Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for processing a multi-level transmission sent on a common set of resources using superposition coding, comprising determining a first group radio network temporary identifier (GRNTI), wherein the GRNTI is associated with a broadcast transmission to a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), determining a second GRNTI, wherein the second GRNTI is associated with a transmission to a subset of the plurality of WTRUs that received the first GRNTI, receiving the multi-level transmission, wherein the multi-level transmission comprises a first level message and a second level message, decoding the first level message from the multi-level transmission using the first GRNTI and preconfigured control information, and decoding the second level message from the multi-level transmission using the second GRNTI.

The development of technology for drones, also known as small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAVs), may affect a number of industries. Moreover, the increasing popularity of drones may affect economic, social, security, environmental, political, and legal landscapes over time (such as, for example, the next twenty years). Interestingly, the civilian market is growing faster than the military market. Non-military uses may include construction, agriculture, energy, utilities, insurance, mining, real estate, package delivery, news media, and film production.
A notable increase in investments related to drone technology is occurring. For example, investments in 2015 related to drone technology may be more than triple the total from the previous five years combined. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has predicted that UAV spending may reach $89 billion (cumulative) from 2013 to 2023.
Wireless communication functionality may be of particular importance to drones, as well as other types of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Concurrent multi-level broadcast and unicast for small unmanned aerial vehicles and V2X systems


A wireless resource allocation apparatus and method which maintain quality of service (QoS) in a wireless communication network are provided. The wireless resource allocation method includes calculating the number of medium access slots (MAS) to be allocated to at least one of a plurality of divided zones of at least one superframe, designating a reference location for MAS allocation to divided zones out of the plurality of divided zones of the superframe based on the calculated number of medium access slots, and allocating the medium access slots to the divided zones based on the designated reference location. Accordingly, more uniform service intervals can be supported, and thus efficient MAS resource allocation can be performed to satisfy media access control (MAC) based QoS requirements.

1. Field
The following description relates to a network resource allocation technique, and more particularly, to a resource allocation apparatus and method which maintains quality of service (QoS) in a wireless communication network.
2. Description of the Related Art
WiMedia logical link control protocol (WLP) for a wireless network provides a service interval based medium access slot allocation (SIMA) technique for reliable quality of service (QoS) in a time division multiple access (TDMA)-based system employing distributed reservation protocol (DRP).
SIMA technique uses a traffic specification (TSPEC) of an application to obtain the maximum allowable values of a service rate and a delay time and cyclically performs medium access slot (MAS) allocation to satisfy delay bound.
For efficient MAS allocation, an iso-zone based SIMA scheme has been introduced which organizes a superframe into a plurality of allocation zones, organizes the allocation zones into iso-zones, each of which has an index value, and allocates medium access slots (MAS) to k number of iso-zones. However, the SIMA scheme has a drawback in that service intervals may not be uniform during MAS allocation depending on the number of iso-zones k. Furthermore, even if the superframe contains sufficient idle MAS for satisfying QoS required by a higher TSPEC, since the iso-zone based SIMA scheme cannot allocate further MAS, then there are limits to the efficient resource allocation management that can be obtained.

Method and apparatus for allocating wireless resource and wireless network system

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


An automatic gluing mechanism includes a vertical board and a support rack and a power cylinder mounted to the vertical board. The mechanism includes a position adjusting member, a cam, two glue applicator tubes, a first connection block, two slidable members, a resilient element, and a stop block. The position adjusting member is slidably coupled to the vertical board and has an end coupled to the power cylinder and another end slidably coupled to the first connection block. The two slidable members are slidably mounted to the first connection block. The two glue applicator tubes are rotatably mounted to the two slidable members and connected to each other by the resilient element. The cam is mounted to the position adjusting member and forms a camming surface. The slidable members engage and follow the camming surface. The stop block is mounted to the support rack to stop the first connection block.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a mechanism for applying glue or adhesives, and in particular to an automatic gluing mechanism.
2. The Related Arts
A conventional glue application mechanism comprises a power device that drives the glue application mechanism to move in a vertical direction, a mounting member that is coupled to the power device, a rail that is perpendicularly mounted to the mounting member, two slide blocks slidably attached to the rail, a driving device that drives the slide blocks to slide along the rail, and two glue application tubes that are respectively mounted to the two slide blocks.
The conventional glue application mechanism is operated as follows. The power device first drives the glue application mechanism to move in the vertical direction. When the glue application mechanism reaches a predetermined vertical location where a work piece to which glue is to be applied is located, the power device stops driving the vertical movement of the glue application mechanism. Afterwards, the driving device drives the two slide blocks to slide along the rail so that the two glue application tubes are caused to move in a horizontal direction. When the two glue application tubes are moved to such locations where the glue application tubes engage opposite sides of the work piece, the two glue application tubes dispense glue to the work piece to complete a cycle of glue application.
Disadvantages are found in the conventional glue application mechanism. For example, the vertical movement of the glue application tubes is controlled by the power device, while the horizontal movement is controlled by a separate driving device. This complicates the structure of the conventional glue application mechanism, making the manufacturing cost high. In addition, the glue application operation performed by the conventional glue application mechanism is also disadvantages in respect of complication control and excessive consumption of time. This certainly deteriorates operation efficiency of the glue application mechanism.


A refrigerator-oven combination for an aircraft galley food service system includes a housing with a thermally insulated compartment, a heating device for heating the compartment in a heating mode, and a refrigeration device for cooling the compartment in a refrigeration mode.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to transport aircraft galley systems, and more particularly relates to a refrigerator-oven combination for heating of food, and storage of food and beverages.
2. General Background and State of the Art
Aircraft galley systems for modem transport aircraft incorporate self-contained refrigeration units which are cooled to prevent spoilage of food prior to distribution to passengers, and to keep beverages at desired serving temperatures. These self-contained refrigeration units have in the past been interfaced with cold air supply systems in the galley designed to cool the interiors of the self-contained refrigeration units. Conventional galley refrigeration systems typically utilize self-contained air chillers which provide the cooled air directly to the food carts or refrigerated compartments. Such air chillers are typically installed above, below or otherwise within close proximity of the galley, and deliver cooled air via air ducts.
Such aircraft galley systems also commonly contain separate ovens for heating food in the preparation of hot meals to be served aboard aircraft. Currently space must be allocated for each of the heating and cooling devices separately, either in the same galley or in different galleys.
With the advent of long-range flights and larger passenger loads, the demand for more food and beverages on aircraft has dramatically increased. The need to provide multiple meals on very long flights has required extensive food chilling compartments. Also, because of the length of flights, more-hot meals are being served, requiring more oven space.
It would be desirable to provide a system for heating of food and cooling of food and beverages for aircraft galley systems that overcomes the shortcomings of current systems requiring separation of refrigerated spaces from oven spaces in aircraft, and conserves space and weight in aircraft in providing for both hot and cold food and beverage service. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.

Refrigerator-oven combination for an aircraft galley food service system


A zoom lens with high optical specification performances and an incorporated electronic imaging system that is much slimmer in its depth direction, albeit having that zoom lens mounted thereon includes a lens group G1 located nearest to the object side, having a reflecting surface M for bending an optical path. The zoom lens satisfies two conditions with respect to a length d as measured along the optical path from the apex of the surface nearest to the object side in lens group G1 to reflecting surface M and a dimension a of the outside shape of a positive lens, found first as viewed along the optical path from the reflecting surface M toward an image side of the zoom lens, in a direction parallel with an optical axis on an object side of the zoom lens with respect to the position where the optical path is bent, respectively.

The present invention relates generally to a zoom lens and an electronic imaging system that incorporates the same, and more specifically to a zoom lens fit right for electronic imaging systems such as video cameras and digital cameras, which can be slimmed down in the depth direction by applying some contrivances to an optical system portion, especially a zoom lens portion.

Zoom lens, and electronic imaging system using the same


A power converter includes a base plate having thereon a switching device, and positive and negative conductors respectively including main portions disposed parallel to the base plate. One of the main portions is placed over the other of the main portions. The main portions are disposed adjacent to and parallel to each other. The main portions are insulated from each other. The power converter includes a capacitor having positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the respective main portions of the positive and negative conductors. Each of the positive and negative conductors includes a side portion extending from the main portion toward the base plate, and a terminal portion extending from the side portion and joined to the base plate. The side portion is formed with a cutout extending from the end adjacent to the base plate to the opposite end connected to the main portion.

