We propose methods for generating a halftone image, in which each pixel takes one of two tone values. The generated image contains hidden data, which is present at data storage pixels chosen using a pseudo-random number generator. In a first case, the data is hidden within an existing halftone image by reversing the tone value at certain of the data storage pixels, and at pixels neighbouring the data storage pixels. In a second case, the halftone image is generated from a grey-scale image, and data is hidden during this conversion process.

Nowadays images appear routinely in massively distributed printed matter, such as books, magazines, newspapers, printer outputs and fax documents. Images appear also routinely in widely accessible web pages, and multimedia files on the Internet and in storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD. Associated with the widespread circulation of images are issues of copyright infringement, authentication and privacy, so it is often desirable to include within the images data such as company identity, owner information, creation date and time, for copyright protection and authentication purposes. Such embedded data has been referred to as "watermarking data". The embedded object may for example be an image, a video sequence, an audio clip, a speech file, or a fax document. In the case that the embedded data is an image, the watermark may be visible or invisible, and the present invention is particularly concerned with invisible watermarks.
In many such images, each pixel takes one of many tone values. Such an image with at least three tone values, and normally many more, such as 256 tone values, is here referred to as a multitone image or grey scale image.
Quite a number of watermarking methods are known for natural grey scale images, so it is now possible to hide large amounts of data without suffering a great loss of image quality. For such algorithms, an important issue is the "robustness" of the watermarking, that is how hard it is for a third party to remove the watermark.
However, few, if any, known watermarking algorithms can be applied to "halftone" images—that is images in which each position (pixel) takes one of two values. Halftoning is a method often used to transform multi-tone images (typically with 256 levels) into images with two-tone colors (2 levels). Such methods are used widely in computer printers, newspaper/magazine/book publishing, fax machines, etc. From a distance, halftone images resemble images with multi-tones.
There are two main kinds of halftoning techniques, namely, ordered dithering (see B. E. Bayers, "An Optimum Method for Two Level Rendition of Continuous Tone Pictures," Proc. of IEEE Int. Communication Conf., pp 2611-2615, 1973) and error diffusion (R. W. Floyd, L. Steinberg, "An Adaptive Algorithm for Spatial Greyscale," Proc. SID, pp. 75-77, 1976.). Ordered Dithering is a computationally simple and effective halftoning method, usually adopted in low-end printers. It compares the pixel intensities with some pseudo random threshold patterns or screens in order to determinate its 2-tone output.
Table 1 shows an example of a dithering screen (taken from L. M. Chen, H. M. Hang, "An Adaptive Inverse Halftoning Algorithm", IEEE Trans. on Image Processing, Vol. 6, No. 8, August 1997), which will be used throughout this document. FIG. 4 shows an original 8 bit grey scale image, Lena, of size 512×512 that will be used throughout this paper. FIG. 12 is the halftoned version of Lena produced using ordered dithering.
TABLE 1"8 × 8 dispersed-dot" dither matrix0328402341042481656245018582612444361446638602842206230442233511431339415119592749175725154773913455376331452361294321
Error diffusion is an advanced technique usually used in high-end printers. It is more complicated than ordered dithering, but it can generate halftone images with higher visual quality. It is a single pass algorithm. In error diffusion, the halftoning output is obtained by comparing the image pixels with a fixed threshold. However, the halftoning error is fed back to its adjacent neighbors so that each image pixel has effectively an adaptive threshold. The error feedback helps to maintain approximately equal local intensity average between the original multi-tone images and the corresponding halftone images. An essential component of error diffusion is its error feedback kernel. Different kernels can have quite different behavior. Two commonly used error feedback kernels are used in this article. They are the Jarvis kernel and the Steinberg kernel shown in Tables 2 and 3.
For illustration, halftoned images of "Lena" processed with the Jarvis and Steinberg kernels are shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 5 respectively. The Jarvis kernel has a large support and tends to give halftone images with high contrast and coarse texture. The Steinberg kernel has smaller support and gives halftone images with fine texture and good contrast. In each case, each element of tables 2 and 3 refers to a respective pixel. The element with an entry marked "x" refers to the pixel currently being processed. Each numerical entry shows the weighting of the effect on the pixel presently being processed from the error caused by halftoning in the pixel with the numerical entry.
TABLE 2The Jarvis kernel135313575357X
TABLE 3The Steinberg kernel1357X
It is well known that most image processing techniques such as filtering or resizing cannot be applied to a halftone image to produce another halftone image with good visual quality. Watermarking is not an exception. Most, if not all, existing watermarking schemes for natural images cannot be applied to halftone images due to the special characteristics of halftone images. Halftone images contain only two tones and have large amount of high frequency noise resulting in very little intensity redundancy. The halftone image pixels take on only two possible values, typically 0 and 255 (or black and white). Most existing watermarking schemes for natural images would generate images that require 8 bits to represent and will take on values other than 0 and 255.
However, there are some existing techniques for halftone image watermarking. It is known to use two different dithering matrices for the halftone generation (see Z. Baharav, D. Shaked, "Watermarking of Dither Halftoned Images", Proc. of SPIE Security and Watermarking of Multimedia Contents, pp. 307-313, January 1999) such that the different statistical properties due to the two dithering matrices can be detected in the future. It is also known to use stochastic screen patterns (see K. T. Knox, "Digital Watermarking Using Stochastic Screen Patterns", U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,752) and conjugate halftone screens (see S. G. Wang, "Digital Watermarking Using Conjugate Halftone Screens", U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,703) in which two screens are used to form two halftone images and the data is embedded through the correlations between two screens. The embedded pattern can be viewed when the two halftone images are overlaid. It is further known to embed some data in the angular orientation of circularly asymmetric halftone dot patterns that are written into the halftone cells of digital halftone images (see R. T. Tow, "Methods and Means for Embedding Machine Readable Digital Data in Halftone Images", U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,098).
As most halftone images are printed on paper, there are few possible digital attacks on the watermarked halftone images, even though there can be many physical attacks on the paper on which the images are printed. For this reason, rather than robustness, the data hiding capacity and the image quality are much more important issues for watermarking halftone images than for grey-tone images. One common characteristic of the above known watermarking methods is that they cannot embed a large amount of data in a halftone image without significant perceptual distortion.

Methods and apparatus for hiding data in halftone images

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology


In a video system, a method and system for cross-chrominance removal using motion detection are provided. A luma motion detector in a motion adaptive deinterlacer may be used to determine a chroma current motion for a pixel in a video frame. The chroma current motion may be modified, based on a chroma motion mechanism comprising of an edge detection, a back-off, and a motion biasing, when the output pixel is found to be in a static chroma area of the video frame. A static chroma threshold parameter may be used to determine whether the output pixel is in a static chroma area. A cross-chroma reduction determined based on the current chroma motion, may be blended in the motion adaptive deinterlacer with a spatial average approximation of the output pixel to remove the cross-chrominance from the output chroma.

In some conventional video processing systems, the transition from standard definition television (SDTV) to high definition television (HDTV) requires that advanced set-top boxes and televisions handle both standard-definition and high-definition video content in a high-quality manner. Cross-chrominance is a phenomenon that occurs when a composite video signal is separated into its luma (Y) and chroma (Cr, Cb) components. Cross-chrominance generally reduces the perceived quality of a HDTV signal. In a digital implementation, a composite video signal at baseband or immediate frequency (IF) is typically digitized using an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. In an IF sub-sampled implementation, the digitized IF signal is down-converted to baseband using, for example, a mixer and a vestigial side band (VSB) filter. The resulting baseband samples are processed by a video decoder (VDEC), which provides estimates of the originally transmitted luma and chroma components of the video signal. The VDEC may comprise a comb filter, which separates the baseband luma signal from the modulated chroma. Cross-chrominance occurs when the comb filter misinterprets a portion of the luma information in the video signal as chroma information. The misinterpretation may occur for a plurality of reasons. For example, misinterpretation may occur whenever the luma includes frequency components very close to the 3.58 MHz color sub-carrier used for chroma modulation and/or when high-frequency details in the picture cause few spatial correlations, such as in a 2-D case. Misinterpretation may also occur when a comb filter incorrectly discriminates 2-D/3-D, top line/bottom line and notch. In instances where cross-chrominance occurs in an area of the picture that is moving, it may be very difficult to determine the magnitude and phase of a corresponding cross-chrominance vector based on the estimated luma and chroma data received from the VDEC.
In addition to cross-chrominance artifacts, when the comb filter misinterprets chroma information in the video signal as luma information cross-luminance artifacts may occur. This artifact typically manifests itself as hanging dots which occur during a chroma transition. The magnitude of the cross-luminance is typically related to the magnitude of the cross-chrominance. Cross-luminance may also manifest itself as a softening of high-frequency edges that may be incorrectly interpreted as chroma information.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Method and system for cross-chrominance removal using motion detection


