Methods and devices are provided for the extracorporeal ablation of target cells circulating in blood of an organism. Exogenous material introduced into the blood preferentially associates with target cells (e.g. cancer cells, bacteria, viruses) in the blood. An extracorporeal continuous flow pathway accesses the patient's blood to apply an external energy source to the blood at an ex vivo ablation device in a portion of the extracorporeal continuous flow pathway. The exogenous material interact with the applied energy so as to result in the damage or death of the target cells. The blood is then returned to the body in a continuous-flow pattern. By applying the energy while the blood is in the ex vivo ablation device, shielding of the target cells by the body is reduced and detrimental effects on the organs and tissues of the body are avoided or mitigated.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for the elimination of target cells circulating in the blood of a human or animal. More particularly, the invention involves the use of a continuous-flow, extracorporeal device that ablates target cells by utilizing exogenous material to selectively apply energy to target cells before returning treated blood to the body in a continuous blood flow process.
The in-vivo ablation of solid tumors growing in the body is known in the art and the adverse health effects of such tumors have long been recognized. The presence, however, of certain undesirable cell subsets or organisms (e.g. cancer cells, bacteria, or viruses) in the blood of a human or animal can also have deleterious effects on the health of such humans and animals. The present forms of treatment for diseases associated with these blood borne cell subsets are generally systemic, requiring the treatment of the entire circulating blood. While this systemic approach may be necessary to treat the underlying disease, treating the entire circulating blood with a systemic approach is generally undesirable because such systemic approaches affect not only the undesirable cell subsets but also normal cells and tissues.
The identification of circulating cell subsets for diagnostic purposes is a routine clinical procedure (flow cytometry, etc.). These techniques, however, rely on small blood samples taken from the patient, which are then analyzed. These identification techniques are focused on the enrichment and/or extraction of these cells for diagnostic identification or characterization of a disease.
For example, it has been found that the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of patients newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer is highly predictive of progression-free, overall survival, and is associated with significant prognostic information. The quantification of CTCs may be based on an automated cell enrichment and immunocytochemical detection system (e.g., the CellSearch System, Veridex, Warren N.J.). In this system, circulating epithelial cells are isolated by antibody-coated magnetic beads in a magnetic field (ferrofluid particles are coated with anti-EpCAM antibodies, two phycoerythron-conjugated anti-cytokeratin antibodies recognizing cytokeratins 8, 18 and 19 to specifically identify epithelial cells, an antibody against CD45 conjugated with allophycocyanin to rule out hematopoietic cells, a nuclear dye DAPI to fluorescently label the cell nuclei, and a permeabilization buffer to allow cytokeratin antibodies entry into epithelial cells), and identified using a. semi-automated fluorescence microscope. Cell images are counted as positive if the morphologic features and staining pattern are consistent with that of an epithelial cell (cytokeratin+, DAPI+, CD45−). Besides antibody-based techniques, it is known in the art to use nucleic acid-based techniques such as RT-PCR to identify CTCs through their expression of differentiation markers (cytokeratins 19 and 20, MUC-1, EGFR, Her-2/neu) or oncofetal antigens (beta human chorionic gonadotropin [beta-HCG]).
The significance of circulating cancer cells has been evaluated in clinical studies. In a prospective multicenter study using the Veridex system, CTCs were detected in ca. 70% of metastatic breast cancer patients with a highest count of 1,491 CTCs per 7.5 ml blood. (see Riethdorf, S. et al., Detection of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of patients with metastatic breast cancer: a validation study of the CellSearch system, Clin. Cancer Res., 2007. 13(3): p. 920-8.) 61% of metastatic breast cancer patients had >2 CTCs, 47% >6 CTCs per 7.5 ml blood prior to treatment. (see Cristofanilli, M. et al., Circulating tumor cells, disease progression, and survival in metastatic breast cancer, N. Engl. J. Med., 2004. 351(8): p. 781-91.) In a prospective multicenter trial on newly diagnosed patients with metastatic breast cancer, 52% of patients had >5 CTCs at baseline with a worse prognosis than patients with <5 CTCs per 7.5 ml blood. (see Cristofanilli, M. et al., Circulating tumor cells: a novel prognostic factor for newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer, J. Clin. Oncol., 2005. 23(7): p. 1420-30.)
Engraftment of CTCs in organ systems other than the primary tumor location requires CTCs with clonogenic potential, sometimes referred to as cancer "stem cells." These cancer "stem cells" have self-renewal capacity similar to normal hematopoietic stem cells and may be capable of forming tumors in subjects. While such cells have not yet been positively identified in the circulating blood of humans having certain forms of cancer, possibly due to, their rare incidence, such theory is consistent with the understanding that stem cells dividing asymmetrically into stem cells and more differentiated cells forming the bulk of the tumor.
Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood. The blood is normally a sterile environment, but bacteria can enter the bloodstream as a severe complication of infections, during surgery, or due to catheters and other foreign bodies entering the arteries or veins. Bacteremia can have several consequences. The immune response to the bacteria can cause septic shock, which has a relatively high mortality rate. Bacteria can also use the blood to spread to other parts of the body causing infections away from the original site of infection.
Viruses may also circulate in the blood during certain disease states. For example, the viral load of HIV is indicative of disease progression. The reduction in viral load in the blood is one measure of the efficacy of therapy.
Because these types of target cells in the blood generally are rare events and comprise a small number of the total number of cells circulating in the blood stream, most therapeutic techniques focus on the use of drugs to eliminate, inactivate or destroy these cells in-vivo. In the case of cancer cells, for example, chemotherapy or immunotherapies are common techniques. In the case of bacteremia, antibiotics may be used against circulating bacteria. These approaches, however, are not completely effective due in part to increasingly resistant strains of bacteria. Thus, because of the need to avoid significant damage to other circulating blood components and because of the limited number of undesirable cell subsets within the blood, conventional therapeutic techniques are limited in their ability to combat undesirable cell subsets.
Conventional techniques for ablation of stationary in-vivo targets can include the direct application of ablative energy or the use of exogenous materials to transduce the ablative energy at a target site. These techniques can include radiofrequency ablation, thermal ablation using paramagnetic particles activated by alternating magnetic fields, thermal ablation using colloidal metal, plasmonic, or conducting particles activated by electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound based thermal ablation, direct ablation using visible lasers, focused microwave ablation, and similar techniques focused on directing such energy to stationary cell subsets in, for example, a tumor.
Some of these conventional approaches utilized targeting molecules to direct exogenous particles to particular cells or parts of the body. These molecules can be selected from various constructs (peptides, aptamers, antibodies, antibody fragments, and other ligands) that are selective for cell surface receptors on the target cells or that cause the exogenous particle to be internalized by the target cell. The target cell, or the target for the exogenous material, may be an indirect target for ablation, such as endothelial cells of a tumor blood supply. The ablation of these indirect targets may result in the destruction of the ultimate target, such as the tumor itself.
