsive to the controls and connected to the mechanical subsystems. The programmable controller is capable of running a routine for controlling the mechanical subsystems. A first set of sensors is operable to sense the pressure in the closed loop hydraulic system at each of the mechanical subsystems in a first set of mechanical subsystems and provide an output to the programmable controller indicative of the hydraulic pressure sensed. A second set of sensors is operable to sense the position or speed of each of the mechanical subsystems in a second set of mechanical subsystems and provide an output to the programmable controller indicative of the position sensed.

This invention relates to liftcranes and more particularly to an improved control and hydraulic system for a liftcrane.
A liftcrane is a type of heavy construction equipment characterized by an upward extending boom from which loads can be carried or otherwise handled by retractable cables. Liftcranes are available in different sizes. The size of a liftcrane is associated with the weight (maximum) that the liftcrane is able to lift. This size is expressed in tons, e.g. 50 tons.
The boom is attached to the upper works of the liftcrane. The upper works are usually rotatable upon the lower works of the liftcrane. If the liftcrane is mobile, the lower works may include a pair of crawlers (also referred to as tracks). The boom is raised or lowered by means of a cable and the upper works also include a drum upon which the boom cable can be wound. Another drum (referred to as a hoist drum) is provided for cabling used to raise and lower a load from the boom. A second hoist drum (also referred to as the whip hoist drum) is usually included rearward from the first hoist drum. The whip hoist is used independently or in association with the first hoist. Different types of attachments for the cabling are used for lifting, clamshell, dragline and so on. Each of these combinations of drums, cables and attachments, such as the boom or clam shell are considered herein to be mechanical subsystems of the liftcrane. Additional mechanical subsystems may be included for operation of a gantry, the tracks, counterweights, stabilization, counterbalancing and swing (rotation of the upper works with respect to the lower works). Mechanical subsystems in addition to these may also be provided.
As part of the upper works, a cab is provided from which an operator can control the liftcrane. Numerous controls such as levers, handles, knobs, and switches are provided in the operator's cab by which the various mechanical subsystems of the liftcrane can be controlled. Use of a liftcrane requires a high level of skill and concentration on the part of the operator who must be able to simultaneously manipulate and coordinate the various mechanical systems to perform routine operations.
The two most common types of power systems for liftcranes are friction-clutch and hydraulic. In the former type, the various mechanical subsystems of the liftcrane connect by means of clutches that frictionally engage a drive shaft driven by the liftcrane engine. The friction-clutch liftcrane design is considered generally older than the hydraulic type of liftcrane design.
In hydraulic systems, an engine powers a hydraulic pump that in turn drives an actuator (such as a motor or cylinder) associated with each of the specific mechanical subsystems. The actuators translate hydraulic pressure forces to mechanical forces thereby imparting movement to the mechanical subsystems of the liftcrane.
Hydraulic systems used on construction machinery may be divided into two types--open loop and closed loop. Up until now, most hydraulic liftcranes use primarily an open loop hydraulic system. In an open loop system, hydraulic fluid is pumped (under high pressure provided by a pump) to the actuator. After the hydraulic fluid is used in the actuator, it flows back (under low pressure) to a reservoir before it is recycled by the pump. The loop is considered "open" because the reservoir intervenes on the fluid return path from the actuator before it is recycled by the pump. Open loops systems control actuator speed by means of valves. Typically, the operator adjusts a valve to a setting to allow a portion of flow to the actuator, thereby controlling the actuator speed. The valve can be adjusted to supply flow to either side of the actuator thereby reversing actuator direction.
By contrast, in a closed loop system, return flow from an actuator goes directly back to the pump; i.e., the loop is considered "closed". Closed loop systems control speed and direction by changing the pump output.
Up until now, open loop systems have been generally favored over closed loop systems because of several factors. In an open loop system, a single pump can be made to power relatively independent, multiple mechanical subsystems by using valves to meter the available pump flow to the actuators. Also, cylinders, and other devices which store fluid, are easily operated since the pump does not rely directly on return flow for source fluid. Because a single pump usually operates several mechanical subsystems, it is easy to bring a large percentage of the liftcrane's pumping capability to bear on a single mechanical subsystem. Auxiliary mechanical subsystems can be easily added to the system.
However, open loop systems have serious shortcomings compared to closed loop systems, the most significant of which is lack of efficiency. A liftcrane is often required to operate with one mechanical subsystem fully loaded and another mechanical subsystem unloaded yet with both turning at full speed, e.g. in operations such as clamshell, grapple, level-luffing. An open loop system having a single pump must maintain pressure sufficient to drive the fully loaded mechanical subsystem. Consequently, flow to the unloaded mechanical subsystems wastes an amount of energy equal to the unloaded flow multiplied by the unrequired pressure.
Open loop systems also waste energy across the valves needed for acceptable operation. For example, the main control valves in a typical load sensing, open loop system (the most efficient type of open loop system for a liftcrane) dissipates energy equal to 300-400 PSI times the load flow. Counterbalance valves required for load holding typically waste energy equal to 500-2,000 PSI times the load flow.
As a result of the differences in efficiency noted above, a single pump open loop system requires considerably more horsepower to do the same work as a closed loop system. This additional horsepower could easily consume thousands of gallons of fuel annually. Moreover, all this wasted energy converts to heat. It is no surprise, therefore, that open loop systems require larger oil coolers than comparable closed loop systems.
Controllability can be another problem for open loop circuits. Since all the main control valves are presented with the same system pressure, the functions they control are subject to some degree of load interference, i.e., changes in pressure may cause unintended changes in actuator speed. Generally, open loop control valves are pressure compensated to minimize load interference. But none of these devices are perfect and speed changes of 25% with swings in system pressure are not atypical. This degree of speed change is disruptive to liftcrane operation and potentially dangerous.
To avoid having to use an extremely large pump, many open loop systems have devices which limit flow demand when multiple mechanical subsystems are engaged. Such devices, along with the required load sensing circuits and counterbalance valves mentioned above, are prone to instability. It can be very difficult to adjust these devices to work properly under all the varied operating conditions of a liftcrane.
An approach taken by some liftcranes manufacturers with open loop systems to minimize the aforementioned problems is to use multi-pump open loop systems. This approach surrenders the main advantage that the open loop has over closed loop, i.e. the ability to power many functions with a single pump.
In summary, although presently available liftcranes generally use open loop hydraulic systems, these are very inefficient and this inefficiency costs the manufacturers by requiring large engines and oil coolers and it costs the user in the form of high fuel bills. Moreover, another disadvantage is that open loop systems in general can have poor controllability under some operating conditions.