Cardiac performance associated with a current set of N pacing parameters is improved by adjusting the cardiac pacing parameters until optimal or substantially optimal cardiac performance is achieved. The cardiac performance associated with the current set of N pacing parameters is determined. An incrementing step, a determining step, and a increment updating step, are repeated for i=1 to N, where i represents which of the N pacing parameter is being adjusted. The incrementing step includes incrementing an ith pacing parameter in the current set of N pacing parameters based on a corresponding ith increment value, to thereby produce an ith set of test pacing parameters. The determining step includes determining a cardiac performance associated with the ith set of test pacing parameters. The increment updating step includes updating the ith increment value based on the cardiac performance associated with the ith set of test pacing parameters. Finally, after all of the N increment values have been updated, the current set of N pacing parameters is updated based on the updated increment values. The updated current set of N pacing parameters should provide superior cardiac performance than the previous current set of N pacing parameters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to implantable cardiac stimulation devices. The present invention more particularly relates to methods, systems and devices for adjusting cardiac pacing parameters to optimize pacing effectiveness.
2. Related Art
Implantable cardiac stimulation devices are well known in the art. Such devices may include, for example, implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators either alone or combined in a common enclosure. The devices are generally implanted in a pectoral region of the chest beneath the skin of a patient within what is known as a subcutaneous pocket. The implantable devices generally function in association with one or more electrode carrying leads which are implanted within the heart. The electrodes are positioned within the heart for making electrical contact with the muscle tissue of their respective heart chamber. Conductors within the leads couple the electrodes to the device to enable the device to deliver the desired electrical therapy.
Traditionally, therapy delivery has been limited to the right side of the heart. However, new lead structures and methods have been produced and practiced for also delivering cardiac rhythm management therapy from or to the left heart. These lead structures and methods provide electrode electrical contact with the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart by lead implantation within the coronary sinus of the heart. As is well known, the coronary sinus passes closely adjacent the left atrium, extends into the great vein adjacent the left ventricle, and then continues adjacent the left ventricle towards the apex of the heart.
It has been demonstrated that electrodes placed in the coronary sinus and great vein may be used for left atrial pacing, left ventricular pacing, and cardioversion and defibrillation. These advancements enable implantable cardiac stimulation devices to address the needs of the wide patient population, from those that would benefit from right heart side pacing alone, to those that would benefit from left heart side pacing in conjunction with right heart side pacing (bi-chamber pacing), to those that would benefit from left heart side pacing alone.
The potential of multi-site pacing to improve the hemodynamic status (also referred to as cardiac performance) of select patient populations is well established in the research community. One area of active research is in determining optimal ventricular pacing configurations. For example, the results of one study suggest that optimal results are obtained by pacing on the side of the heart that has the conduction delay, so that left ventricular pacing give superior performance for patients with a left bundle branch block, while right ventricular pacing yields better results in patients with right bundle branch block. As illustrated by those who conducted this study, the problem is typically couched in terms of pacing mode, so that comparison is made among right ventricular pacing, left ventricular pacing, and simultaneous bi-ventricular pacing. Unfortunately, this approach considers only a small subset of the parameter space, and therefore carries the risk of missing altogether the optimal pacing configuration (also referred to as the optimum pacing parameters).
Thus, there exists the further challenge, with multi-site pacing, of identifying the optimal pacing configuration (i.e., determining optimal pacing parameters). This challenge is complicated by the fact that only a limited region of the left ventricle is accessible for pacing, particularly when access is obtained via the coronary venous system.
A further challenge in multi-site pacing is that the number of potential pacing parameter combinations increases rapidly as the number of sites paced increases, making it that much more difficult to determine optimal pacing parameters. This problem can be formulated in terms of an abstract mathematical space, where each dimension of the space represents an adjustable independent pacing parameter. For example, in dual-chamber pacing (e.g., right atrium and right ventricle pacing) there is a single independent parameter, the atrioventricular (AV) delay (assuming a fixed pacing rate), and cardiac performance is a function of this parameter. In three chamber pacing (e.g., right atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle) there are two independent parameters (AV delay and interventricular RV-LV delay), and thus a two dimensional parameter space (assuming a fixed pacing rate). This can be generalized to any number of dimensions. For example, the parameter space of a four-chamber pacemaker would have three dimensions (assuming a fixed pacing rate). If pacing rate is also being analyzed then another dimension is added.
Although not efficient, an exhaustive search of a one dimensional parameter space (e.g., when two-sites are being paced with a fixed pacing rate) is possible, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,727. However, as the number of sites (and thus, parameters) increases, an exhaustive search of parameter space quickly become unworkable, as illustrated in the following table.
## of# of test pointstime averagetotal time for anof sitesdimensionsper dimensionper test pointexhaustive search21105 sec50 sec32105 sec8 min43105 sec1 hour, 20 min
Accordingly, there is a need for more efficient and effective methods, systems and devices for optimizing multiple pacing parameters.
An additional challenge in multi-site pacing is that the optimal pacing configuration is dependent on the physiologic state of the patient. In patients with Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, for example, the degree of obstruction is dependent on posture. Thus, the optimal pacing configuration for an unseated, walking patient is likely to be different from what is optimal for a patient who is sedated and supine on the examination or operating table. Thus, there is a need for efficient and effective methods, systems and devices for optimizing pacing parameters, that can dynamically adapt to changes in the physiologic state of the patient.
Further, the optimal pacing configuration may change as the patient's myocardial state changes. Myocardial remodeling is associated with the progression or regression of heart failure. Such remodeling may depend on response to therapy, lifestyle changes, and age. As the heart remodels, the optimum sequence of activation may change. For example, in the acute phase of pacemaker implantation, left ventricular pacing may have been optimal for a given patient. Over weeks or months, the heart may remodel such that more synchronous bi-ventricular pacing becomes optimal. Thus, there is a need for efficient and effective methods, systems and devices for optimizing pacing parameters, that can dynamically adapt to changes in the myocardial state of the patient.

Methods, systems and devices for optimizing cardiac pacing parameters


Methods and circuits for chain ring oscillators having a constant duty cycle and being insensitive to ground noise have been disclosed. The ring oscillator generates n outputs with 360°/n phase shift and each stage is delayed by

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to ring oscillator circuits and relates more particularly to a CMOS on-chip chain ring oscillator being insensitive to ground noise and having a constant 50% duty cycle over temperature and process variations.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Ring oscillators are used for a variety of purposes. Usually ring oscillators are used as an internally generated clocking source, or as a stage in a more complex system such as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) or a phase locked loop (PLL).
FIG. 1 prior art shows a block diagram of a 7-stage CMOS inverter chain ring oscillator. Normally the number of stages is an odd number with the output of the cascade fed back to the input of the inverter chain. An oscillator provides an output at a specific frequency with no input signal required. The frequency of the oscillator shown at FIG. 1 prior art is completely dependent on the inherent inverter time delay and is therefore not externally controllable.
Each stage of the ring oscillators shown in FIG. 1 prior art has a unity voltage gain and 360/7 degrees of phase shift.
It is obvious that any noise from any source is spreading through the oscillator and that changes of the temperature impacts the electrical properties of the inverter stages and hence impacts frequency and duty cycles of the ring oscillator.
It is a challenge for the engineers to build ring oscillators being insensitive in regard of noise and changes of temperature.
There are patents known in the area of ring oscillators:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,866 to Liu teaches a ring oscillator circuit, such as a VCO, with a relatively high level of noise rejection for noise originating from both the voltage supply and ground. The ring oscillator circuit is composed of a plurality of differential delay circuits, each differential delay circuit generating a differential output signal that is a delayed (and preferably inverted) version of a differential input signal. Each differential delay circuit includes first and second input transistors for receiving the differential input signal. Each differential delay circuit also includes first and second load transistors coupled in parallel with the respective first and second input transistors. Each differential delay circuit further includes a first current source coupled between the first input transistor and a first power supply terminal (e.g., a voltage supply terminal), a second current source coupled between the second input transistor and the first power supply terminal and a third current source coupled between the first and second input transistors and a second power supply terminal (e.g., a ground terminal). The first and second current sources reduce the coupling of noise from the first power supply terminal to the output. The third current source reduces the coupling of noise from the second power supply terminal to the output.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,683,504 to Abernathy discloses a ring oscillator integrated circuit comprising a plurality of parallely arranged ring oscillator sections, where a ring oscillator section can be any conventional ring oscillator circuit. That is, the inputs and the outputs of a plurality of conventional ring oscillators are connected together. Since each ring oscillator section output signal includes random noise, the parallel arrangement of ring oscillators, and the summing of several oscillator signals, causes at least some noise cancellation. As a result, a lower noise oscillator signal is supplied. A method of reducing random noise in a ring oscillator circuit is also provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,191 to Branch et al. discloses a low power and low jitter CMOS ring oscillator having a novel architecture that includes fully symmetrical differential current steering delay cells. This novel ring oscillator includes a first capacitor coupled between the first power supply rail and a bias voltage input. At least one stage couples across the first capacitor. Each stage includes a first transistor, a second capacitor, and a fully symmetrical differential delay cell. In an embodiment, the first transistor may be a PMOS transistor, where the drain of the first PMOS transistor connects to the first power supply rail and the gate of the first PMOS transistor couple to the bias voltage input. The second capacitor couples between the source of the first transistor and ground and acts as a low pass filter. As a result, the second capacitor minimizes the effects of the thermal and flicker noise of the devices, which provide the tail current. The fully symmetrical differential delay cell includes a control input, a differential input and a differential output. The control input couples to the source of the first PMOS transistor. When one stage is present, the differential input couples to the differential output. When more than one stage is present, the differential outputs couple to the differential inputs of the concurrent delay cell. In addition, the delay cell in the last stage couples to the differential input of the delay cell in the first stage.