These ablation techniques have comparable methods of cellular elimination that involve the use of light or energy activated molecules that have lethal effect on adjacent cells or tissues. Examples of these comparable methods include photodynamic therapy using photosynthesizers (chemical compound that can be excited by light of a specific wavelength, generally resulting in oxygen radicals). Molecules used for photodynamic therapy include aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and methylaminolevulinate (MAL), among others.
Significantly, the ablative techniques described above are all in-vivo and require energy to be applied to an area of treatment for a specified time, which can range from several seconds to hours. Additionally, most techniques ablate all material within the field of application (e.g. radio frequency ablation, photodynamic therapy, direct laser ablation), thereby resulting in damage to non-target or healthy cells. The use of exogenous energy transducers in these in-vivo procedures allows more specific ablation of solid tissue and tumors. For example, gold nanoshells, comprised of a silica core surrounded by a gold shell, have been designed to absorb near-infrared laser energy. When delivered intravenously to solid tumors, these particles may be activated with a near-infrared laser to thermally ablate the tumor while in the body. In the same vein, the use of targeting ligands with such, nanoparticles may allow an increased level of selectivity of ablation by directing the particle and the applied energy to specific types of cells or a location within the body. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,344,272 and 6,685,986 teach the compositions and synthesis of one class of nanoparticles. U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,944, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes localized in-vivo treatments by localized induction of hyperthermia in a cell or tissue by delivering nanoparticles to said cells or tissues and exposing the nanoparticles to an excitation source under conditions where they emit heat. This treatment is applicable to a stationary solid tumor mass.
Other nanoparticles have been described for the in vivo ablation of solid tumors and tissues. For example, paramagnetic particles, gold nanorods and carbon nanotubes have been described, generally with targeting ligands, for the ablation of solid tumors and tissue. These particles have been delivered intravenously or by direct injection into the tumor. These particles may also be delivered through absorption in tumor-targeting cell subsets such as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. These techniques are applicable to solid tumors.
These techniques have not generally been useful for the ablation or elimination of cells that circulate in blood. These circulating cells either move through an applied energy field too rapidly to allow therapeutic effect or the energy field may not be applied in a manner that can be applied to such cells. For example, visible and near infrared electromagnetic energy have limited depth of penetration through tissue or vessel walls, limiting depth of penetration into the body or blood. Thus, in-vivo activation techniques suffer from the problem of shielding by the body, preventing direct access to the circulating cell subsets. Forms of energy that have greater penetration depth often have undesirable side effects. For example, alternating magnetic fields can result in eddy effects or activation of paramagnetic particles that have cleared from blood but not yet cleared from the body, resulting in adverse effects on healthy tissue.
For the foregoing reasons, conventional techniques for the in-vivo ablation of stationary target cells have many drawbacks for certain applications.
Other conventional techniques, such as the techniques taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,730 use exogenous materials for the purpose of enhanced tissue repair. Such techniques, however, do not teach selective destruction or damaging of cells.
Various extracorporeal devices have been incorporated in other biological processes and methods. For example, dialysis or membrane separation of blood components is a common medical procedure. These techniques are not designed for the treatment of specific cells in the blood, but rather provide for the removal of proteins and molecules normally removed by properly functioning body organs. Apheresis of proteins has also been described for the treatment of diseases, such as dry macular degeneration. These techniques do not treat cells, much less specific targeted cells, during the process.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,321,919, 4,398,906, 4,428,744, and 4,464,166, and 5,984,887 describe extracorporeal photopheresis, wherein blood is removed from the body and treated with ultraviolet light and drugs that become active when exposed to such light. The blood is then returned to the body. This technique is being studied in the treatment of some blood and bone marrow diseases (e.g., cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) and graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). In these techniques, mononuclear blood cells are collected by apheresis, treated ex vivo with psoralen, exposed ex vivo to UV light, and finally retransfused to the patient. These techniques are characterized by a batch process (i.e. not a continuous process), because of the nature of the therapy and the length of treatment required, which can last several hours.
Blood warming devices are known in the art and have been used for a variety of purposes. For example, during transfusions, the blood is heated to avoid adverse effects to the patient receiving the transfusion. Following hypothermia, devices have been investigated to heat blood for reinfusion into the patient to elevate body temperatures.
Similarly, extracorporeally elevating the temperature of blood has also been investigated in the treatment of HIV, Kaposi's Sarcoma, cancer and other disorders. Blood was taken out of the body, heated, and then allowed to cool before being returned into the body. Additionally, investigations of whole body hyperthermia for the treatment of cancer have included extracorporeal heating of blood prior to reinfusion to elevate body temperature.
None of the foregoing techniques, however, are useful for targeting specific undesirable cells in the blood.
Likewise, apheresis and similar techniques are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,057 describes a method for reducing viral load by removal of viruses or fragments or components thereof from the blood by extracorporeally circulating blood through hollow fibers which have in the porous exterior surface, immobilized affinity molecules having specificity for viral components. Passage of the fluid through the hollow fibers causes the viral particles to bind to the affinity molecules so as to reduce the viral load in the effluent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,373 describes a method for extracorporeally treating blood samples by one or all of several modalities, including (i) the hyperthermic treating of blood at a reduced pH; (ii) mechanically damaging or lysing blood cells that contain or have been affected by a virus, microorganism or disease state, and so as to render more fragile than other cells; and (iii) subjecting the blood to irradiation. This device, however, is not selective in its application of irradiation to the cells in or components of blood of the patient. Disadvantages of these conventional techniques include failing to preferentially treat the undesirable cell subsets in the irradiated blood stream as opposed to treating the entire irradiated blood stream.
United States Patent Publication No. 2004/0191246 describes a device for the separation of biological cells. The application describes the use of the separated cells for immunotherapy and other means by the in-vivo treatment of bodily fluid, and also makes reference to the "neutralization" of such cells, but does not describe the methods for such neutralization, nor does it describe how such methods distinguish between the target and the remaining blood cells. Additionally, this application contemplates separating the targets from the remaining blood components within the device.
Various devices have been developed for the separation or enrichment of cells from samples of body fluid, yet these devices are not limited to operating on only the sample itself and do not teach treating the entire blood component of a patient. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0252087 describes methods for the separation of cells or target molecules from a body fluid sample. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0141045 describes beads that may be used for cell separation from body fluid samples. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0161051 describes a device with a similar function. Other examples are also described in the literature. These devices, however, are designed to utilize a small fluid sample and therefore are not useful for treating the entire blood volume of a patient.
Accordingly, improved methods are needed that address one or more disadvantages of the prior art.

