An apparatus for providing described television services includes a receiver for receiving description data corresponding to an audiovisual program; a text-to-speech converter for converting the description data into a speech signal corresponding to the description data; a memory device for receiving and storing the speech signal and a corresponding time code from the audiovisual program; a mixing circuit for retrieving the speech signal from the memory device and mixing the retrieved speech signal with the audio track of the audiovisual program to produce a combined audio signal; and a transmitter for simultaneously providing the combined speech signal and the audiovisual program to a viewer. The apparatus provides the combined speech signal to the viewer via the SAP channel. The apparatus may also include a translator for translating the description data into a foreign language prior to converting the description data into the speech signal.. A method for providing described television services includes the steps of generating description data corresponding to an audiovisual program; converting the description data to a speech signal corresponding to the description data; synchronizing the speech signal with the audiovisual program using a time code signal from the audiovisual program; mixing the synchronized speech signal with the audio track of the audiovisual program to create a combined audio signal; and simultaneously transmitting the combined audio signal and the audiovisual program to the viewer.

Television programs, plays, and other audiovisual types of presentations often include both an audio component and a visual component, each of which conveys information to a viewer. Closed captions may be provided for audiovisual programs and presentations in order to allow people with impaired hearing to follow the audio component of the program or presentation. Similarly, an audio description of the presentation may be provided to enable people with impaired vision to follow the visual component of the program or presentation. The provision of such an audio description for television programs is referred to as described television services.
Currently, described television services are not widely available. Several television stations, such as WGBH (Boston, Mass.), provide some described television programs using the second audio program (SAP) of these television programs to transmit the description information.
Described television programs using SAP are currently produced using a process as follows. First, an original tape of the final version of the program, including all dialogue and sound effects, is obtained from a network. If the copy includes a SAP track, for example, a Spanish version of the audio track of the program, this track is lost in the process of providing description information. Second, editors prepare concise, typewritten descriptions of the scenes of the program. Third, one or more professional speakers read the descriptions. Typically, a single speaker reads the descriptions in a soft voice, almost as if he/she was whispering the scene details to the blind viewer. Fourth, the "final" audio track from the original program is re-mastered to be monophonic (SAP can only carry a mono signal) and to include the descriptions as high fidelity monophonic signals. This re-mastering process requires a broadcast quality audio facility. Fifth, the original program is re-mastered to record the SAP track along with the other signals (e.g., the program's video and audio signals) which, according to present television capabilities, may be compressed digital audio stereophonic signals. Finally, the new tape, which is a "generation" down from the original program tape, is returned to the network.
Once the network has received the tape, it may either broadcast the new tape or "slave" the original tape and the new tape together using two tape decks and coordinating the two signals using the standard (SMPTE) time code of the tapes. In the "slave" process, the original tape is used to provide the video and sound (e.g., stereo) of the program, and the new tape is used to provide the SAP track for the program which is inserted into the signal at broadcast time. The slave process has an advantage in that, if the original program has a SAP track (e.g., a Spanish SAP), the original SAP track may be used on some occasions and the description SAP track on other occasions.
There are also audio tape decks that may be slaved to video tape decks to provide the description SAP track for the program. The use of an audio tape player has an advantage in that it eliminates the need to re-master the audio track of the original program as described above.
Thus, since the known method of providing described television services is cumbersome, there is a need for a method of providing described television services by which the descriptions are easily produced and transmitted to viewers.

System and method for providing described television services


This invention relates to the preparations of noble metal catalysts, i.e., platinum and platinum alloys, on suitable supports with nanonetwork structures and high catalytic efficiencies. A compact structure of a monolayer or a few layers is formed by self-assembly of organic polymer, e.g., polystyrene (PS), nanospheres or inorganic, i.e., silicon dioxide (SiO2), nanospheres on a support surface. In the void spaces of such a compact arrangement, catalyst is formed by filling with catalyst metal ion-containing aqueous solution and reduced by chemical reduction, or formed by vacuum sputtering. When using organic polymer nanospheres as the starting or structure-directing material, the polymer particles are removed by burning at a high temperature and the catalyst having a nanonetwork structure is obtained. In the case of using silicon dioxide nanospheres as the starting material, silicon dioxide particles are dissolved with hydrofluoric acid solution and evaporated away leading to formation of a similar nanonetwork structure made of catalyst. The catalysts prepared by these methods possess characteristics of robust in structure, uniform in hole size and high in catalytic surface area. Their main applications include uses as catalysts in direct methanol and proton exchange membrane fuel cells, as well as in chemical reactors, fuel reformers, catalytic converters, etc.