Ring oscillator with constant 50% duty cycle and ground-noise insensitive

Abstract: T          2      ×      n        .The output of a suitable stage is selected so that a digital XOR-gate, using the output of a selected stage and the output of the nth stage, eliminates variations of the duty cycle caused by temperature and process variations. In case a 50% duty cycle is desired the stage number N of the selected stage can be calculated using the equation N=(n−1)/2. The duty cycle can be varied by selecting the output of another gate. A D-flipflop, clocked by the output of the XOR-gate removes noise from the clock pulses.


A package for a solid stick product, including barrel for containing the stick product and, provided within the barrel, a product support member for supporting the stick product thereon. The product support member is movable in the longitudinal direction of the barrel for raising and lowering the stick product. The barrel has a longitudinally extending slot through a wall thereof. An adjustment button is provided on the outside of the barrel and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the barrel generally over the slot area. A tab extends through the slot and connects the adjustment button to the product support member, whereby movement of the adjustment button outside the barrel brings about an equivalent translational movement of the product support member and, therefore, the stick product within the barrel. Thus, by raising or lowering the adjustment button outside the barrel, the user can raise or lower the stick product to extract the product from or retract the product within the barrel. The package includes a locking mechanism for locking the product support member and preventing movement of the product support member in the longitudinal direction.

The present invention is directed to a package for a stick type product (e.g., a solid stick product, especially a solid cosmetic stick product such as an antiperspirant or deodorant stick, lip balm, insect repellent, etc.).
A conventional package for a solid stick product, such as a conventional antiperspirant or deodorant stick package, comprises a barrel for containing the antiperspirant or deodorant stick. The barrel has an opening through which a first end of the stick can be exposed for use. A second, opposite end of the antiperspirant or deodorant stick is supported on a movable product support member within the barrel. The product support member can be moved by pushing or with the use of a screw feed mechanism, for example, for adjusting the amount of antiperspirant or deodorant stick which extends beyond the barrel opening. Thus, the user adjusts the stick relative to the barrel until the end of the stick protrudes through the opening of the barrel a sufficient distance for rubbing the end of the stick against the underarm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,462 to Lucas discloses an applicator for solidified products. This patent discloses a driving mechanism provided for to and fro translation of the product in order to extract and retract it. The driving mechanism is intended to overcome problems encountered in using known screw-type mechanisms and enable the user to operate the mechanism with one hand. The mechanism comprises a support base for the product which is movably mounted in a hollow case body and is provided with an extension that extends opposite to the product and is adapted to be engaged with an element affixed to a cursor by a connection tab that passes through the body. The cursor is arranged in a movable manner outside the body in such a way that activation of the cursor brings about an equivalent translational movement of the base and thus of the product. However, other than an extreme extracted and retracted position, this patent does not appear to describe any mechanism for locking the support base and solidified product in a particular position. Therefore, when such an applicator is used to apply a cosmetic stick product, e.g., to apply a deodorant or antiperspirant stick product to the underarm area, the force exerted on the applicator against the underarm will tend to push the stick product back into the applicator body. This is an inconvenience to the user who must continually upwardly adjust the product.


A proxy RFID read/write unit is used in conjunction with a non-RFID enabled network printer to add a capability to a local area network (LAN) to encode RFID transponders that are either embedded in print media or separate from the print media. The proxy RFID read/write unit is adapted perform the following functions: (a) detecting a message packet directed to the network printer containing a command to print a bar code label; (b) recovering information from at least one data field of the message packet; and (c) writing the information to an RFID transponder. If the network printer is adapted to print onto label media containing embedded RFID transponders, and the RFID interrogator is oriented with respect to the network printer so that a mouth of the printer is disposed within the interrogating range, the information can be written to an RFID transponder embedded in a corresponding print label of the label media.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to communication networks that include attached printers for printing of bar code labels, and more particularly, to a proxy device coupled to the network for use with a bar code label printer to enable encoding of radio frequency identification tags embedded in bar code label print stock.
2. Description of Related Art
In the automated identification and data capture industry, it is known to operate a local area network (LAN) that enables communication between a central host computer and a plurality of devices, such as printers, bar code readers, data entry terminals, and the like. The LAN may further include interconnected wired and/or wireless networks that together support communication within an enterprise. Communication cells established by wireless access points provide links between network elements connected to the wired backbone and mobile terminals. Within the LAN, operators may utilize handheld data-collection terminals to communicate with the central host computer. The data-collection terminals enable the operators to scan and decode data that may be encoded in the form of a one or two-dimensional bar code symbol. The decoded information is then transmitted back to the central host computer across the RF channel. Such wireless LAN systems are particularly well suited to data capture applications as diverse as process and inventory control, time and attendance monitoring, security management, customer service and point of sale recording, shipping and receiving record keeping, and warehouse operations.
The LAN may further include one or more printers for producing bar code labels used in identifying items that are tracked in a particular data capture application. The printers may be adapted to print individual labels on demand, or to print a series of labels in a single continuous run. In order for the data-collection terminal to accurately read the bar code symbol, it is essential that the symbol be printed in a high quality manner, without any streaking, blurring or improper registration of the symbols to the labels. At the same time, it is essential that the adhesive backing layer of the labels not be damaged by heat generated during the printing process. In view of the demanding printing requirements, bar code symbols are often printed using direct thermal or thermal transfer printing techniques, referred to collectively herein as thermal printing. To achieve maximum data throughput, dedicated thermal printers are generally coupled to the central host computer either directly or through a dedicated print server.
Increasingly, it is desirable to further equip these networks with an ability to utilize radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. An RFID tag generally includes a semiconductor memory in which information may be stored. A data collection terminal that includes an RFID interrogator is used to query an RFID tag that may be at a distance from the interrogator and moving at highway speeds. The RFID tag detects the interrogating signal and transmits a response signal containing encoded data back to the interrogator. Such RFID tags may have a memory capacity of several kilobytes or more, which is substantially greater than the maximum amount of data that may be contained in a bar code symbol or other types of human-readable indicia. Further, the RFID tag memory may be re-written with new or additional data, which would not be possible with a printed bar code symbol. RFID tags may also be readable at a distance without requiring a direct line-of-sight view by the RFID interrogator, unlike bar code symbols or other types of human-readable indicia that must be within a direct line-of-sight and which may be rendered entirely unreadable if obscured or damaged.
In view of the additional benefits of RFID tags, it is known to incorporate RFID tags into the bar code label print stock that is loaded into the network printers. Special purpose printers are adapted to print human-readable indicia and bar code symbols onto the label print stock, while at the same time an embedded RFID interrogator encodes associated data into the RFID tag memory. The printed and encoded label then serves dual purposes, i.e., it can be read by a data collection terminal having either optical scanning or RFID interrogating capability. This provides significant additional benefit for the user, and allows the user to transition from an existing bar-code based data collection capability to an RFID based data collection capability.
Notwithstanding these benefits of adding embedded RFID tags into bar code label print stock, there is a considerable cost associated with the special purpose printers and other equipment needed to implement an RFID capability. Users that have already invested significant sums in purchasing high capacity bar code label printers and associated drivers and equipment are understandably reluctant to scrap their existing systems in favor of new dual mode equipment. This has resulted in delayed adoption of RFID systems by many businesses that would otherwise benefit from RFID technology.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a conventional bar code printer with an ability to encode RFID tags embedded in the bar code label print stock.