The present invention relates to a power converter.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-347561 discloses a power converter that includes a switching device and a capacitor and is directed to reducing parasitic line inductance. In such power converter, six insulating substrates 101 are mounted on a base plate 100, as schematically shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. A collector pattern 102 and an emitter pattern 103 are formed on each insulating substrate 101. A switching chip 104 and a diode chip 105 are mounted on the collector pattern 102 and connected to the emitter pattern 103 by bonding wires 106. A positive conductor 107 is connected to the insulating substrates 101 by a connecting portion 107B thereof extending downward from a plate-shaped main portion 107A. Similarly, a negative conductor 108 is connected to the insulating substrates 101 by a connecting portion 108B thereof extending downward from a plate-shaped main portion 108A. The main portions 107A and 108A of the positive and negative conductors 107 and 108 are arranged one over the other and insulated from each other so as to form a laminate. Terminal portions 107C and 108C in the form of a strip are provided at the end of the main portions 107A and 108A, respectively. The terminal portions 107C and 108C are disposed adjacent to and insulated from each other. The ends of the respective terminal portions 107C and 108C form external terminals P10 and N10.
In the above-described power converter wherein a plate-shaped connecting portion is formed by bending a part of the main portions 107A and 108A, stress may be applied to the connections between the positive and negative conductors 107 and 108 and the insulating substrates 101 due to thermal deformation of the base plate 100. In such a case, the strength of the connection is lowered and the reliability of the power converter is decreased, accordingly. Specifically, the stress may be caused by difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the base plate 100 and the insulating substrate 101 under thermal cycle conditions. Alternatively, the stress may be caused by difference in the thermal expansion coefficient between the base plate 100 and the insulating substrate 101 in mounting the positive and negative conductors 107 and 108 on the insulating substrate 101.
The present invention is directed to providing a power converter in which a connection between a conductor and a base plate is less affected by thermal deformation of the base plate.


To debug software programs, an economical and efficient serial in-circuit emulator (ICE) according to the invention can pause the operation of a CPU to read/write current data from/to a register of the CPU or to modify the current data in a register of the CPU. Furthermore, this serial in-circuit emulator can also read/write current data from/to an external memory or other external devices, or modify these data. The CPU mentioned above has an instruction register and a debugging register which allows the serial in-circuit emulator to read/write required data. This serial in-circuit emulator, which comprises a serial in-circuit emulator control register, a serial in-circuit emulator address register and a serial data input/output terminal, can be easily integrated with the CPU without affecting the operating speed thereof as well as has all functions that conventional serial in-circuit emulators should provide.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a serial in-circuit emulator architecture, and in particular to a serial in-circuit emulator which can be readily integrated with CPUs without affecting the operating speed thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, to debug software programs, a conventional serial in-circuit emulator (ICE) can pause the operation of a CPU to check, access or modify the status of the CPU. Furthermore, this serial in-circuit emulator can also read/write current data from/to an external memory or other I/O devices, or modify these data. Besides, the serial in-circuit emulator can also change the process of running software programs from a continuously-executing mode into a step-by-step executing mode so as to monitoring the status changing step-by-step. The conventional serial in-circuit emulator is mostly based on "IEEE Standard 1149.1 (JTAG)." However, while a general CPU is integrated with such conventional serial in-circuit emulator or a serial in-circuit interface, several disadvantages are encountered:
(1) A scan chain must be added on original I/O pins and specific internal registers. That is, multiplexers and scan-type flip-flops should be added on I/O pins or specific internal registers;
(2) Since a serial in-circuit emulator need to be integrated with different types of CPUs, the serial in-circuit emulator must be appropriately modified, resulting in increasing the development time for CPUs;
(3) Due to increasing the functions of the serial in-circuit emulator, the number of I/O pins of original CPU should be increased about 4-5 pins; and
(4) Although there may be several very simple serial in-circuit emulators, they can not provide all necessary functions that general serial in-circuit emulators should have. For example, some specific status inside the CPUs can not be accessed, or a hardware single-stepping may not be supported.


The hidden interlocking hinge assembly at least partially hides or conceals the hinging mechanism of a door pivotally attached to a jamb. The assembly incorporates interlocking knuckles on the door and the jamb, an overlapping flange feature, and a corresponding depression feature that allows the overlapping flange and the depression to move relative to the other without binding and while generally concealing the balance of the assembly.

The present invention relates to hinge assemblies, and more particularly to hidden interlocking hinge assemblies used to hinge a door to a corresponding jamb.
Doors of all shapes and sizes are pivotally coupled to matching jambs to allow the door to pivot. In one common application, the door is able to pivot between a closed position, at which the door is generally flush with the plane of the door jamb, and an opened position, at which the door is generally skewed relative to the plane of the door jamb. In many applications the door is pivotally coupled to the jamb with several separate hinge assemblies that are spaced along the hinged edge of the door and separately coupled to both the door and the jamb. The space required to install and operate these types of secondary or add-on hinge assemblies often results in a space between the hinged edge of the door and the hinged edge of the jamb. This space is undesirable in many applications, such as in public restroom stalls, storage sheds, etc. In addition, the arrangement of the hinge assembly results in the hinge assembly being exposed on at least one side of the door-jamb combination, which can be aesthetically unpleasing and/or present a catch point.
Certain applications provide additional challenges; for instance, molded plastic doors are used in a variety of settings, such as garbage dumpster lids, utility sheds, and portable toilets. These applications typically require a robust, low-cost hinge assembly that allows the door to repeatedly open/close and to perform its intended function (e.g., prevent water from entering the garbage dumpster, inhibit access into the utility shed, and provide privacy to a person using the portable toilet) in all types of environmental conditions (e.g., rain, snow, wind, extreme temperatures, etc.).
In light of at least the above, a need exists for a hinge assembly having an improved design concept that establishes a robust, aesthetically pleasing hinge assembly that simultaneously complements the ultimate functionality of the door.


Provided are a method, a system, and a computer program product in which a secondary storage controller copies a file stored in a primary storage controller. The secondary storage controller performs an anti-virus scan on the copied file. A result of the anti-virus scan is transmitted to the primary storage controller.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to an anti-virus scan via a secondary storage controller that maintains an asynchronous copy of data of a primary storage controller.
2. Background
In certain storage systems, a primary storage controller that provides input/output (I/O) access to files may be coupled to a secondary storage controller. The primary storage controller and the secondary storage controller may include computational devices and/or storage devices. The secondary storage controller may store backup copies of files stored on the primary storage controller. The backup copies may be generated asynchronously by copying files from the primary storage controller to the secondary storage controller. While asynchronous copy operations are in progress, the primary storage controller may continue to respond to input/output (I/O) requests that are received from a host or other computational devices.
A virus is a piece of code that may be maliciously introduced into a computer system to have a detrimental effect, such as a corruption in the computer system or a destruction of data stored in the computer system. Anti-virus protection is desirable in storage systems in order to ensure data integrity and data protection. In certain situations, an anti-virus application may execute in the primary storage controller. During the execution of the anti-virus application any virus that may have infected the files controlled by the primary storage controller are identified and such viruses may be quarantined or removed.

Anti-virus scan via a secondary storage controller that maintains an asynchronous copy of data of a primary storage controller

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A system and method for generating a calibration data curve, including communicating known calibration data for a microsurgical cassette to a surgical console with which the cassette will be used.

Microsurgical instruments can be used by surgeons for removal of tissue from delicate and restricted spaces in the human body, particularly in surgery on the eye, and more particularly in procedures for removal of the crystalline lens or the vitreous body. Such instruments include a control console and a surgical handpiece with which the surgeon dissects and removes the tissue. The handpiece has a surgical tool such as an ultrasonic microsurgical cutter for cutting or fragmenting the tissue and is connected to the control console by a long power cable and by long conduits or flexible tubes for supplying an irrigation fluid to the surgical site and for withdrawing or aspirating fluid and fragmented tissue from the site. The cutting, irrigation and aspiration functions of the handpiece are controlled by the remote control console that not only provides power for the surgical cutter (e.g., an ultrasonically vibrated needle), but also controls the flow of irrigation fluid and provides a source of reduced pressure (relative to atmosphere) for the aspiration of fluid and fragmented tissue. The functions of the console are controlled manually by the surgeon, usually by means of a foot-operated switch.
The multiple connections that are required between the handpiece and the console for the power cable and the suction and irrigation lines have made the preparation and interconnection of the equipment prior to the surgical procedure extremely complex, with the resultant concerns over maintaining the sterility of the equipment and assuring error-free connection. Accordingly, the typical microsurgical instruments, the fluid handling connections have come to be centralized in a "cassette" that contains in one unit all of the connections for the aspiration and irrigation lines, internal conduits for directing the flow of fluids, valves for controlling the flow of fluids into and out of the handpiece, a receptacle for aspirated fluid and tissue, and may contain the tube portion of a peristaltic pump. The cassette typically is supplied in a sterile package with color-coded connecting tubing already attached. Thus, setting up the equipment requires only connecting the cassette tubing to the surgical handpiece and irrigation fluid source and inserting the cassette into a receptacle in the console. The receptacle may contain the roller head portion of a peristaltic pump (or some other access to reduced pressure), an aspiration line pressure sensor and devices for operating the valves in the cassette and for controlling the flow of irrigation or aspiration fluids through the fluid conduits within the cassette. For convenience and to maintain sterility, the cassette may be discarded after a single use or sterilized and reused.
Sensitive instruments such as these microsurgical cassettes can require very accurate calibration in order to function properly. For example, the microsurgical cassettes used to assist with surgical irrigation or suction in eye surgery require highly accurate pressure/displacement calibration curves to accurately determine a given pressure based on a measured diaphragm displacement. Because of the sensitive nature for calibrating such cassettes, and because each cassette can have a slightly different calibration curve, it is advantageous to communicate accurate calibration information specific to each individual cassette to the console with which the cassette will be used. Efficiently communicating calibration information can be difficult, particularly where the calibration curve is highly nonlinear and requires multiple coefficients for a modeling polynomial, or multiple data points for accurately reconstructing the specific calibration curve.
One solution for communicating calibration information is to break typical calibration curves down so as to be categorized into one of a predetermined number of categories. Such a method, however, has the obvious drawback of being unable to accurately reflect calibrations across a broad spectrum. Another method is to communicate the coefficients of a polynomial that models the calibration curve. For example, a fourth order polynomial can be used to model the pressure/deflection calibration curve illustrated in FIG. 3. By sending the coefficients for each term in the fourth order polynomial, the calibration curve can be reconstructed by the console with which the cassette is to be used. However, accurately reproducing a non-linear curve—especially higher order curves—requires communicating very precise coefficients and thus is not well suited for use with a small data space such as a single linear barcode.
Another method is to convey sufficient data points from the calibration curve so that the console can mathematically determine a function modeling the overall curve. For example, if the modeling function is an nth order polynomial, n+1 data points will fully determine the polynomial coefficients. Such a method is made difficult though by the fact that small deviations in the communicated values (due for example to rounding or measurement tolerance) can result in significant error in the calculated modeling function. This is particularly true of highly non-linear systems. Thus, communicating sufficient data points to fully and accurately determine a calibration curve typically requires communicating a large data set to reduce such deviations.
Microsurgical cassettes are often intended to be a single-use disposable or are otherwise produced in bulk quantities. Because the calibration information for each cassette is unique, it is desirable to include the calibration information for each cassette in a convenient form that can accompany the cassette. Traditional methods of providing n+1 data points with sufficient precision to determine a modeling polynomial, or providing sufficiently precise coefficients for an approximating polynomial for each device, can be cumbersome or impractical for use with a limited amount of data, such as a single barcode. What is needed then is a method for conveying accurate calibration data in an efficient and compact manner. Embodiments of the present invention address this problem by presenting systems and methods for compressing and encoding data, such as calibration data, so that it can be communicated in a more succinct and cost-effective manner. According to one embodiment, pressure/displacement calibration data for a disposable microsurgical cassette can be compressed to fit within a single barcode on the disposable cassette. According to other embodiments, other methods for compressing data and for extracting information from compressed data are presented.