Devices and methods for extracorporeal ablation of circulating cells


A method and system for performing network address translations for a session in a network is disclosed. The network includes at least one local network domain, and the at least one local network domain includes at least one computer system. Each computer system has a local address and is associated with a global address. The session exchanges packets that travel between the computer system within the local network domain and another computer system which may be outside of the local network domain. Each packet includes source and destination information. The method and system include determining a direction of travel for each packet, inbound or outbound, by searching a global address table for a match of a key for each packet. The key is provided using a portion of the destination information. The global address table includes at least one entry. Each entry corresponds to the global address for a first corresponding computer system. The method and system also include asymmetrically translating the source and destination information for each packet using an address translation table or session table based on whether or not the full match is found. The destination information is translated using information in the session table if the packet is inbound. The source information is translated based on the address translation table if the packet is outbound. The address translation table includes at least one entry. Each entry corresponds to the local address for a first corresponding computer system or a global host name for a shared host.

Driven by increasing usage of a variety of network applications, such as those involving the Internet, computer networks are of increasing interest. FIG. 1 depicts conventional computer networks 1 and 15 coupled via the Internet 14. The conventional computer network 1 includes router 2, clients 4, and 6 and servers 8, 10 and 12. The conventional computer network 15 includes router 16, servers 18, 20, 22 and 24 and clients 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29. The conventional computer networks 1 and 15 may also have other constituents, including other computer systems and/or additional routers, that are not shown for clarity.
The components of the computer networks 1 and 15 may desire to communicate, for example through the Internet 14. For example, a client 4 may communicate with the server 24 or client 17. Similarly, the server 18 may communicate with the client 4. In order to do so, a session is established between computer systems. In the session, data packets are sent between the computer systems involved in the session. Each packet is associated with a source from which the packet originates and a destination to which the packet is to be sent. Thus the source and destination are each one of the computer systems 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 20, 22 or 24. Each packet includes information relating to the computer systems involved in the session, typically in an IP five-tuple, that is used to route the packet to the appropriate computer system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an IP five-tuple 30. The IP five-tuple 30 is taken from various fields in an IP header and TCP header of a packet. The IP five-tuple 30 includes five fields, the protocol 32, two source fields 34 and 36 and two destination fields 38 and 40. The source fields are the source address 34 and the source port 36. The destination fields are the destination address 38 and the destination port 40. The source address 34 is typically the IP address of the source. The source port 36 and destination port 40 are associated with the software application connected to the TCP protocol layer. The destination address 39 is typically the IP address of the destination for the packet.
In a session, each computer system involved in the session sends packets to the other computer system involved in the session. Thus, packets for a session travel in two directions, to and from each computer system. The destination for a packet traveling in one direction is the source for a packet traveling in the opposite direction. For example, suppose a session is established between the client 4 and the server 20. For a packet traveling from the client 4 to the server 20, the source is the client 4 and the destination is the server 20. However, for a packet traveling from the server 20 to the client 4, the source is the server 20 and the destination is the client 4.
In order to keep track of the ongoing sessions and store information used in routing packets for the sessions, a session table is typically used. The conventional session table is typically kept by a router, such as the routers 2 and 16. Each entry in the session table includes data for a corresponding session. This data is used to forward packets for the session to the appropriate destination using the appropriate ports. The entries are indexed using a concatenation of the protocol 32, source address 34, source port 36, destination address 38 and destination port 40. The concatenation of the protocol 32, source address 34, source port 36, destination address 38 and destination port 40 is typically hashed in order to provide the index for the session.
In addition to utilizing sessions, network address translation may also be performed. Network address is typically used when both global addressing information and local addressing information may be associated with a server or client. Network address translation is often required because there is a limited number of individual IP addresses that are available globally. Network address translation allows IP addresses to be reused within multiple local networks. For example, network address translation may be used where a single server supports multiple logical hosts and multiple logical global IP addresses. Each global IP address typically corresponds to one of the logical hosts. Typically, each host is preserved by allocating a different TCP port number to each logical host within the server. Similarly, network address translation may also be performed when certain host names fan out to multiple servers within a network. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the network 15 may have a host name that could refer to any of the servers 18, 20, 22 and 24 and clients 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27. Thus, any of the servers 18, 20, 22 and 24 may be accessed from outside of the network 15 using the global address and the global port for the network 15. Within the network 15, the servers 18, 20, 22 and 24 and clients 19, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 have local addresses and ports used for routing communications within the network 15. Thus, in order to route packets from an external source, such as the client 4, the global address and port are used to reach the network 15, then the local address and port are used to reach a specific one of the components 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27 of the network 15. Similarly, in order to route communications to an external destination, the local address and port are used as the source address 34 and source port 36, respectively, through the router 16. The global address and port are then used as the source address 34 and source port 25 when routing the packet external to the network 15. Consequently, the global address and the local address must be translated. This translation may be based on the specific URL path for server farms that distribute web pages across multiple servers, or may be based on current traffic and processing loads for servers that duplicate web content on multiple servers for performance (i.e. response time) or reliability reasons.
FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a conventional method 50 for routing packets using network address translation. The method 50 will be described in the context of FIGS. 1 and 2. For clarity, it is presumed that the session is between the server 18 and the client 4 and that the method 50 is performed using the router 16. A key is used to look up the session in the session table, via step 52. The key is typically a concatenation of the protocol 32, the source address 34, source port 36, destination address 38, destination port 40 for the packet being routed. Because of the network address translation discussed above, the key will not only be different for packets flowing in opposite directions, but will also be asymmetric. For example, the key for a packet flowing from the client 4 to the server 18 may be formed using the client's address and port for the source address 34 and source port 36, respectively, and using the global address and global port for the network 15 for the destination address and destination port, respectively. In contrast, a key for a packet flowing from the server 18 to the client 4 will use the client's address and port for the destination address 38 and port 40, respectively, and will use the local address and local port for the source address 34 and source port 36, respectively.
Once the match for the key is found in the search of the session table, the action taken depends upon the match. If the match was for a key formed using the global address and global port as the destination address, then the packet is traveling from the client 4 to the server 18. Thus, it is determined whether the source of the packet is in the local domain, via step 54. Thus, step 54 determines whether the packet is traveling from the client 4 to the server 18. If the source of the packet is not in the local domain, then the destination address and port are translated from the global address and port to the local address and local port, respectively, via step 56. If the source packet is in the local domain, the packet travels from the client 4 to the server 18. The source address and port are then translated from the local address and local port, respectively to the global address and global port respectively, via step 58. After translation in step 56 or 58, the packet is forwarded using the information in the session table that has been accessed and the translated address, via step 60.
Although the conventional method 50 allows the packets for the session to be forwarded to the destination, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the method 50 is inefficient. In particular, as described above, there is no symmetry between the source address/port 34/36 and destination address/port 38/40 for packets traveling in opposite directions. Instead, the translation results in a packet traveling from the client having an address for the destination address that is different from the address that a packet traveling from the server has for the source address. Similarly, the packet traveling from the client has a port for the destination port that is different from the port that a packet traveling from the server has for the source port. Furthermore, the data required to perform the conventional network address translation described in steps 56 and 58 is contained in the session table. As a result, the conventional method 50 requires that the session table contain two entries for each session. One entry is indexed using a key that is formed using the global address. Another entry is indexed using a key that is formed using the local address. As a result, the session table may be large. In addition, each time a session is added or removed, two insertions to and two deletions from the session table are required. Thus, additional resources are expended. Furthermore, keeping the two entries synchronized as the session progresses requires additional resources.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for more efficiently identifying sessions. The present invention addresses such a need.