Control and hydraulic system for liftcrane


A method that involves receiving budget information of a containerized application deployed with a set of containers to a set of machine instances; receiving pricing information of a list of machine instance types; receiving performance information of the set of containers; receiving an alert generated based on the performance information by comparing the performance information to a set of thresholds; generating, after receiving the alert, an output vector from a machine learning model, wherein the machine learning model uses the performance information; and adjusting a resource of the set of containers by updating a parameter based on the output vector in response to the alert, wherein the resource is controlled by the parameter, and wherein the parameter is identified in the alert.

Cloud provider services provide on-demand delivery of compute power, database storage, applications, etc., and other information technology resources via the internet, with pay-as-you-go pricing. Cloud provider services can provide individual services or groups of services and can dynamically scale to meet the needs of the application based on input from the developer.
Scaling is done with container-based applications by increasing or decreasing the number of containers used for the application and by deploying the containers to different types of virtual machine instances (e.g., to virtual machine instances that have more compute power, memory, storage, etc.). Container based applications use operating-system-level virtualization, also known as containerization, which is an operating system feature in which the kernel allows the existence of multiple isolated user-space instances called containers that can look like real computers from the point of view of programs running in them.
The scaling provided for by cloud provider services uses autoscaling to provision the number of containers and virtual machine instances used to deploy an application and can use the selection of different (e.g., larger) virtual machine instances. A challenge is to allocate resources used by the individual containers, which include processing power, memory, storage space, sockets, heap size, etc.

Cost optimized dynamic resource allocation in a cloud infrastructure


The present invention relates to a transparent, low-flammability, UV-resistant, oriented film made from a crystallizable thermoplastic and having a thickness of from 5 to 300 μm. The film comprises at least one UV stabilizer and at least one flame retardant, and at least the flame retardant, and preferably also the UV stabilizer, is fed directly as a masterbatch to the crystallizable thermoplastic during production of the film. The film may have one or more layers, and the UV stabilizer may have been selected from the group consisting of the 2-hydroxybenzophenones, the 2-hydroxybenzotriazoles, the organonickel compounds, the salicylic esters, the cinnamic ester derivatives, the resorcinol monobenzoates, the oxanilides, the hydroxybenzoic esters, the sterically hindered amines and triazines, and the flame retardant may be an organic phosphorus compound, in particular an organic phosphorus compound soluble in polyethylene terephthalate.

Transparent, oriented films made from crystallizable thermoplastics of thickness from 1 to 300 μm are well known.
These films comprise neither UV stabilizer as light stabilizer nor flame retardants. For this reason, neither the films nor the items produced from them are suitable for outdoor applications where fire protection or low flammability is a requirement. The films do not pass the fire tests of DIN 4102, Part 2 and Part 1, nor that of UL 94.
In outdoor applications, even after a short period, the known films show yellowing and a deterioration in mechanical properties, due to photooxidative degradation by sunlight.
EP-A-0 620 245 describes films with improved heat resistance. These films comprise antioxidants suitable for scavenging free radicals formed in the film and for degrading any peroxide formed. However, this specification makes no proposal as to how the UV resistance of films of this type may be improved.
DE-A 23 46 787 describes a low-flammability plastic. Besides the plastic, the claims also cover the use of the plastic to give films and fibers.
However, when films were produced from this phospholane-modified polymer as claimed in said publication the following shortcomings were apparent:
The plastic is very susceptible to hydrolysis and has to be very thoroughly predried. When the plastic is dried using dryers of the prior art it cakes, and if production of a film is possible at all it is possible only under very difficult conditions. The films produced under extreme, and uneconomic, conditions embrittle at high temperatures, that is to say their mechanical properties decline sharply as a result of rapid embrittlement, making the film unusable industrially. This embrittlement arises after as little as 48 hours at high temperature.