Method for data compression and encoding


To provide a semiconductor light emitting element with high luminous efficiency, the light emitting element includes: a substrate; a semiconductor laminate placed above the substrate, the semiconductor laminate comprising a second semiconductor layer, an active layer and a first semiconductor layer laminated in this order from the substrate; and a first electrode and a second electrode placed between the substrate and the semiconductor laminate, wherein the semiconductor laminate is divided in a plurality of semiconductor blocks by a groove, wherein the first electrode includes protrusions that are provided in each of the plurality of semiconductor blocks and that penetrate the second semiconductor layer and the active layer to be connected to the first semiconductor layer, and wherein the second electrode is connected to the second semiconductor layer in each of the plurality of semiconductor blocks and has an external connector that is exposed on the bottom of the groove.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor light emitting element in which an electrode is placed between a semiconductor laminate and a substrate.
Description of Related Art
Proposals have been made to improve the luminous efficiency of a semiconductor light emitting element such as LED by dividing the semiconductor layer into a plurality of pieces (see U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,498). For example, in the semiconductor light emitting element proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,498, a semiconductor laminate is divided in a plurality of pieces to reduce the area of an electrode on each divided piece of the semiconductor laminate, so as to reduce the light absorption by the electrodes as low as possible. Furthermore, in the semiconductor light emitting element, since the area of each divided semiconductor laminate is reduced, the electric current can be diffused more uniformly compared to one with an undivided single semiconductor laminate, which results in enhanced luminous efficiency.
However, since the semiconductor light emitting element proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,498 has a current path in the order of a conductive substrate, a second electrode, the semiconductor laminate and a first electrode (a contact hole, a wiring pattern and a bonding part), the electric current is concentrated in an area around the bonding part of the first electrode embedded in the semiconductor laminate (in this case, the center area of the semiconductor laminate). That is, the current diffusion in the semiconductor laminate is actually uneven, and the light emitting element therefore has a problem of decrease in luminous efficiency.


A method, system and apparatus in a wireless communications system selectively utilizes the Internet for the transmission of information. In a first embodiment, a subscriber can activate an Internet call forwarding (ICF) supplementary service (SS). From the subscriber's Mobile Station, an ICF message is transmitted to and stored in the subscriber's Home Location Register (HLR). The ICF message may optionally designate an Internet protocol (IP) address destination and may optionally activate other features pursuant to the data type received. For example, the ICF message may request that only fax/data calls or only calls that would otherwise incur a long distance charge be forwarded over/through the Internet. In operation, an incoming call to a Gateway Mobile Services Switching Center (GMSC) causes the GMSC to interrogate the called party's HLR. The information in the incoming call is then forwarded either over/through the Internet or over the PSTN based on the features activated by the ICF message. In another embodiment, conventional telecommunication signaling commands such as the Initial Address Message may be transmitted to the target telecommunications node over the Internet.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of wireless telecommunications, and in particular, to a method and system for enabling a subscriber to selectively forward information over or through the Internet.
2. Description of Related Art
Mobile wireless communication is becoming increasingly important for providing safety, convenience, improved productivity, and simple conversational pleasure. One prominent mobile wireless communication option is cellular communication. Cellular phones, for instance, can be found in cars, briefcases, purses, and even pockets. For cellular phone system providers to offer cellular phone users new services, cellular wireless networks must be upgraded.
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an exemplary cellular wireless network, such as a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 100, will be described. The PLMN 100 is composed of a plurality of areas 105, each with a Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC) 110 and an integrated Visitor Location Register (VLR) 115 therein. The MSC/VLR areas 105, in turn, include a plurality of Location Areas (LA) 120, which are defined as that part of a given MSC/VLR area 105 in which a Mobile Station (MS) (terminal) 125 may move freely without having to send update location information to the MSC/VLR area 105 that controls the LA 120. Each LA 120 is divided into a number of cells 130. The MS 125 is the physical equipment, e.g., a car phone or other portable phone, used by mobile subscribers to communicate with the cellular network 100, each other, and users outside the subscribed network, both wireline and wireless.
The MSC 110 is in communication with at least one Base Station Controller (BSC) 135, which, in turn, is in contact with at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 140. The BTS 140 is the physical equipment, illustrated for simplicity as a radio tower, that provides radio coverage to the geographical part of the cell 130 for which it is responsible. It should be understood that the BSC 135 may be connected to several base transceiver stations 140, and may be implemented as a stand-alone node or integrated with the MSC 110. In either event, the BSC 135 and the BTS 140 components, as a whole, are generally referred to as a Base Station System (BSS) 145.
With further reference to FIG. 1, the PLMN Service Area or wireless network 100 includes a Home Location Register (HLR) 150, which is a database maintaining all subscriber information, e.g., user profiles, current location information, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers, and other administrative information. The HLR 150 may be co-located with a given MSC 110, integrated with the MSC 110, or alternatively can service multiple MSCs 110, the latter of which is illustrated in FIG. 1.
The VLR 115 is a database containing information about all of the Mobile Stations 125 currently located within the MSC/VLR area 105. If a MS 125 roams into a new MSC/VLR area 105, the VLR 115 connected to that MSC 110 will request data about that MS 125 from the HLR database 150 (simultaneously informing the HLR 150 about the current location of the MS 125). Accordingly, if the user of the MS 125 then wants to make a call, the local VLR 115 will have the requisite identification information without having to reinterrogate the HLR 150. In the aforedescribed manner, the VLR and HLR databases 115 and 150, respectively, contain various subscriber information associated with a given MS 125.
Increasingly, mobile service subscribers are using their MS 125 as much as, or even more than, a traditional wireline phone. As a result, mobile service subscribers value options that lower the cost of their wireless service subscription or the per-minute charges thereof. Consequently, it is desirable to be able to lower the cost of service.
Additionally, wireless service subscribers are demanding value-added features from their wireless communication systems providers. Examples of such services are caller identification (ID), voice mail, and standard call forwarding. Existing wireless communication systems do not, however, offer their subscribers the ability to forward information over the Internet to an Internet address. Such existing wireless communication systems likewise do not offer their subscribers the ability to forward information through the Internet.
Because information transmission costs over the packet-switched Internet are substantially cheaper than transmission over the traditional circuit-switched telephone network, wireless service costs can be reduced by permitting a subscriber to optionally forward information over/through the Internet. Additionally, an option to forward information over the Internet would permit a subscriber to have data or other information transmitted directly to an Internet protocol (IP) address. In short, existing wireless communication systems have heretofore failed to provide the ability for a subscriber to choose to have information forwarded through the Internet (before returning to the wireless communication network) or over the Internet to an IP address.

Method, system and apparatus in a telecommunications network for selectively transmitting information utilizing the internet


A winding assembly for a transformer includes a wire winding and a sheet winding. The wire winding includes a spirally wound insulated wire and the sheet winding includes a metallic winding sheet that forms a single turn winding. Instead of winding the wire winding on a bobbin, sleeve or the like, the wire winding is attached directly to a surface of the winding sheet by means of a self-bonding technique.

