An ornamental device comprising a primary rigid plate with a space between the primary rigid plate and the surface of an object such as an article of clothing or cap, the space providing a receptacle to releasably hold a secondary rigid ball marker either frictionally or magnetically held, the device further being able to accommodate a secondary ball marker on top.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of emblematics, and more particularly to the creation of a space or void between a primary rigid plate and the surface of an object it attaches to, to accommodate a secondary rigid ball marker plate sandwiched between the primary rigid plate and the object's surface to form a dual emblematic.
2. Description of Prior Art
Various ways to make emblematics have existed for years. As used herein, the term "emblematic" refers to any article of manufacture which displays a company or official logo, school identifier, or event, or other type of esthetic image for example. Distinguishing characteristics of emblematics typically include a fairly small and rigid surface plate providing space for a motif, the plate being typically made out of one or more of a myriad of plastics or metals of sufficient property to render a design thereon intended to display an insignia, logo, crest, or design. Emblematics are commonly used for such items as lapel pins, refrigerator magnet indicia, badges of rank. Emblematics can be attached to key chains, necklaces, bracelets, drinking glasses, cigarette lighters, money clips, belts, belt buckles, cars, or almost any surface intended to display a message or recognizable image. The primary function of the emblematic is to display a message or graphic design via the manufacturing process of casting, stamping, or printing on a rigid material.
The emblematic may or may not have a fastening mechanism to attach to another object; for instance, a coin is an emblematic which typically does not include a mechanism to fasten the coin to another object. For the most part however, emblematics have a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism could be any type of pin, hook, clutch, magnet, snap, glue, or similar mechanism. Nevertheless, such mechanism all serve to attach the emblematic. Hence, such fastening mechanisms are not new art and are included in the present disclosure for demonstration purposes and as such, all such methods of fastening are considered included in prior art.
In current or prior art, there are no known emblematics that have the significant advantage of having a primary rigid plate with space provided behind the primary rigid plate to hold a second emblematic; two wholly separate, complete and independent emblems that when combined form an expanded display revealing new information not contained in the emblematics used separately. Such dual emblematics by addition reveal a new message to the user by combining two emblematics forming larger indicia and a new picture. Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a main or primary emblem with a unique space provided on the back of the emblem to accommodate a second emblematic of different sizes and shapes.
Focusing in more closely to the present disclosure, golf ball markers are one specific instance of a common emblematic. Golf ball markers are used either individually by themselves or as attached to another emblematic or surface such as a fabric. The golf ball marker can attach to a primary rigid plate that serves as a holder, as is the case of a divot fixer, or as in the case of a hat bill it can attach to the surface of the fabric. The most common method of attachment of a golf ball marker to a cap's surface is a magnet affixed to the golf ball marker. The magnet then is attracted to a ferrous surface either attached on top of or under the fabric surface. The most common method of attachment of a golf ball marker to another emblematic such as a divot fixer is also a magnet, but usually the magnet is in the primary rigid plate, not the golf ball marker.
In the art, no hint or reference has been contemplated of placing a golf ball marker behind another emblematic with a space provided to accommodate such a secondary rigid ball marker plate. No such primary rigid plate exists that can accommodate a secondary rigid ball marker plate that can slide behind a primary rigid plate via a space provided between the primary rigid plate and the surface of another object, but rather all present art attaches to the front of an emblematic holding device or surface of an object. Golf ball markers that attach to the front of a primary rigid plate hide part of the main emblematic design, thus hiding the main logo of the end user, or, as is the case with all other primary golf ball holder type emblematics such as a divot fixer, they have an unsightly void in the front when the golf ball marker is removed.
In all instances, even if the holder type is decorative under the marker, the front design of the holder is hidden when the ball marker is attached. The present disclosure can also hold many different sizes and shapes of secondary rigid ball marker plates behind the primary rigid plate without compromising the integrity of the piece whereas the holder with a void type cannot. The fastening mechanisms of the above mentioned golf ball markers and emblematic holders are primarily the magnetic type, but the fastening mechanism is not new to the art; the second emblematic sandwiched behind the primary rigid plate and the surface of an object is new to the art. The primary rigid plates of prior art may have a complete design, but the design on the primary or main emblematic is hidden under the second design of the golf ball marker thus subtracting from the overall message of the primary or main emblem, creating a lesser picture of the primary emblem, not more, and likewise less attractive.
Furthermore, tabs or tassels which can come in the form of ribbon tabs, rocker tabs, and bars, which hang from a primary rigid plate such as a lapel pin or the like do create a bigger picture, but are not readily removable to be used as a golf ball marker as the present disclosure affords and do not reside behind the primary rigid plate. Such tabs and the like are not stand alone emblematics either. They have unsightly holes or chain links and must be cumbersomely removed from the primary rigid plate. Thus, even though the tabs or tassels seemingly address the concept of installing an irregular shaped secondary rigid ball marker plate beside the primary rigid plate to create a bigger picture, the tabs or tassels are not a complete, separate and independent emblematic and are not readily removable and do not reside behind the primary rigid plate. The concept of being easily removable is lost and thus cannot be used as a golf ball marker holder as the present disclosure can. The lack of such a feature is commercially unattractive.
The present disclosure combines a secondary rigid ball marker plate "piggy backed" to the back of a primary rigid plate to create a somewhat bigger picture or message, for the secondary rigid ball marker plate is not completely hidden, thus being partially exposed, is readily removable to be used independently from the primary rigid plate.
Furthermore, if the secondary rigid ball marker plate behind the primary rigid plate is lost, the primary rigid plate does not become useless, but rather still displays its intended message regardless of the second emblematic. Continuing on in the advantages of the present disclosure, any new object with sufficient characteristics may be substituted into the space between the primary rigid plate and surface of an object the primary rigid plate is attached to. For instance, the space can accommodate an ordinary coin in so much as the coin is thick enough to fill the space and be frictionally held in place. No such art exists today, not even a golf ball marker and its holder, or tabs and tassels with a primary lapel pin type emblematic. No such current art alludes to such a concept because all current art are a primary rigid plate or object surface with an emblematic attached in front of the primary rigid plate or object surface. There is no such space as to frictionally hold an object such as a coin and no such primary rigid plates with a space for a secondary rigid ball marker plate between the primary rigid plate and the surface of an object the primary rigid plate is attached to, and finally there is no such primary rigid plate where the secondary rigid ball marker plate behind the primary rigid plate is readily removable to use as a golf ball marker, however, the secondary rigid ball marker plate does not necessarily have to be used as a golf ball marker. It can be used to simply portray a larger message.
The present invention includes certain criteria, namely, two unconnected, independent, and separate emblematics being readily and releasably combined, never hiding the main emblematic in any way to create a better larger message. Furthermore as previously stated such a concept opens the possibilities for a primary rigid plate to hold a coin or favorite lucky token of some type sandwiched between the primary rigid plate and the surface of an object the primary rigid plate is attached to, or additionally hold any type object that would render itself to be slid into the space, pocket or slot behind the main emblem and the surface of an object the primary rigid plate is attached to. Such concept is described in detail in the details section of the present application.
The space, pocket or slot on the back the main or primary rigid plate has major cost advantages as well when making emblematics. One primary emblem can be made for one company or school or event accompanied by many secondary rigid ball marker plates of regular or irregular sizes and shapes which cost much less. The two combined emblematics make up a myriad of different emblematics for one entity. Costs are significantly reduced for the manufacturer and thus for the end user. Secondary rigid ball marker plates may or may not be used as golf ball markers when combining emblematics may for general purpose be used primarily to display or convey a message, not a golf ball marker. For instance, a school might want the name of the school as the primary rigid plate and then use a secondary rigid ball marker plate, say a football, basketball, or baseball to promote an event or a seasonal sport, all interchangeable depending upon the season or time of event. The primary rigid plate can look good all by itself without the secondary rigid ball marker plates, but addition of the secondary rigid ball marker plate adds to the specificity of the sport or event at hand. Finally, the secondary rigid ball marker plate can be all sizes and irregular shapes and, as in the case of the situation when the secondary rigid ball marker plate is a ball marker, if the ball marker is lost, an alternative object such as a coin or favorite or lucky token can be put in its place. Nothing in present art addresses all the aforementioned advantages and all are primarily for golf ball marker use and with substantially a "round" ball marker.
Many types of emblematics holding a secondary rigid ball marker plate exist in current art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,955 issued to Lopez shows a golf ball marker holding device for use by a golfer that includes a top surface formed from a ferrous material, and having a low rim formed thereon and a rear surface having a pin secured thereto. A resilient, magnetic disk ball marker is held in a cavity defined by the low rim and the top surface, and is easily removed from the cavity to mark the location of a removed golf ball. The pin is secured in an article of clothing, and a butterfly-like clip is secured to the free end of the pin to hold the device to the article of clothing.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,039 issued to Cope is a golf ball position marking assembly that includes a marker removably secured to a decorative or functional accessory item such as a ring, pendant, clip, belt, key ring, bracelet, buckle, divot tool, or the like. The marker is magnetically secured to a base in such a way that a golfer can quickly and easily detach it to mark the position of a golf ball, and as easily re-attach it when the time comes to play. The assembly is made of any suitable material, including plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites. If desired, it can include decorative or functional indicia such as precious stones, decorative etching or enameled ornamentation, the user's name or initials, memorable dates, advertising material, tournament logos, or golf club logos.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,088 issued to Tate is a ferrous object attached to or embedded within an article of golf clothing so that it is subject to the force of magnetic attraction of a magnet in a ball marker. A magnetic ball marker according to the invention has a body that can be stamped, painted, machined, or otherwise provided with surface embellishments, such as tournament logos, golf course crests, corporate logos, and other visual indicia that are favored by golfers. Unlike conventional golf ball markers, however, a ball marker according to the invention is provided with a thin, flat, permanent magnet that is attached to or embedded within the body of the ball marker. When the ball marker is moved into the proximity of an article of golf clothing modified according to the invention by the incorporation of a ferrous object therein, the ball marker will be attracted to the ferrous object and will cling to the article of golf clothing until purposely removed therefrom. The invention has particular applicability to golf headgear, such a hats and visors. The ferrous objects employed may be configured as thin metal sheets, discs, wafers, or strips attached to or embedded within the bill or a golf hat or visor. The magnet ball marker of the invention is then simply placed in contact with or even in near proximity to the area of the hat at which the ferrous object has been permanently attached. The magnetic ball marker will thereupon cling to the article of golf clothing until removed therefrom for use.
Thus, many different devices exist in prior art for making an emblematic that holds a secondary rigid ball marker plate, yet none addresses the significant and major advantages of the present disclosure. For example, no primary rigid plates in the art allow a secondary rigid ball marker plate to be sandwiched behind the primary rigid plate and in front of the surface of an object the primary rigid plate is attached to. This type of process, technique, method of manufacturing or technology has not been developed and has major cost advantages when making emblematics.