Method and system for performing asymmetric address translation

International Business Machines Corporation


A cache memory is disclosed. The cache memory includes an instruction memory portion having a plurality of instruction memory locations configured to store instruction data encoding a plurality of CPU instructions. The cache memory also includes a tag memory portion having a plurality of tag memory locations configured to store tag data encoding a plurality of RAM memory address ranges the CPU instructions are stored in. The instruction memory portion includes a single memory circuit having an instruction memory array and a plurality of instruction peripheral circuits communicatively connected with the instruction memory array. The tag memory portion includes a plurality of tag memory circuits, where each of the tag memory circuits includes a tag memory array, and a plurality of tag peripheral circuits communicatively connected with the tag memory array.

Cache memories are used in computer systems to reduce instruction access time for frequently used instructions. Central Processing Unit (CPU) executable instructions are stored in RAM, and are available for access by the CPU, as needed. Some, but not all, instructions, for example recently used instructions, are additionally stored in the cache memory. Because the cache memory is faster than RAM, the cache memory is preferred, and is used if the instruction needed by the CPU is stored therein. If the instruction needed by the CPU is not stored in the cache memory, the instruction is retrieved from the RAM.
Conventional cache memories require large amounts of die area to implement. Improved cache memories requiring less area are needed in the art.


A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a gate line on a substrate; a data line crossing the gate line with a gate insulating film to define a pixel area; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a semiconductor pattern overlapped along the data line; a double layer passivation film covering the data line and the thin film transistor, wherein layers of the passivation film have different etching rates; and a pixel electrode formed in a pixel hole penetrating an upper passivation film of the double layer passivation film and connected to a drain electrode of the thin film transistor exposed through a drain contact hole, the pixel electrode forming a border with the upper passivation film surrounding the pixel hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor substrate applied to a display device and a fabricating method thereof, and more particularly to a thin film transistor substrate adapted to simplify processing, and a fabricating method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display device controls the light transmittance of liquid crystal having dielectric anisotropy by use of an electric field to display a picture. For this, the liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying a picture through a liquid crystal cell matrix and a drive circuit for driving the liquid crystal display panel.
Referring to FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display panel of the related art includes a color filter substrate 10 and a thin film transistor substrate 20 which are bonded together with a liquid crystal 24 therebetween.
The color filter substrate 10 includes a black matrix 4, a color filter 6 and a common electrode 8 sequentially formed on an upper glass substrate 2. The black matrix 4 is formed in a matrix shape on the upper glass substrate 2. The black matrix 4 divides the area of the upper glass substrate 2 into a plurality of cell areas where a color filter 6 is formed. The black matrix 4 prevents light interference between adjacent cells and external light reflection. The color filter 6 is divided by the black matrix 4 into red R, green G and blue B filters in the cell area that transmit red, green and blue light. The common electrode 8 supplies a common voltage Vcom when driving liquid crystal 24, to a transparent conductive layer (not shown) formed over the entire surface of the color filter 6. An overcoat layer (not shown) is further formed between the color filter 6 and the common electrode 8 in order to planarize the color filter 6.
The thin film transistor substrate 20 includes a thin film transistor 18 and a pixel electrode 22, both formed at each cell area defined by the crossing of a gate line 14 and a data line 16 in a lower glass substrate 12. The thin film transistor 18 supplies a data signal from the data line 16 to the pixel electrode 22 in response to a gate signal from the gate line 14. The pixel electrode 22 is formed of a transparent conductive layer and supplies the data signal from the thin film transistor 18 to drive liquid crystal 24.
The liquid crystal 24 having dielectric anisotropy rotates according to an electric field formed by the data signal of the pixel electrode 22 and the common voltage Vcom of the common electrode 8 to control light transmittance. Thus, gray level may be realized.
The liquid crystal display panel further includes a spacer (not shown) for uniformly maintaining a cell gap between the color filter substrate 10 and the thin film transistor substrate 20.
The color filter substrate 10 and the thin film transistor substrate 20 of the liquid crystal display panel are formed by a plurality of mask processes. One mask process includes a plurality of processes such as a thin film deposition process, a cleaning process, a photolithography process (hereinafter, referred to as "photo-process"), an etching process, a photo-resist peeling process, and an inspection process, etc.
The thin film transistor substrate 20 includes a semiconductor process and requires a plurality of mask processes. Thus, its fabricating process is complicated and is a large factor in the increase of manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display panel. Accordingly, there is a need to reduce the number of mask processes in fabricating a thin film transistor substrate.

Liquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same


In a 3GPP standards Release 6 UMTS system, in order to avoid searching at NodeB for a maximum E-DPCCH-associated metric at discrete possible valid index values, or over disjoint possible valid index regions, at the UE the three different sources of information, the fixed number bits that comprise the RSN, TFI and the H-bit components of the E-DPCCH bit field, are mapped so that the decimal equivalents of the possible E-DPCCH indices lie within a continuous range of values.

A wireless communications network typically includes a variety of communication nodes coupled by wireless or wired connections and accessed through different types of communications channels. Each of the communication nodes includes a protocol stack that processes the data transmitted and received over the communications channels. Depending on the type of communications system, the operation and configuration of the various communication nodes can differ and are often referred to by different names. Such communications systems include, for example, a Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) system and a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).
Third generation wireless communication protocol standards (e.g., 3GPP-UMTS, 3GPP2-CDMA2000, etc.) may employ a dedicated traffic channel in the uplink (e.g., a communication flow between a mobile station (MS) or User Equipment (UE), and a base station (BS) or NodeB. The dedicated physical channel may include a data part (e.g., a dedicated physical data channel (DPDCH) in accordance with UMTS Release 4/5 protocols, a fundamental channel or supplemental channel in accordance with CDMA2000 protocols, etc.) and a control part (e.g., a dedicated physical control channel (DPCCH) in accordance with UMTS Release 4/5 protocols, a pilot/power control sub-channel in accordance with CDMA2000 protocols, etc.). For UMTS, the DPDCH carries the data to be transmitted. Incoming data is in the format of transport channels and multiple transport channels are time-multiplexed into the DPDCH. Transport channels are received every Transmission Time Interval (TTI), which is 1, 2, 4 or 8 times the radio frame duration of 10 ms. Different transport channels to be multiplexed into the same DPDCH can have different TTIs, but the boundaries of the larger TTIs are always aligned with the boundaries of some smaller TTIs.
Each DPDCH frame has an associated DPCCH frame of 10 ms duration consisting of 15 slots of 10 bits each. Each slot's 10 bits consist of pilot bits and control bits. The control bits include Transport Format Combination Indicator (TFCI) bits, which provide an indicator of the data rate for each transport channel on the associated DPDCH and are used for processing the received DPDCH frame, Feed Back Information (FBI) bits, and Transmit Power Control (TPC) bits. Two bits per slot are allocated for TFCI. The actual combination of numbers of the remaining 8 bits can changed and is controlled by the Radio Network Controller (RNC). An exemplary configuration is 5 pilot bits, 2 TFCI bits, 1 FBI bit and 2 TPC bits for one slot. Both the NodeB and the UE know the pilot bits, but the rest of the bits are unknown to the NodeB.
TFCI is transmitted every frame by the UE. It is a 10-bit word that is coded into a 32-bit TFCI codeword. In a normal mode, two coded bits are punctured and the remaining 30 TFCI coded bits are transmitted in a radio frame, 2 bits per slot, 15 slots per radio frame. Since TFCI is a 10-bit word, there are 1024 possible TFCI index values. Depending, however, on the Transport Format Combination Set (TFCS) size, only the indices from 0 to TFCS_size−1 are used out of those 1024 possible TFCI index values, where the number TFCS_size is much smaller than 1024. For each transmission, the index is mapped to its 10-bit binary representation, which is (x10, x9, . . . , x1), where bit x10 is the MSB and bit x1 is the LSB, and where this binary representation of TFCI runs from 0 to TFCS_size−1. This 10-bit word is then encoded by a (32, 10) subcode of a 2nd order Reed-Muller code to produce the 32-bit TFCI codeword (z0, z1, . . . , z31), which is punctured by not transmitting the last two bits, z30 and z31. As noted, these remaining 30 bits, z0, . . . , z29, are transmitted 2-bit per slot in the 15-slot DPCCH frame.
At the NodeB receiver, soft symbols, s0, s1, . . . , s31 corresponding to the coded TFCI bits z0, z1, . . . , z31 at the UE are derived. These soft symbols are decoded by correlating them with each of the 1024 possible TFCI code words to obtain 1024 metrics for TFCS indexes {0, 1, . . . , 1023}. A search for the maximum of these metrics is performed and the index that corresponds to the maximum metric is the decoded TFCI. Fast Hadamard Transform (FHT) can be employed as a computationally efficient method to perform the correlation. Since the NodeB knows the TFCS look-up table size in use, it only needs to search on the metrics corresponding to the indices from 0 to TFCS-size−1, with no gaps in between these indices. This gives significant performance advantage over the case when no information about the actual size of TFCS is assumed (i.e., TFCS-size=1024), especially when the actual TFCS size is much smaller than 1024. The maximum search is thus able to operate only on the metrics for the first TFCS_size indices out of the possible 1024 indices.
Newer versions of these standards, for example, Release 6 of UMTS provide for high data rate uplink channels referred to as enhanced dedicated physical channels. These enhanced dedicated physical channels may include an enhanced data part (e.g., an enhanced dedicated physical data channel [E-DPDCH] in accordance with UMTS protocols) and an enhanced control part (e.g., an enhanced dedicated physical control channel [E-DPCCH] in accordance with UMTS protocols). As defined in the specification of the enhanced uplink data channel, the UE transmits a frame of data in the E-DPDCH simultaneously with a frame of control information in the E-DPCCH channel. This control information that is communicated from UE to NodeB includes parameters that are in general needed by the NodeB to decode the E-DPDCH frame. An E-DPCCH word includes seven E-TFI (E-DCH [enhanced-uplink dedicated channel] Transport Format Indicator) bits that provide the NodeB with information from which the NodeB can determine the actual packet size within the E-DPDCH data frame. This is needed because the transport channels can have a variable packet data size based on the type of the applications and the dynamic nature of packet data communication. Generally, two frame sizes (TTI lengths), i.e., 10 ms and 2 ms, are available for use in the E-DPDCH. In addition, an E-DPCCH word includes RSN (retransmission sequence number) bits that indicate the redundancy version of the data frame on the E-DPDCH, up to a maximum of 3, which can be represented by two bits. The redundancy version is needed because the NodeB needs to know whether a frame is transmitted for the first time, or is a HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) first, second or third retransmission of the data frame. If a previous transmission has not been acknowledged by any of the NodeBs that might be communicating with a UE, the UE will retransmit the same frame unless an acknowledgement (ACK) is received from at least one NodeB, or the maximum allowable number of retransmissions of the same frame has been reached. Therefore, even if a NodeB was not previously able to decode a frame transmission, it cannot predict whether the UE will send a new transmission of another frame or the retransmission of the previous frame since another NodeB with which the UE was communicating might have acknowledged the previous frame. The E-DPCCH word also includes a single happy bit (H-bit), which the UE uses to inform the NodeB whether or not it is happy with current setup of E-DCH channels (e.g., the UE can use this indictor to tell the NodeB that it needs more data capacity and can handle it, but NodeB currently is not allowing it to have the data rate so it is not happy). An E-DPCCH word thus contains 10-bits that are the seven TFI bits, the two RSN bits and the single happy bit (H-bit) within one frame of transmission.
In accordance with 3GPP standards Release 6 (TS25.212, version 6.4.0, Mar. 30, 2005), these three sources of information (RSN, TFI and H-bit) are used to form a 10-bit E-DPCCH word (x10, x9, . . . , x1). FIG. 1 shows the mapping of the RSN, TFI and H-bit bit mapping by bit mapper 101 at the UE 102 of the two RSN bits into bits (x1, x2), TFI into bits (x3, . . . , x9) and the H-bit into bit x10. Coder 103 then encodes the 10-bit DPCCH words using a (32, 10) subcode of a 2nd order Reed-Muller code to form a 32-bit E-DPCCH codeword (z0, z1, . . . , z31), which is the same as the encoding of the TFCI for DPCCH described above. As for TFCI for DPCCH, only the first 30 bits, z0, . . . , z29, are transmitted. At the NodeB receiver 104, the soft symbols (s0, s1, . . . , s31) corresponding to the coded E-DPCCH bits, (z0, z1, . . . , z31) at the UE 102, are derived (not shown). Correlator 105 correlates these soft symbols with each possible E-DPCCH code words (1024 in total), to produce the 1024 metrics of E-DPCCH indices {0,1, . . . , 1023}. As for DPCCH, FHT can be employed as a computationally efficient method to perform the correlation. Since NodeB can exploit prior knowledge about the maximum RSN and the Transport Format Set (TFS) size in use, searcher 106 only needs to perform the search on those metrics that correspond to valid E-DPCCH words. However, the valid E-DPCCH words do not correspond to a single range of indices but rather correspond to either discrete indices or to a few disjoint index regions. Hence, the maximum search by searcher 106 over metrics with valid E-DPCCH indices is more involved than the corresponding search over TFCIs over {0, 1, TFCS-size−1} for DPCCH described above. As a first example, if the maximum RSN is 1, and TFI has values from 0-3, there are 16 valid indices having discrete values of 0, 2, 128, 130, 256, 258, 384, 386, 512, 514, 640, 642, 768, 770, 896, and 898. As a second example, if the maximum RSN is 3 and TFI has values from 0-3, there are a total of 32 valid indices having values in the individual ranges of 0-3, 128-131, 256-259, 384-387, 512-515, 640-643, 768-771, and 896-899, thus requiring a search for the maximum metric over eight disjoint index regions.