Catalysts play key roles in most of the important chemical reactions, including syntheses of organic compounds, reforming production of hydrogen from methanol, natural gas and gasoline, catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and unburned fuels, etc. In particular, platinum and platinum alloys are indispensable catalysts for direct methanol and proton exchange membrane fuel cells with respect to electro-reduction of oxygen and electro-oxidation of fuel. So far, most of the catalysts are prepared using suitable supports, such as carbon blacks, ceramics and silica gels. The so-called nanocatalysts are those having particles prepared in nano-sizes, generally a few nanometers.
In preparing catalysts for DMFC and PEMFC applications, high surface area carbon supports, such as Cabot Vulcan XC-72 and Chevron Shawinigan, are commonly used. Typical examples of state-of-the-art for making carbon black-supported platinum and platinum alloy catalysts are given by Cooper et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,990, Brand et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,563, Gunner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,220 and Auer et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,934. In general, catalyst metal in ions or colloidal sols are adsorbed to carbon support surfaces and reduced by chemical reactions. High temperature reduction using hydrogen gas is also commonly used. However, such prepared nanocatalysts suffer from drawbacks of re-construction, re-crystallization and sintering when in use to form larger particles and substantially lose their catalytic surfaces. These give rise to significantly lower catalytic efficiencies and shorter service lives. Novel approaches are needed to prepare and stabilize catalysts under all application conditions.
Due to the advancement of nanotechnologies, nanostructures can be readily fabricated. In one example, Billliet et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,622 illustrates a method to fabricate nanostructures containing isotropically distributed, interconnected pores having cross-sectional diameters in the nanometer and Angstrom ranges. Briefly, inorganic nanoparticles are used as a precursor and mixed with organic polymer to form a homogeneous thermoplastics compound. The organic polymer is then removed by sintering at a high temperature and a nanostructure is formed. In another example shown by Jin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,858,521, a spaced-apart array of nanostructures is fabricated by providing a show mask having a plurality of spaced apart, relatively large apertures, reducing the size of the aperture to nanoscale dimensions, and depositing a material through the mask to form a plurality of spaced-apart nanostructures. However, in general these nanostructures are suitable for used as catalyst supports only rather than as catalysts. It would be very beneficial if a catalyst itself can be fabricated into a nanostructure with excellent resistances to recombination, recrystallization and sintering wile providing high surface area and high catalytic efficiency.
In fact, using some nanomaterials, e.g., polystyrene nanospheres and silicon dioxide nanospheres, as structure-directing agents do provide a new approach to achieve this goal. These nanospheres readily form closely packed, layered structures of one to several layers on a smooth support surface when applied at diluted conditions. With these unique characteristics of such nanomaterials, this invention is able to prepare novel catalysts with nanonetwork structures on suitable supports that are totally different from those of the conventional nano catalysts. The advantages are to overcome the drawbacks encountered by conventional nanocatalysts. In addition, the platinum and platinum alloys catalysts prepared by the invented methods will significantly improve the performances of DMFCs and PEMFCs due to robust structure, resistant to recombination, and high catalytic surfaces.

Methods of making platinum and platinum alloy catalysts with nanonetwork structures


A method for modifying a quality of a fruit includes cutting a live stem attached to a live fruit at a cut distance from the fruit, producing a cut end of the stem, contacting only the cut end of the stem with a solution comprising at least one mobile and quality-modifying food ingredient while protecting the fruit from contact with the solution, and keeping the cut end of the stem in contact with the solution for an incubation time sufficient to allow absorption and transport of the food ingredient into the fruit, the food ingredient conferring a modified quality upon the fruit. A system for practicing the method and an edible raw plant product produced by the method are also disclosed.

Plant-derived foods ("foods") can be classified into three different groups. The first group of foods consists of the harvested and optionally washed but not processed edible raw parts of crops ("raw foods"). The frequent consumption of these foods is often associated with a healthy life style.
The second group of foods consists of the processed derivatives of raw foods ("processed foods") that are produced by (1) cutting, slicing, or grinding the raw foods into smaller or small parts, (2) mixing these parts with either water or a solution containing at least one ingredient, (3) applying at least one process such as infusion, shaking, vacuum infiltration and or heating, and (4) extending shelf life by adding at least one preservative, packaging, or storing at low temperatures. Processed foods are dead products but often still have some resemblance to the original raw food. Examples of processed foods include bread, potato chips, jam, sugar-infused strawberries, cucumber pickles, and orange juice.
The third group of products is derived from ingredients. The origin of these "highly-processed" group-3 products is often obscure. Examples include high-energy snacks and beverages, such as nutrition bars, power drinks, candy, and baked sweets such as cakes.
One disadvantage of processed and highly-processed dead foods is that their production consumes much energy (not just for processing but also for packaging, storage, and transport), and creates much waste. Furthermore, these foods lost at least part of their storability, texture, shape, and health-promoting activities (they may contain added vitamins and antioxidants that were synthesized or extracted in factories and that do not have the same health-promoting activities as the vitamins and antioxidants that are present in raw foods). Another disadvantage of processed and highly-processed foods is that they often contain preservatives and large amounts of sugar, salt, and/or fat. The frequent consumption of such foods may negatively affect health and contribute to a detachment of the consumer from his or her environment.
Despite the many disadvantages of producing and consuming processed and highly-processed foods, many consumers have become accustomed to their sophisticated taste and flavor profiles, and they have started to perceive raw foods as boring, bland and undesirable.
It is not reasonable to hope that breeding or genetic engineering will soon create crop varieties with greatly enhanced taste profiles. One of the few genetic traits linked to enhanced quality is the mutated sweet corn gene shrunken (sh). The recessive nature of this trait complicates efforts to introduce and express it in most vegetables and fruits, which have polyploid genomes. Furthermore, the benefit of increased sweetness is offset by the negative effect of sh on starch accumulation, which results in, for instance, reduced shelf life. Technical, regulatory, and perception issues have also impeded progress in genetic engineering. Apart from some transgenic oilseed crops with modified, supposedly healthier, fatty acid profiles, there are currently no successful quality improvements that have proven commercially viable.
Thus, the gradual replacement of raw, healthy and natural foods by (highly) processed and abstract foods represents one of today's most significant dietary issues. The present disclosure is directed toward one or more of the above issues.