Primary spacer emblematic for a golf ball marker


An assembly for a circuit board includes a substrate, at least one circuit component formed on the substrate, and a frame. The frame comprises a first substantially planar surface attached to the substrate, and a hole formed through the frame and defined by a wall that surrounds the at least one circuit component. A method of manufacturing the circuit board includes the step of attaching the substantially planar surface of the frame to the substrate in an arrangement in which the at least one circuit component is surrounded by a wall that defines the hole.

During manufacture of a circuit board, electronic components and their interconnections are etched, imprinted, or otherwise attached to a substrate. The substrate and the electronic components are subsequently subjected to various processing steps. One particular processing step includes covering the circuit components and the underlying substrate with a sheet of silicone or other material that provides environmental and electrical protection.
Transfer molding is one process by which a protective material is applied over a circuit component. Another common process includes encapsulating the circuitry with silicone or another suitable material. The protective material is applied to the substrate as a liquid and then cured or otherwise hardened to form a solid coating. Although silicone and other suitable materials provide environmental, electrical, and mechanical protection to the encapsulated circuitry, there are some inherent difficulties and inefficiencies with commonly practiced encapsulation methods. For example, it can be difficult to supply a protective material that has sufficient fluidity to cover and infiltrate the circuitry, and at the same time has sufficient viscosity to set in the area immediately above and around the circuitry without spreading about the surrounding substrate.
One procedure that is aimed toward avoiding the difficulties of optimizing the consistency of an encapsulating material includes assembling a wall around the circuitry that is to be encapsulated. The wall is thin and rigid, and is shaped to surround the circuitry and to thereby barricade the encapsulating material. A few integral posts extend below the wall. When the circuit board is manufactured, the posts are press fitted into holes that are punched into the substrate around the circuit components that are to be encapsulated.
Although providing a wall around the circuit components is a beneficial step, there are some difficulties during and following the encapsulating process. For example, the assembly can be prone to leak around the punched post holes and at the interface between the substrate and the wall. The wall is also a cast molded structure, and cast molding individual walls can be a relatively expensive process. The wall can also impede some cost-efficient ways to apply the encapsulating material, such as a printing technique and the use of a squeegee. Further, subsequent substrate processing can be impeded by the wall's presence, particularly if the substrate is flexible. Additional electronic assemblies are sometimes combined with circuit components that remain exposed after the encapsulation procedure. The wall, or even a slightly warped substrate, can make it somewhat difficult to match some of the intricate electrical contacts between the additional electronic assemblies and the exposed circuit components.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a manufacturing process and apparatus that alleviates the difficulties associated with encapsulating an integrated circuit and any associated passive components on a substrate. In addition, it is desirable to provide a process and apparatus that does not impede subsequent substrate processing or electrical connections. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.


A wind driven electrical power generating apparatus includes an armature. The apparatus also includes a wing secured to the armature. The wing defines a pocket having a hub end and an outer end. The width of the pocket monotonically increases from the hub end to the outer end. Moreover, the depth of the pocket monotonically increases from the hub end to the outer end. The wing and the armature produce a relatively large amount of torque during rotation of the armature which is converted to high rotational speed by a gear mechanism thereby driving a generator at a relatively high rotational speed. Such high torque production eliminates the need to rotate the armature at a high rotational speed. Moreover, the configuration of the wing allows the armature to be rotated in the presence of relatively low wind velocities. Hence, the apparatus may be efficiently utilized for electrical power generation in geographic areas which typically experience relatively low wind velocities.

A wind driven electrical power generating apparatus, such as a windmill, is commonly utilized to convert the energy present in wind into electrical energy. In particular, windmills typically include a number of blades or wings coupled to an output shaft. The wings are rotated or otherwise moved by the force of the wind acting thereon. The output shaft is typically coupled to an input shaft of an electric generator or other type of energy converter such that when the input shaft is rotated by the wind acting upon the wings, the generator produces electrical energy.
However, such electrical power generators typically require the input shaft thereof to be rotated at a relatively high speed in order to produce desirable quantities of electrical energy. For example, the input shaft of the generator may have to be rotated at 100 revolutions-per-minute in order to generate a single kilowatt (kW). Hence, windmills which have heretofore been designed typically require the output shaft to be rotated at a relatively high speed in order to correspondingly rotate the input shaft of the generator at a relatively high speed.
Such a speed requirement typically precludes efficient use of windmills in areas in which relatively low wind velocities are present. In particular, high wind velocities are generally required to drive the wings and hence the input shaft of the generator at the high speeds which are required to efficiently drive the generator.
What is needed therefore is a wind driven electrical power generating apparatus which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks. What is further needed is a wind driven electrical power generating apparatus which generates electrical power in the presence of relatively low wind velocities.

Wind driven electrical power generating apparatus


Methods and apparatus of signal processing are described. In a method according to one embodiment, a high-frequency region of a digital signal is detected. In response to the detecting, the high-frequency content of the digitized signal is increased in at least a portion of that region.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to signal processing.
2. Background Information
Signals carrying perceptual information, such as video and audio signals, are commonly transferred in analog form. Such analog transfer may occur even in cases where the perceptual information was created digitally or obtained from a digital source. For example, personal computers and other video generation devices (e.g. digital versatile disk (DVD) players) typically output analog video signals for display on cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitors or other devices including CRTs such as television sets.
Unfortunately, the analog signal may become degraded during transfer. For example, environmental electromagnetic interference may produce noise in the signal. Other environmental factors such as temperature may affect timing or other characteristics of circuitry used to process the signal. High frequencies of the signal may also be attenuated by the signal path. Depending upon the particular cause, such degradations may occur in high-frequency and/or in low-frequency regions of the signal, and upon display of the signal they may be manifested by effects such as nonuniformities, random specks, or reductions in resolution or sharpness.
Noise problems may also become worse as the number of pixels in a display grows. For example, a large image display has more pixels than a small one. A phase-locked loop (PLL) may be used to control a clock of an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the signal for display on a digital display (e.g. a liquid-crystal display). As the number of pixels increases, the PLL must run at a higher speed, which may give rise to increased jitter. Such increased jitter may be visible in the displayed signal as noise.
Noise may also cause the appearance of undesirable artifacts in low-frequency regions of a video signal. Such effects may be visible as variation, as the eye is more sensitive to noise in these regions. Noise of this type may be due to amplitude and/or phase variations in analog signal.
Moreover, the quality of an RGB-out signal may vary greatly. For example, it may be desired to display a signal from a video source whose output signal deviates from the VESA standard.
Automatic gain control may be used to control some noise problems, but at some point such techniques may also adversely affect signal contrast and brightness.