There are many transformer arrangements known in the prior art. Most of them include two or more coils where each coil includes one or more windings. Depending on the particular application, there are different kinds of windings such as for example wire windings, metal sheet windings, traces on a printed circuit board (PCB) and the like.
Most transformers which include a wire winding also include a bobbin, coil form or sleeve on which this wire winding is wound.
Document WO 2004/032158 (Delta Energy Systems) shows such a transformer. This transformer includes a coil form that is made of plastic and has a hole for insertion of a core. A first winding is formed by one or more separating plates that divide the outer surface of the coil form into two or more winding windows and a second winding is formed by a wire that is wound within one of the winding windows on the outer surface of the coil form. However, due to the coil form, the winding window utilization is low and there is a high thermal resistance between the core and the windings.
Document 2002/159214 A1 shows another transformer with a primary coil, a secondary coil and a magnetic core. The primary coil is a flat coil wound from a triple insulated wire and the secondary coil is formed by a trace on a PCB. While this transformer does not include a bobbin or the like but it includes a PCB which has to be produced in a separate step which makes it complicated and therefore expensive. Furthermore, this transformer is not suited for high power applications because neither the wire winding nor the PCB winding are suited for carrying a high current.


A bump-height measuring apparatus for measuring heights of projecting bumps formed on a surface of a work comprises a holding section for holding the work and relatively positioning the work, an illuminating section for emitting light from two positions onto that region of the work held by the holding section, in which bumps to be measured in height are located, such that the bumps project shadows on the work, the two positions being opposite to each other, and each of the positions being located at a predetermined elevation angle with respect to the region, an imaging section for imaging the region onto which the light is emitted from the two positions in the illuminating step, and outputting image signals producing images including shadow images of the bumps, the shadows of each of the bumps extending in two directions, respectively, a shadow extracting section for extracting the shadow images from the images produced by the image signals output from the imaging section, and then outputting binary image signals producing the shadow images, and an arithmetic section for determining lengths between distal ends of the shadow images of the bumps on the basis of the binary image signals output from the shadow extracting section, and then determining heights of the bumps on the basis of the determined lengths and the elevation angle.

The present invention relates to a bump-height measuring method and a bump-height measuring apparatus, both for measuring the heights of projecting bumps formed on the surface of a work, and in particular, for measuring the heights of minute bumps formed on a circuit board, an LSI chip or the like, at a high speed and with high accuracy.
A light cutting method and a confocal method are well known as methods for measuring the heights of projections formed on the surface of an object.
The light cutting method is a method for emitting strip-shaped light onto the surfaces of projections, and determining the heights thereof from the amount of displacement of the emitted light between the surface of an object and the surfaces of the projections.
The confocal method is based on the following fact:
When light is emitted onto an object in such a manner as to form a spot on the surface of the object, then reflects from the object, and passes through a pinhole, the amount of light emitted onto a confocal point is the largest in an area onto which the light passing through the pinhole is emitted. To be more specific, according to the confocal method, the heights of projections are determined on the basis of the movement amount of a detection optical system or a work which is measured when the system or the work is moved vertically to detect a confocal point with respect to projections and a reference surface of the object.
If each of projections has a considerably small height of, i.e., several hundred microns, the above height measuring methods cause the following inconveniences:
The light cutting method, for example, needs to reduce the width of strip-shaped light to be emitted, and emit such strip-shaped light at a small angle with respect to an object to be measured. Further, it must increase resolving power for detecting displacement of the light as mentioned above. The confocal point method, for example, needs to decrease the size of the light spot of emitted light, and increase vertical movement-resolving power.
Moreover, the above height measuring methods have further disadvantages. For example, if tens of thousands of projections are dispersedly located in a large area, and their heights must be measured in a short time period, the following problems arise:
Each time the height of each of the projections will be measured, the object must be positioned with high accuracy, and light must be emitted onto each projection with high accuracy. Thus, the heights of the projections cannot efficiently be measured. In other words, they cannot be measured in a short time period.
In view of the foregoing, the object of the present invention is to provide a bump-height measuring method and a bump-height measuring apparatus, both for measuring the heights of projecting bumps formed on the surface of a work, at a high speed and with high accuracy.

Method for measuring heights of bumps and apparatus for measuring heights of bumps


A customizable option ROM image that allows a user to modify certain features of a ROM image is described. In one embodiment, a plurality of configuration ROM image modules is provided to a user. These modules may be bundled in a single file along with a software interface application that allows the user to customize one or more of the modules. In particular, the software application provides a simple interface so that a user may identify and change particular ROM image features. Thereafter, a ROM image is built using the modules, some of which may have been modified, so that it may be installed within the customer's system.

A. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to BIOS configuration, and more particularly, to the method for allowing customization of an option ROM by an OEM or other customer.
B. Background of the Invention
A Basic Input Output System ("BIOS") is used to properly initialize a system's hardware when power is first applied or system is restarted. The BIOS also controls the boot process, provides low-level input/output routines and allows the user to modify details of the system's hardware configuration. The BIOS is usually stored permanently in a read only memory ("ROM") storage device within a host system.
Peripherals and components such as video capture devices and storage devices may be connected to and operate within the host system. These components typically have associated optional read only memory or option ROM BIOS components. An option ROM BIOS includes a set of program instructions known as an option ROM image which provides basic control software to the host system so that the system can communicate to a peripheral controller coupled to the host system. The software of the option ROM may further include code having a configuration utility and a user interface.
Generally the contents of the option ROMs are fixed for the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Although certain OEMs might update certain fields within an option ROM, an OEM or customer is unable to significantly modify or change an option ROM to match its particular system requirements.
Different OEMs or end-user customers may require customizing certain features in an option ROM. Typically, modifications to an option ROM are performed by the option ROM's component supplier. These modifications may range from simple to complex, which could result in a significant expenditure of resources by the supplier to write, test, and release the customized option ROM. For instance, an OEM may request a supplier to make small changes in an option ROM, such as adding their brand information in the boot banner for the option ROM. These types of minor requests may be a significant burden on a supplier and result in large number of very similar option ROM images being approved and maintained at a supplier location. A customer may request operational changes to the BIOS or certain features not available in the configuration utility. These changes may also require great effort by the supplier and significant time to implement and verify.
Currently, these types of requested changes are handled on a case-by-case basis for BIOS, configuration utility, and string modifications, one example of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. A number of different OEM or customer 101(a)-101(n) requests that a supplier 102 provide certain modifications in their option ROM. The desired changes are implemented 103 at the supplier and a number of subsequent procedures need to be performed to verify and maintain the modified option ROM image. For example, after the desired changes are made, the new BIOS image is tested and verified 104 by the suppler. After verification, the new BIOS image must be maintained 105 at the supplier location. The new BIOS is delivered to the customer 106 for integration testing. If, at this point, the customer or OEM found something that was not correctly changed, the process needs to be restarted.
This customization of option ROMs presents difficulties in product development because of the large amount of development resources, the test resources to test many minor changes, and the maintenance of similar BIOS image versions required in this process. With the continued growth of customers and their requirements of customizing the option ROMs, suppliers may find it even more difficult to manage and update these modifications.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and a method for allowing different customers or OEMs to manage their option ROM images to meet their particular requirements.


A portable terminal device includes a vibrator configured to vibrate a housing; an analysis section configured to execute frequency analysis on an input sound from a microphone; a calculating section configured to calculate an amount of temporal change of a spectrum obtained by the analysis section for the input sound when the housing vibrates; and a control section configured to execute incoming-call control depending on the amount of temporal change calculated by the calculating section.

Conventionally, there are portable terminal devices that indicate an incoming call to a user by vibrating a vibrator when receiving the incoming call. However, depending on a place where the portable terminal device is located, unpleasant sound may be generated by rumbling of the vibrator.
Accordingly, there is a technology that controls rumbling of a vibrator by measuring sound pressure levels of the vibrator under vibration and under suspension, at the surroundings by a microphone, and comparing difference of the sound pressure levels with a threshold value.
Also, there is a technology that determines whether cause of noise is originated from a vibrator, then based on a determination result, controls strength of vibration of the vibrator.

Portable terminal device and method of controlling portable terminal device


IL-2Rβ ligands and IL-2Rγc ligands and compounds comprising the ligands are disclosed. The ligands and compounds such as heterodimers and fusion proteins comprising the IL-2Rβ ligands and/or the IL-2Rγc ligands can be IL-2 receptor agonists.