Stand-alone proxy RFID read/write unit for print label encoding


An amplitude-shift-keying radio-frequency (ASK RF) signal decoding method includes separating a low frequency and a high frequency from an ASK RF signal, which includes a pause section and a non-pause section, generating a divided signal by dividing the high frequency signal, counting the divided signal for the non-pause section of the low frequency signal, and decoding the ASK RF signal based on a result of the counting.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to amplitude-shift-keying (ASK) radio frequency (RF) signal decoding technology, and more particularly, to an ASK RF signal decoding device capable of decoding the ASK RF signal by counting a divided signal during a non-pause section of a low frequency signal, which is included in an ASK RF signal, and a method thereof.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
An integrated circuit card, also known as a smart card is widely used to conduct electronic financial transactions such as paying bus or subway fares, as a credit card, as an ID card, for paying cash by a contact-less method, or as a storage medium storing a credit card number or personal information, etc.
The integrated circuit card (IC Card) may use for communicating a standard communication protocol of a contact-less proximity IC card named ISO/IEC 14443 standard, for example. Physical characteristics and a communications protocol (a wireless frequency power and a communication signal connection, an initialization and collision prevention, etc.) of a contact-less proximity IC card are defined in the ISO/IEC 14443 standard. The ISO/IEC 14443 standard defines two types of communication signal connection methods, i.e., A-type and B-type.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a RF signal for an A-type interface according to the ISO/IEC 14443 standard. When connected, an amplitude shift keying ASK 100% modulation method and a correction miller code communicates wirelessly within a range of wireless frequencies between a card reader and an IC card.
In addition, as a method of transmitting data from the IC card to the card reader, a Manchester code method and an On-Off key (OOK) method may be used.
Generally, a card used in a communication signal connection mode of ISO/IEC 14443 A-type receives and transmits every bit of data by generating timing in a certain interval from an ASK RF signal received from a card reader, and when data is transmitted from an IC card to a card reader, power transmitted from a card reader to the IC card is stably supplied. However, when data is transmitted from the card reader to the IC card, there is a pause section t2 in which power supplied from a card reader to the IC card may be interrupted as illustrated in FIG. 1.
That is, since there is a section in which power supplied from a card reader to the IC card is interrupted, an ASK RF signal output from the card reader may be distorted during decoding and a clock signal generated in the IC card may include a discontinuous section.
Therefore, when an IC card generates a receiving and transmitting synchronized clock signal by dividing a clock signal including a discontinuous section, it may be difficult to maintain the bit transmission rate of the ISO/IEC 14443 A-type standard.

Amplitude-shift-keying (ASK) radio-frequency (RF) signal decoding device and method thereof


Methods and systems for filtering scan data are provided. The method includes generating scan data from a plurality of signals. The method further includes adjusting an initial filtering threshold, independent of an amplitude of the signals, to generate an adjusted threshold. Furthermore, the method includes filtering the scan data, based on the adjusted threshold.

This invention relates generally to medical imaging systems and, more particularly, to methods and systems for filtering scan data in medical imaging systems.
In computed tomography (CT) systems, an X-ray source emits a fan-shaped beam toward an object such as a patient or a piece of luggage. The beam is attenuated by the object. The attenuated beam impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. The intensity of the attenuated beam radiation received at the detector array depends upon the attenuation of the X-ray beam by the object. Each detector element of the detector array produces a separate electrical signal that is indicative of the attenuated beam received by each detector element. The electrical signals are transmitted to a data processing system for analysis, which results in the formation of a plurality of images.
In cardiac CT systems, directional streaks lined up with ventricles, aorta and a vertebra are visible in the generated images. These artifacts are more pronounced when a contrast agent is used. Further, the existence of streaking artifacts may cause a noise-induced banding artifact in the images, preventing doctors from using scans with a low dose of X-ray radiation.

Method and system for filtering scan data


A fin-based transistor and method for making same. In some embodiments, the transistor includes a first fin and a second fin formed on a substrate, the first and second fins being laterally spaced from each other, wherein an upper portion of the first fin is doped with a first type of dopant and an upper portion of the second fin is doped with a second type of dopant different from the first type of dopant; a protection layer formed over the first and second fins, wherein the protection layer comprises a dielectric material selected from a group comprising: silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and a combination thereof; and source and drain features formed in respective side portions of the first and second fins.

Integrated circuits (IC's) typically include a large number of components, particularly transistors. One type of transistor is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (MOSFET). MOSFET devices typically include a gate structure on top of a semiconductor substrate. Both sides of the gate structure are doped to form source and drain regions. A channel is formed between the source and drain regions beneath the gate. Based on a voltage bias applied to the gate, electric current may either be allowed to flow through the channel or be inhibited from doing so.
In some cases, the channel may be formed as a fin-like structure (herein "fin"). Such a fin protrudes beyond a top surface of the substrate and runs perpendicular to the gate structure formed on the substrate and the fin. In general, a field-effect-transistor using such a fin as a channel is referred to as a fin field-effect-transistor ("FinFET"). As mentioned above, an IC typically includes plural transistors, e.g., FinFET's. The plural FinFET's of the IC may each have a respective threshold voltage (Vth) so as to allow the IC to be used in various applications. For example, some of the plural FinFET's may have a relatively higher Vth, and some of the FinFET's may have a relatively lower Vth. A FinFET's Vth may be defined by various factors, one of which is a doping concentration of the FinFET's respective fin channel. The doping concentration of the fin channel is typically determined based on an energy level (generally in the unit of keV) used by an ion implantation process to dope the fin channel. More specifically, the ion implantation process includes bombarding plural dopants that are energized at that particular energy level on the fin channel so as to implant the dopants into the fin channel. As such, the fin channel may be doped with a corresponding doping concentration. However, when the energized dopants bombard the fin channel, the fin channel and a respective gate dielectric layer (generally formed over the fin channel) may be damaged. For example, various defects may be formed on the fin channel and/or the gate dielectric layer, which disadvantageously impacts overall performance and reliability (e.g., mobility, on/off ratio, etc.) of the FinFET. Thus, conventional techniques to dope a fin channel of a FinFET are not entirely satisfactory.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of forming protection layer in FinFET device

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


Plasticizer blends comprise a triblend of diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, and 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate, in specified ratios, useful in combination with a multitude of thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, and elastomeric polymers and numerous applications, including but not limited to plastisols, adhesives, sealants, caulks, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, OEM coatings, inks, overprint varnishes, polishes, and the like. The advantages rendered by the use of the triblend depend on the type of polymer and application in which it is utilized and include among other advantages higher solvating power and lower processing time, low VOC's, reduced plasticizer freeze point, improved gelation and fusion characteristics, higher tensile strength, superior stain and extraction resistance, and improved rheology over traditional diblends of diethylene glycol dibenzoate and dipropylene glycol dibenzoate.