Method and system for modifying raw foods, and raw food product made thereby


An assembly that assists in the winding of an optical fiber of a laser module around a spool. The assembly contains a spool support that holds the spool as the optical fiber is wound around the spool. The spool support has a top surface with opposing side edges. The top surface of the spool support has a periphery, wherein the top surface of the spool support is beveled between its peripheral edge and the groove. The presence of the bevel helps to guide the optical fiber onto the spool as the optical fiber is wound around the spool. A generally circular groove is disposed in the top surface of spool support, wherein the groove at least partially intersects the opposing side edges of the top surface. As a result, when the spool is attached to the spool supports, opposite sides of the spool protrude beyond the sides of the spool support. As the optical fiber is wound around the spool, the areas of protrusion make it possible for a person to engage the wound spool and hold it in place on the spool as the spool is removed from the spool support.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices and tools that assist in the winding of a line around a spool. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices that assist the manual winding of an optical fiber onto a spool.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are many different applications that utilize optical fibers. In an optical fiber system, a laser source is typically used to generate a light signal. The light signal is then propagated through an optical fiber that is attached to the laser source.
In the telecommunications industry, solid state laser sources are commonly manufactured and sold as part of premanufactured module assemblies. In these modules, a solid state laser is attached to a segment of optical fiber. The optical fiber terminates at its free end with some type of fiber optic connector. In this manner, the laser module can be readily integrated into an existing electro-optical system. An example of such a laser module is the Laser 2000 Module, manufactured and sold by Lucent Technologies of Murray Hill, N.J., the assignee herein.
In co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/172,283, filed Oct. 15, 1998, a support device for a laser module is disclosed. The support device contains a baseplate onto which can be attached a removable spool. The baseplate retains the solid state laser and optical connector of the laser module. The spool retains the optical fiber that interconnects the solid state laser to the optical connector.
In the use of such a laser module support device, it is difficult to manually wind the optical fiber around the spool without the optical fiber either unwinding from the spool or falling away from the spool. It is also highly labor intensive and time consuming to manually wind the optical fiber around such a spool. A need therefore exists for an assembly that can assist a person wind the optical fiber of a laser module around a spool.

Spool support assembly for the optical fiber of a laser module


A method for forming an isolation structure on a semiconductor substrate includes opening a portion of a pad oxide layer overlying the substrate using a process gas including an etchant gas and a polymer-forming gas. A portion of the substrate exposed by the opening step is etched to form a trench having a first slope and a second slope. The first slope is greater than 45 degrees, and the second slope is less than 45 degrees. The trench is filled to form the isolation structure.

The present invention relates to formation of shallow trench isolation in a semiconductor device.
Semiconductor chips manufactured these days generally include millions of transistors. Isolation structures are provided between active regions of a semiconductor device. Each active region has a plurality of transistors and the isolation structures prevent short circuit from occurring among transistors provided in different active regions. As device size gets smaller, isolation between active regions within a semiconductor chip becomes more and more critical. Field oxide isolation is one common solution. With field oxide isolation, regions of oxide material are thermally grown to define active areas on the semiconductor chip. This technique requires considerable surface area and therefore is not desirable for highly integrated devices.
Another known solution is deep trench isolation, a technique where relatively deep trenches are filled with dielectric material and positioned between active regions. Unfortunately, forming reliable deep trenches is complicated and challenging, especially as spacing between devices get smaller. In addition, acceptable isolation is often not possible unless the depth of the trench is larger than the well depth.
Another isolation solution is the shallow trench isolation (STI) method, where a STI structure is formed to electrically isolate the two more active regions within a chip. The use of STI structure is advantageous in that it occupies a smaller area than the field oxide isolation and is easier to make than the deep trench isolation. Nevertheless, there are some fabrication problems or concerns associated with the STI. One such a problem is that a groove may be formed around the STI, resulting in uneven profiles that may cause current problems. This groove problem is particularly problematic for devices requiring thick gate oxides, e.g., devices having dual gate oxide layers. Another problem is that the thick gate oxide thickness on the STI corner is thinner than the plain region. This results in two oxide thickness on the STI corner is thinner than the plain region. This results in two problems: (1) the gate oxide quality degradation and (2) a leaky transistor, especially on NMOS. The electric field concentrates on a sharp corner region and causes the threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor to decrease partially in the STI corner region, which results in a sub-threshold leakage current, also referred to as a "double hump" problem.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A shoe assembly that enables a person to wear a wresting shoe or similar athletic shoe that has no cushioning material in its sole, and selectively attach an overshoe that has highly padded soles. In this way, an athlete can comfortably train on and off padded surfaces without having to change shoes. The athletic shoe has a first sole, a first toe section and a first heel section, wherein the first sole has surfaces with contoured shapes. An overshoe is provided that defines an interior sized to exactly receive a portion of the athletic shoe therein. The overshoe has surfaces that engage the contoured shapes of the wrestling shoe surfaces. This prevents the athletic shoe from moving within the overshoe. The sole of the overshoe is padded. In this manner, an athlete can add or remove padding from the shoe assembly by adding or removing the overshoe.

1. Field of the Invention
In general, the present invention relates to the structure of athletic shoes. More particularly, the present invention relates to shoe systems that include a primary athletic shoe and a secondary overshoe that can be selectively attached to the athletic shoe.
2. Prior Art Description
Many different sports have athletic shoes that are specifically designed for use within that sport. Wrestling is no exception. Wrestling shoes are made to be as lightweight and as flexible as possible, while still being able to provide support to the wrestler's ankles. What is most unique about wrestling shoes is that they contain little or no padding along the heel and toe of the shoe. In this manner, a wrestler can feel as though he is barefoot and can have great stability and traction against the soft matting of the wrestling mat.
Although wrestling shoes have many benefits when worn on the soft padding of a wrestling mat, such shoes have many disadvantages when worn on surfaces other than that of the wrestling mat.
Since wrestling shoes have little or no padding along the sole and heel, wrestling shoes provide very little shock absorption when worn on a hard surface, such as a wooden gymnasium floor. Accordingly, if a wrestler skips rope, jogs, or otherwise warms up off the wrestling mat, the wrestler exposes his muscles, bones, and joints to unpadded impact forces that can easily cause discomfort or even injury. Likewise, during wrestling practices, when a coach may instruct a wrestler to run laps, or run drills on the hard gymnasium floor, the wrestler increases his chance of injury by wearing wrestling shoes.
Of course, a wrestler may change between wrestling shoes and training shoes whenever a wrestler enters and leaves a wrestling mat. However, this is highly impractical. During practice, a wrestler may enter and leave the padded wrestling mat numerous times. Likewise, during a meet, wrestlers often warm up after having already changed into their wrestling equipment. Having to stop to change shoes between the warm-up and the match is highly inconvenient.
In the prior art, there have been many auxiliary shoes that have been designed to cover athletic shoes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D436,245 to Krussman, entitled Athletic Shoe Cover, discloses an auxiliary shoe cover that protects an athletic shoe from water and dirt. U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,901 to Leonor, entitled Spike Convertible Sport Shoe discloses an auxiliary shoe that adds golfing spikes to the bottom of an athletic shoe. Furthermore, there are many auxiliary shoes in the prior art for covering and protecting the spikes of golf shoes and other athletic shoes so that these shoes can be worn indoors.
However, in the prior art, no shoe system has been found where a wrestling shoe with no sole padding is provided with an auxiliary cover that is padded in the manner of a training shoe. In this manner, an athlete can wear only the wrestling shoe when on the wrestling mat and both the wresting shoe and its auxiliary cover when off the wrestling mat. This improved shoe system is described and claimed below.