Transparent, low-flammability, UV-resistant film made from a crystallizable thermoplastic, its use and process for its production


A method for high speed dissemination of information about faults in spans that interconnect nodes in a telecommunication mesh-type network, the method comprises creating a Failure Updating channel (FU channel) in the network and circulating Failure updating messages (FU messages) via the FU channel between the network nodes, wherein each of the FU messages issued by a particular node is disseminated to its adjacent node(s) and carries information about all spans in the network currently available to the particular node, by presenting status indications of the spans in respective information slots of the FU message.

Mesh networks, contrary to ring networks, are those comprising a number of inter-linked star-like connections between NE (network elements). A connection between two adjacent NE is usually called a span.
To perform urgent path restorations and other reconfiguring actions in the network when failures occur, either NEs or any managing entity should be informed on the current condition of each span in the network, and in the minimal time.
Presently, this service action is usually provided by a so-called network management station (NMS) of the network, via service channels. The NMS has a network level view of the "network health status". NMS receives notifications and alarms about failed links and re-calculates new trails in the network to bypass such links. The information/instructions with respect to the new corrected trails is then downloaded to the relevant network elements. The described process is known as a restoration process. In mesh networks, it takes a considerable time for execution due to complexity of configuration of such networks.
The OSPF protocol (Open Short Path First protocol) which is widely used in IP networks relates to the family of "link state protocols". This protocol enables exchanging the routing information which has been updated due to the network topology changes (span addition/deletion, failure). It is a complex and highly software dependent protocol. A considerable portion of the time is required for updating NMS and each and every node in the network about the new status of the "network health". Furthermore, the restoration cannot be accomplished if the NMS is down by any reason.

High speed dissemination of failure information in mesh networks


This invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can contribute to the stabilization of alignment of a liquid crystal and can improve the response speed. The liquid crystal display device comprises a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer held between the substrates. At least one of the pair of substrates has a polymer on its surface in contact with the liquid crystal layer. The surface shape of the polymer is in a substantially saw form as viewed from the cross-sectional direction of the substrate. The inclination azimuth of the inclination surface of the polymer is substantially the same as the liquid crystal alignment upon the application of the voltage. Preferably, the surface of the polymer has an approximately wedge shape as viewed from the vertical direction of the substrate, and the azimuth of the apex is approximately opposite to the liquid crystal alignment upon the application of the voltage.

A liquid crystal display device which controls alignment of a liquid crystal to perform display has advantages such as slim profile, lightweight, and low power consumption, in comparison to CRT that is a conventional standard display. Therefore, such a liquid crystal display device has been widely used in various electronics. Particularly in an application such as a household TV, use of such a liquid crystal display device has been rapidly increased, recently. Various studies on a method of controlling alignment of a liquid crystal have been made in order to improve display qualities of this liquid crystal display device.
Multi-domain Vertical Alignment (hereinafter, also referred to as MVA) mode is known as a display mode effective for widening a viewing angle and improving a contrast ratio. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a liquid crystal display device in MVA mode (MVA-LCD). As shown in FIG. 1, according to the MVA-LCD, liquid crystals 12 are aligned in accordance with a plurality of domains using a projective structure 13 formed on a substrate or a slit 11a provided for an electrode 11 for liquid crystal driving, formed on the substrate, in Vertical Alignment mode where the liquid crystals 12 are aligned to be substantially vertical to the electrode 11 during no voltage application and the liquid crystals 12 are aligned to be substantially parallel to the electrode 11 during voltage application.
The MVA-LCD can effectively widen the viewing angle and improve the contrast ratio, but it has still room for improvement in response speed. Particularly, an improvement in response speed at the time of intermediate scale display is needed for the MVA-LCD. Only liquid crystal molecules near the projective structure and/or the electrode slit can be quickly aligned in response to a voltage applied to the liquid crystal. Liquid crystals far from these alignment control structures respond late. Due to the low response speed of the liquid crystal, blurred moving images might be displayed. The MVA-LCD has also room for improvement in that the projective structures and/or the electrode slits reduce an aperture ratio (transmittance).
A Polymer Sustained Alignment (hereinafter, also referred to as PSA) technology has been known as a technology for improving the response speed or the aperture ratio (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 to 3). FIG. 2 shows a schematic view showing the Polymer Sustained Alignment (PSA) technology. FIG. 2(a) shows a state where light is radiated for forming a polymer. FIG. 2(b) shows a liquid crystal display panel where a polymer has been formed by the photopolymerization. As shown in FIG. 2, according to the PSA technology, a monomer 14 is dispersed into liquid crystal 12, and under voltage application to the liquid crystal 12, the monomer 14 which has been dispersed into the liquid crystal 12 is photopolymerized by irradiation of light 16, thereby forming a polymer 14a on a surface of an alignment film 15. Then, this polymer 14a determines a pretilt of the liquid crystal 12 which is positioned on the surface of the alignment film 15.
According to the MVA-LCD, the alignment control is performed using only the projective structures and/or the electrode slits. Therefore, liquid crystal molecules near the projective structure and/or the electrode slit start to respond, followed by liquid crystal molecules at the intermediate part. In contrast, in a liquid crystal display device to which the PSA technology has been applied (PSA-LCD), polymers formed on the alignment film surface perform alignment control, and therefore, liquid crystal molecules in a region where the polymers have been formed respond at the same time. In the case that the PSA technology is applied to the MVA-LCD, the alignment control attributed to the MVA-LCD itself and the PSA technology is performed. The liquid crystal molecules near the projective structure and/or the electrode slit respond first, but shortly after that, the liquid crystal molecules at the intermediate part also respond at the same time. In addition, the PSA-LCD is advantageous in terms of aperture ratio (transmittance) because occupancy of the projective structure and/or the electrode slit on the substrate surface can be reduced or eliminated.
However, the PSA-LCD also has room for improvement in alignment stability of liquid crystal and improvement in response speed of liquid crystal.    [Patent Document 1]    Japanese Patent No. 3520376    [Patent Document 2]    Japanese Kokai Publication No. Hei-08-114804    [Patent Document 3]    Japanese Kokai Publication No. 2003-177418