Plasticizers, as polymer additives, are established main line additives and have been known for more than a century. Most high volume plasticizers have been developed in the last seventy years, primarily for use with vinyl and other polymeric substances. Significant volumes are sold, and plasticizers are used more than any other type of polymer additives, particularly in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) applications. PVC can be formulated into a tremendous number of products and is useful in innumerable applications. Plasticizers provide versatility to PVC and are key ingredients and tools for the vinyl formulator. They are used to adjust hardness (or softness), impart stain resistance, alter tensile properties (such as strength, elongation or flexibility) and processability as required for a multitude of applications, including without limitation flexible vinyl applications. While hundreds of plasticizers have been produced, only a few remain having acceptable performance properties when combined with vinyl or other polymeric materials.
There are a number of different types of plasticizers: 1) general purpose, 2) specialty types (such as high solvators), and 3) secondary types (oils) and diluent types (isodecyl benzoate, for example). Plasticizer additives are available in a wide variety of alternative chemistries.
In addition to chemistry type, plasticizers are categorized and distinguished based on their ability to solvate dispersed solid polymers and/or their gelation and fusion temperatures in plastisols. Gelation and fusion temperatures dictate the speed of production and are influenced by the solvating power of the plasticizer. By way of example, the gelation and fusion temperatures of a plastisol containing a dibenzoate plasticizer will be lower than a plastisol containing a general purpose phthalate, thus enabling speed of processing in that particular application.
Plasticizers serve as a vehicle for the dispersion of resin (polymer) particles, such as PVC. The dispersion is initially a two-phase, heterogeneous system. Use of plasticizers in polymeric dispersions promotes the formation of homogeneous systems and polymer fusion occurs upon heating. The higher the solvating power, the lower the temperature at which a homogeneous system is fused, which, in turn, decreases the residence time and increases the speed at which polymeric compositions can be processed into an end product, resulting in a faster, more efficient and economical process.
General Purpose Plasticizers.
General purpose plasticizers provide an excellent compromise between performance characteristics and economy for most applications. Some examples include: bis (2-ethylhexyl phthalate) (DEHP or DOP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), dioctyl phthalate (DNOP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), dipropylheptyl phthalate (DPHP), di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DOTP or DEHT), and diisononyl-1, 2 cyclohexane dicarboxylate (DIDC or DINCH®) (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,855,340). General purpose phthalates dominate the volume of plasticizers purchased every year and are most often selected for compounding flexible vinyl.
Yearly, plasticizer production is in the area of 12 billion pounds, and the general purpose phthalate DOP accounts for about half of the pounds of plasticizer consumed, despite pressure from health and environmental issues encountered with the use of general purpose phthalates.
In view of the ongoing scrutiny of phthalate use, a need has developed for phthalate alternatives. Both DOTP and DIDC are contenders for phthalate replacement in the general purpose market. These two plasticizers are considered "next generation", general purpose "non-phthalate" plasticizers. Even though DOTP, chemically, is a phthalate, it is not an orthophthalate, the use of which is subject to increasing regulatory pressure. These "next generation" phthalate alternatives are viable; however, they do not always give the performance desired in vinyl compositions, particularly in plastisols (i.e., they have poorer compatibility, slow speed, high gel temperatures, low gel strength). Blends of plasticizers can be used to adjust performance, although there may be some limits to this approach.
In addition to DOTP and DIDC, sustainable, "green" types of plasticizers are also contending for the general purpose plasticizer market. Examples include plasticizers based on castor oil and soybean oil.
Some applications, however, require performance that cannot be achieved by use of a general purpose plasticizer alone. Applications that require better resistance to oils and solvents are one such example. General purpose phthalates are easily extracted by nonpolar solvents such as hexanes, such that alternative plasticizers would be a much better choice. There is also a need for plasticizers that are higher solvators for PVC and other polymer applications.
Specialty-Type Plasticizers.
Specialty type plasticizers have been developed to fulfill the need for high solvators, the most popular being lower molecular weight phthalates. An example of such a plasticizer is butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), which is often employed as a high solvating plasticizer. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) are also useful high solvator, specialty type plasticizers. Other examples of non-phthalate, high solvating plasticizers include some citric acid esters, alkyl sulfonic acid esters, and certain phosphates. Dibutyl terephthalate (DBTP) and N-alkyl pyrrolidones have also been proposed as a specialty type, high solvator plasticizers.
All of the high solvator plasticizers (regardless of type) add value to vinyl compositions that traditional general purpose plasticizers cannot. Even so, many of the high solvator plasticizers are phthalates, for which safer alternatives are being sought.
Benzoate Ester Plasticizers.
Benzoate ester plasticizers have also been developed as specialty type plasticizers. Benzoate plasticizers have been recognized since the 1940's as useful plasticizers for PVC applications, and subsequently some of these benzoate plasticizers were commercialized. Benzoate plasticizers are well established and have now been in use in PVC applications for decades. By their nature, benzoate plasticizers are non-phthalates; however, they were not created nor specifically established on that basis and were in use well before the demand for phthalate alternatives began. Benzoate plasticizers include monobenzoates and dibenzoates, among others.
Monobenzoate esters useful as plasticizers include: isodecyl benzoate, isononyl benzoate, and 2-ethylhexyl benzoate. "Half ester" monobenzoates include dipropylene glycol monobenzoate and diethylene glycol monobenzoate, which are byproducts of the production of dibenzoates, but which, most of the time, are not objects of production. Monobenzoates are not generally noted for being high solvators, although they may be used in conjunction therewith. Monobenzoates are also not as useful as dibenzoate plasticizers, because they are less compatible than the corresponding dibenzoate with PVC. However, the half esters are compatible with emulsions polymers, such as acrylic and/or vinyl ester polymers.
Classically, dibenzoate plasticizers function well as high solvating plasticizers and are recognized today as some of the best high solvators for PVC applications. Historically, diethylene glycol dibenzoates (DEGDB) and dipropylene glycol dibenzoates (DPGDB) esters are well known and have been used in many applications in the past, including the vinyl industry. DEGDB is an excellent plasticizer, but due to its high freeze point, blends with DPGDB were also developed to capitalize on the utility and lower cost of DEGDB. Several years ago a blend of DEGDB, DPGDB and triethylene glycol dibenzoates (TEGDB) was introduced as a high solvating dibenzoate blend.
State of the Art
Benzoate ester plasticizers, alone or in a blend with other plasticizers, are commercially available and are described in the literature and in prior patents. Plastisol and organosol compositions, adhesives, caulks, polishes, inks, and a wide variety of coatings containing benzoate plasticizers are also known in the art.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,702 to Arendt discloses plastisol compositions comprising a polyvinyl resin plasticized with dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether benzoate or tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether benzoate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,987 to Arendt discloses the use of isodecyl benzoate as a coalescent agent for use in paint compositions and in the preparation of plastisols.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,028 to Nakamura et al. describes a plastisol composition that comprises PVC resin and a plasticizer used singly, or in combination, that may include, among other plasticizers, glycol derivatives, such as DEGDB, DPGDB, and TEG di-(2-ethylhexoate).
The use of dibenzoate esters alone or in combination with their corresponding monobenzoate ester is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,742 to Arendt et al., which discloses plasticized aqueous polymer compositions useful as latex caulks.
Dibenzoate plasticizer blends used as the primary plasticizer for a plastisol composition are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,214 to Arendt et al., which discloses blends comprising the dibenzoates of both DEG and triethylene glycol for use in plastisol applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,812,080 to Arendt et al. describes a plastisol having a dispersed phase and a liquid phase, the liquid phase including dibenzoate plasticizer blends having a hydroxyl number of about 30 or greater indicating a higher half ester monobenzoate content. The plastisols provided are stated to be effective for providing a foamed composition having an improved color.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,207 to Stanhope et al. describes the addition of at least about 30 wt. % of DEG or DPG half ester monobenzoates to DEG dibenzoate to form a liquid mixture at around 28° C. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,966 to Stanhope et al. describes the addition of at least 20 wt. % of at least one half ester monobenzoate to at least one dibenzoate to form a liquid mixture at around 28° C. These liquid mixtures are described as effective plasticizers for aqueous polymer compositions, such as adhesives and caulk.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,071,252 to Stanhope et al. describes the use of half ester monobenzoates as secondary plasticizers for non-aqueous and solvent-less plastisols containing primary plasticizers.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,872,063 to Strepka et al. describes a film-forming composition, such as a polish, coating, adhesive or ink, comprising at least one acrylic or vinyl acetate polymer as the film-forming component in combination with a plasticizer blend comprising an aromatic dibenzoate, DEGDB and DEGMB.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,629,413 to Godwin et al. describes a PVC plastisol composition comprising C9-C11 alkyl benzoates in combination with phthalate plasticizers to reduce viscosity and reduce staining problems associated with the phthalates.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,034,860 to Arendt et al. describes an organosol plastisol composition comprising plasticizers that are diesters of benzoic acid and dihydric alcohols in combination with an organic diluent. Monoesters of benzoic acid and monohydric alcohols are also described as auxiliary plasticizers.
U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2009/0036581 to Joshi et al. describes plasticizers for polymers based on blends of the mono- and di-benzoates of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, containing a minimum of 87 weight percent of the dibenzoate, which can be used in combination with dipropylene glycol benzoates.
In sum, benzoate esters, including DPGDB and DEGDB blends, have been used in many applications. Dibenzoate plasticizers provide improved processability, fast fusion and stain resistance, among other properties that are favorable for many polymer applications.
The focus of the present invention is on non-phthalate, high solvator plasticizer compositions, since general purpose phthalate plasticizers—although widely used, effective and economical in vinyl—are not efficient solvators. Moreover, the use of phthalates has been under increased attack by governmental agencies due to environmental, health and safety issues associated with their use. And, while the specialty phthalate plasticizer butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) was widely regarded as the holy grail of plasticizers in that it was an excellent (high) solvator with low viscosity and a desirable rheology profile, it, too, has now come into disfavor as a potential teratogen and toxin.
Accordingly, there continues to be a need for alternatives to currently available high solvating phthalate plasticizers and, hence, benzoate plasticizers and blends thereof are viable alternatives due to their high solvating properties.
Of particular interest in the present invention are dibenzoate plasticizers, which, as discussed above, have been known and used for their high solvating properties in a variety of applications. Even so, dibenzoate use in plastisols may be limited by high plastisol viscosity and undesirable rheology over time as the plasticizer continues to solvate. As the plastisol composition ages, it is rendered more and more viscous. In addition, high solvator plasticizers may be less heat and UV light stable. They are also denser than general purpose plasticizers and have a higher migration than general purpose types when used in polymeric products, such as plastisols.
These limitations are described in the '860 to Arendt et al. mentioned above. The '860 patent describes a plastisol comprising a dispersed polymer and a DEG/DPG dibenzoate blend that resulted in a 25-fold increase in plastisol viscosity, which was far too viscous for processing using conventional equipment. The publication further discloses a plastisol composition comprising a dispersed polymer, dibenzoate plasticizers (among others) and an organic diluent (solvent), wherein viscosity increase was avoided or reduced by selecting and matching components based upon specific differences between a) the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the polymer and b) the weighted average of the Hildebrand solubility parameters of the organic diluent (solvent), plasticizers and any other liquid ingredients present in the plastisol. The difference between a and b is required to be within specified limits to avoid too high a plastisol viscosity on the one hand, or the possibility of exudation of liquids from articles formed from the plastisol on the other hand. The plasticizer was selected from the group consisting of diesters of benzoic acid and dihydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, and oligomeric ether glycols, such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and 1,3-butanediol, as well as diesters of phthalic acid and monohydric alcohols.
In response to continued needs in the PVC industry, a new dibenzoate triblend platform has been developed which can been optimized for performance and handling in polymeric compositions, and which provides an improvement over some traditional benzoate plasticizers and blends, in particular with respect to plastisol rheology. The novel blend comprises three dibenzoate plasticizers that have surprisingly fewer viscosity limitations than would be expected based on the viscosities of the individual components. A blend of dibenzoate plasticizers, i.e., DEGDB and DPGDB in specified ratios, forms the base of the inventive plasticizer triblend in combination with 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoates (PGDB). 1,2-Propylene glycol dibenzoate is a known component previously used alone with PVC or in plasticizer blends unrelated to the present inventive triblend. 1,2-Propylene glycol dibenzoate was, also known as a flavoring agent for beverages as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,291 to Bedoukian.
The inventive triblend is useful as a high solvating plasticizer in plastisol applications and, unexpectedly, the combination provides lower viscosity and improved rheology characteristics in plastisols over what would be expected based on the rheological characteristics of each of the individual components of the triblend. The novel triblend is compatible and efficient when used in plastisol formulations and provides improved processability, whether used as a primary plasticizer or as a blending plasticizer in conjunction with poor solvating plasticizers. The novel triblend of DPGDB, DEGDB, and PGDB has not been utilized in the past.
The focus of the present invention is on the use of the inventive blend to formulate novel plastisol compositions for use in flooring applications. However, the invention is not limited to flooring applications. The inventive plasticizer triblend can be used individually and in blends with other plasticizers in applications that include but are not limited to: adhesives, caulks, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, OEM coatings, other types of plastisols, sealants, overprint varnishes, polishes, inks, melt compounded vinyl, polysulfides, polyurethanes, epoxies, styrenated acrylics and combinations thereof. Other applications will be evident to one skilled in the art based upon the disclosure herein.
Principle applications for the inventive triblend include:
PVC: the inventive triblend has been shown to be a high solvating plasticizer, with unexpectedly lower viscosity than what would be expected based upon the viscosities of the individual components.
Coatings: the inventive triblend has been shown to have utility in coating technology, primarily as a low VOC coalescent, that has excellent compatibility with the polymers utilized in the architectural and industrial coatings industry. This application is the subject of a co-pending application. The inventive triblend may also be used in other coatings and film-forming compositions, such as polishes, inks and overprint varnishes, among others.
Adhesives: the inventive triblend is highly compatible and has good viscosity response and Tg (glass transition temperature) suppression.
Sealants and Caulks.
It is an object of the invention to provide a non-phthalate plasticizer composition for use as a primary plasticizer or as a specialty plasticizer in polymeric compositions traditionally requiring plasticizers, including without limitation PVC applications.
It is another object of the invention to provide a non-phthalate plasticizer composition that is compatible with a wide range of polymeric compositions, has high solvating properties, and is useful as a specialty blending plasticizer to improve the compatibility and processability of poor solvating plasticizers.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a non-phthalate plasticizer composition for use in plastisols, having high solvating properties, while minimizing the attendant disadvantages of high viscosity and poor rheology associated with the use of high solvators in plastisols.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a plastisol formulation utilizing a non-phthalate plasticizer, which allows faster processing and economic efficiencies to be achieved.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a plastisol formulation utilizing a non-phthalate plasticizer, which provides higher tensile strength and stain and extraction resistance.
Still further objects of the invention are to provide an adhesive formulation and an overprint varnish utilizing the non-phthalate plasticizer triblend of the invention.
Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description herein.