Recombinant human Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was one of the first immuno-oncology agents studied in the clinic and was approved by the FDA for use against some particularly challenging cancers, melanoma and renal carcinoma in the 1990s. IL-2 is effective, producing durable responses in up to 10% of patients with these tumors, but its utility is limited by very serious, dose-limiting toxicities. In addition, the efficacy of IL-2 in directing T-cell-mediated anti-tumor response is compromised by concurrent IL-2-driven upregulation of T-cell suppressive systems. There has been a continuing search for strategies to reduce the toxicity of IL-2 therapy, and to avoid the immunosuppressive limitations on anti-tumor activity. To date, modestly effective strategies have been developed to control systemic exposure, and thus toxicity, of this potent biologic. Elucidation of the complicated biology of IL-2 has led to modifications of the natural IL-2 molecule to alter the balance of tumor toxicity and suppression. However, these approaches are limited by the use of natural IL-2 as a template, thus retaining elements of the undesirable, structure-driven bioactivities of the parent molecule.
Crucial to its anti-tumor properties, IL-2 exerts potent stimulatory effects on NK and cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells. However, the anti-tumor effects are paradoxically suppressed by IL-2-directed stimulation of T-regulatory cells (Tregs), which effectively blunts the anti-tumor immune response. This dual effect of IL-2 is largely controlled by the nature of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) subunits expressed on the various cells responsible for immune homeostasis. IL-2 is recognized by combinations of three receptor subunits, which are differentially and conditionally expressed on many types of immune cells. The two signaling subunits, known as IL-2Rβ (β) and IL-2Rγ-common (γc), initiate signaling when brought into correctly-oriented apposition by binding to IL-2. IL-2 binds to IL-2Rβγc with an affinity of about 1 nM to form an active ternary complex. Most immune cells express, at various levels, the IL-2Rβ and IL-2Rγc subunits. There is also a third, non-signaling IL-2R subunit, IL-2Rα (also known as CD25), which is expressed on a subset of immune cells, notably Tregs. The complex of IL-2Rαβγc has a very high affinity for IL-2 (about 10 pM), and cells expressing all three subunits are therefore much more sensitive to IL-2. A popular and well-supported strategy for improving the efficacy of IL-2 receptor agonists against tumors involves engineering IL-2R selectivity to reduce the binding of IL-2 to the IL-2Rα subunit while maintaining IL-2Rβγc binding and signaling to favor infiltration and stimulation of cytotoxic effector T-cells (Teff cells) over Tregs at tumor sites.
The cause of IL-2 toxicity in the clinical setting is less well understood; but is thought to be the result of exaggerated peripheral immuno-stimulation of IL-2Rβγc-expressing T-cells accompanied by excessive release of inflammatory cytokines. Toxicity is induced by the frequent administration of high doses of IL-2 required to sustain adequate tumor exposure because of the short half-life of the natural cytokine.
Strategies to address the limitations of IL-2 as a useful immuno-oncology therapy utilize mutants, fusion proteins, or chemically-modified IL-2 to alter the complex biology of the immune regulator. An example is a modified form of IL-2, decorated with 6 large cleavable polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties that serve the dual purposes of altering receptor subunit binding specificity and prolonging the circulating half-life of a reversibly inactive prodrug of IL-2. As the prodrug systemically circulates, a cascade of PEG removal imparts a complicated pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of variously-active and inactive forms of the cytokine, producing low sustained peripheral exposure to active IL-2 agonism, and thereby avoids the Cmax-driven severe side effects of high dose IL-2. The last two PEGs to be cleaved are located near the IL-2Rα binding site, interfering with IL-2Rα binding, but allowing for IL-2Rβγc signaling, consequently favoring cytotoxic T-cell activity over the suppressive Treg activity. This yields a promising therapeutic molecule that addresses two principal deficiencies of IL-2 as an anti-cancer therapeutic: (a) avoiding activation of IL-2Rαβγc on Tregs, and (b) half-life extension of the IL-2Rβγc-activating compound. However, these effects are necessarily intertwined and are difficult to optimize separately, as is often required during pre-clinical and clinical development. This limits the use of a bioactive IL-2 protein as a starting point for imparting multiple new properties.


A solar-powered illumination device includes a solar-thermal-electric power system transforming solar power into electric energy, an illumination module electrically connecting with the solar-thermal-electric power system, a heat dissipation device dissipating heat generated by the illumination module and a heat-collection box receiving at least a part of the heat dissipation device therein. The solar-thermal-electric power system drives the illumination module to illuminate. The heat dissipated by the at least a part of the heat dissipation device is collected by the heat-collection box and transferred into the solar-thermal-electric power system. The solar-thermal-electric power system transforms the heat dissipated by the at least a part of the heat dissipation device into electric energy.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to solar-powered illumination devices and, more particularly, to a solar-powered illumination device having a high utilization rate of energy.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical solar-powered illumination device transforms solar power into electric energy by a solar-thermal-electric power system to drive an illumination unit. During the illumination unit work, a part of the electric energy is transformed into light energy for illumination, and the other part of the electric energy is transformed into heat energy. The heat energy is dissipated into environment, resulting in a waste of energy.
What is need, therefore, is a solar-powered illumination device having a high utilization rate of energy.


A fluid end that provides for fluid transference in a double acting configuration. The fluid end acts for both suction and discharge operations and wherein fluid is ejected from the fluid end for high pressure environments.

Fluid ends are used to transfer hydraulic fluid for high pressure systems. Such high pressure systems can be used in a variety of locations, such as, for example, hydraulic fracturing apparatus used in hydrocarbon recovery operations. A fluid is pumped to a downhole location where the high pressure fluid interacts with the geological stratum, causing fissures. These fissures are held open by materials called proppants, thereby preventing closure of the fissures. Hydrocarbons locked in the geological stratum may then be released into the formed fissures, allowing operators to capture and collect the hydrocarbons.
As fluid ends are subject to very high stress, fluid ends can degrade quickly, causing an outage of operations. During the drilling and completion work for a well, daily operations can be very expensive, thereby necessitating that equipment used during these processes be very reliable. While there is a need for such reliable equipment, the reality of such maintenance free and defect free operation is not always attained. Fluid ends can fail in many situations, including material failures, gasket failures, bolting failures. As fluid ends are so critical, it is desired to provide a fluid end that performs at a highly efficient rate.
There is a need to provide an apparatus and methods that are easier to operate than conventional fluid end apparatus and methods.
There is a further need to provide apparatus and methods that do not have the material and design drawbacks discussed above.
There is a still further need to reduce economic costs associated with operations and apparatus described above with conventional fluid end.
There is a still further need to ease maintenance activities for fluid ends, thereby making field operations more economical.


Methods for solid phase polymerase-mediated amplification using immobilized primers on a microarray are provided for detecting and cloning multiple target polynucleotides. The methods, compositions and kits provided herein are useful for research and clinical applications, particularly for large scale assays of genetic information in biological samples of interest.