An alarm indicator (4) is provided with a light guiding member (41), a first light source (42) and a transmissive member (43). The light guiding member (41) extends in a first direction that is parallel to a display screen in which medical information is displayed. The first light source (42) faces an end face (41a) of the light guiding member (41) in the first direction. The transmissive member (43) covers the light guiding member (41) from a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The light guiding member (41) is provided with a light reflecting portion and an outer face (41d). The light reflecting portion extends in the first direction and reflects the light incident from the end face (41a) at least toward the second direction intersecting with the first direction. The light reflected by the reflecting portion is emitted from the outer face (41d) while being diffused.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-072568A discloses a monitor device for vital signs information which is an example of a medical display device. The monitor device comprises an alarm indicator. The alarm indicator is disposed in an upper front portion of a housing of the monitor device. The alarm indicator is configured so as to light up or blink at a predetermined color in the case where, for example, the state of the biological information or the operation state of the device deviates from the normal state.
The user such as a medical person is not always in the vicinity of a monitor device or in front of an information displaying screen. In order to enable to promptly respond to, for example, a sudden change of the patient's condition, it is requested that the lighting or blinking of an alarm indicator can be seen from a place other than the vicinity of the monitor device or the front of the information displaying screen.
As countermeasures to satisfy the request, it is contemplated that the number of alarm indicators is increased to allow seeing from various directions. For example, it can be considered that, in addition to the above-described alarm indicator which is supposed to be seen mainly from the front side, another alarm indicator which is supposed to be seen mainly from the rear side is disposed. In this case, however, the number of light sources is increased, and therefore the enlargement of the structure, and the increase of the power consumption are inevitably caused.


The invention relates to a method for generating very short gate structures. In a method for generating a structure on a substrate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, first of all a layer sequence of a first oxide layer, a first nitride layer and a second oxide layer is disposed onto the substrate. Subsequently, a portion of the second oxide layer and a portion of the first nitride layer is removed in order to expose a portion of the first oxide layer. Then, a part of the first nitride layer above the first oxide layer and below the second oxide layer is removed in order to expose the area of the structure.

In some applications for manufacturing semiconductor devices it may be desirable to implement structures having smaller (shorter) dimensions, e.g. in MOS transistors (MOS=metal oxide semiconductor), e.g. LDMOS transistor (LDMOS=laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor), the gate electrode or the gate oxide, respectively.
In the art, lithography methods are known by use of which (poly) gate electrodes are manufactured. These known methods are not self-aligning, so that limitations based on the limited alignment possibilities of the used illumination instruments result. The disadvantage of the thus manufactured gate structures is that a certain gate length may not be fallen short of and that certain tolerances may not be achieved.
It is a further disadvantage of the conventional methods that a different doping of source areas and drain areas, like it is for example required in an LDMOS transistor or a DMOS transistor, is only hardly possible or not at all possible with short gate structures.

Method for generating a structure on a substrate


The invention relates to GPE analogs, particularly GPE analogs capable of inducing an equivalent physiological effect to GPE within a patient. Such GPE analogs include peptides where the Gly of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Pro; where the Pro of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Gly; and where the Glu of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Asn, Asp, or Gln. The GPE analogs of the invention have application in any method of therapy or prophylaxis in which GPE has application. These applications include the treatment of acute brain injury and neurodegenerative disease, including but not limited to injury or disease in the CNS. The GPE analogs will normally be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition or preparation.