Wrestling shoe assembly that includes an auxiliary overshoe


A superabsorbent foam material is made by a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion polymerization comprising the steps of (a) dissolving an organic solvent-soluble surfactant in a water-insoluble monomer to form an organic phase; (b) blending the-organic phase with an aqueous phase using high shear mixing to form an emulsion, said aqueous phase comprising a water-soluble polymer, a cross-linking agent, and water; (c) polymerizing the water-insoluble monomer in the organic phase; (d) cross-linking the water-soluble polymer in the aqueous phase; and (e) final curing and drying the resulting foam.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process of preparing a microcellular foam by a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) polymerization process and, more particularly, to a HIPE polymerization process for preparing a hydrophilic/oleophilic foam including polymerizing a water-insoluble monomer in a continuous organic phase, and polymerizing one or more water-soluble monomers and/or cross-linking a water-soluble polymer in an internal aqueous phase.
2. Brief Description of Related Technology
Foams are used as absorbent material, insulation, light weight structural articles, cushions and impact (or shock) absorbers. Hydrophilic microcellular foams prepared by HIPE polymerization have been of particular use as absorption media in a host of applications ranging from personal care, such as diaper and adult incontinence devices, to general fluid absorption for spills.
An emulsion is a dispersion of one liquid phase in another, immiscible, liquid phase. Among the many emulsions are oil-in-water and water-in-oil. In an oil-in-water emulsion, an oil phase is dispersed in an aqueous phase, while in a water-in oil emulsion a water phase is dispersed in an oil phase.
In general, essential ingredients in an emulsion polymerization include water, a water-insoluble monomer, an oil-in-water emulsifier capable of suspending oil (organic) droplets in a water (aqueous) phase, and a polymerization initiator, such as a free radical initiator compound (or compounds) which releases free radicals capable of initiating polymerization. HIPE polymerization processes typically include, in addition to the ingredients listed above, a water-insoluble comonomer, and a water-soluble electrolyte for the purpose of preventing the water-insoluble monomer and comonomer from dissolving or dispersing in the aqueous phase.
HIPE polymerization processes have proven to be an excellent method of preparing low density foams for use as absorption media, and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,207 to Dryer et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,015 to DesMarais et al. However, such known HIPE polymerization processes disclosed in these patents and other prior art yield materials with large, closed cells which do not contribute to absorption, or must be post-polymerization surface-treated to provide the polymer with hydrophilicity. Furthermore, none of these patents or other prior art disclose polymerizing a monomer or cross-linking a polymer or monomer in an internal aqueous phase.
Notwithstanding these known methods of HIPE polymerization, there is a continuing need to optimize the absorption capacity of low density foams. However, at the same time, there is a continuing need to maintain or even improve other desirable characteristics of these low density foams, such as a capability to absorb both water and oil (hydrophilic and oleophilic properties), structural integrity, and a desirable softness to touch. More absorbent foams would satisfy existing consumer demands for a better product.
It would be desirable to provide a process for making such low density absorbent foams by a HIPE polymerization process where it is possible to minimize the yield of large, closed cells.

Hydrophilic/oleophilic microcellular foam and method for making same


An RF-driven plasma source, including a pair of spaced-apart plasma electrodes, wherein the electrodes act as plates of a capacitor, the gas electrically discharges and creates a plasma of both positive and negative ions, in a clean process that enables efficient sample analysis, with preferred isolated sample photo-ionization, reduced-power operation and also including signal detection with modulated drive electronics.

Creation of ionized particles is a useful tool for many applications, such as for ignition of lasing or to assist chemical analysis, among other uses. In some equipment, high energy radioactive sources of alpha or beta particles are employed for the ionization process. However, because of the potential health hazard and need for regulation, wide-spread use of equipment using radioactive ionization sources has been limited. And even though smoke alarms use radioactive sources, the amount of ionization is low, and they still require government regulation.
There are several ionization methods that avoid radioactive sources. Corona discharge is a source of non-radioactive ionization. It provides high energy in a compact package. However, this process is not stable and can contaminate the sample with metal ions or NOx, as would interfere with analytical results. Furthermore, the generated ion species depends upon the applied voltage.
RF discharge ionization reduces some of these disadvantageous effects. RF discharges are subdivided into inductive and capacitive discharges, differing in the way the discharge is produced.
Inductive methods are based on electromagnetic induction so that the created electric field is a vortex field with closed lines of force. Inductive methods are used for high-power discharges, such as for production of refractory materials, abrasive powders, and the like.
Capacitive discharge methods are used to maintain RF discharges at moderate pressures p˜1–100 Torr and at low pressures p˜10−3–1 Torr. The plasma in them is weakly ionized and non-equilibrium, like that of a corona discharge. Moderate-pressure discharges have found application in laser technology to excite CO2 lasers, while low-pressure discharges are used for ion treatment of materials and in other plasma technologies.
Another ionization process is UV ionization. This process is sometimes referred to as atmospheric pressure photo-ionization (APPI). In low pressure conditions, photo-ionization involves direct interaction of photons with samples, forming positively charged molecular ions and free electrons. At elevated pressure conditions, the situation is not so simple and the ionization process for sample molecules can include a sequence of gas phase reactions, the details of which depend on the energetic properties of initially formed ions and free electrons (due to direct photo-ionization) and on the nature of the ambient gas.
One disadvantage of UV ionization is that it provides low to moderate ionization energies. This limits the types of molecules that can be ionized. As well, sometimes APPI can give unexpected results. The photons are typically generated in a tube, with the photons passing through a window, and this window material affects efficiency. Also, the surfaces of the UV devices can become contaminated or coated from the ionization product, which can degrade device performance or output intensity. As well, the UV tubes can be delicate and fragile, and hence are generally not suitable to operation in harsh environments or in applications requiring a significant amount of manual handling.