A modular pedicle screw system for use with a longitudinal member, such as a plate or rod, having a fastener with a threaded lower portion for engaging a spinal element and an upper portion adapted to receive a headpiece. The headpiece is adapted to mate with the upper portion of the fastener and to engage a longitudinal member. A plurality of headpieces having angulated projections, lateral sections, and angulated lateral sections, all of which are adapted to engage a longitudinal member and overcome angular and translational malalignment of the fastener, may also be provided.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus which is used to retain spinal elements in a spatial relationship. More particularly, a modular pedicle screw assembly of the invention consists of a base fastener and connecting headpieces which are varied in length and angularity in order to provide a clinician a greater degree of flexibility in stabilizing the spine when performing spinal fusions in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
Important considerations for spinal instrumentation used to promote spinal fusion are safe insertion, rigid fixation, and ease and adaptability of implantation. Historically, Harrington rods were an early type of spinal instrumentation used to stabilize the thoracic and the upper lumbar regions to obtain correction and stability for fusion. This instrumentation involved long rods attached to hooks, which were inserted over the bony arches (lamina) of the spinal canal. The instrumentation was subject to failure when the hooks either broke the lamina or became displaced and thus, the intended stabilization and correction was lost.
Subsequent spinal instrumentation included the use of a longitudinal member, such as a plate, to interconnect a series of pedicle screws such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,899 issued to Laura C. Small ("Small, et al"). In this system, the clinician must strive to place the series of pedicle screws into the bone in longitudinal alignment with as little lateral displacement and angular deflection as possible so that the plate may be attached to the series of pedicle screws in order to achieve a solid biomechanical relationship. However, due to variances in the spinal column or imperfect placement by the clinician, the screws are often inserted at an angle or must be placed laterally outside the longitudinal axis defined by the plate and other screws. While slight angular deviations of screw placement of up to 20.degree. may be overcome by the use of contoured washers, larger angular deflections and the problems associated with lateral displacement of the pedicle screws cannot be overcome by the instrumentation disclosed in the Small, et al. patent.
The development of the Kambin Offset Bolt for the use with the device disclosed in the Small, et al. patent allows greater flexibility when the pedicle screws cannot be placed in the desired longitudinal relationship. The Kambin system, which is offered by Smith & Nephew and known to those of skill in the art, uses bolts having lateral extensions that allow attached threaded shanks to reach the plates in a more desirable biomechanical relationship. The offset bolt, however, has several drawbacks. First, insertion of the offset bolt requires a larger area of clearance to obtain insertion. This often leads to insertion difficulty when the bolt interferes with the spinal retractors, other elements of the spine, or other screws which have already been implanted. This interference can cause other implanted screws to loosen when impinged. In addition, once in place, the offset bolt can only overcome translational malalignment, but not angular malalignment of the pedicle screws.
Another system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,900 ("Asher, et al."). There, pedicle screws are connected to a longitudinal member, such as a rod. Lateral deviations may be cured by the use of connector members which include oblong openings. (Col. 4 lines 54-67). Like the offset screw taught by the Small et al. patent, however, the device disclosed in the Asher, et al. patent cannot overcome the difficulties associated with angular malalignment.


A system in which a networked device automatically evaluates hacker attack notification information and, based thereon, selects and executes responses to the attack. The notification may include information such as the address of the infected system, identification of the specific worm, and a list of vulnerable applications and operating systems. The evaluation is based on factors including criticality and vulnerability of applications running on the system and connectivity of the device. A variety of automatic responses can be selected, including notification of network administration, shutdown of the device or services running on the device, updating and activation of anti-virus software, and selective handling of data sent from the address of the suspect network device. The selection of responses can occur automatically based on rules input during setup or by intervention of network administration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of computing devices and more particularly in the field of protecting computing devices from worm or hacker attacks.
2. Background
Computing devices such as servers and desktops are often connected to local area networks, providing connectivity both to other individual computing devices on the network and to other networks or to the Internet. While such connectivity provides benefits in terms of the sharing of information and access to resources, it also makes each computing device vulnerable to attacks through the network by worms and hackers.
A worm attack is carried out by a form of virus software capable of propagating itself over a local area network by locating and exploiting vulnerable operating systems and applications on individual computing devices resident on the network. A hacker attack is similar except that it is usually a human operator directing the attack instead of software. In either case, the attack is propagated through the local area network.
Worm or hacker attacks may be detected by a plurality of methods. An example of such a method is a "honey pot," wherein a vulnerable device is intentionally located on the network to attract attacks and detect them. The capability to notify computing devices on a network of an attack also exists, either through intervention of the network administrator or by an automated notification system. After such a notification is received by an individual computing device on a local area network, it would be desirable to have a method wherein said device could automatically, without intervention of network operations, respond to the attack by taking actions which at least reduce the effects of the worm or hacker attack.

Automatic client responses to worm or hacker attacks

International Business Machines Corporation


An absorptive switch architecture suitable for use in high frequency RF applications. A switching circuit includes a common terminal and one or more ports, any of which may be selectively coupled to the common terminal by closing an associated path switch; non-selected, unused ports are isolated from the common terminal by opening an associated path switch. Between each path switch and a port are associated shunt switches for selectively coupling an associated signal path to circuit ground. Between each path switch and a port is an associated absorptive switch module. Each absorptive switch module includes a resistor coupled in parallel with a switch. The combination of the resistor and the switch of the absorptive switch module is placed in series with a corresponding signal path from each port to the common terminal, rather than in a shunt configuration.

(1) Technical Field
This invention generally relates to electronic signal switching devices, and more specifically to electronic signal switching devices having high frequency absorptive switch architectures.
(2) Background
Electronic signal switches are used in a wide variety of applications. One type of signal switch in common use is a field effect transistor (FET) that is actively controlled through a gate terminal to block or pass an electrical signal connected in series with the source and drain terminals of the FET. In many applications, the presence of a FET switch has a negligible effect on signals blocked or passed by the switch. However, in radio frequency (RF) circuits, the presence of a FET switch may have significant effects on the rest of the circuit, particularly with respect to termination impedance and isolation levels. Such effects arise because an "ON" (low impedance) FET has a non-zero resistance, and an "OFF" (high impedance) FET behaves as a capacitor.
For example, switch architectures for RF circuits typically have used one or more shunt termination FET switches in series with a fixed termination resistance to form a termination path to circuit ground for unused ports. In most cases, because of the imperfect switching characteristics of a shunt FET switch, an additional FET switch is needed to achieve high isolation of the termination path from the rest of the "OFF path" when the shunt FET is configured as a short to circuit ground.
FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an RF circuit 100 having a shunt switch architecture in accordance with the prior art. All of the switches in the RF circuit 100 may be implemented as FET switches, as described below in further detail. A common RF terminal RFC may be selectively coupled to any of two or more RF pathways corresponding to RF terminals RF1-RFN. For example, each of the RF terminals RF1-RFN may be coupled to respective radio antennas while RFC is coupled to radio transceiver circuitry, such as in a cellular phone. In the illustrated example, to couple terminal RF1 to RFC, a series-coupled RF1 path switch 102 and an isolation switch 104 are set to "ON" (low impedance) to pass signals between RF1 and RFC. Concurrently, one or more associated shunt switches 106 coupled from circuit ground to a signal path 105 between the RF1 path switch 102 and the isolation switch 104 are set to "OFF" (high impedance). In addition, a termination switch 108 connected from circuit ground through a series termination resistor RTerm1 to terminal RF1 is also set to "OFF".
When terminal RF1 is coupled to RFC as described above, signals pass between RF1 and RFC through the resistance provided by the RF1 path switch 102 and the isolation switch 104, and neither signal path 105 nor RF1 are coupled to circuit ground through the shunt switches 106 or the termination switch 108, respectively. In order to isolate RFC from the other terminals RF2-RFN (all of which have signal paths similar to the RF1 signal path), the other RF pathways are set to be effectively isolated from RFC. When another RF terminal is to be coupled to RFC, then the RF1 signal path must be similarly effectively isolated from RFC. This is accomplished by setting RF1 path switch 102 to "OFF" (high impedance). However, various types of switches—including FET switches—exhibit current leakage when nominally "OFF". In such embodiments, the shunt switches 106 are provided. Thus, when the RF1 circuit path is to be isolated, the corresponding shunt switches 106 are set to "ON" (low impedance) in order to shunt leakage current through the RF1 path switch 102 to ground.
In order to provide a fixed termination impedance when RF1 is "OFF", the termination switch 108 is set to "ON" (low impedance) in order to couple RF1 though RTerm1 to circuit ground. The value of RTerm1 is application dependent, but is generally set such that, taking into account the "ON" resistance (Ron) of the termination switch 108 itself, the characteristic impedance at RF1 is about 50 ohms for most RF applications. Without such termination, a nominally "OFF" antenna may reflect received power back into the RF circuit 100 and cause signal interference with other RF circuitry, such as another antenna that is "ON".
In order to achieve high isolation from RF1 to RFC, and to raise the level of impedance that is effectively in parallel with RTerm1 and termination switch 108, the isolation switch 104 is set to "OFF" (high impedance). In a typical application, the "OFF" resistance of the isolation switch 104 is set at thousands of ohms in order to achieve 20-30 dB of isolation.
As noted above, all of the switches in the RF circuit 100 of FIG. 1A may be implemented as FET switches. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a typical switch configuration 120 suitable for use in the circuit shown in FIG. 1A. Shown are one or more FETs series stacked (for voltage handling) in a conventional configuration. A drain D to source S resistance R of high value ensures that each switch provides uniform resistance when the FETs are set to "OFF" (high impedance) under the control of a signal to the gate structures G; the value of R is application dependent. When the FETs are set to "ON" (low impedance) under the control of a signal to the gate structures G, the resistance Ron from the drain D and source S is quite low but not zero.
A problem with the shunt switch architecture shown in FIG. 1A is that, as the frequency of operation of the RF circuit 100 increases, the combined parasitic FET capacitance of the isolation switch 104 and termination switch 108 respectively begin to degrade both the isolation level and the termination impedance of the RF circuit 100 as a whole. To counter this behavior, the FET termination switch 108 is often made smaller to minimize its capacitance. This in turn means that more of the RF power from the nominally isolated RF1-RFN terminals is terminated in the corresponding termination switches 108 rather than in the corresponding termination resistors RTerm1-RTermN because of the higher resistance of the smaller FET switch devices. Terminating such power in the smaller FET switches can lead to premature failure; to avoid that issue, the power handling capability for the RF circuit 100 would have to be specified at a reduced level, which may be commercially disadvantageous.
Accordingly, there is a need for a switch architecture suitable for use with high frequency RF signals that does not exhibit the problems of the prior art. The present invention meets this need.