GPE is a tri-peptide consisting of amino acids Gly-Pro-Glu. It and its di-peptide derivatives Gly-Pro and Pro-Glu were first disclosed by Sara et al in EP 0366638. Sara et al disclosed that GPE is effective as a neuromodulator (able to affect the electrical properties of neurons).
The applicants have also established that GPE has neuroprotective properties and that it therefore has utility in the prevention or inhibition of neural cell death (WO 95/17204).
The nervous system contains neural cells and glial cells. Glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system, often aid neural cells and neural activity by providing support and assistance to neural cells through means including anatomical configuration, metabolic activity, and physiological function.
It is generally towards new molecules which mimic the functionality of GPE that the present invention is directed. These molecules, which are termed herein "GPE analogs" have application on an equivalent basis to GPE, including in treating and/or preventing neural damage following insult.


A mixer system for a direct conversion receiver, the receiver including an RF input path which is divided into I and Q paths for demodulating from the RF signals I and Q signals in phase quadrature with one another, the mixer system including first and second serially coupled mixer means in the I path, third and fourth serially coupled mixer means in the Q path, and a local oscillator providing a plurality of local oscillator signals in phase quadrature with one another to the mixer means, such that the first mixer means receives a local oscillator signal in phase quadrature to the local oscillator signal applied to the second mixer means, and the third mixer means receives a local oscillator in phase quadrature to that applied to the fourth mixer means.

The superheterodyne is the most commonly used radio receiver system. As shown in FIG. 1, it can be seen that two local oscillators are required for receiving and a third LO signal is needed for transmitting in a transceiver system. The first LO will probably be generated by a VCO controlled by a synthesiser whilst the TX LO may be generated using a second frequency synthesiser or be produced by mixing the first and second LO signals. An RF filter is required to block unwanted radio signals and remove image frequencies which would otherwise be converted by the first mixer to an inband IF frequency. A second high frequency filter is required to remove unwanted side tones generated by the nonlinear action of the first mixer.
Direct conversion can be obtained by a homodyne system as shown in FIG. 2. This system is simplified by the need for only one LO signal which may also be directly used for tansmitting in a transceiver. Filtering is also easier to perform since the RF filter has only to provide a blocking function and all post mixer filtering is provided by low pass baseband filters. The advantage of these base band filters is that they may be totally constructed within an integrated circuit. Automatic gain control will be required which can be provided by an RF AGC 1 stage or a combined action of AGC 1 and base band AGC 2 stages as shown.
The disadvantage with this direct conversion system is that the local oscillator may radiate a signal which when picked up at the front end will be converted down and generate a DC offset in the mixer outputs. Since this signal may be a multipath reflected signal when received, it will probably have a varying amplitude and phase and hence when converted down could produce varying offsets i.e. unwanted base band signals. This problem is reduced by minimising the generated LO signal level, however this can result in decreased gain and noise performance in the mixers.


A two-wire load control device may be configured to compute an accurate estimate of real-time power consumption by a load that is electrically connected to, and controlled by, the two-wire load control device. The load control device may be adapted to measure a voltage drop across the device during a first portion of a half-cycle of an AC waveform provided to the device. The device may be further configured to estimate a voltage drop across the load during the second portion of the half-cycle. The estimated voltage drop may be based on the measured voltage drop. The device may be further configured to measure a current supplied to the load during a second portion of the half-cycle. The device may be configured to estimate power consumed by the load based on the measured current and the estimated voltage drop.