A communication management method and apparatus is presented. Such method and apparatus operate to transmit, from an application computer in communication with a gatekeeper which is connected to a data network, messages indicative of (a) telephone calls in progress at an endpoint of the data network, or (b) such endpoint, and to transmit, from the gatekeeper to the application computer, messages indicative of a variety of information contained in the telephone calls so as to process such information for a variety of applications. The invention provides protocols for classifying incoming messages and prioritizing these messages for the presentation to, and utilization by, a system user.

Telephony over packet networks, particularly over wide area networks such as the Internet, has received considerable attention in recent years. Specifically, scientists have begun exploring the possibility of sending voice and video information streams over packet switched data networks. The transmission of such information streams over packet switched networks can be more cost efficient than traditional telephony, which requires a dedicated circuit between the calling and called party. Transmitting voice information on the data network also removes the requirement to have a separate voice/telephony network.
Computer telephone integration has been widely applied to traditional telephony methods and apparatus, but has not as yet been successfully applied to the methods and apparatus used for packet network telephony. This invention specifies novel apparatus and methods, supplementary to known packet network telephony apparatus and methods, which enable CTI capabilities in such an environment, and use them to process telephone calls. In particular, the invention described herein enables packet network control by a third party which is deemed to be preferred to first party control systems.
One possible set of methods and apparatus for completing calls over a packet switched network, which calls can handle voice and other information streams, is defined by ITU Recommendation H.323. The H.323 standard is available from the International Telecommunication Union, of Geneva, Switzerland, and is hereby incorporated herein by this reference. The H.323 standard defines various protocols dealing with call control, call setup, call termination, and other similar techniques known to those in the packet network telephony art.
The H.323 standard defines a functional entity called a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper handles network functions such as bandwidth control, zone management, address translation, and admissions control for a designated set of network terminals. While all these functions are further defined in the previously incorporated standard, we set forth two examples below.
Bandwidth control provides a protocol by which the gatekeeper allocates a particular amount of network bandwidth to a particular connection. The gatekeeper can be contacted by either the calling or called party in order to change the amount of bandwidth allocated to a particular call, for example, because one endpoint only has access to a limited set of voice codes.
As another example, the gatekeeper performs zone management. This function, as further defined in the H.323 standard, provides a mechanism for allocating sets of different terminals and other nodes in the network to a particular gatekeeper. The H.323 standard provides a mechanism for dynamically altering the allocation of different network nodes to different gatekeepers.
The gatekeeper function provides services analogous to the call processing function within a private branch exchange (PBX) in conventional telephony. In traditional telephony, CTI features are provided by creating an interface between external application software and the call processing function within the PBX. By contrast, in the known packet network telephony art, interfaces to the gatekeeper are only defined from other gatekeepers, end points, and other network entities.
Utilizing and building upon the call processing functions of an H.323 gatekeeper, or an analogous entity defined by other packet switched data network standard, call processing applications commonly known in conventional telephony can be implemented in a packet switched data network. The present invention describes the implementation, over a packet switched data network, a system for the storage and retrieval of a variety of communications messages of various types. In such a system a user can manage her voice mail, email, pager, fax and data communications under a "one-stop shopping" universal messaging system, reaping the benefits of telephony based communications integrated within packet data networks. Such functionalities are commonly known in conventional telephony as "Universal Messaging", "Universal Queuing", and the like.

Apparatus and method for integrated computer controlled call processing in packet switched telephone networks


Descrambled data is generated for a CD-ROM decoder and a descrambler. A lower first through fifteenth bits of the descrambled data are generated according to an equation DSCR.sub.0 [x]=DSCR.sub.-1 [x+2].sym.DSCR.sub.-1 [x+4], where 1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.15. The upper sixteenth through thirty-second bits of the descrambled data are generated according to the equation DSCR.sub.0 [x]=DSCR.sub.0 [x-15].sym.DSCR.sub.0 [x-14], where 16.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.32. DSCR.sub.0 [x] is an x-th bit of current 32-bit descrambled data, DSCR.sub.-1 [x] is an x-th bit of preceding 32-bit descrambled data and a symbol .sym. refers to an EX-OR operation.