High frequency absorptive switch architecture


A hydraulic control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission which can produce stable drive pulley pressure and driven pulley pressure and also control the speed change time. The line pressure regulated by the regulator valve 22 is supplied to the control valve 24.sub.DR of the drive pulley 5 and to the control valve 24.sub.DN of the driven pulley 7. These control valves regulate the line pressure according to the PB pressure and the PC pressure output from the solenoid valves SOL-B, SOL-C, respectively, and produce the drive pulley pressure P.sub.DR and the driven pulley pressure P.sub.DN. When the PB pressure and the PC pressure are both zero, and P.sub.DR =P.sub.DN, the control apparatus maintains the same gear ratio. When the PB pressure is increased from zero while keeping the PC pressure at zero, i.e. P.sub.DR >P.sub.DN, the gear ratio changes toward the high-speed overdrive. When the PC pressure is increased from zero while holding the PB pressure at zero, i.e. P.sub.DR <P.sub.DN, the gear ratio changes toward the low-speed gear.

FIG. 10A is a diagrammatic illustration of a conventional hydraulic control apparatus for belt type continuously variable transmissions. The delivery pressure of an oil pump is regulated by a PH regulator valve and a PL regulator valve. A high or PH pressure output and a low or PL pressure output from these regulator valves are switched by a four-way valve to supply the PH pressure to a drive pulley and the PL pressure to a driven pulley to change the gear ratio to a high-speed or overdrive (OD) speed gear. The PL pressure is supplied to the drive pulley and the PH pressure is supplied to the driven pulley to change the gear ratio to a low (LOW) speed gear. The PH regulator valve and the PL regulator valve are controlled by a common solenoid valve A, and the four-way valve is controlled by a solenoid valve B.
This conventional hydraulic control apparatus, however, has a drawback that, as shown in FIG. 10B, once the amount of control of the solenoid valve A is determined, the pressure difference between the PH pressure and the PL pressure is also determined, making it impossible to arbitrarily control the speed change time of the belt type continuously variable transmission. Further, with the four-way valve used in the above conventional hydraulic control apparatus the dimension of overlap between a spool groove and a valve body port cannot be controlled easily. Still another problem is that, as shown in FIG. 10C, because of a sharp change in the output hydraulic pressure with respect to the stroke of the spool of the four-way valve, it is difficult to make a fine speed change control.

Hydraulic control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission


Provided is a protective layer transfer sheet which includes a protective layer, whereby it becomes possible to form an image on the protective layer set on a print without causing the abnormal transfer of a dye layer, the breakage of the dye layer and the like, and it also becomes possible to achieve a satisfactory level of plasticizer resistance of the print. The protective layer transfer sheet including a substrate and a protective layer peelably formed on the substrate, wherein the protective layer includes one or both of a cellulose ester having a number average molecular weight of not less than 15000 and not more than 30000 and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer having a number average molecular weight of not less than 15000 and not more than 30000, and a cellulose ester having a number average molecular weight of not more than 7000.

Sublimation transfer method has been widely used for preparing printed articles since it can provide high-quality images of excellent transparency, and high reproducibility and high gradation of neutral tints, which are equivalent to the conventional full-color photographic images. As the printed articles, digital photographs, and ID cards which are used in various fields and known as identification card, driver's license card, membership card, and the like, are known.
In the case of image forming in accordance with the sublimation transfer method, a thermal transfer sheet that has a dye layer provided on one surface of a substrate is used. The dye layer of the thermal transfer sheet is superposed on a transfer receiving article such as a substrate for a card, and then, they are heated by a thermal head from the back face of the thermal transfer sheet so as to transfer many color dots of three or four colors onto the transfer receiving article, and thereby a printed article in which an image is formed on the transfer receiving article is obtained. According to the sublimation transfer method, since it is possible to control the transferring amount of the dye dot unit by dot unit with varying the amount of energy applied to the thermal transfer sheet, it is possible to perform a density gradation. Therefore, this method can provide a high quality image which is very vivid, and excels in the transparency, and the color reproducibility and the gradient of halftones, and which is comparable to full-color photograph image.
Although the sublimation transfer method is excellent in the formation of gradation image as mentioned above, the obtained print has disadvantages of an inferior light fastness and a poor durability, since the print is formed with dyes which each has a relatively low molecular weight, and they are different from the conventional printing ink which are made of pigments, and they does not have a vehicle. Therefore, recently, a method of forming a protective layer, in which a protective layer transfer sheet having a protective layer is superposed on the print formed by thermal transfer of sublimation dyes, then the protective layer is transferred onto the print by using a thermal head or heating roll or the like, thus, the protective layer is formed on the print, has been known. It is possible to improve the durability of the image by forming such a protective layer on the image.
For example, in Patent Literature 1, a protective layer transfer sheet which is provided with a protective layer comprising a curing type resin is disclosed. In Patent Literature 2, a protective layer transfer sheet which is provided with a protective layer mainly comprising solvent-insoluble organic particles and a binder resin is disclosed. According to the protective layer transfer sheets disclosed in these Patent literatures, it is said that the image (hereinafter, it is also referred to as "print", occasionally.) is able to impart durability such as plasticizer resistance or the like. Further, other various attempts have been also made with respect to the protective layer transfer sheet for improving the plasticizer resistance of the image.
Incidentally, recently, there are some wishes to form a further image on the protective layer provided on the print by using various dyes. However, the protective layers which have been made various studies to date, for example, as are proposed in the Patent Literatures 1 and 2, are aimed to improve the durability, such as the plasticizer resistance or the like, that is usually required function for the protective layer, and thus it has not been studied at all for dyeing property against various dyes of the protective layer, and they have no dyeability. Therefore, it is not possible to perform image formation on any conventional protective layer. In addition, the protective layer has not been studied at all about releasability between the protective layer and the dye layer. Thus, when the image formation is carried out by superposing a dye layer on a protective layer which are known to date, it is not possible to sufficiently satisfy the releasability between the protective layer and the dye layer, it may cause problems such as an abnormal transfer where the dye layer is entirely transferred to the protective layer or breakage of the dye layer, as a result of closely sticking the dye layer on the protective layer.
Moreover, in the case that a protective layer integrated type thermal transfer sheet in which a protective layer and dye layers are arranged sequentially in parallel on a substrate across the surface of the substrate is used, and a continuous printing is performed so as to transfer the protective layer onto a print and to form an image on the transfer receiving article, if a certain trouble such as conveyance failure of a printer or the like may arise, it may cause an event that, on the protective layer transferred onto print, a dye layer which is used to form a next screen is overlapped. In such a case, if a releasability is not given to the protective layer, the dye layer of the protective layer integrated type thermal transfer sheet may be closely stuck on the protective layer which has been transferred at a previous screen, and as a result, the dye layer of the protective layer integrated type thermal transfer sheet may be broken out. Therefore, it becomes necessary to have a sufficient releasability for the protective layer in such a protective layer integrated type thermal transfer sheet.
Incidentally, when an image is simply formed on the protective layer, the as-is diversion of a binder resin which is contained in the dye receiving layer of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet to the binder resin of the protective layer of the protective layer transfer sheet may be considered to be sufficient. Although the binder resin contained in the dye receiving layer of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet has a dyeability, however, it is not have been considered for the plasticizer resistance, etc., at all, it cannot serve as a protective layer to protect the print. In other words, it can be said that the dyeability and the plasticizer resistance are in a trade-off relationship.