Method and apparatus for bit mapping enhanced-dedicated physical control channel (E-DPCCH) information in UMTS wireless communication system


Various embodiments relate to intelligently generating a playlist and determining attributes of a media player for output when content of the playlist is played. The playlist may be generated dynamically from content from multiple media sources and sensor information from one or more sensors communicating with the media player. The one or more attributes may also be determined from the sensors. The playlist and the attributes may change as the information from the sensors change.

Various different examples exist in the art for generating a playlist. For example, US Publication Number 2011/0295843 discloses a dynamic generation of contextually aware playlists. In particular, user-centric metrics are used to define and/or refine the generation of a contextually aware media playlist.
As another example, US Publication Number 2010/0228803 discloses methods and systems for merging media. In particular, the process of merging media, according to the publication, includes obtaining a first input from a first media device. The first input comprises first data corresponding to properties of one or more first media files. A second input is obtained from a second media device which comprises second data corresponding to properties of one or more second media files. A merged list is generated comprising one or more first selected media files of the first media files sharing a common property with at least one of the second media files and second selected media files of the second media files sharing the common property. One of the first selected, media files, one of the second selected media files, or both is played.
As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,542,816 discloses a system, method and computer program product for automatically selecting, suggesting, and playing music media files. In particular, ambient sensor signals, chronographic information, daily life schedule information, and/or external meteorological information are intelligently correlated with a user's previous music media file selection patterns for predicting future music media file play recommendations to a user of a portable media player. Music media file selection information includes user spontaneous selections of music media files and/or user acceptances or rejections of software suggested music media files. Additionally disclosed are gait matching and/or tempo adjustment in dependence on the received sensor signals and the selection, suggestion and/or automatic play of music media files.
While beneficial for their intended uses, users would also benefit from a media player that dynamically generates a playlist from multiple media sources and also changes its behavior in accordance with user behavior while playing the playlist from the media player.