Many utility providers are now deploying "smart grid" technologies into respective portions of the power grid. Smart grid technologies may enhance the respective abilities of utility providers and their consumers to communicate with each other and to decide how and when electrical energy should be produced or consumed.
Some smart grid applications may enable time-based electricity pricing. For example, a consumer who typically pays a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) may configure an appliance equipped with a smart grid application, e.g., to set an electricity usage threshold for the appliance or to adjust the appliance's electricity usage behavior, to take advantage of fluctuating prices. Additionally, smart grid applications may enhance opportunities for demand response, e.g., by providing real time power consumption data to electricity producers or consumers. An example of providing real time power consumption data includes measuring the power consumption of a load at one or more respective points in time over a given interval, averaging the power consumption values measured during the interval, and providing the averaged power consumption as the real time power consumption of the load.
Smart grid applications may require the use of an energy management system (EMS) to provide automated control and/or monitoring of electricity-consuming devices, such as lighting, appliances, etc. An EMS may collect electricity usage data, such as power consumption data, from the devices, and may use that data to perform self-diagnostic and optimization routines, to perform trend analysis, to generate annual consumption forecasts, and the like.
Load control devices, such as electronic switches and dimmers, may be used to control the amount of power delivered from an alternating current (AC) source to a load that consumes the power. Such a load control device can be configured to calculate an amount of power consumed by a load. The power consumption data may be communicated from the load control device to an EMS or a user of the load control device.
FIG. 1A depicts an example load control system 100 that includes a three-wire load control device 104. The three-wire load control device 104 may be electrically connected between an AC source 108 and a load 110. The three-wire load control device 104 may be operable to control an amount of power delivered from the AC source 108 to the load 110. The load 110 may be a lighting load, for example, or any other electrical load.
The three-wire load control device 104 may be an electronic switch or dimmer for example. The three-wire load control device 104 may include a controllably conductive device, such as a thyristor (e.g., a triac), operable to control an amount of power delivered from the AC source 108 to the load 110. The three-wire load control device 104 may be connected to the AC source 108 by a first wire 112, to the load 110 by a second wire 114, and to an electrical path between the load 110 and a return side of the AC source 108 by a third wire 116. The first wire 112 may be referred to as a hot wire, the second wire 114 may be referred to as a switched-hot or dimmed-hot wire, and the third wire 116 may be referred to as a neutral wire.
The controllably conductive device (not shown) may operate in respective non-conductive and conductive states within respective portions of each half-cycle of an AC waveform provided by the AC source. The controllably conductive device may be switched from the non-conductive to the conductive state in response to a triggering signal. In a forward phase control system, generation of a triggering signal may be synchronized with the AC line voltage such that the triggering signal is generated at a certain time after a zero crossing is detected. Responsive to the triggering signal, a gate of the controllably conductive device may be energized, causing the controllably conductive device to operate in the conductive state for the remainder of the AC half-cycle.
During the time interval between the zero crossing and the gate triggering, the controllably conductive device may operate in the non-conductive state. When the controllably conductive device is operating in the non-conductive state, effectively no power is supplied to the load. The load control device may be configured to allow for alteration of the time interval, such as in response to adjustment of a user-operable control (e.g., a dimming knob or a slider) or in response to changes in a dimming level signal. Altering the time interval between the zero crossing and the gate triggering (and, thereby affecting the conduction angle of the controllably conductive device) affects the root-mean-square (RMS) power delivered to the load 110. See, for example, commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,356, entitled "Programmable Lighting Control System With Normalized Dimming For Different Light Sources," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the controllably conductive device may be switched to affect the AC voltage waveform provided to the load 110, thereby controlling the power delivered to the load.
The three-wire load control device 104 has three AC waveforms available to it: an AC input voltage waveform 118, which may be measured between the first wire 112 and the third wire 116; an AC device voltage waveform 120, which may be measured between the first wire 112 and the second wire 114; and an AC load voltage waveform 122, which may be measured between the second wire 114 and the third wire 116.
Because the three-wire load control device 104 always has the AC load voltage waveform 122 available to it, the three-wire load control device 104 can be configured to compute power consumed by the load 110 over a given time interval. Power consumed by the load 110 may be determined by multiplying the voltage drop across the load 110 by the current flowing through the load 110. The three-wire load control device 104 can be configured to measure the current it supplies to the load 110 during any given time interval. And, because the three-wire load control device 104 has the AC load voltage waveform available 122 to it, it can also be configured to determine the voltage drop across the load 110 during any given time interval. Thus, because the three-wire load control device 104 always has available to it both the current supplied to the load 110 and voltage dropped across the load 110, the three-wire load control device 104 can be configured to compute power consumed by the load 110 over any given time interval.
FIG. 1B depicts an example load control system 102 that includes a two-wire load control device 106. The two-wire load control device 106 may be electrically connected between an AC power source 108 and a load 110. The two-wire load control device 106 may be operable to control an amount of delivered from the AC source 108 to the load 110.
The two-wire load control device 106 may be an electronic switch or dimmer for example. The two-wire load control device 106 may include a controllably conductive device, such as a thyristor (e.g., a triac), operable to control an amount of power delivered from the AC power source 108 to the load 110. The two-wire load control device 106 may be connected to the AC power source 108 by a first wire 112 and to the load 110 by a second wire 114. The first wire 112 may be referred to as a hot wire. The second wire 114 may be referred to as a switched-hot or dimmed-hot wire. As described above, the controllably conductive device (not shown) may operate in respective non-conductive and conductive states within respective portions of each half-cycle of an AC input voltage waveform provided by the AC power source.
Unlike the three-wire load control device 104 described above, the two-wire load control device 106 does not have the AC load voltage waveform 122 available to it. Accordingly, the two-wire load control device 106 cannot be configured to determine the actual voltage drop across the load 110. Consequently, the two-wire load control device 106 cannot be configured to compute the actual power consumed by the load 110 over any given time interval by merely multiplying the actual voltage drop across the load by the actual current flowing through the load during the given time interval. It would be desirable if there were available a two-wire load control device capable of computing and reporting an accurate estimate of real-time power consumption of a corresponding load.

Power measurement in a two-wire load control device


A blow dryer holder for holding a hand held blow dryer having a stand as well as an opening for receiving at least a portion of the blow dryer and resilient fingers and a rest having a plurality of rest locations for a terminal end of the blow dryer handle. The stand preferably includes a base and an extension for raising the height of the blow dryer.