The present invention relates to a compact disk ROM (hereinafter, referred to as CD ROM) decoder, and more particularly, to a descrambling data generating circuit, the method thereof, and a descrambler.
In general, transmitted synchronous data having successive values of "0" or "1", might not be capable of proper synchronization by a receiver. To overcome this, a transmitter randomizes transmitted data using a scrambler. The receiver uses a descrambler to convert the received data into the original data. The scrambler divides the transmitted data by a constant polynomial. In turn, the descrambler multiplies the scrambled data by the constant polynomial converting the scrambled data into to the original data.
A compact disk digital audio (CD-DA) recording system employ scrambling to reduce the probability of generating the same sync signal pattern inserted into audio data. In the same manner, a CD ROM decoder performs a descrambling process in order to convert the scrambled data into the original data. The scrambled data is comprised of 2352 byte blocks that each include 12-bytes of sync data.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a CD ROM decoder, peripheral devices, and more particularly the position occupied by a descrambler in the CD system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional descrambler. Reference numerals 21, 23, 25, and 27 denote a descrambling data generator, a serial-parallel (S/P) converter, a data ordering unit and a sync detector, respectively. Reference numerals 29, 30, 31 and 33 denote a parallel-serial (P/S) converter, an exclusive-OR (EX-OR) gate, a S/P converter and an L-R separator, respectively.
The descrambling data generator 21 generates descrambling data (DSCR) according to a polynomial [p(x)=X.sup.15 +X+1], and includes 15 serially connected flip-flops (F1-F15) and an EX-OR gate 22. The 15 flip-flops commonly receive a clock signal CLK via a clock terminal. The EX-OR gate 22 performs an EX-OR operation with respect to the output signals of the 14th and 15th flip-flops F14 and F15, and applies the result to an input terminal of the first flip-flop F1. The initial value of the descrambling data generator 21 is "000000000000001".
The S/P converter 23 converts serial data (SIDATA) input from a compact disk player (FIG. 1) into 16-bit parallel data. The data ordering unit 25 determines a data format according to a control signal (LMSEL) input from the compact disk player. The sync detector 27 detects sync signals from the data output from the data ordering unit 25. The sync signals include sync start, sync detect and sync end signals. The P/S converter 29 converts the 16-bit signals output from the data ordering unit 25 into one bit serial data.
The EX-OR gate 30 performs an exclusive OR operation with the output data DSCR of the descrambling data generator 21 and the output data of the P/S converter 29. The S/P converter 31 converts the one-bit serial data output from the EX-OR gate 30 into 16-bit parallel data. The L-R separator 33 separates the 16-bit data output from the S/P converter 31 into 8-bit L-channel data and 8-bit R-channel data that is then alternately output.
As described above, the S/P converter 23 in the conventional descrambler converts the one-bit serial data (SIDATA) into 16-bit parallel data. The converted 16-bit data is then converted back into one-bit serial data with the P/S converter 29. This is because the descrambling data generator 21 outputs the descrambling data DSCR in one bit units. Having passed through the EX-OR gate 30, the one-bit data is converted into parallel data by the S/P converter 31. The conventional descrambler is slow due to the repeated serial-parallel conversions.
To solve the aforementioned problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a simplified descrambling data generating circuit for a CD ROM decoder which is capable of operating at high speeds.
The second object of the present invention is to provide a simple method for generating descrambling data in a CD ROM decoder.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a descrambler for a CD ROM decoder that uses the improved descrambling data generating circuit and method of the invention.

Method and apparatus for generating descrambling data for CD-ROM decoder


A thermal input system is provided for a dishwasher having an interior wash chamber receiving soiled dishes and wash liquid. A heater is disposed in a sump region of the wash chamber along with a wash pump which operates to recirculate wash liquid through out the wash chamber. A soil collection chamber receives a portion of recirculating wash liquid from the wash pump wherein soils entrained in the wash liquid are captured within the soil collection chamber. A pressure sensor senses fluid pressure within the soil collection chamber. Control means are provided for energizing the heater during a thermal hold period in response to the pressure within the soil collector exceeding a predetermined limit pressure. In particular, the control means operates to sequence the dishwasher through a predetermined period of operation but bypasses the thermal hold cycle when the pressure within the soil collector does not exceed the predetermined limit pressure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dishwasher and more particularly, to a system for supplying heat energy for heating wash liquid in a dishwasher in response to the soil load in the dishwasher.
2. Description of Related Art
Domestic dishwashers in use today draw wash liquid from a sump at the bottom of a wash tub and spray the wash liquid within the wash tub to remove soils from dishes located on racks in the tub. It is well known that the removal of soils from the recirculating wash liquid positively impacts the wash performance of the dishwasher. Accordingly, to improve performance and efficiency, some dishwashers employ a system for separating soil out of the recirculating wash liquid wherein the soils are retained in a collection chamber.
Wash performance in a dishwasher is also related to the temperature of the dishwashing liquid. It is known that hot water is more effective for washing than cold water, particularly for oily soils which melt at higher wash liquid temperatures. Accordingly, dishwashers are commonly connected to a hot water supply such that the fill water supplied into the dishwasher has a relatively high temperature. To further improve performance, some dishwashers allow users to select a heavy wash cycle (sometimes referred to as a Pots & Pans cycle) which provides for the addition of heat energy to raise the temperature of wash liquid during portions of the wash cycle. Such thermal inputs during the dishwasher cycle typically occur during a thermal hold wherein the cycle of operation is interrupted while a heater is energized until a thermostat is satisfied or a maximum default time limit elapses.
Unfortunately, the addition of heat energy to raise the temperature of the wash liquid in a dishwasher only occurs when the user selects a heavy wash cycle, and once selected, thermal energy is added to the wash liquid regardless of actual soil load on the dishes. Accordingly, in some circumstances, heavily soiled dishes do not receive any additional thermal energy input because the operator fails to select a heavy wash cycle. This results in poor wash performance. In other circumstances, dishes which are relatively lightly soiled and do not require additional thermal input are subject to a wash cycle including additional heat energy inputs because the dishwasher operator erroneously selected a heavy wash cycle. This results in unnecessary energy usage.
Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art if a dishwasher wash system was provided which automatically added heat energy into a dishwasher in response to the soil level of the dishes.

Automatic thermal input system for a dishwasher


A system, method, and apparatus for secure routing based on the physical location of routers are disclosed herein. The disclosed method for secure data transmission of at least one data packet through a plurality of network nodes involves defining a source network node, a destination network node, and at least one security constraint, which is based on the physical location of at least one of the network nodes. The method further involves comparing available network nodes with the security constraint(s) to determine which of the available network nodes meet the security constraint(s) and, thus, are qualified network nodes. Additionally, the method involves determining a route comprising at least one of the qualified network nodes to route the data packet(s) through from the source network node to the destination network node. Further, the method involves transmitting the data packet(s) through the route of the qualified network node(s).

Position-based routing is a general term describing the method of using the position of routers (e.g., network nodes) for making data packet routing and/or forwarding decisions. Previous implementations of position-based routing have aimed to optimize the network route for efficiency, not for security. Cyber attacks are becoming more advanced and having more catastrophic impacts on the networks in question and their associated users. One such attack, the man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack, has been used to reroute data for ill-intentioned purposes. The present disclosure provides an enhanced data routing security system and associated methods to mitigate data being routed outside of defined constraints.

Secure routing based on the physical locations of routers


Disclosed is a composition and process for making a water blown semi-rigid polyurethane foam wherein the polyisocyanate side and the polyol side are combined under ambient temperature conditions. Said foams are particularly suited for sound and vibration management, especially in motor vehicles.

Noise and vibration management is a significant issue for vehicle manufacturers, as cabin noise is a major factor in the comfort experience of automotive passengers. Therefore, noise and vibration abatement measures are routinely incorporated into motor vehicles. These abatement measures often utilize polyurethane foams.
Generally, there are two types of polyurethane foams: flexible and rigid. In general, flexible foams have open cellular structures and a flexible polyurethane (e.g., uses a low functionality; high molecular weight polyol) which allows them to be elastically deformed. Generally, when making a flexible polyurethane foam, water in the polyol side is used as the blowing agent. The water reacts with the isocyanate producing carbon dioxide that foams the polyurethane as the isocyanate and polyol react.
For automotive applications requiring stiffening, reinforcing, and/or NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) abatement in a vehicle, rigid polyurethane foam is preferred. Rigid polyurethane foam is based on the polymerization of polyether and/or polyester polyols with isocyanates in the presence of water acting as blowing agent. These systems generally contain additional components such as cross-linkers, chain extenders, surfactants, cell regulators, stabilizers, antioxidants, flame retardant additives, fillers, and typically catalysts such as tertiary amines, and organometallic salts. Levels of the catalysts in the polyurethane formulation are adjusted during the foam manufacturing process to optimize processing as well as final foam properties such as cell structure, density, hardness, resiliency, airflow, elongation, tear resistance, aging, and emission characteristics.
Rigid foams generally have a substantially closed cellular structure which essentially fails to elastically deform (i.e., when a rigid foam deforms, it deforms permanently). To provide rigidity, rigid polyurethane foams, typically, are formed using a lower molecular weight polyol than used to make a flexible foam and also a cross-linking polyol. Generally, the cross-linking polyol has (1) a hydroxyl functionality of greater than 3 to 8 (i.e., typically greater than 3 to 8 hydroxyl groups/molecule that can react with the isocyanate), (2) a mean molecular weight of 300 to 800 and high viscosity of 3000 to 20,000 centipoise. The cross-linking polyols are typically added to increase the cross-linking density to form a rigid foam of adequate strength and rigidity.
Unfortunately, the use of high viscosity cross-linking polyols generally raises the viscosity of the polyol side substantially. The increased viscosity of the polyol side typically makes it difficult to achieve efficient mixing with the low viscosity isocyanate side, especially at ambient temperatures, resulting in inhomogeneous rigid foams. Historically, low viscosity, liquid volatile organic compounds (i.e., added liquid blowing agents such as hydrocarbons and/or halogenated hydrocarbons) have been used to lower the viscosity. However, this results in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions when making the foam. Alternatively, a process which requires temperature control so that the viscosity of the polyol side is within a workable range is employed. However, such processes add additional cost and complexity to producing the polyurethane foam see WO 2011/066095.
It would be desirable to provide a composition for producing polyurethane foam which processes at ambient temperatures useful for applications requiring stiffening, reinforcing, and/or noise, vibration and harshness abatement.