Method and apparatus for plasma generation


A reduced sugar syrup having an advantageously low viscosity is prepared by hydrolysis of starch or starchy material using a particular type of alpha amylase enzyme which yields a saccharide distribution having a low DP1-2 and low DP11+ content. The DP4 content of the syrup may be favorably increased by using a maltotetragenic alpha amylase enzyme in combination with the aforementioned alpha amylase enzyme. The syrup is useful in the production of food, beverage, animal feed, animal health and nutrition, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic compositions and may be combined with a high intensity sweetener to provide a composition capable of being substituted for conventional corn syrups.

Consumer products with high sugar content have come under wide criticism for their purported links to obesity and associated health conditions. Consumers are increasingly looking for products that have low sugar content on their ingredients label. For label purposes, sugars are explicitly defined as mono or dimeric carbohydrates (DP1-2, where DP is "degree of polymerization"). To fulfill a low sugar content need, food companies are actively investigating ingredient formulations that will reduce the sugar content of their formulations. Current corn syrups on the market can have a sugar content as high as 95% (HFCS); typically, the sugar content ranges from 40% to 95%. A 63 dextrose equivalent (DE) corn syrup such as Sweetose® 4300 will have a sugar content of 64-66% and a high maltose syrup can have a sugar content in the range of 40-60%. These syrups are currently used as bulking agents, sweeteners, texture modifiers, and viscosity agents and for moisture control in food applications. For bulking syrups, viscosity is an important physical property. One method of reducing sugar content in corn syrups is to substitute the sugars with higher carbohydrate polymers (DP>11). But this could significantly change the colligative properties of these syrups, especially the viscosity. A change in viscosity cannot only adversely affect the aesthetic value of the food product but also creates a need for special manufacturing equipment. To avoid these issues, there is a need for a corn syrup that has substantially lower sugar content but possesses a viscosity similar to that of a 63 DE corn syrup.
Some companies are currently using polyols to reduce the sugar content of syrups. However, polyols can be expensive and many of them have undesired gastrointestinal side effects.

Reduced sugar syrups and methods of making reduced sugar syrups


An aerial vehicle is programmed or configured to respond to reports of events or conditions within spaces of a facility. The aerial vehicle travels to a location of a reported event or condition and captures data using onboard sensors. The aerial vehicle independently determines whether the reported event or condition is occurring, or is otherwise properly addressed by resources that are available at the location, using images or other data captured by the onboard sensors. Alternatively, the aerial vehicle transmits a request for additional resources to be provided at the location, where necessary. A map of the location generated based on images or other data captured by the onboard sensors may be utilized for any purpose, such as to make one or more recommendations of products that are appropriate for use at the facility.

Many security systems are configured to monitor a space within a home, an office, or another facility to determine whether one or more predetermined substances is present within the facility, or whether one or more hazardous conditions is occurring there. For example, some security systems include sensors that may be mounted to fixed and movable portions of doors, windows or other portals, and configured to generate one or more signals when such portals are opened or closed. Some security systems also include one or more motion detectors that are configured to emit light at various wavelengths (e.g., infrared or microwave light) into spaces, and to generate one or more signals where return times of reflected light signals are different, due to the presence of one or more moving objects within such spaces. Some security systems also include one or more smoke detectors having photoelectric sensors with light sources that emit light into sensing chambers, or ionization chambers that permit electric current flow to pass between pairs of plates, and are configured to generate one or more signals upon determining that smoke is present within one or more spaces based on disruptions in the passage of light or the flow of current within such chambers. Some security systems also include one or more water sensors having probes or elements that form parts of electrical circuits that are open when the probes or sensors are dry, and closed when the probes or sensors are wet, and are configured to generate one or more signals upon determining that water is present within one or more spaces, e.g., when such circuits are closed. Security systems may include any number of such sensors, or other sensors, such as thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide detectors, radon detectors, or others.
Security systems may also be outfitted with one or more transceivers or other communication components that are configured to contact an owner or other occupant of a facility when one or more predetermined events or conditions are detected within one or more spaces of the facility. Where a sensor determines that one or more of the predetermined events or conditions is occurring, and an owner or other occupant of (or personnel associated with) the facility is not present or is unreachable, such security systems may also contact one or more public or private authorities, which may then dispatch resources to a location of the facility to determine whether the one or more predetermined events or conditions is actually occurring, or to determine a degree or an extent to which such events or conditions are occurring.
Unfortunately, many security systems have extremely high rates of "false alarms," in which one or more sensors at a facility reports, in error, that an event or condition is occurring at a facility. Security systems, or public or private authorities dispatched in response to signals received from such systems, are typically programmed or instructed to treat all reports of events or conditions as if such events or conditions are actually occurring. Dispatching resources to a facility in response to a report of an event or condition comes at a cost, however, and where such reports are false, or are otherwise erroneous or misstated, resources that are dispatched in response to such reports are typically unavailable to respond to reports of events or conditions that are actually occurring or present at the facility or elsewhere.
Furthermore, many security systems that rely on cameras, microphones or other acoustic or visual sensors, may subject owners or other occupants of facilities to privacy risks. For example, cameras or microphones that are mounted outside or inside of facilities, or otherwise in association with the facilities, may be configured for continuous operation by one or more security systems. To the extent that such systems are subject to hacking, spoofing or other surreptitious acts, data captured using cameras or microphones for the purposes of monitoring or ensuring the safety of spaces within a home, an office, or another facility may end up in the wrong hands, thereby unintentionally, and ironically, leaving the owners or occupants less secure for having installed and operated such systems.
Moreover, most security systems are installed in a static manner, and are unable to determine when any structural or functional variations or modifications have occurred in spaces where such systems are installed. Most security systems that are installed within a space are also not integrated with existing systems within the space, and are instead limited to performing specific security-related functions.