A technique is provided to temporarily protect well system components during transport, movement downhole and/or initial downhole operations. A sacrificial material is formed as a protective sacrificial element disposed proximate susceptible well system components. The protective sacrificial element is at least partially dissolvable in fluids within a wellbore to facilitate removal of the element after a desired time period. Once the temporary, protective sacrificial element is removed, the protected well system component is fully operable.

Moving well equipment downhole into a wellbore during an installation process can have damaging effects on a variety of equipment components. This is particularly true of fragile components, sealing components and components susceptible to bending. Such components can be damaged from impacts with the surrounding wellbore, casing, liner or open hole barefoot sections. The impacts can create abrasions or other damage that limits the functionality of the equipment once positioned downhole. Damage also can result from erosion of component material or contamination of the component in a manner that effects its operation.
In some applications, downhole equipment components comprise seal elements used to form a seal with other components or with the surrounding wellbore wall, e.g. casing. The seal elements can be damaged as they slide through hundreds or thousands of feet of casing before reaching the final downhole destination. Because the seal elements are formed of a plastic or otherwise softer material, impacts with the surrounding wellbore wall, obstructions or other equipment can damage one or more seal elements and limit the ability of the seal elements to form a satisfactory seal downhole.

System and method for protecting downhole components during deployment and wellbore conditioning


A wireless communication device is configured to communicate with at least one other electronic user communication device that is connected to communicate on an electronic communication network. The user's device automatically creates a communication list comprising the at least one other electronic user communication device on the network, and the user communication device sends the communication list to a remote server device. So configured, the user communication device can automatically create a communication list of devices with which the user can use instant messaging or chat-like communications, without having to separately discover, search, or otherwise locate such devices and add them as friends or buddies or approved communication devices to a communication list. Accordingly, the electronic user communication device will provide to a user a communication list without additional registration or other set-up procedures.

User to user chat communication systems are known in the art. Such systems provide an interface for a user where the user inputs a message that appears on a display used by the intended recipient of the message. These systems are typically called "instant messaging" because the message is "instantaneously" send and displayed for the recipient without input from the recipient. Example instant messaging systems are run between computers over the Internet by companies such as YAHOO, AIM, MICROSOFT and the like. In each of these systems, the user must first install a chat application or use a web interface such that the user can communicate with the instant messaging servers that provide the service. After registering with the instant messaging server, the user must then go find and add people with which the user wants to communicate. The process of finding and adding new people or devices with which a user would like to use an instant messaging type service can be time consuming and wasteful especially in a situation where a user wishes to communicate with certain devices in a particular area or within a particular network.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.


A vehicle external environment recognition apparatus to be applied to a vehicle includes a road surface determination processor and a three-dimensional object determination processor. The road surface determination processor determines a road surface region that corresponds to a road surface in an image, plots representative distances of respective horizontal lines in the road surface region at respective vertical positions of the horizontal lines, and generates first and second road surface models. The second road surface model represents a farther portion of the road surface region from the vehicle than the first road surface model and differs in a gradient from the first road surface model. On a condition that an angle formed by the first and second road surface models is greater than a predetermined angle, the three-dimensional object determination processor cancels the second road surface model and extends far the first road surface model.

The technology relates to a vehicle external environment recognition apparatus that identifies a three-dimensional object.
Japanese Patent No. 3349060 discloses a technique that includes detecting three-dimensional objects, e.g., a preceding vehicle, in front of an own vehicle to reduce an influence of contact with the preceding vehicle and a technique that includes making a following control to keep a safe distance from the preceding vehicle.

Vehicle external environment recognition apparatus


Provided is a gas sensor in which a connection terminal can be favorably fitted onto a cylindrical sensor element without causing a breakage of the connection terminal. An oxygen sensor (1) includes an outer connection terminal (29) having an outer fitting portion (53), an extension portion (55) extending inwardly from an axially intermediate point of the outer fitting portion (53) and pulling prevention portions (75) and (77) formed on rear end parts of the outer fitting portion (53) at positions adjacent to the extension portion (55). When the extension portion (55) of the outer connection terminal (29) is inserted in and pulled out from a through hole (23) of a separator (27), the extension portion (55) can be prevented from further pulling in the through hole (23) by contact of the pulling prevention portions (75) and (77) with a front end surface of the separator (27).

For example, an oxygen sensor for measuring the concentration of oxygen in automotive exhaust gas is conventionally known as a sensor having a sensor element to detect a gas under measurement. There is known a sensor element for use in such an oxygen sensor, which includes a bottomed cylindrical solid electrolyte body, an inner electrode formed on an inner surface of the solid electrolyte body and an outer electrode formed on an outer surface of the solid electrolyte body, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.
An inner connection terminal is fitted into a rear end portion of the sensor element and electrically connected to the inner electrode. A sensor output lead is connected to a rear end portion of the inner connection terminal. A rod-shaped ceramic heater is inserted in the sensor element such that the inner connection terminal is attached around the ceramic heater.
Further, an outer connection terminal (ground connection terminal) is fitted onto the rear end portion of the sensor element and electrically connected to the outer electrode. A ground lead is connected to a rear end portion of the outer connection terminal.
As shown in FIG. 14(a), the outer connection terminal P1 generally includes a cylindrical outer fitting portion P4 (having left and right curved wing sections P2 and P3) brought into contact with the sensor element from outside and an elongated extension portion P5 extending from a point midway between the left and right wing sections P2 and P3 on an axially upper end of the outer fitting portion P4.
As the lead is connected to an upper end of the extension portion P5 of the outer connection terminal P1, the extension portion P5 is in the form of protruding toward the side on which both of the wing sections P2 and P3 project (toward the inside) and then extending axially upwardly (toward the upper side in the drawing) so that the extension portion P5 can be offset according to the position of the lead. Further, the outer connection terminal P1 is arranged in such a manner that the extension portion P5 passes through a through hole P7 of a ceramic separator P6 as shown in FIG. 14(b).


The present technology relates to a decoding device and a decoding method, and an encoding device and an encoding method that enable images that configure a packed image to be reliably displayed when an encoded stream is decoded and displayed. A decoding unit decodes an encoded data, the encoded data being an encoded packed image in which a plurality of images is packed, and generates the packed image. A display control unit identifies the images that configure the packed image based on packing SEI preferentially used when the packed image is displayed. The present technology can be applied to a decoding device, for example.