This invention relates generally to the field of nucleic acid biology. More specifically, the invention provides methods and compositions for high-throughput amplification, detection and comparison of gene expressions in biological samples for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Detection of small quantities of genetic materials represents a major challenge in biological research and clinical diagnosis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provides a powerful tool for in vitro amplification of specific polynucleotide sequences, such as genomic DNA, single stranded cDNA or mRNA, with high sensitivity and specificity. One application of this is the amplification of target gene sequences in biological samples from, for example, environmental, food and medical sources, etc. to allow identification of causative, pathogenic, spoilage or indicator organisms present in the sample.
The basic PCR technique, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,202, 4,683,195, and 4,800,159 (the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference), typically involves using two oligonucleotide primers capable of hybridizing to specific nucleic acid sequences flanking a target sequence of interest. By repeating multiple cycles of template denaturation, primer annealing and strand elongation, an exponential duplication of the target sequence can be obtained.
A major technical problem with standard PCR methods is contamination. While PCR provides a sensitive way for detecting and amplifying small amounts of target polynucleotides, it can amplify non-specific nucleic acid sequences, therefore creating false positive products in the final detection and assay. In a standard solution-phase PCR, in which primers bind to templates and initiate nascent strand synthesis in solution, reaction mixtures and products often need to be transferred several times for final detection and assay, increasing the chances for contamination.
Kohsaka and Carson (1994) J Clin. Lab Anal 8:452-455 describes a solid-phase PCR approach to allow amplification and detection of a target gene sequence in the same microwell without transfer. One of the two oligonucleotide primers is covalently attached to the wells of a microtiter plate, the other primer remains in solution. The immobilized primer binds to template and initiates the extension of a nascent complementary strand. The newly synthesized strand remains attached to the plate after removal of the template by denaturation and, at the completion of PCR, can be detected with a labeled probe. The solid-phase PCR approach has also been used for a quantitative determination of the target nucleic acid by adding a known amount of an internal competitive DNA template prior to amplification. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,251, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The solid-phase PCR of Kohsaka et al. is limited to detecting one single target polynucleotide in a well on a 96-well microtiter plate. The quantitative solid-phase PCR using competitive template is limited to detecting target from one species or tissue. Furthermore, the amplified products that are attached to plate must be single-stranded in order to be detected by hybridizing with labeled probes, therefore limiting the sensitivity of the detection.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,658 (Adams et al.) describes a method for amplifying nucleic acid with two primers bound to a single solid support. The method requires selection of two primers flanking a target sequence and immobilization of both primers onto a solid support. The primer pairs are used to detect and amplify the target polynucleotide on the support. The amplified products are fixed on the support, and two adjacent strands, if reasonably distanced from each other, can further hybridize together to form a xe2x80x9cloop.xe2x80x9d While the two-primer amplification system is promised to be sensitive in detecting the presence or absence of particular target nucleic acid in a sample, the use of two immobilized primers for each target requires a careful arrangement of the primers on the support so that the primer array would allow the formation of the loops and yet would not interfere the amplification of additional strands. In other words, the methods may not be ideal for a high density, high throughput assay.
The pattern of gene expression in a particular biological sample provides significant insights into the molecular fundamentals of almost all biological function and activities. A number of methods are known in the art for detecting and comparing gene expression levels in different biological sources. One standard method for such comparisons is the Northern blot. In this technique, RNA is extracted from the sample and loaded onto any of a variety of gels suitable for RNA analysis, which are then run to separate the RNA by size, according to standard methods (see, e.g., Sambrook, J., et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (2nd ed. 1989)). The gels are then blotted (as described in Sambrook, supra), and hybridized to probes for RNAs of interest.
Sutcliffe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,680, teaches a method for the simultaneous identification of differentially expressed mRNAs and measurement of their relative concentrations. The technique, which comprises the formation of cDNA using anchor primers followed by PCR, allows the visualization of nearly every mRNA expressed by a tissue as a distinct band on a gel whose intensity corresponds roughly to the concentration of the mRNA.
Another group of techniques employs analysis of relative transcript expression levels. Four such approaches have recently been developed to permit comprehensive, high throughput analysis. First, cDNA can be reverse transcribed from the RNAs in the samples (as described in the references above), and subjected to single pass sequencing of the 5xe2x80x2 and 3xe2x80x2 ends to define expressed sequence tags for the genes expressed in the test and control samples. Enumerating the relative representation of the tags from the different samples provides an approximation of the relative representation of the gene transcript within the samples.
Second, a variation on ESTs has been developed, known as serial analysis of gene expression, or xe2x80x9cSAGE,xe2x80x9d which allows the quantitative and simultaneous analysis of a large number of transcripts. The technique employs the isolation of short diagnostic sequence tags and sequencing to reveal patterns of gene expression characteristic of a target function, and has been used to compare expression levels, for example, of thousands of genes in normal and in tumor cells. See, e.g., Velculescu, et al., Science 270:368-369 (1995); Zhang, et al., Science 276:1268-1272 (1997).
Third, approaches have been developed based on differential display. In these approaches, fragments defined by specific sequence delimiters can be used as unique identifiers of genes, when coupled with information about fragment length within the expressed gene. The relative representation of an expressed gene within a cell can then be estimated by the relative representation of the fragment associated with that gene. Examples of some of the several approaches developed to exploit this idea are the restriction enzyme analysis of differentially-expressed sequences (xe2x80x9cREADSxe2x80x9d) employed by Gene Logic, Inc., and total gene expression analysis (xe2x80x9cTOGAxe2x80x9d) used by Digital Gene Technologies, Inc. CLONTECH, Inc. (Palo Alto, Calif.), for example, sells the Delta(trademark) Differential Display Kit for identification of differentially expressed genes by PCR.
Fourth, in preferred embodiments, the detection is performed by one of a number of techniques for hybridization analysis. In these approaches, RNA from the sample of interest is usually subjected to reverse transcription to obtain labeled cDNA. The cDNA is then hybridized, typically to oligonucleotides or cDNAs of known sequence arrayed on a chip or other surface in a known order. The location of the oligonucleotide to which the labeled cDNA hybridizes provides sequence information on the cDNA, while the amount of labeled hybridized RNA or cDNA provides an estimate of the relative representation of the RNA or cDNA of interest. Further, the technique permits simultaneous hybridization with two or more different detectable labels. The hybridization results then provide a direct comparison of the relative expression of the samples.
Recent developments in DNA microarray technology make it possible to conduct a large scale assay of a plurality of target molecules on a single solid phase support. U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,832 (Chee et al.) and related patent applications describe immobilizing an array of oligonucleotide probes for hybridization and detection of specific nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Limitations of microarray analysis include the difficulty of detecting nucleic acids that are available for microarray detection only in small volumes and small quantities. As any technology based on nucleic acid hybridization, the sensitivity of the microarray hybridization is limited in large by the number of target nucleic acids available, i.e., the abundance of the gene expression. Presently, these limitations can sometimes be overcome to a certain extent by amplifying a labeling signal (from a fluorescent tag, for example) that is attached to the nucleic acid target. However, it would be of great advantage in the field to develop more effective and sensitive ways to detect multiple target polynucleotides on a microarray.
The present invention provides a novel approach for amplifying and detecting multiple polynucleotides in a high throughput fashion. In one aspect, the methods involve detecting multiple target polynucleotides in a sample by using a solid phase microarray of primers suitable for solid phase nucleic acid amplification. Each primer is specific to a particular target sequence and groups of different primers are immobilized at discrete positions within the microarray. The immobilized primers enable xe2x80x9cin-situxe2x80x9d hybridization and amplification of specific target polynucleotides on a solid-phase support. The nascent strand at each primer site can be detected quantitatively with labels that are incorporated into the strand during amplification. In one preferred embodiment, the amplification means for practicing the invention is PCR. The microarray on a solid phase support can comprise up to about 100,000 groups of primers. As such, the method is useful for detecting up to about 100,000 target polynucleotides in a sample. For most applications, a high number of groups will be desirable, although it is clear that there is no lower limit to the number of groups which can be present on the support.
According to one embodiment of the invention, an immobilized primer is used alone for asymmetric PCR of a particular target polynucleotide that will result in a single complementary strand attached to the solid phase at each primer site and detected optionally with labels incorporated into the strand. According to another embodiment of the invention, another primer for each target polynucleotide is present in solution so that both strands for a target polynucleotide can be synthesized and retained at each primer site for enhanced detection. The solution phase primers can be specific to particular target polynucleotides or, alternatively, can be universal primers capable of binding either all or a sub-population of target polynucleotides.
The present invention also provides methods for detecting and comparing the expression patterns of multiple target polynucleotides from at least two different biological sources, comprising the steps of: a) contacting a sample comprising multiple target polynucleotides from at least two different biological sources with an array of multiple groups of oligonucleotide primers immobilized to a solid phase support, with each group of oligonucleotide primers being selected for a particular target polynucleotide and comprising primers complementary to a sequence of the target polynucleotide, wherein said target polynucleotides from each biological source contain a covalently linked sequence tag that is unique to the biological source; b) performing a first round of polymerase-mediated polynucleotide amplification under conditions suitable for polynucleotide hybridization and amplification, whereby the target polynucleotides from different biological sources serve as initial templates for the synthesis of complementary nascent polynucleotide strands which are extended from the immobilized primers; c) performing a second round of polymerase-mediated polynucleotide amplification in the presence of solution phase primers that hybridize to the sequence tags that are unique to each biological source, wherein the sequence tags serve as primers and the immobilized nascent polynucleotide strands from step b) serve as templates for the synthesis of new amplification products which are extended from the solution phase sequence tags; and d) detecting and comparing the immobilized amplification products of target polynucleotides from different biological sources.
The invention further provides kits for detecting multiple target polynucleotides using either symmetric PCR or asymmetric PCR approach as disclosed herein. The kits comprise a microarray of PCR primers and reagents necessary for PCR reaction and detection. The microarray of primers can comprise up to about 100,000 groups of primers tailored to particular target polynucleotide sequences. In one embodiment of the invention, the kits comprise labeled nucleotides capable of being incorporated into the synthesized strands during PCR reaction.

Methods for amplifying and detecting multiple polynucleotides on a solid phase support


An illuminator assembly is provided for supplying night vision illumination. The assembly includes a support housing and an infrared illumination source. An infrared reflector receives the radiation emitted from the infrared illumination source and reflects the infrared radiation in a first substantially collimated field of view and transmits visible light therethrough. A visible light reflector is located behind the infrared reflective mirror for receiving visible light transmitted through the infrared reflector and reflecting scattering the visible light in a second field of view.

Night vision systems generally operate in the near infrared (IR) illumination range employing artificial illumination source(s) to illuminate a field of view. It has been proposed to employ night vision systems on automotive systems that illuminate the road scene in front of the vehicle with infrared radiation. The infrared illumination may illuminate a field of view well beyond the visible light illumination achieved with conventional vehicle headlights, without blinding passengers in oncoming traffic.
In conventional infrared light illumination systems, large power-consuming and inefficient illumination sources are typically employed to provide sufficient illumination for imaging devices to capture the forward road scene. The conventional illumination source typically includes a filament lamp which requires several hundred watts of power to provide the necessary illumination to cover a desired field of view with a range that extends up to one hundred fifty meters (150 m). Typically, expensive thermal management techniques are generally needed to ensure proper operation of the illumination sources in conventional illuminator assemblies.
In many night vision systems, only the infrared portion of the electromagnetic energy spectrum is used for the illumination of a desired field of view. The energy outside of the infrared spectrum, including the visible light energy, is generally discarded. Additionally, many night vision systems generally employ thermal energy management techniques, which add size and expense to the overall illuminator package. Thus, conventional night vision illuminators are generally energy inefficient and costly.
It is therefore desirable to provide for an infrared illuminator that is energy efficient and cost affordable. In particular, it is desirable to provide for an infrared illuminator that efficiently illuminates infrared radiation from a vehicle to enable night vision.