A backlight module having separate display regions includes integrally-farmed frames, a first and a second engaging structures, and multiple sets of optical components. The frames are constructed to define multiple accommodation spaces corresponding to the positions of the display regions, and the first engaging structure is provided on the frames. Each set of the optical components includes a light source, a light guide, a diffuser, and a brightness enhancing film. The second engaging structure is provided on the optical components and coupled to the first engaging structure.

(a) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a backlight module and, more particularly, to a backlight module used in a display device having separate display regions.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Recently, a display device having a plurality of separate display regions, such as a double-sided LCD, becomes more popular.
In the conventional design of the aforesaid display device, a set of optical components, such as a light guide, a diffuser and a brightness enhancing film, are combined with a LCD panel to constitute one of the display regions of the display device, where each set of the optical components is accommodated in an individual housing. Hence, as multiple sets of optical components are provided to constitute their respective display regions, a plurality of separate housings, clasped or bound with each other, are thus needed to result in a high manufacture cost. Further, the combination of separate housings in a backlight module accompanying with excess joints may decrease the structural strength and production yield of the backlight module.


Described herein are systems and methods for configuring a BMS. In general terms, the present technology is focused on approaches for arranging and modeling building information data, particularly in terms of equipment categories and relationships between pieces of equipment, for example in the context of an HVAC system. This is advantageous in the sense that the likes of visualization, application creation, and reporting are able to be significantly streamlined. Various embodiments make use of an “equipment model”, being a model which defines items for each piece of equipment in a building system based on predefined standards, thus allowing for predictable descriptions (for example in terms of data points and relationships). Some embodiments combine this with a facility model, which describes a building in spatial terms.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
A building management system (BMS) is an IT component used to assist in the monitoring and management of various components within a building. Traditionally, the focus of BMS technology has been HVAC management, although it is also common for a BMS to have functionalities extending to other systems such as security, fire, and the like.
The configuration of a BMS is a complex process, requiring a great deal of engineering. Unfortunately, much of the contextual information collected during that engineering is inherently lost, for example context surrounding the nature, purpose and/or location of physical devices (for example binary/analogue inputs and outputs). This has unfortunate downstream consequences in terms of system adaptability, and the complexity of applications written to interact with the system.
It follows that there is a need in the art for improved systems and methods for managing building control systems.

Systems and methods for configuring a building management system


In upgrading a concentrated executable computer code with an upgrade code, a first indexed list is created of a plurality of index references corresponding to first identifiers of the first type code structures in the concentrated code, the first indexed list further containing upgrade flags to indicate whether corresponding first type code structures identified by the first identifiers have been upgraded. A first indexed upgrade list is created of a plurality of index references corresponding to first identifiers of the first type code structures in the upgrade code. A state of each upgrade flag is set to indicate whether a corresponding first identifier in the first indexed list has been upgraded based on comparing the first identifiers in the first indexed upgrade list with the first identifiers in the first indexed list.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,780, the Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo Alto, Calif. describe a system for concentrating executable computer software code. This system involves parsing the computer software code by means of concentrating software. The concentrating software achieves this by a series of scans of the computer software code.
The first scan identifies all unique classes referenced in the computer software code and includes the identifier of each such class into a "ClassList". The second scan searches for all unique methods (the identifiers of which are stored in a "MethodList") and the third scan searches for all unique Fields (the identifiers of which are stored in a "FieldList").
Every class identified in the ClassList is then scanned to determine whether there are references to further classes not recorded in the ClassList. If so, then the identifier for such classes is added to the ClassList. The process is then repeated in relation to the newly added classes. In this manner, all unique classes referenced in the computer software code are identified in the ClassList.
Once this scan has been completed, every class in the ClassList is again scanned, but this time to determine any further methods not recorded in the MethodList. If a method is found that is not included in the MethodList, then the identifier for the method is added to the MethodList. The process continues until all classes in the ClassList have been scanned for further methods.
A further scan is used to identify all further fields not included in the FieldList and add their identifier to the FieldList. This scan involves traversing all classes in the ClassList and every method in these classes to identify further fields. The ClassList, MethodList and FieldList are then each sorted and reformatted into a canonical list form. Each class, method and field in the ClassList, MethodList and FieldList, respectively, is also assigned a unique index reference (typically an integer corresponding to the position of the corresponding identifier within the appropriate canonical list).
Local data referenced by each method of each class are then stored in an array for each class. The local data reference in each method is then replaced with the index value of the location of the local data in the array. The computer software code can then be executed with class, method and field invocations being resolved as part of the execution process.
The problem with this arrangement is that the use of index references to corresponding canonical lists hinders upgrading of the computer software code. To illustrate, if an upgrade requires a class to be added, deleted or changed, then all the index values of classes in the condensed computer software code may be affected in such a manner that parts of the bytecode invoke the wrong class, method or field during execution.
Further, if the condensed computer software code is burned into a ROM, any change in the computer software code will require the ROM to be refreshed. This may not be possible, however, if the device is in the hands of the end-users.
Accordingly, there is a need to record only the information necessary to perform the upgrade and to use this information together with computer software code concentrated according to the system described above.