Semi-rigid polyurethane foam and process to make


An apparatus for detecting pepsin comprising a solid support, and a peptide chain wherein the peptide chain is operatively configured to be cleaved by pepsin, and the peptide chain is disposed on a surface of the solid support.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) represents a host of symptoms and pathologies believed to result from the inappropriate exposure of the esophagus and upper airway to gastric acid. A wide host of diseases are attributed to this exposure, ranging from esophageal injury to the wide host of disorders termed "laryngopharyngeal reflux".
As is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,866; "Current methods to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease consist of lifestyle changes such as weight loss, avoidance of certain foods that exacerbate the symptoms of GERD and avoidance of excessive bending. Elevation of the head of the bed helps prevent nocturnal reflux. While these avoidance strategies may be helpful, there is relatively little data supporting the efficacy of lifestyle modification alone for the treatment of GERD. Medications for the treatment of GERD have been administered for years with little or no success." One symptom of GERD mentioned in the above referenced patent is dyspepsia. "Dyspepsia, or heartburn, is defined as a burning sensation or discomfort behind the breastbone or sternum and is the most common symptom of GERD. Other symptoms of GERD include dysphasia, odynophagia, hemorrhage, water brash, and pulmonary manifestations such as asthma, coughing or intermittent wheezing due to acid aspiration. Dyspepsia may also mimic the symptoms of a myocardial infarction or severe angina pectoris." GERD has also been linked to irregularities in the upper airways, such as asthma. It is believed that the low levels of acid released due to GERD are responsible for these irregularities. It is often difficult to properly diagnose GERD, as many other conditions mimic the symptoms of GERD. As is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,468 "since the symptoms of GERD often mimic cardiac chest pain, the physician must confirm that the symptoms are in fact due to reflux and not to a cardiac condition."
U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,703 teaches an alternative testing conditions involve the monitoring the pressure within the lower esophagus. This testing procedure is deficient due to the substantial degree of patient discomfort involved with this method.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,503,859 and 5,117,827 teach a procedure to test for reflux which includes esophageal pH monitoring, with esophageal manometry testing. This testing occurs by passing a catheter into the esophagus, and then monitoring pH and sphincter pressures for 24 hours through the use of an ambulatory monitoring device. Test results are then analyzed to determine reflux degree. Such ambulatory devices are extremely inconvenient for the patient. In addition, these testing conditions require a significant amount of time to obtain a result.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,591 discloses a pharmaceutical composition useful for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease. This patent clearly fails to disclose or suggest a method of detection for the disease.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,622 teaches a method of detecting increased blood flow to certain regions of the gastrointestinal tract, and thus is able to detect inflammation of the tract. This technique is deficient in that it is significantly more complex and considerably more expensive that that of the instant invention. The equipment needed to conduct such testing is exceedingly specialized.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,116 discloses a minimally invasive device and method for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The techniques taught in this patent may be used in conjunction with the instant invention. However, this patent fails to disclose a method of detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,110 teaches a retrievable capsule useful for obtaining samples of gastroesophegeal fluids. In this manner, epithelial cells may be removed for later testing. While this patent teaches methods of obtaining samples for testing, it fails to teach testing methodology itself.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,897 teaches an immunoassay technique for the detection of pepsin. This patent provides " . . . methods of detecting and diagnosing reflux diseases and disorders by detecting the presence of pepsin in airway secretions (e.g. throat, lung, esophagus, or mouth mucus/sputum/saliva) or other bodily fluids of subjects suspected of having a reflux disorder of disease. An advantage of the disclosed methods over methods based on detection of pH changes is that pepsin or pepsinogen from reflux becomes trapped in the mucus and remains in the throat or esophagus longer than acid (hydrogen ions) and can thus be detected for hours or days after a reflux event." The techniques taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,897 can be distinguished from the instant invention by the nature of the detection system itself. The instant invention, in one embodiment, detects the enzymatic activity of pepsin. The aforementioned antibody techniques are deficient in that they detect pepsin itself, even when such pepsin may not be an active enzyme. Additionally, such immunoassay techniques are known to take a significant amount of time to obtain results.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,468 discloses a method for testing for esophageal acid sensitivity by attempting to induce the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux through the ingestion of weak acids. This patent is clearly distinguished from the instant invention by the very nature of the test.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,335 teaches a method and device for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The techniques taught in this application involve the augmentation of the epithelial lining to promote acid resistance.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,345 discloses a device and method for the delivery of treatment agents into the esophagus for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Both of these patents fail to teach or suggest a method of testing for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,475,145 teaches a method for monitoring pH levels over a prolonged period of time. The techniques of this patent are deficient in that they fail to teach or suggest a rapid testing method for the detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
U.S. patent application 2004/0002168 discloses a test strip to test for cerebrospinal fluid. This application contains no suggestion or motivation to modify this test strip to test for pepsin. Other test strips and/or test strip reading devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,063 (Measuring Device for Use with a Test Strip); U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,951 (Test Strip Measuring System); U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,460 (Luminous Glucose Monitoring Device); U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,514,461 and 6,716,393 (System for Automatically Testing a Fluid Specimen); U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,320 (Test Strip Measuring System); and the like.
The content of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,168,703; 4,455,381; 4,503,859; 5,117,827; 5,254,591; 5,524,622; 5,571,116; 5,738,110; 5,879,897; 5,951,468; 6,180,063; 6,238,335; 6,315,951; 6,338,345; 6,475,145; 6,514,461; 6,689,320; 6,716,393; 6,725,866 and U.S. patent application 2004/0002168 is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.
Yet another testing method involves nasogastric intubation of the patient and subsequently adding dilute acid to intentionally trigger the condition to be tested for. As is known to those skilled in the art, this test is often referred to as the "Berstein acid perfusion test."
As acknowledged in U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,468 "Currently, there is no simple diagnostic test or procedure that can be done either in a physician's office or in an individual's home to assist with the diagnosis of acid reflux and GERD."
It is an object of this invention to provide at least one of the following; a method for the detection of an enzyme that is rapid and convenient enough that it can be performed in a physician's office or similar location without the need for ambulatory monitoring devices; a method for detecting an enzyme wherein the enzyme can be detected in less than two hours (i.e. "point of care" detection).


An electric circuit of a switchable current source (10) comprises an input path (IP) comprising a first resistor (R1) and a controllable current source (CS) to provide a changeable current (Itrim) and an output current path (OP) including a controllable output driver (MN), a second resistor (R2) and an output terminal (LDR_PIN). A sensing voltage (VSENSE) is tapped at the output current path (OP) and is fed back to a regulator circuit (RC) by a feedback path (FP). The regulator circuit (RC) is connectable to the input path (IP) and the output path (OP) and provides an output signal (Vout2) to control the output current driver (MN). The switchable current source (10) enables to provide an output current (ILDR) at the output terminal (LDR_PIN) in dependence on the first and second resistor (R1, R2) and the changeable current (Itrim).

A switchable current source may be used in a wide field of applications from switched mode power supply to LED drivers. One particular application is that of optical proximity sensors. Optical proximity sensors require a special infrared LED driver which has to comply with requirements relating to a wide current trimming range to trim out infrared LED variation, a wide external voltage compliance for different mobile batteries and a fast response time to LED pulse input change for a synchronized proximity engine operation.
It may be desirable to provide an electric circuit of a switchable current source which may be switched fast and reliably to provide a pulsed output current. There is also a desire to provide an electric circuit of a current regulator to provide a fast and reliable sequence of output current pulses. Another desire is to provide a module to generate a switchable output signal which may be turned on and off between a high and low level in a fast and reliable manner.

Electric circuit of a switchable current source