The combination of a dispenser and a strip of a food product and a method for dispensing the food product from the dispenser so that it can be used by a user of the dispenser. The strip comprises an elongated web of an edible material, e.g., gum, which is coiled up in a compact configuration having a free end portion. The dispenser comprises a housing for the strip, an outlet, a motor for advancing a desired length and most preferably any desired length of the free end portion of the strip out of the outlet, and a severing element for severing the desired length of the free end portion of the strip from the remaining portion of the strip to form a dispensed section of the strip which may be placed in the user's mouth while the remaining portion of the strip remains within the housing.. This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of Reexamination Certificate No. B1 5,579,669, dated Sep. 16, 1997, Request No. 90/004,572.

This invention relates generally to dispensing and more particularly to portable apparatus for dispensing a desired length and most preferably any desired length of a strip food product from a reel of such a product stored in the apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,732 (Hasten et al.) discloses a spring loaded vending machine having a rotary conveyor to move a flexible carrier strip carrying plural individual items from a storage area in the machine to a cutter. The individual items, e.g., food products, are held on the carrier strip by means of equidistantly spaced pockets. The strip is drawn to the rotary conveyor so that each of the food holding pockets of the strip is disposed within a respective recess in the periphery of the conveyor to convey the respective food items to the cutter. The cutter severs the leading individual item from the strip at a points between it and the immediately succeeding pocket, whereupon the pocket portion of the strip and the food product held therein drops to a discharge bin for removal from the machine.
The prior art also includes other United States Letters Patent disclosing various types of devices for housing and dispensing individual labels or other items temporarily adhesively secured onto a carrier strip or web of tape. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,296 (Flood) there is disclosed a label dispenser device wherein individual labels are temporarily adhesively secured onto a spiral carrier strip or reel of tape. The labels of the reel are removed by pulling on the free end of the strip to draw the label at the free end manually out of an outlet in the device's housing. A sharp cutting blade is provided at the label outlet of the housing to sever the dispensed label at the point where it exits an outlet in the housing.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,587,928 (Tuck et al.) there is disclosed a pill dispenser device wherein a fan-folded carrier strip of tape stores a plurality of pills at equidistantly spaced locations therealong. The leading edge of the carrier strip is arranged to be grasped so that the pill at the leading or free end of the strip exits out of the housing's outlet. A serrated edge is provided at the outlet to sever the dispensed carrier and associated pill.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,912,140 (Cole) there is disclosed a disk-like label dispenser device wherein a spiral reel of tape stores a plurality of disk like labels at equidistantly spaced locations therealong. The leading edge of the carrier strip is arranged to be grasped so that the disk-like label at the leading or free end of the strip exits out of the housing's outlet in an orientation generally parallel to the top edge of the dispenser while the tape strip is oriented or bent downward therefrom at an angle in excess of 90 degrees. This action effectively peels the label from the backing tape. U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,130 (Foote) discloses an alternative embodiment of a label dispenser to those described above.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,523 (Levasseur) there is disclosed a stamp dispenser device wherein a spiral reel of tape stores a plurality of stamps from a roll which is driven by a motor and associated friction or pinch rollers to advance the stamp for dispensation. The device uses light emitting diodes to determine the boundary between the stamps and for enabling the roll to be severed at the appropriate place on the stamp roll.
While all of the aforementioned patents appear suitable for their intended purposes, none seem suitable for dispensing an indeterminate length food product, e.g., chewing gum, stored as a reel within the housing, wherein the amount or length of the product dispensed is selectable at will by the user of the device.

Motorized dispenser for continuous strip food product and method of dispensing the product


Prosthetic augments to improve muscle mechanics are disclosed herein. A prosthetic augment of the present disclosure includes an augment member configured to engage a bone, the augment member having a first face adapted for contacting the bone; and a second face adapted for contacting an underside of a muscle, wherein at least a portion of the second face includes a bulbous surface adapted to alter a wrapping angle of the muscle around the bone, wherein a first thickness is defined between the first face and the second face at a first position on the augment member, wherein a second thickness is defined between the first face and the bulbous surface of the second face, and wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are not equivalent so as to result in the augment member having a non-uniform thickness.

Muscles generate straight line forces that are converted to torques in proportion to their perpendicular distance between the joint center of rotation (CoR) and the muscle's line of action. This perpendicular distance is termed the muscle moment arm; thus, a 50% larger moment arm implies a 50% lower force required by a particular muscle to induce a given torque/motion. The location of the moment arm relative to the joint center of rotation determines the type of motion the muscle will create. In the shoulder, these motions are abduction/adduction (in the scapular/coronal plane and/or in the transverse plane), internal/external rotation (rotation of long axis of humerus), and flexion/extension (in the sagittal plane). The greater the muscle's moment arm, the greater capacity for that muscle to generate the torque required for motion and to support external loads. The tradeoff for a larger moment arm is that the muscle then requires a greater excursion (i.e. more muscle shortening to generate a given amount of motion). It should be recognized that a muscle's moment arm is only one component of a muscle's ability to generate torque, other factors include the muscle's physiologic cross sectional area, architecture, neural activity, and its length-tension relationship.
The deltoid is the largest and most important muscle in the shoulder girdle. It is the primary mover in the shoulder, and generates forward elevation in the scapular plane. The deltoid consists of three distinct heads: 1) anterior (anterior acromion and clavicle), 2) middle (lateral margin of the acromion), and 3) the posterior deltoid (scapular spine); and accounts for approximately 20% of the mass of the shoulder muscles. At low levels of abduction, the wrapping of the middle deltoid around the greater tuberosity of the humeral head (FIG. 1) generates a stabilizing compressive force; however, this compressive force is small relative to that generated by the rotator cuff.
Changing the joint center of rotation with arthroplasty (specifically, with a reverse shoulder in which the inversion of the anatomic concavities and the inferior and medial shift of the center of rotation) dramatically alters the relationship of each (shoulder) muscle to its normal physiologic function. In the shoulder, medially shifting the center of rotation increases the length of the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid abduction moment arms and lengthens the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid allowing them to contribute more toward abduction. These larger abductor moment arms enhance the capacity of the deltoid to elevate the arm in the scapular and coronal planes, compensating for the impaired function of the supraspinatus and the superior portions of the subscapularis and infraspinatus rotator cuff muscles which are typically involved in the indicated pathology. Medially shifting the center of rotation also translates the humerus medially which increases the laxity of any remaining rotator cuff muscles and also leads to impingement of the humerus with the scapular neck at low elevation (i.e. scapular notching).
Restoring the lateral position of the humeral tuberosities is important to tension the remaining rotator cuff muscles in a more natural physiologic manner and offers the potential to better restore rotational strength. While over-tensioning these muscles may offer the possibility of improved resting tone/tension, it may also make it more difficult to repair following tenotomy (in the case of the subscapularis).
In reverse total shoulder replacement arthroplasty, lateralizing the joint center of rotation lateralizes the humerus, tensions the remaining rotator cuff muscles, and minimizes impingement of the humeral component along the inferior scapular neck. Lateralizing the joint center of rotation also increases the torque on the glenoid fixation surface and decreases the lengths of the deltoid abductor moment arms. Because the deltoid abductor moment arms are decreased as the center of rotation is lateralized, the deltoid becomes less effective as an abductor and requires a greater force to elevate the arm in both the scapular and coronal planes. These elevated loads and torques can have negative implications on patient rehab, muscle fatigue, stress fractures, and prosthesis fixation.


A sampled data, analog computing method and circuit for producing an output voltage V.sub.OUT with a magnitude proportional to the root-mean-square value V.sub.RMS of a monopolar input voltage V.sub.DC, first demodulates or chops a time-varying monopolar input voltage V.sub.DC of interest to produce a demodulated or chopped voltage V.sub.CHOP, and then filters the chopped voltage V.sub.CHOP to produce an output voltage V.sub.OUT. The chopping operation is conducted at a duty ratio or modulation ratio proportional to the ratio of the monopolar input voltage V.sub.DC to the output voltage V.sub.OUT, with the result that the magnitude of the output voltage V.sub.OUT is proportional to the root-mean-square value V.sub.RMS of the monopolar input voltage V.sub.DC. The illustrated embodiment of the invention (i) rectifies a time-varying bipolar input voltage V.sub.AC of interest with a precision fullwave rectifier to produce the monopolar input voltage V.sub.DC, (ii) produces a pulse code modulated (PCM) signal with the required duty ratio utilizing an oversampling delta-sigma modulator, and (iii) produces the output voltage V.sub.OUT with an inverting second order low pass filter so that V.sub.OUT has the inverted polarity and greater magnitude compared to V.sub.DC that is required on the delta-sigma modulator reference node.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to electronic measuring and monitoring circuits and techniques, and more particularly to a method and circuit for producing an analog output signal having a magnitude proportional to the root-mean-square (RMS) value of an analog input signal.
2. Description of Related Art
The RMS value of a time-varying analog voltage indicates the equivalent direct current (DC) voltage in terms of power potential. For a pure sinusoidal waveform, the RMS value can be determined somewhat easily because it equals a known fixed percentage of the peak voltage. But more complex waveforms require more complex measuring techniques. This is important to the measurement industry, particularly the power measurement industry which bases charges for electricity upon RMS values. So, details of the techniques and related circuitry employed to determine the RMS value demand attention.
Perhaps the oldest method for measuring the RMS value of a voltage proceeds by applying the voltage to a filament or semiconductor device. As that is done, the rise in temperature of the device is measured as a direct indication of equivalent power (i.e., heating effect) of the applied voltage. But the need for a thermally insulated chamber and very delicate temperature measuring equipment make this method somewhat undesirable.
Another method for measuring the RMS value proceeds with analog circuitry by employing the logarithmic current-to-voltage characteristic of a forward-biased semiconductor junction. This method proceeds to calculate the RMS value by (i) converting the voltage to a current, (ii) passing the current through the forward-biased semiconductor junction, (iii) doubling the output voltage (equivalent to squaring the current), (iv) integrating the doubled voltage (averaging the squared current), and then (v) taking the antilog of the averaged squared current by applying it to a second forward-biased semiconductor junction opposite to that described above. Accuracy is dependent on how well the semiconductor junctions follow actual logarithmic curves.
The above makes it evident that existing methods for measuring RMS have certain drawbacks that need to be overcome. Thus, the measurement industry needs an improved method and circuit for measuring RMS values, especially of complex waveforms.