System and apparatus for upgrading concentrated executable computer software code without reconcentration

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A coupling has two parts supported one inside the other, which are rotatable relative to one another around a common longitudinal axis. Together, the parts form a chamber filled with a highly viscous fluid and which is sealed by an axially movable piston. The coupling also includes a friction coupling with friction elements, having a spring assembly which is supported on a stop part and acting on a pressure plate. When the piston is in a position of rest, the friction elements of the friction coupling are held against a further stop part under pretension generated when the relative rotation begins. In the case of axial displacement, the piston displaces the pressure plate against the force of the spring assembly towards the first stop part, with there being provided an axial gap between the piston in a position of rest and a further stop part which is displaceable towards the first stop part. An axial gap is also provided between the pressure plate and the friction elements on the one hand and the first stop part on the other hand when the piston is in a position of rest.

The invention relates to a coupling comprising two parts supported one inside the other, which are rotatable relative to one another around a common longitudinal axis. Together, the parts form a chamber which is filled with a highly viscous fluid and which is sealed by an axially movable piston which is in a rest position when the two parts do not rotate relative to one another. In the chamber, between a pair of surfaces associated with the one and the other of the parts rotatable relative to one another, there is formed at least one circumferentially extending shear channel in which, in the case of a relative rotation between the parts rotatable relative to one another, pressure is built up in the fluid. The pressure loads the piston. Further, a friction coupling has friction elements which are connected to the one and the other two parts in a rotationally fast and displaceable way, and a stop part which is axially firmly associated with one of the rotatable parts, to achieve torque transmission between the rotatable parts as a function of a relative rotation.
Couplings of this type are offered by the Applicant under the name of Visco Lok couplings and have already been described in DE 43 27 519.2 and DE 43 43 307.3. On the one hand, they serve as differential locks in differential drives such as they are used in driving axles in the form of axle differentials or between two driving axles as distributor differentials. On the other hand, they can also be used on their own in the driveline of a motor vehicle wherein--only if there exists a speed differential between the axles of the vehicle--an additional axle is temporarily to be provided with torque (hang-on solution).
As the couplings do not increasingly build up a locking effect unless there exists a speed differential, their locking effect equals zero when starting the vehicle with all wheels in the stationary condition, so that it is quite possible for one wheel initially to spin if its friction coefficient relative to the road surface is different from the other ones (.mu. split). To avoid such wheel spin, it has already been proposed to provide a spring assembly which already loads the friction elements with a pretension when the piston is in a position of rest, so that there exists a locking effect even when the speed of all wheels is zero. However, such an assembly is disadvantageous in that it considerably aggravates slow vehicle maneuvering in the course of which it is typical for speed differentials to occur between all the steered wheels or between the steered wheels and the unsteered wheels.