Harman International Industries, Incorporated


The present invention relates to a vertical cavity surface emitting laser device comprising a plurality of semiconductor layers formed upon a substrate and capable of emitting a laser beam of a selected wavelength and a selected polarization, wherein said polarization is established by the presence of stress inducing elements disposed on said free surface of the laser device which induce a stress in the active layers of the laser device. The stress inducing elements are made of a material having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the material which comprises the surface layer of the laser device.

Closely-spaced, independently-addressable, solid state laser arrays are important devices in current high-speed xerographic printing technology. Generally, in xerographic printing, an electrostatic image (also known as a latent image)is formed on a photoreceptor before producing a permanent image on a recording medium such as paper. To form a latent image, the entire surface of the photoreceptor is first uniformly, electrostatically, charged. Then, the photoreceptor is illuminated in an image-wise manner in order to discharge selected (image or non-image) areas. One common illuminator is a modulated laser beam which is directed onto a scanning device, such as is a rotating, multi-faceted, mirrored polygon which deflects the laser light onto selected areas of the photoreceptor. Rotating polygon mirrors and their related optics are generically referred to as ROSs (Raster Output Scanners). The areas exposed to the laser beam are discharged, resulting in a pattern charged and discharged areas on the photoreceptor. This pattern, which is the latent image, is then made visible (i.e. developed) by bringing very fine toner particles into contact with the photoreceptor. The toner adheres to selected areas of the photoreceptor and is then transferred to a recording medium.
Full-color printing is usually accomplished by forming and developing four latent images, as described above, and then transferring the individual developed images in registration on a recording medium. The photoreceptor is sequentially scanned four times by the ROS, with image information for black and color separations for each of the three primary colors.
By utilizing multiple laser beams, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,359 entitled "Raster Output Scanner For A Multistation Xerographic Printing System" by T. Fisli, four laser beams, the speed of color xerographic printing may be greatly increased. As disclosed, a multiple wavelength, multi-laser array of single discrete lasers is utilized; one for each color separation and black. The four laser beams simultaneously strike a single raster output polygon mirror and a single set of scan optics, and are then separated by optical filters, and each beam is directed to a separate photoreceptor for printing one color. Then the separate images are transferred to a suitable record medium. Of course, registration of the color separations is imperative. In order to ensure that the color image produced by each photoreceptor is in registration, the laser beams should ideally originate from a common spatial location so that they share a common optical axis with respect to the rotating polygon mirror. Therefore, in practice, the laser beams should be as close to one another as possible.
It is also important that the emitting regions in the monolithic laser array structure are individually addressable and that the emitted, closely spaced beams may be individually detected and processed. Thus, any information contained as a result of beam modulation at the source or reflected by transmission through the optical path should be readily captured. There are several ways to generate beams with unique characteristics that will make the beams easier to separate or detect. One way is to change the wavelengths; a second way is to change the polarization. In both cases, there must be sufficient separation so that the optical filters can effectively isolate each beam.
For individual edge emitting lasers in a monolithic array to have independently separable wavelengths, the difference in wavelength between any two lasers generally has to be on the order of at least 50 nanometers (nm). As discussed previously, since there are four colors for full-color printing, four laser beams with wavelengths that span at least 150 nm would be required to implement this approach. To make a four-laser monolithic array with such a span of wavelengths, the use of two semiconductor material systems is generally required. For instance, an Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As material system produces lasers with wavelengths from approximately 750 nm to 850 nm while an AlGaInP material system produces lasers from approximately 630 to 700 nm. By incorporating both material systems, it is possible to produce an array with a wavelength separation of at least 150 nm. Of course, the processing of dual material system arrays is more complex and expensive than the processing of single material system arrays.
Where four discrete and separable lasers are needed it is possible to combine several wavelengths and several polarizations in a single array. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,263, entitled "Monolithic Multiple Wavelength Dual Polarization Laser Diode Arrays" by Bour et al, there is disclosed a linear monolithic multiple wavelength, dual polarization edge emitting laser array. Thus, in a four laser array, as needed in a four color system, the wavelength separation required is reduced from 150 nm to 50 nm, since the number of separable sources is doubled by taking advantage of the orthogonal polarizations.
Although edge emitting laser arrays are currently used in the vast majority of applications, vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers ("VCSELs") offer several advantages over edge emitting laser arrays. For instance, (1) VCSELs can be fabricated in closer packed arrays than edge emitting lasers; (2) the beam of a VCSEL has a small and circular angular divergence; (3) a VCSEL's mirrors are monolithically incorporated into its design, thus allowing for on wafer testing, whereas edge emitting lasers are not complete until the wafer is cleaved into individual devices; and (4) VCSELs can be monolithically grown in one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrays, whereas monolithic edge emitting lasers can only be grown in one dimensional arrays.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a two-dimensional monolithic array of VCSEL lasers which can operate efficiently at several wavelengths with controllable linear polarizations.

Wavelength and polarization multiplexed vertical cavity surface emitting lasers


The various technologies presented herein relate to generating copies of an incoming signal, wherein each copy of the signal can undergo different processing to facilitate control of bandwidth demands during communication of one or more signals relating to the incoming signal. A signal sharing component can be utilized to share copies of the incoming signal between a plurality of circuits/components which can include a first A/D converter, a second A/D converter, and a comparator component. The first A/D converter can operate at a low sampling rate and accordingly generates, and continuously transmits, a signal having a low bandwidth requirement. The second A/D converter can operate at a high sampling rate and hence generates a signal having a high bandwidth requirement. Transmission of a signal from the second A/D converter can be controlled by a signaling event (e.g., a signal pulse) being determined to have occurred by the comparator component.