Root-mean-square converter method and circuit


For a possible simple structure, dispensing with ceramic filters, an FM demodulator for demodulating sound-FM signals comprises a controllable amplifier (1) which receives the sound signals converted to intermediate frequencies, said amplifier having a gain which is adjusted by means of an amplitude control circuit (4) and whose output signal is applied to the amplitude control circuit and to the phase-locked loop which supplies a demodulated sound signal in the locked-in state from its output, said phase-locked loop including a loop filter (7) which comprises a filter (8, 9, 10) of at least the second order with a pole at the frequency f=0, and a limit-detection circuit (13) which feeds back the operating frequency of the phase-locked loop to a predetermined frequency range when said phase-locked loop leaves this frequency range around a predeterminable nominal demodulation frequency, the amplitude control circuit (4) controlling the controllable amplifier (1) in dependence upon its output signal and a signal dependent on the frequency of the output signal of a voltage-controlled oscillator (14) in the phase-locked loop in such a way that the output signals of the controllable amplifier (1) have a nominal amplitude.

Known FM demodulators for FM sound signals of a picture signal operate with a limiter-amplifier preceding a PLL. However, in response to the limiter at the input of the circuit arrangement, the overall arrangement has no selectivity. Ceramic filters are required for filtering the FM sound carriers. These ceramic filters require a relatively high number of technical components and cannot be realized in integrated circuits. Moreover, every possible FM sound carrier frequency requires its own ceramic filter. Such a circuit arrangement is known, for example, from the Philips IC TDA9820 plus external circuits.

FM-sound demodulator for TV sound signals and method of detecting sound carriers


A position of first cursor changes according to a position of thumb. A position of second cursor changes according to a visual line of a user. If a position of first cursor remains unchanged over a predetermined time period, the position of first cursor is fixed. If a distance between first cursor and second cursor has become longer, image G1 on display other than first cursor or second cursor is enlarged. If a distance between first cursor and second cursor has become shorter, image G1 on display other than first cursor or second cursor is reduced.

JP5-73205A1 discloses an invention relating to a user interface using a visual line. According to the invention, a position on a display screen viewed by a user is detected, and a cursor is displayed at the detected position. Further, a position of a cursor is detected as point A when a button is pressed, another position of the cursor is detected as point B when the cursor is moved from point A and the button is pressed again, and an area of a circle, which is centered at point A and has a radius of a distance between point A and point B, is enlarged.
In a computer device having a touch screen, such as a tablet terminal, a user is able to enlarge or reduce an image by performing a pinch-close or pinch-open operation on the touch screen. However, in a situation where a user holds a tablet terminal with one hand, and the other hand is not free, s/he is not able to touch the touch screen with a finger other than a thumb, whereby it is difficult to perform an enlarging or reducing operation. In this situation, if the invention described in JP5-73205A1 is employed, the user is able to enlarge an image in the tablet terminal since pressing a button can be performed using one finger. However, it is necessary that such a button be available when the invention of JP5-73205A1 is employed. When a user holds a tablet terminal with one hand, s/he may hold it upright or horizontally; accordingly, a button is not necessarily positioned near a finger of the hand holding the tablet terminal, whereby the button cannot be pressed by a finger of the one hand holding the tablet to enlarge an image.

Display device, display method, and program


A combustion chamber housing for use in an airbag deployment system has a tubular body portion having a length and defining a combustion chamber that is adapted to contain combustion materials and to contain gases produced from the combustion thereof. The body has an expanded region having an edge defining an opening. The edge and a portion of the body adjacent to the edge and extending longitudinally therefrom along the body is heat-treated and defines a heat-treated, strengthened region. A method for heat treating the housings is also disclosed.

Supplemental restraint systems or airbags have quickly become an important safety feature in automobiles today. Current airbag deployment technology uses controlled combustion or an "explosion" to rapidly deploy the airbag. The chemicals that create this controlled explosion are housed in a chamber or housing.
In order to assure proper airbag deployment, the chemicals and the subsequent combustion must be contained within the chamber in such a manner as to assure complete, controlled and predictable combustion within certain given parameters. One requirement to meet such a set of given parameters is the structural integrity of the combustion chamber. That is, the chamber must be configured and fabricated such that it maintains its integrity through the combustion process and subsequent airbag deployment.
One known chamber configuration includes a substantially tubular member having an open end and an opposing, partially occluded end. The chamber expands in a step-wise manner from the partially occluded end to the fully open end. The open end of the chamber is that portion of the chamber that is at the largest diameter of the chamber, and is subsequently mounted to another component of the airbag assembly.
In a typical manufacturing process for the chamber, the chamber is formed from common carbon steel materials, such as American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 1006 to 1008. The steel is cold drawn to form the various requisite step-wise expansions in the housing body.
It has been observed that in order to assure structural integrity of the chamber, the thickness of the steel must be substantial, about 0.062 gauge. It has also been observed that at relatively low temperatures during impact testing, the chamber can split or fail at particular points along the chamber body. Specifically, the chambers have been observed to fail from an edge of the open end, longitudinally along the chamber body.
Microscopic examination of the failed samples has shown that the grain structure of the steel elongates in the direction of drawing, and that cracks in the chamber tend to propagate along the elongated grain boundaries. As a result of the weakened grain structure, the cracks tend to grow substantially longitudinally along the chamber body.
It is believed that failure of the combustion chambers during testing is due, in part, to stress cracks that are induced in the edge of the material as a result of drawing. Specifically, cracks develop at the edge and propagate, along the elongated grain boundaries, in the direction in which the steel is drawn.
One method to alleviate the cracking problem that has shown some success is to machine the edge of the chamber housing body to remove the cracks. Although this method has been somewhat successful in reducing cracking in the housing, it requires considerable time and is a labor-intensive and thus costly effort.
Accordingly, there continues to be a need for a combustion chamber housing having a high degree of structural integrity which chamber is formed from relatively common carbon steel materials. Further, there continues to be a need for a method for forming such housings, which method uses efficient and cost-effective parts and processes for manufacturing the housing.

Heat treated combustion chamber housing and process for making same


A movable handle and a power tool. The power tool comprises a housing, a motor supported by the housing and operable to drive a tool element about an axis, and a handle supported by the housing for rotation relative to the housing about the axis. Preferably, the power tool is a circular saw. The circular saw further comprises a switch assembly supported on the handle for movement with the handle and means for connecting the switch to the motor to accommodate movement of the switch relative to the motor. The switch assembly is electrically connectable to the motor and selectively connects the motor to a power source, and the connecting means includes a wiring arrangement. The circular saw further comprises a locking assembly for locking the handle in a position relative to the housing. Also, the circular saw preferably comprises means for preventing the switch assembly from connecting the motor to the power source when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition and means for preventing the locking assembly from being operated from the locked condition to the unlocked condition when the switch assembly is in the operated condition.

A power tool, such as a circular saw, generally includes a housing supporting a motor which rotatably drives a tool element, such as a saw blade. Typically, an operator's handle is integrally formed with the housing. In a circular saw, a shoe plate supports the saw on the surface of a workpiece.
In some circular saws, the housing is adjustable relative to the shoe plate to change the depth of cut of the saw blade. For example, the housing may pivot relative to the shoe plate about an axis adjacent the front of the shoe plate (front pivot depth adjustment) or about an axis adjacent the rear of the shoe plate (rear pivot depth adjustment). In another construction, the shoe plate is slidably lowered and raised relative to the housing (drop shoe depth adjustment). In each of these depth adjustment arrangements, when the depth of cut of the saw blade is adjusted, the position and/or orientation of the handle relative to the workpiece is also adjusted.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,324 discloses a modular housing system for a circular saw. The circular saw includes a single, one-piece housing having an interface portion which interchangeably mounts either a pivot adjust subassembly or a vertical (drop shoe) adjust subassembly for changing the depth of cut of the circular saw. The main handle can have either a "push handle" configuration or a "top handle" configuration. The selected handle component is slipped onto the one-piece field case and secured by fasteners.