In the conventional advanced video coding (AVC) standard, to indicate an image to be encoded is a packed image in which a plurality of images is packed in one-frame image, frame packing arrangement supplemental enhancement information (SEI) is used. However, in the AVC standard, SEI that is additional information related to encoding is informative information. Therefore, whether the processing is performed using the SEI is depending on a decoding device.
For example, when an encoded stream of a 3D display packed image that is packed by a side-by-side system that performs packing by arranging one of two images on the left-half and the other on the right-half, a 2D display decoding device that uses SEI divides a screen of a 3D display packed image based on Frame packing arrangement SEI. The decoding device then performs 2D display by displaying a left-eye image or a right-eye image arranged on the left-half of the screen.
Further, a 3D display decoding device that uses SEI divides the screen of the 3D display packed image based on the Frame packing arrangement SEI. The decoding device then performs 3D display by displaying the image arranged on the left-half of the screen as one of the left-eye image or the right-eye image, and displays the image arranged on the right-half of the screen as the other image.
However, the 2D display decoding device that does not use the SEI cannot determine whether the encoded image is a packed image, and displays the 3D display packed image as it is. As a result, a 2D image in which one of the left-eye image or the right-eye image is arranged on the left-half of the screen, and the other image is arranged on the right-half of the screen is displayed.
Therefore, in the 2D display decoding device that does not use the SEI, to display only either one of the left-eye image or the right-eye image that configures a packed image, a technique of using cropping has been proposed.
In this technique, for example, frame_cropping flag that indicates whether cropping is performed with respect to the packed image and cropping information including a position of the left-eye image as a cropped position are included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) or the like, and are transmitted to the decoding device.
In this case, the 2D display decoding device crops and displays the left-eye image from the packed image based on the cropping information, thereby performing the 2D display, regardless of use of the SEI.
However, the cropping information is included in the SPS, and the SPS is mandatory information on the standard. Therefore, even the 3D display decoding device that uses the SEI needs to crop the left-eye image from the packed image based on the cropping information. As a result, even the 3D display decoding device that uses the SEI only displays the left-eye image, and cannot perform 3D display.
Therefore, a 3D image decoding device using SEI has been developed. The 3D decoding device ignores, when having recognized that an image to be encoded is a packed image according to the Frame packing arrangement SEI, the cropping information and crops images that configure the packed image based on the Frame packing arrangement SEI. This decoding device can perform 3D display by displaying the cropped images as the left-eye image and the right-eye image, respectively.
However, processing of ignoring the cropping information included in the SPS is processing that violates the standard, and thus the 3D display is not guaranteed.
Meanwhile, currently, to further improve the encoding efficiency from H.264/AVC, standardization of an encoding system called high efficiency video coding (HEVC) is proceeding by joint collaboration team-video coding (JCTVC) that is a joint standardization body of ITU-T and ISO/IEC. Regarding the HEVC standard, Committee draft that is the first draft specification has been issued on February 2012 (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Decoding device and decoding method, and encoding device and encoding method


Methods are disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. One method comprises providing (1) combining a medium suspected of containing the analyte and a novel chemiluminescent compound, (2) combining a means for chemically activating the chemiluminescent compound; and (3) detecting the amount of luminescence generated by the chemiluminescent compound. The amount of luminescence generated is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. The chemiluminescent compound can be chemically activated by hydrogen peroxide. Compositions and kits are also disclosed.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to compositions, methods and kits for determining an analyte in a sample.
Chemiluminescent labels for immunoassays and nucleic acid probe assays provide a high degree of sensitivity when compared to other commonly used labels. An excellent overview of the subject is discussed in McCapra, et al., Journal of Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence 4:51-58 (1989).
Particularly important chemiluminescent compounds are acridinium esters and amides, which must be stored in water at a pH that is compatible with protein stability requirements. This results in the formation of a pseudobase, which is not chemiluminescent. Chemiluminescence is initiated by adding acid to form the acridinium salt, followed by the addition of strongly alkaline hydrogen peroxide. In general, these conditions are not ideal for immunoassays as they are not suitable for preserving receptor-ligand binding and are undesirably complex.
The clinical diagnostic field has seen a broad expansion in recent years, both as to the variety of materials (analytes) that may be readily and accurately determined, as well as the methods for the determination. Convenient, reliable and non-hazardous means for detecting the presence of low concentrations of materials in liquids is desired. In clinical chemistry these materials may be present in body fluids in concentrations below 10.sup.-12 molar. The difficulty of detecting low concentrations of these materials is increased by the relatively small sample sizes that can be utilized.
In developing an assay there are many considerations. one consideration is the signal response to changes in the concentration of analyte. A second consideration is the ease with which the protocol for the assay may be carried out. A third consideration is the variation in interference from sample to sample. Ease of preparation and purification of the reagents, availability of equipment, ease of automation and interaction with material of interest are some of the additional considerations in developing a useful assay.
One broad category of techniques involves the use of a receptor which can specifically bind to a particular spacial and polar organization of a labeled ligand as a function of the presence of the analyte. The observed effect of binding by the receptor will depend upon the label. In some instances the binding of the receptor merely provides for a differentiation in molecular weight between bound and unbound labeled ligand. In other instances the binding of the receptor will facilitate separation of bound labeled ligand from free labeled ligand or it may affect the nature of the signal obtained from the label so that the signal varies with the amount of receptor bound to labeled ligand. A further variation is that the receptor is labeled and the ligand unlabeled. Alternatively, both the receptor and ligand are labeled or different receptors are labeled with different labels where the labels interact when in close proximity and the amount of ligand present affects the degree to which the labels of the receptor may interact.
There is a continuing need for new and accurate techniques that can be adapted for a wide spectrum of different ligands or be used in specific cases where other methods may not be readily adaptable.
Homogeneous immunoassays have previously been described for small molecules. These assays include Syva Company's FRAT.RTM. assay, EMIT.RTM. assay, enzyme channeling immunoassay, and fluorescence energy transfer immunoassay (FETI); enzyme inhibitor immunoassays (Hoffman LaRoche and Abbott Laboratories); and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (Dandlicker), among others. All of these methods have limited sensitivity, and only a few including FETI and enzyme channeling, are suitable for large multiepitopic analytes.
Chemiluminescent compounds find wide application in the assay field because of their ability to emit light. For this reason, luminescers have been utilized as labels in assays such as nucleic acid assays and immunoassays. For example, a member of a specific binding pair is conjugated to a luminescer and various protocols are employed. The luminescer conjugate can be partitioned between a solid phase and a liquid phase in relation to the amount of analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. By measuring the luminescence of either of the phases, one can relate the level of luminescence observed to a concentration of the analyte in the sample.
Chemiluminescent labels have been described for immunoassays and nucleic acid assays where a group, which is covalently bound to a binding partner, on chemical activation emits light. A nucleic acid assay kit utilizing an acridinium ester is sold by Genprobe (Pace 2 system.RTM., San Diego, Calif.) and MagicLite.RTM. immunoassay kits using this type of label are sold by Ciba-Geigy (Basel, Switzerland).
Although, chemiluminescent labels have the advantage of offering exceptional sensitivity in ligand binding assays, one or more chemical activation steps are usually needed. Therefore, there is a need for novel chemiluminescent compounds that do not require several activation steps.

Chemiluminescent compounds and methods of use


A decentralized public key management system for named data networks based on blockchain, which solves the Compromised Certificate Authority (CA) Problem. The system divides the power of an individual CA among multiple Public Key Miners (PKMiners) that maintain the public key blockchains. The majority rule in name-principal validation allows the present invention to tolerate compromised PKMiners without causing any damage.

Named Data Networking (NDN) is an Internet architecture in which data is retrieved by its name rather than from a specific address. In NDN, each piece of data has a unique name and a consumer interested in the data sends a request for that name to the network. The network forwards the request to a suitable next hop until the named data is found. The data will then be delivered back to the consumer along the reverse path of the request. In contrast to a host-centric data delivery model, NDN data is independent from location, storage, and means of transportation, which enables efficient data distribution, multi-party communication, and robust communication in challenging networking scenarios.
NDN's data-centric retrieval model requires securing the data directly, instead of securing the channel between the sender and the receiver as in traditional IP networks. Specifically, data-centric security in NDN needs to achieve three fundamental goals: 1) Data Integrity: data cannot be modified after it is produced without being detected; 2) Data Authenticity: data is published by the claimed producer; and 3) Access Control: only consumers (producers) with appropriate authorizations can access (publish) the data. Public Key Cryptography has been used extensively in NDN to achieve these goals. Each piece of data and its associated name are bound by a cryptographic signature using the producer's private key. A data consumer checks data integrity and authenticity by verifying the signature using the producer's public key. A Name-based Access Control (NAC) scheme controls the access of named data by distributing data access keys securely using the public key of each authorized consumer.
The above schemes require validating that a named public key indeed belongs to an entity authorized to produce the data in a given name space. This validation can be based on application-specific trust models derived from the relationships among the entities that participate in the applications and who/what the entities ultimately trust. A trust schema containing a set of trust rules typically can be developed for the particular application to automatically infer the correct signing key for each received data (or key). When a data packet is received, a verification process uses the trust schema to recursively retrieve and validate each signing key until it reaches a trust anchor whose public key is pre-configured in the software or can be verified through some means outside the application. Note that the trust anchor here is typically not a public third-party Certificate Authority (CA), but rather a trusted entity within a specific application. For example, a university's student information system may use the university's public key as its trust anchor, while a company's news releases may use the company's public key as its trust anchor.
Because the application-specific trust anchors play a critical role in ensuring the security of NDN applications, it is highly desirable to develop a public key management system to store and retrieve their up-to-date validated public keys. The traditional Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) model based on Certificate Authorities (CA), however, suffers from the problem of compromised CAs, i.e., an attacker can compromise a CA to bind a key name to an unauthorized public key and produce false data using the fraudulent certificate. Even if there are multiple CAs, the compromise of one CA can inflict great damage. An alternative model is Web of Trust (WoT) which enables any user to issue a certificate (i.e., an endorsement) to anyone he or she trusts. The certificate is then trusted by whoever trusts this endorser. However, the compromise of a widely trusted endorser in WoT can still impact many users who trust this endorser. In addition, there are many practical obstacles to deploying WoT.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system for managing public keys that eliminates the compromised CA problem present in prior art public key management systems.