Transmitting coupling with maneuvering characteristics


A method and an apparatus for providing easy alignment of two surface shapes of a three-dimensional object, obtained from different directions of line of sight. There are executed data entry of the two surface shapes, and initialization and storage of the direction of line of sight in the projected display of the surface shapes. The variables define the position and direction of the surface shape, and the position of a section plane for the surface shapes, to display projected images and section images. The setting of the position and direction of the surface shape and the position of the section plane is changed, thereby aligning the surface shapes, and, after the alignment, the amounts of translation and rotation of the surface shape is released.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an alignment method for a three-dimensional (3D) object, for aligning plural surface shapes acquired by measuring the three-dimensional object from plural different directions, and an apparatus therefor.
The present invention also relates to a unifying method for three-dimensional shape data, for aligning plural surface shapes acquired as mentioned above, as shape data utilizing plural triangular patches, thereby unifying these data into single three-dimensional shape data, and an apparatus therefor.
The present invention also relates to an information processing apparatus capable, in the unifying process for the above-mentioned surface shapes, of unifying plural hierarchic geometrical shape data utilizing polygon patches, into a single hierarchic geometrical shape data, and a method therefor.
2. Related Background Art
There has been developed technology for entering the three-dimensional shape data of an object, utilizing for example an image input apparatus capable of entering a distanced image. The input of such distanced image has been achieved, for example, by:
(1) light wave distance measurement for measuring the light flight time by time measurement or phase measurement and determining the distance to the object from the time required by the light to reach the object and return therefrom; or PA1 (2) trigonometric distance measurement by taking a scene from different angles with plural cameras and determining the corresponding points in the images taken by the cameras; or PA1 (3) trigonometric measurement utilizing a camera and a projector for projecting a light pattern [S. Iguchi et al., Optoelectronics (1985), No. 12, pp.59] PA1 translation means for translating the shape data of respective hierarchic levels of said plural hierarchic three-dimensional shape data to a positional relationship for unification; PA1 setting means for selecting two shape data from the shape data after translation by said translation means and setting a section plane constituting the boundary plane after the unification of the two; PA1 division means for dividing each of the two shape data by the section plane and forming gap areas on both sides of the section plane, in portions to be used for unifying thus divided shape data; PA1 unification means for generating polygon patches in the gap areas thereby unifying the two shape data; PA1 first control means for causing the unification means to effect unification of the shape data on all the plural hierarchic three-dimensional shape data; and PA1 second control means for causing the first control means to effect unification on all the hierarchic levels of the plural hierarchic three-dimensional shape data, utilizing the results of translation by the translation means and the section planes. PA1 Also the above-mentioned objects can be attained, according to the present invention, by another information processing apparatus for processing plural three-dimensional shape data, comprising: PA1 translation means for translating the three-dimensional shape data to be unified into a positional relationship in a unified state; PA1 setting means for setting, for two shape data after translation by said translation means, a section plane constituting the boundary plane of the unification of the two: PA1 translation means for translating the three-dimensional shape data to be unified to a positional relationship in unified state; PA1 setting means for setting, for two shape data after translation by the translation means, a section plane constituting a boundary plane for the unification of the two; PA1 division means for dividing each of the two shape data by the section plane, and forming gap areas on both sides of the section plane between the partial shapes to be used for unification of thus divided shape data; PA1 extraction means for extracting vertexes constituting the gap areas in the partial shapes to be used for unification of the shape data and vertexes contained in the partial shapes, among those of the aperture contained in the shape data; PA1 unification means for generating, utilizing the vertexes extracted by the extraction means, polygon patches in the gap areas, thereby unifying the two shape data.
The shape data of an object are generated from thus entered data of the distanced image, by preparing normal line vectors of plural resolutions, then preparing plural edge map data from the distanced image data and the normal line vectors thereby generating polygon data of plural sizes, and generating triangular patches by dividing the polygon data into triangles.
It is also proposed to prepare a three-dimensional geometrical model, based on thus entered distanced image data, by approximating the surface shape of the three-dimensional object with small planar patches (for example as disclosed in the U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/300,997).
It is in general possible to more precisely express the surface irregularities of the three-dimensional shape by employing a larger number of planar patches of smaller areas, but, in the computer processing of the three-dimensional data, the amount of processing can be reduced with a smaller number of patches. It is therefore generally practiced to prepare plural three-dimensional shape data, different in the precision of shape expression, and to suitably switch these shape data according to the processing ability of the computer or the operation status of the application. The level of such precision of the shape expression will be defined as a "hierarchy", and the shape data of plural hierarchic levels will be collectively called "hierarchic three-dimensional shape data". There is already proposed a method of preparing such hierarchic three-dimensional data (for example as disclosed in the U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/300,997).
Also for displaying such distanced image, there is known a method of displaying an image of the three-dimensional object, seen from an arbitrary direction of line of sight, and changing the direction of line of sight with a suitable device such as a mouse or a keyboard.
However, as the above-mentioned distanced image input apparatus utilizes two-dimensional (2D) optical scanning based on a rotating mirror or a fixed camera, the measurement of the rear side, upper face or bottom of the object is not possible. For acquiring the three-dimensional shape data of the object from all the directions, it is necessary to unify the surface shape data of the object measured from plural directions. Since the surface shapes acquired from different directions of measurement generally have respectively different three-dimensional coordinate systems, it becomes necessary, in unifying the plural surface shape data, to effect alignment for determining the positional relationship among the surface shapes.
For aligning the plural surface shapes of the three-dimensional object, there can be utilized the above-mentioned display method according to the direction of line of sight. More specifically the alignment is conducted by displaying an image, obtained by projecting the surface shapes onto a known plane in the three-dimensional space, and manually adjusting the position and the direction of one or plural surface shapes in the three-dimensional space, while watching the displayed image, so as that the same parts in the surface shapes mutually coincide. This method, however, is associated with a drawback of generating a positional aberration in a direction perpendicular to the projected plane, since, in this method, it is difficult to detect the displacement of the three-dimensional object in the above-mentioned direction on the projected image.
FIG. 8A shows a projected image obtained by aligning two surface shapes on a projecting plane, and FIG. 8B shows an image on a different projecting plane, of the two surface shapes maintained in the same positional relationship as in FIG. 8A. From FIGS. 8A and 8B it will be understood that a positional aberration is generated between the two surface shapes, in a direction perpendicular to the projecting plane of FIG. 8A.
In order to resolve the above-mentioned drawback, there is proposed a method of simultaneously displaying images of the three-dimensional object onto different plural projecting planes and manually aligning the three-dimensional object with the help of these projected images. In this method, however, the operator is required to adjust the position of the surface shapes while watching the positional aberrations between the two surface shapes on the plural displayed images, and such operation is not only difficult but also cumbersome and time-consuming, and is extremely burdensome for the operator.
On the other hand, the efficiency of generation of the three-dimensional shape data can be apparently improved if plural three-dimensional shape data can be unified to generate new three-dimensional shape data. However, for the hierarchic three-dimensional shape data mentioned above, there has not been known a method for unifying plural three-dimensional shape data.
Also in unifying the shape data having an aperture, the unified shape data may contain a void portion by the influence of the aperture unless the shape data to be unified are appropriately positioned. Particularly in the hierarchic three-dimensional shape data, the shape data of each hierarchic level may vary delicately, so that the influence of the aperture may happen or not depending on the hierarchic level.

Unification of three-dimensional image data having plural surface shapes


A lightweight foldable cart for transporting on wheels one end of a small boat including a pair of identical frame or strut members, each being U-shaped with spaced arms extending parallel to each other from ends of a rear plate. Distal ends of the arms each include an opening for a shaft so that when the shaft extends through the openings joining the distal ends of the arms the frame members can be rotated about the shaft from an extended, deployed position to a folded position for storage. Each rear plate has an opening for an axle, which extends through the openings in the rear plate for supporting rotatable wheels at each end of the axle. A boat supporting bumper is mounted on the distal ends of the arms when the strut members are extended into the deployed position. The bumper is shaped to accommodate a bottom of the end of the boat to be supported and transported.

Various single and multiple use carts exist which can carry or transport a canoe, kayak or small boat by hand. None of the existing carts however, fold up as compactly, specifically to fit in the sealed hatch compartment of many touring or sea kayaks. This is essential for camping trips, which may entail transporting a loaded kayak by ferry, or for moving boat, paddling equipment and supplies over various terrain to another location, either a campsite or for portage. The design of the cart, its method of folding and the possibility of using various wheel options with the same unit is unique to this cart.

Foldable field transportable cart for small boats


An implement may be configured to displace ground material. For example, an implement may include roller apparatus configured to engage a ground surface and form a plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface. The roller apparatus may include a cylindrical portion and a plurality of ground displacing elements, and the plurality of ground displacing elements may form the plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface as the cylindrical portion is rolled over the ground surface.

The present disclosure relates to implements and implement systems for use in displacing ground material. The implements may include roller apparatus configured to engage a ground surface and form a plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface.
Water distributed through irrigation systems or from rain may be unevenly dispersed over an agricultural field due to runoff and further may be subject to evaporation. For example, a sloped or angled ground surface may also contribute to water runoff where water may run from higher areas of a field to lower areas of the field. Additionally, water exposed on the top of the ground surface may be subject to evaporation.

Implements, implement systems, and methods for displacing ground material