The present invention relates to the field of beauty device accessories, and more particularly to the area of holders for blow dryers during use.
Early hair dryers were large fixed appliances having a dome shaped hood under which a user would place their head. These devices, however, were cumbersome and could not be easily moved.
In an attempt to provide mobility, manufacturers devised xe2x80x9cportablexe2x80x9d hair dryers. These, although moveable, were still very bulky and difficult to transport.
More recently, hand held blow dryers were introduced. Hand held blow dryers are generally much smaller and easier to pack and carry. The user typically holds such a blow dryer in one hand while using the other hand to run through their hair or hold a brush or other styling instrument. However, since one hand must be used to hold the blow dryer, the user only has one hand available to style their hair.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support for a hand held blow dryer during use thereby freeing both hands for the user to style their hair.
This and other objects are achieved by the present invention directed to a blow dryer holder comprising a stand and means for engaging a blow dryer while the blow dryer is in use. The stand preferably comprises a base for providing stability and an extension for raising the height of the blow dryer or, alternatively, a number of extensions that act as legs to provide stability and raise the height of the blow dryer. The means for engaging the blow dryer preferably includes an opening for accepting either the handle or the nozzle of the blow dryer. A restraint means or mechanism can be used to releasably secure the blow dryer within the means for engaging the blow dryer. Means for fixing the position of the blow dryer is preferred to ensure that the blow dryer is providing the direction of airflow desired by the user and may or may not be associated with the means for engaging the blow dryer.


A control system that employs closed-loop control for providing active vehicle rear-wheel steering, where the control system receives longitudinal wheel slip inputs to improve the vehicle directional stability. The longitudinal wheel slip inputs can be from one or more of wheel speed, traction control on and automatic braking system on. The control system includes an open-loop controller for generating an open-loop steering control signal, a yaw rate feedback controller for generating a yaw rate feedback signal, and a side-slip rate controller for generating a side-slip rate feedback signal. The open-loop steering control signal, the yaw rate feedback signal and the side-slip rate feedback signal are combined to generate the steering control signal to steer the vehicle rear wheels.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to closed-loop control for active vehicle wheel steering and, more particularly, to closed-loop control for active front wheel steering or active rear wheel steering, where the closed-loop control uses longitudinal wheel slip to improve the vehicle's directional stability.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
It is known in the art to employ automatic rear-wheel vehicle steering based on vehicle dynamic information during a vehicle turn, or yaw, to enhance the vehicle stability. Active wheel steering control of a vehicle can improve vehicle stability over a conventional vehicle with only two steerable front wheels. The rear wheel steering assist can be in-phase steering or out-of-phase steering. In-phase rear wheel steering steers the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels, and is typically provided at higher vehicle speeds. Out-of-phase rear wheel steering steers the rear wheels in an opposite direction as the front wheels to provide a tighter turning radius, and is typically provided at lower vehicle speeds.
Open-loop automatic rear-wheel steering provides a certain amount of rear-wheel steering assist depending on the amount of front-wheel steering provided by the vehicle operator. In other words, a predetermined function is used to turn the rear wheels a certain amount in response to the turning of the front wheels at a particular vehicle speed. It is known to provide closed-loop automatic rear-wheel steering based on feedback in the event that the vehicle is not following the steering path requested by the vehicle operator. For example, slippery road conditions may prevent the vehicle from turning in the desired direction because the wheels may slip along the road surface. Further, the vehicle's rear quarter may "fish-tail," also providing a different turn angle than was intended. Closed-loop rear-wheel steering assist systems sense the actual vehicle yaw rate and the intended yaw rate, and generate a gain signal that provides the steering assist by the rear wheels if the vehicle yaw rate and the intended yaw rate are not the same.
When the vehicle wheels are turned, the lateral force between the roadway and the vehicle wheels causes the vehicle to turn. The greater the lateral force, the quicker the vehicle will turn in the desired direction. However, the vehicle wheels will always travel at least partially in a longitudinal direction relative to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The wheel slip angle is the difference between the steering direction of the vehicle and the actual direction of the vehicle. A small amount of wheel turning allows the vehicle to go in the intended direction more quickly because the lateral force is the greatest. The lateral force is reduced if the vehicle steer angle is greater than a certain amount relative to the travel direction of the vehicle, depending on road conditions, type of tire, etc.
A vehicle wheels longitudinal slip is the amount of slip the wheel has relative to the roadway in the direction that the vehicle is traveling. The greater the longitudinal slip, the less the lateral force is available to turn the vehicle. The longitudinal slip is defined as the ratio between the wheel rotation speed and the vehicle speed.
Known rear-wheel steering assist systems are based on the assumption that there is no longitudinal slip in the rear wheels, and thus the lateral force is at a maximum. In the known systems, if the longitudinal slip reduced the ability of the wheels to provide the intended yaw rate, additional gain was added to increase the rear wheel steering assist, which would reduce the lateral force available to provide the steering.
A closed-loop control system for rear-wheel steering is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/305,378, filed Nov. 26, 2002, titled "Method and Apparatus for Vehicle Stability Enhancement System," assigned to the assignee of this application and herein incorporated by reference. It was recognized in the '378 application that when the vehicle is operated in a two-wheel drive (2WD) mode or a four-wheel drive (4WD) mode, the wheel capability at the rear wheels is different because of the different amount of longitudinal force exerted on the wheel. This affects the lateral force capability, and thus, the '378 control provides control gains dependent on the selection of vehicle operation of 2WD and 4WD to result in a best over all vehicle performance.
Even though the tire force capability for 2WD and 4WD is different statistically, a control process optimized based on the selection of such operation still has room for improvement due to the fact that the precise amount of longitudinal force, and subsequently, the lateral force capability, exerted at the wheel is not only determined by the 2WD/4WD gear selection, but by the driver's operation of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal. It would be beneficial to provide a closed-loop rear-wheel steering control system that utilized longitudinal wheel force to determine the proper amount of control gain for the rear-wheel steering to reflect the need of a different steering control under various situations of vehicle operation.