Blockchain-based decentralized public key management system


A method for providing an alert indication, the method includes: allowing a first user to define an alert to be generated in response to an availability of a second user to participate in an instant messaging session; and sending to the second user an alert indication indicative of the alert.

In most instant messaging systems, the availability of a particular user to participate in an instant messaging session (also referred to as "activity status" or "availability status") is reflected to other users of an instant messaging system by associating one of many variable status values with the user account. These status values assist other users in assessing whether it is possible for the other users to initiate an instant messaging session with the given user. For example, an "offline" status shows that a given user is not logged onto the system, thereby informing other users that any attempt to initiate an instant messaging session with the given user would be futile. An "online" status shows that a user is logged onto the system, and other users may assume that they are likely to get a response when they initiate an instant messaging session with the given user.
In some cases, an instant messaging system automatically assigns a certain status value to a user, and this automatic assignment of status can be very helpful in facilitating communication between users. For example, in most instant messaging applications, a user is given the ability to maintain a buddy list. A buddy is another user of the instant messaging application with which the user often exchanges instant messages. The instant messaging system might automatically assign a user an "online" status value when the user logs onto the system. At the same time, a buddy list typically actively displays the status of each buddy. By displaying the buddy list in an open window of a client device, a user has the ability to easily monitor the online status of the user's buddies; when the user notices that a particular buddy's status has changed from "offline" to "online", the user can quickly initiate an instant messaging session with that particular buddy. In some instant messaging systems, an automatic assignment of status is only performed when the user has not previously designated an alternative status; in many cases, the user is able to override an automatically assigned status value by changing it to some other status value.
Although the indication of user status can be helpful in facilitating communication between users, it can also be disruptive to a user's productivity by distracting a user from other activities. Hence, many instant messaging systems allow a user to manually select from several possible status values. In some cases, various privacy-related status values can be selected that control whether other users are informed of a given user's current status. These status values restrict the other users from knowing the true status of the given user, thereby prohibiting those users from beginning an instant message conversation with the given user. For example, an "invisible" status hides a user's status from other users.
In other cases, various privacy-related status values can be selected that inform other users of the likelihood that they will be able to initiate an instant messaging session with a given user. For example, a "busy" status indicates that the given user is currently doing some other activity, while a "be right back" status would indicate to other users that the given user is temporarily away from his or her computer. As another example, a "do not disturb" status would indicate to other users that are interested in the given user's status that the given user does not want to be interrupted by instant messaging sessions. During any period in which the user has one of these status values, though, the user is able to monitor the status of other users or to have the ability to start instant messaging sessions with other users.
With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1A depicts a prior art network of data processing systems that can support instant messaging. Distributed data processing system 100 contains network 101, which is a medium that may be used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within distributed data processing system 100. Network 101 may include permanent connections, such as wire or fiber optic cables, or temporary connections made through telephone or wireless communications. In the depicted example, server 102 and server 103 are connected to network 101 along with storage unit 104. In addition, clients 105-107 also are connected to network 101. Clients 105-107 and servers 102-103 may be represented by a variety of computing devices, such as mainframes, personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. Distributed data processing system 100 may include additional servers, clients, routers, other devices, and peer-to-peer architectures that are not shown.
Distributed data processing system 100 may include the Internet with network 101 representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use various protocols to communicate with one another, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Common Presence and Instant Messaging (CPIM) protocols, etc. Of course, distributed data processing system 100 may also include a number of different types of networks, such as, for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). For example, server 102 directly supports network 110, which incorporates wireless communication links. Network-enabled phone 111 connects to network 110 through wireless link 112, and PDA 113 connects to network 110 through wireless link 114. Phone 111 and PDA 113 can also directly transfer data between themselves across wireless link 115 using an appropriate technology, such as Bluetooth wireless technology, to create so-called personal area networks (PAN) or personal ad-hoc networks. In a similar manner, PDA 113 can transfer data to PDA 107 via wireless communication link 116.
With reference now to FIG. 1B, a diagram depicts a typical computing device, such as those shown in FIG. 1A, which can facilitate instant messaging. Computing device 105 includes one or more central processing units (CPUs) 122 connected to internal system bus 123, which interconnects random access memory (RAM) 124, read-only memory 126, and input/output adapter 128, which supports various I/O devices, such as printer 130, disk units 132, or other devices not shown, such as a audio output system, etc. System bus 123 also connects communication adapter 134 that provides access to communication link 136. User interface adapter 148 connects various user devices, such as keyboard 140 and mouse 142, or other devices not shown, such as a touch screen, stylus, microphone, etc. Display adapter 144 connects system bus 123 to display device 146.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in FIG. 2 may vary depending on the system implementation. For example, the system may have one or more processors, such as an Intel™ Pentium™ based processor and a digital signal processor (DSP), and one or more types of volatile and non-volatile memory.
A typical operating system may be used to control program execution within each data processing system. For example, one device may run a Unix operating system, while another device contains a simple Java runtime environment. A representative computer platform may include a browser, which is a well known software application for accessing hypertext documents in a variety of formats, such as graphic files, word processing files, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), and various other formats and types of files.
With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram depicts a typical instant messaging system. Typical instant messaging systems have characteristics of a client/server organization and a peer-to-peer organization. Instant messaging (IM) server 200 authenticates a user of an instant messaging application, such as instant message application instances 202 and 204. IM server 200 is conveniently connected to computing devices that host the instant messaging application over a network. After authenticating a user, the instant messaging server will perform certain operations on behalf of the instant messaging application. In this manner, an instance of an instant messaging application operates as an instant messaging client. The instant messaging server maintains some type of session for each active instant messaging client, which eventually logs out from the session or allows the session to undergo a timeout termination.
However, after being initialized with certain information, depending on the communication protocol, active instant messaging clients can communicate directly with each other by transferring instant messages directly to another active instant messaging client without assistance from the instant messaging server. In this manner, the separate instances of the instant messaging application act as peer nodes in a peer-to-peer network. Many instant messaging systems employ proprietary protocols, although standard instant messaging protocols have been proposed, e.g., Crocker et al., "Common Presence and Instant Messaging (CPIM)", Internet Draft of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), draft-ietf-impp-cpim-03.txt, 08/2002.
For example, assuming that a user has previously registered for an account with the instant messaging server, a user logs into the instant messaging server through an instant messaging application on a client device. The instant messaging server stores the connection information for the client device, such as the IP address of the client device and the port number that is assigned to the instant messaging application at the client device.
During the login operation, the instant messaging server also receives and stores an IM contact list, often referred to as a buddy list, for the user along with the user's connection information and other session information. The server performs an initial check to obtain the status of the users in the buddy list and notifies the user's active instant messaging client of the status of those users, e.g., whether those users are online and available for communication through the instant messaging system. The server monitors these buddy lists such that when a user logs into the instant messaging system, the server notifies anyone who has the recently logged-in user within a buddy list that the recently logged-in user is now online or is associated with some other type of status.
Assuming that a buddy has not chosen to remain cloaked within an "invisible" status, when the instant messaging server notifies a first instant messaging client that a second instant messaging client is online, the instant messaging server sends the connection information for the second instant messaging client to the first instant messaging client and perhaps vice versa depending upon the online status of the user. Because each active instant messaging client has connection information for other active instant messaging clients in the instant messaging system, these instant messaging clients can transfer instant messages between themselves without interaction with the instant messaging server, i.e. in a peer-to-peer manner.
A certain user can define one or more alerts to be generated in response to an availability of another user to participate in an instant messaging session. Thus, if the other user becomes available, becomes unavailable, goes offline, and the like, the certain user can receive an alert.
FIG. 3 illustrates a typical prior art graphical user interface window 201 for defining an alert. Window 201 is presented on a display device connected to a data processing system on which an instance of an instant messaging application is executing for a user. In a typical fashion for an instant messaging application, window 201 contains several user interface controls for defining the alert. Drop-down menu 203 contains the event (related to the availability of the other user) that shall trigger the alert. Area 205 (which is currently empty) should list previously defined alerts. Typically, each alert is defined by the name of the event that should trigger the alert, recurrence information and optional notes.
Next button 207 and back button 209 are used for scrolling between different windows of the instant messaging application GUI windows. Cancel button 210 is used to cancel a definition of an alert.
The other user is not aware of the alert that is defined by the certain user. This asymmetry can lead to unpleasant situations.
There is a growing need to provide a more symmetrical instant messaging system.

Device, method and computer program product for providing an alert indication


A bent embroidery thread guide wire is attached to a base mount releasably attachable to a spool pin rod of an embroidery and sewing machine. An open spiral bent loop end of the upwardly bent wire adjusts to a position spaced slightly apart from and approximately centered on an embroidery thread spool mounted on the machine. The embroidery thread feeds from the spool through the open looped end, through the normal threading procedure of the machine, to the thread consuming needle apparatus under tension. A transverse bar extending from the base mount allows the guide wire to slide adjustably thereon to move toward or away from the spool. A stepped base mount receives embroidery thread spools of different diameters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved thread guide for home embroidery and sewing machines and equipment, and more particularly, to an improved thread guide for the purpose of preventing undesirable unraveling and tangling of the thread which occurs while sewing and doing embroidery work with slippery rayon or metallic thread on home embroidery and sewing machines.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The art of sewing is as old as mankind and goes back more than 20,000 years. The first functional sewing machine in America was invented and patented by Elias Howe. However, it was Isaac Singer who designed and built the first commercially successful sewing machine during the 1850's. Inevitably, the two American inventors fought bitter legal battles resulting with Howe emerging victorious in a court case against Isaac Singer for infringement of the Howe patent.
In spite of having to pay royalties to Howe for the lockstitch concept and application found in sewing machines, Singer built the first sewing machine whereby the needle moved up and down as compared to the Howe side to side concept. Singer also invented the first foot treadle drive method for his sewing machines. Previous primary machines were all hand-crank driven. Singer also went on to patent improved methods for feeding the cloth, regulating the tension on the needle thread, and lubricating the needle thread so that leather could be sewn.
The evolution of the embroidery machine occurred around the beginning of the 19th century which falls within the same time frame as the evolution of the sewing machine. The process of embroidery is the art of stitching decorations on fabric, or similar materials, with a needle and thread. Looking back into the history of hand embroidery discloses that most cultures developed their own methods of embroidery dating back to prehistoric times when all embroidery was done by hand.
Traditionally, craft workers and hobbyists embroider by hand. Today, however, machines do most embroidering of factory products. Single needle home sewing machines can embroider with special attachments for embroidery. Today, home sewing enthusiasts can purchase modem machines with built-in computerized embroidery programs that produce outstanding designs and patterns.
Today the term machine embroidery refers to the use of robotics to affix and move the garment on a frame to sew and embroider desired designs. Modern day digitizing is the process of using customized software to create a computer file that will instruct the embroidery machine how to move, what type of stitch to sew, when to change thread colors and when to knot the end of the threads. Experienced digitizers must first take into account the type of fabric they are sewing and the size and shape of the design they are creating. Finally, each stitch of the design is programmed into the computer of the embroidery machine. If replicating artwork, printed material may be scanned into the computer to create a program that will guide the digitizer to embroider the desired images.
Embroidery Thread Problems
With today's advanced computer technology as applied toward digitizing and the attainment of picture perfect embroidery designs, one would expect the embroidery process to proceed almost totally automatically without interruptions and without the age old problem of thread tangling and breakage. When using rayon thread, however, everyone who embroiders realizes that the perfect scenario simply does not exist.
Instead, practically every embroidery person realizes that the operator must maintain a watchful vigil on a home embroidery and sewing machine or suffer the consequences of constant tangling and breakage when using rayon thread. Each and every time this frustrating dilemma occurs, the operator is required to stop the machine, cut the thread, untangle the snarl and constantly rethread the needle in an attempt to continue and complete each respective sewing/embroidery episode or project.
In addition to said aforementioned inconveniences, the operator is also required to back-space to the area of the garment/material where the stitching and stitches left off before the thread jam and breakage occurred. The purpose of re-doing the last embroidery stitches is due to the fact that many stitches are lost due to said thread breakage problems. The aforementioned back spacing is also required when there is no thread in the needle due to said breakage. Common logic dictates that without thread, no stitches or embroidery patterns can occur.
It is also a fact that most problems encountered and associated with embroidery and tangling, are due to the slick nature of the rayon thread material itself. The slicker and more slippery the material, the more difficult it becomes to prevent the thread from unraveling and sliding off of the reel portion of the thread spool. This frustrating malady, occurs as the machine embroiders and as the thread is being fed and dispensed to the machine from a spool. The same tangling and thread problems are known to exist when using slick metallic embroidery thread.
Another reason for the entanglement and jamming of thread is due to the physical gap spacing that exists between the thread reel spool and the reciprocating take-up lever guide located on the sewing head portion of the home embroidery and sewing machine. The physical weight of the slippery thread itself is sufficient to cause the thread to sag and unravel and thus fall off the spool which accounts for undesirable pooling and piling of thread at the base of said reel/spool.
Furthermore, the physical length and girth of each thread spool varies with each manufacturer which further compounds said thread feeding and tangling problems. Adding to the problems is the fact that all sewing embroidery thread is machine wound onto the spool in a criss-cross manner which requires the thread to unwind in a left/right-up/down manner depending on whether the thread is being fed from the horizontal or optional vertical thread spool pin/rod of the sewing/embroidery machine. It is well known that most thread spools are made without beveled core lips on the spool ends and are known to cause most pooling and tangling problems.
Prior art devices have not adequately solved the problems.
Several types of sewing thread guides have been designed and introduced since the turn of the 20th century. One example of sewing thread guides comprises a plastic guide for threads and yarns extending from the multiple spools to the sewing machine as found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,165. Close examination of said patent discloses that the Larsen Thread guide is primarily a device provided with a metal wear-bar for the purpose of preventing thread from cutting a groove in the plastic material of said patented guide. Further review of said device reveals that there is absolutely no mention pertaining to the problems associated with thread unraveling and tangling that occur when using home embroidery and sewing machines nor are any solutions mentioned or disclosed for addressing and remedying the age old problem of tangling experienced by practically every home embroidery enthusiast who uses rayon or metallic thread.
Another type of patented thread guide specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,321, supports several elongated spool/package positioning members mounted on a creel or spaced horizontal base which is offset or slanted. The multiple spool concept is presently used in several modern day serger machines and is mostly found built-in to various high production embroidery machines where larger capacity thread spools are desirable and necessary. The Raekelboom patent claims a creel for supporting a plurality of yarn packages with inner tapered cores and corresponding longitudinal bores that are not intended for use in home sewing/embroidery machines.
Other attempts at solving the tangling/unraveling problems when using rayon embroidery thread include several carousel types of spool holders. These auxiliary multiple spool holders are mounted on adjacent stands that are placed alongside of a home embroidery and sewing machine. Two of these devices, which are known as the "UNIVERSAL THREAD SPOOL HOLDER®" multiple thread spool holder and the "THREADPRO®" multiple thread spool holder devices, are designed to hold and support from two to six spools of thread simultaneously. However, the operator is still required to thread the machine individually, one spool at a time, for each and every thread color change when working with either of the two aforementioned carousel type devises. Further study reveals that several carousel manufacturers offer for sale an array of thread spool cone holders and thread nets in a futile attempt to address and deal with the familiar problem of unraveling and tangling when using slippery rayon thread. To the dismay of embroidery fans throughout the world, the continuing tangling problems have not been solved nor eliminated by the prior art.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved embroidery thread guide means for providing and assuring positive and tangle-free thread feeding of thread and for assisting in keeping consistent thread tension while using various types of thread materials and spools designated for home embroidery and sewing machines. The new device should also be adjustable with regards to left/right up/down positioning of the guide eye to ascertain center area positioning of said guide eye which is located on a free-standing slidable wire support arm of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. When adjustments are desired and made in the guide prior to doing home embroidery and sewing machine work, said adjustments should be easily made, be reproducible and should stay in place during any and all short or extensive embroidery runs or projects. Such criteria have not been met with other conventional thread guides or prior art. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved thread guide capable of being releaseably attached to the home embroidery and sewing machine and one that is adapted for remaining attached to said sewing/embroidery machine if desired.
Such criteria has not been met with conventional or prior art thread guides.