In a method and system for detecting digital image compositing, a first artifact is detected in an uncompressed digital image. The first artifact is characteristic of an earlier compression of the digital image with a predetermined compression algorithm. An interpolation marker in the image is evaluated to provide interpolation results. During the evaluating, a second artifact of the compression algorithm is counteracted. The image is classified responsive to the interpolation results. The first artifact can be a blocking artifact and the second artifact and interpolation marker can be different periodicities in the image.

In the field of image processing, it is often the case that an image must be resized for a desired application. For example, a particular printer may have a fixed resolution of 250 dpi (dots per inch). In order to print an image consisting of 500 by 750 pixels to a 4 by 6 inch print on such a printer, the image must be resized by a factor of 2. Likewise, many display devices have a fixed resolution in pixels per inch. In other words, the values of the image at locations between the original samples must be determined. This process of determining the value of an image signal at locations which are not coincident with the original samples of the image is called interpolation or resampling. The factor of interpolation, N, refers to the ratio of the sampling rate of the output image to the sampling rate of the input image. In the previous example, the interpolation factor N=2.
The process of interpolation produces an image of a desired number of rows and columns of pixels. However, the interpolation process involves "guessing" the signal value at many locations. As a result the interpolated image is generally not as high quality as an image originally captured at the desired resolution. For example, an image captured at 500×750 pixels and then interpolated to 1000×1500 pixels will generally appear softer and of lower quality than an image resulting from capturing that same scene at 1000×1500 pixels originally.
Because of the generally lower quality of interpolated images, it can be desirable to have knowledge of whether an image had been interpolated in order to better handle the image in later digital processing and other procedures. U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,180, to Gallagher, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for determining whether a digital imaging channel is interpolated or non-interpolated using a signal related to values of neighboring pixels of an image. The method looks for peak in a Fourier Transform signal computed from an extracted signal having a periodicity indicative of interpolation. This method does not address the effects of past compression-decompression on an image.
With the advent of low-cost and high-resolution digital cameras and sophisticated editing software, digital images can be easily manipulated and altered. Digital forgeries, often have no visual clues of tampering and are indistinguishable from authentic photographs. As a result, photographs no longer hold the unique stature as a definitive recording of events. For example, in March of 2003 the Los Angeles Times published, on its front page, a dramatic photograph of a soldier directing an Iraqi citizen to take cover. The photograph, however, was a fake—it was digitally created by splicing together two photographs. This and similar incidents naturally lead one to wonder how many of the images seen every day have been digitally doctored. For more on digital forgeries.
While digital watermarking techniques have been proposed to authenticate images, the markings produced by these techniques have to be planted in the original images in advance. The markings are also susceptible to image processing operations, which may render the markings undetectable. There is therefore a need for a technique for detecting traces of digital tampering in the complete absence of any form of digital watermark or signature.
Although digital forgeries may leave no visual clues of having been tampered with, they may, nevertheless, alter the underlying statistics of an image. For example, consider the creation of a digital forgery that shows a pair of faces in the same image. Such an image could have been manufactured by compositing, such as, splicing a face from one original photograph and resampling it to match the composition of the destination image and inserting it. In order to create a convincing match, it is often necessary to resize, rotate, or stretch portions of the images. This process requires re-sampling or interpolating the original image onto a new sampling lattice. Although this resampling is often imperceptible, it modifies the statistical relationships of image pixel values, which when detected can be used as evidence of digital tampering. "Exposing digital forgeries by detecting traces of resampling", A. C. Popescu and H. Farid, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, Vol. 53, No. 2, pages 758-767, 2005 is directed to detecting resampling due to forgeries.
Most digital images are either stored in compressed form or have gone through image compression at some point of its life. A number of block-based image compression techniques are known. The most common form of image compression is JPEG compression. Another block-based image compression is vector quantization (See R. M. Gray, "Vector Quantization," IEEE ASSP Magazine, pages 4-29, (April 1984).) Block-based image compression produces artifacts that pose a challenge to the detection of digital watermarking and interpolation detection in images that have a history of having been compressed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,410 to Yu et al., which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for detecting the extent of blocking artifacts in a digital image.
It would thus be desirable to provide methods and systems for detecting compositing, which can detect image interpolation even if an image was previously compressed.

Detecting compositing in a previously compressed image