In a conventional instrumentation system, device wiring can cause sampling of a channel to be conducted in a particular manner. For example, a single channel (e.g., a first pin of an integrated circuit (IC)) is typically connected to a first sensor that generates data that is indicative of an operational condition of a process. During operation of the process, the data generated by the first sensor can undergo a slow transition between states (e.g., a change in voltage as a function of temperature), and/or the information provided by the sensor (e.g., temperature, pressure, velocity, etc.) is of minor importance with regard to operation of the process. Accordingly, the first sensor may be connected, via the single channel, to a first analog to digital (A/D) converter which is incorporated into the IC and is configured to sample the data generated by the first sensor at a relatively low rate. For example, sampling of data output by the first sensor can be performed at every 2 milliseconds (ms).
In another example, a second pin of the IC may be connected to a second sensor whose readings provide critical information about the monitored process, and accordingly, a higher sampling rate is desired. The second sensor may be connected, via the second input pin, to a second A/D converter that is incorporated into the IC and is configured to operate at a higher sampling rate when compared to the sampling rate of the first A/D converter. Hence, the data from the second A/D converter requires greater communication bandwidth than the data generated by the first A/D converter.
Accordingly, during design of the instrumentation system, a decision has to be made as to the importance of a sensor and the data generated by the sensor in relation to the process being monitored, e.g., decide whether the sensor data is of low or high importance.
Further, by uniquely associating a sensor with a particular A/D converter, while in a first operational state of the monitored system, data generated by the sensor may be of low importance and a low sampling rate is acceptable. However, the system may transition to another operating state, whereby the data generated by the sensor may be critical in determining the operational state (e.g., during forensic analysis, real-time operation, etc.) of the system and a high sampling rate is now required. The unique association of a first sensor with a low sample rate A/D circuit, and a unique association of a second sensor with a high sample rate A/D circuit renders the designed system to operate in an fixed manner, the deficiencies of which may require a system designer to always attach sensors to a high sampling rate A/D converter to ensure that an acceptable sampling rate is available for every possible operating condition of a process, and accordingly any sensor data associated therewith.


A biopesticidal composition for controlling insects (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants), containing an agriculturally acceptable carrier and an effective insect (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants) biopesticidal amount of a fungus selected from the group consisting of Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30593, Metarhizium anisopliae having the identifying characteristics of Metarhizium anisopliae NRRL 30594, Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30601, Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30600, or mixtures thereof. Also, a method for controlling insects (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants), involving applying an effective insect biopesticidal amount of the composition to the insects or to the plants, areas or substrates infested with the insects.

The present invention relates to a biopesticidal composition for controlling insects (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants), containing an agriculturally acceptable carrier and an effective insect (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants) biopesticidal amount of at least one fungus selected from Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30593, Metarhizium anisopliae having the identifying characteristics of Metarhizium anisopliae NRRL 30594, Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30601, Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30600, or mixtures thereof. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling insects (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants) involving applying an effective insect biopesticidal amount of the above composition to the insects or to the plants, areas or substrates infested with the insects.
Insect pests are a major problem for agriculture. For example, the pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn), is a major pest of pecans throughout the Southeast United States (Mizell, R. F., Risk rating: A fruitful approach to management of the pecan weevil, pp. 69-78, In W. W. Neel [ed], Pecan weevil: research perspective, 1985, Quail Ridge Press, Brandon, Miss.). The insects have a two or three-year life-cycle (Harris, M. K., Pecan phenology and pecan weevil biology and management, pp. 51-58, In W. W. Neel [ed], Pecan weevil: research perspective, 1985, Quail Ridge Press, Brandon, Miss.). Adults emerge from soil in late July-August and then feed on and oviposit in the nuts. Larvae develop within the nut and fourth instars drop to the soil where they burrow to a depth of 8-25 cm. The following year approximately 90% of the larvae pupate and spend the next nine months in the soil as adults; the remaining 10% of the population spend two years in the soil as larvae emerging as adults in the third year.
Control recommendations for the pecan weevil currently consist solely of applications of chemical insecticides (e.g., carbaryl) to the tree canopy to suppress adults (Ellis, H. C., et al., Georgia pecan pest management guide, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin No. 841 (2000); Harris, M. K., Pecan weevil management considerations, pp. 66-73, In B. McCraw, E. H. Dean, and B. W. Wood [eds.], Pecan industry: current situation and future challenges, third national pecan workshop proceedings, 1999, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service). Late season applications of carbaryl, however, can result in resurgence of damaging aphid populations because carbaryl suppresses certain aphid predators (e.g., coccinellids) but does not suppress the pecan aphid complex (Dutcher, J. D., and J. A. Payne, The impact of pecan weevil control strategies on non-target arthropods, pp. 39-50, In W. W. Neel [ed], Pecan weevil: research perspective, 1985, Quail Ridge Press, Brandon, Miss.). Due to the problems associated with aphid resurgence, as well as other environmental and regulatory concerns, research on developing alternative control strategies is warranted. Microbial control (i.e., use of entomopathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or nematodes) is one of the potential alternatives to current chemical insecticides.
Among entomopathogens of C. caryae studied thus far, certain Hyphomycetes fungi (i.e., Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin) have shown the most promise as microbial control agents (Fuxa, J. R., et al., Pathogens and microbial control of north American forest insect pests, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, 1998, USDA Forest Service, Morgantwown, W. Va.; Gottwald, T. R., and W. L. Tedders, Suppression of pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations with entomopathogenic fungi, Environ. Entomol., 12: 471-474 (1983); Sikorowski, P. P., Pecan weevil pathology, pp. 87-101, In W. W. Neel [ed] Pecan weevil: Research perspective, 1985, Quail Ridge Press, Brandon, Miss.). Fungi in the class Hyphomycetes generally invade the insect host through the cuticle, replicate within the host's hemocoel, and form external conidiophores to disperse their spores (Tanada Y., and H. K. Kaya., Insect Pathology, 1993, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.). The fungi B. bassiana and M. anispoliae are pathogenic to a wide variety of insects including a number of curculionid or other coleopteran pests (Tanada Y., and H. K. Kaya., Insect Pathology, 1993, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.). Due to susceptibility to environmental extremes (e.g., low relative humidity, ultraviolet light, temperature), fungi are most successful when applied to soil or other "protected" environments (Fuxa, J. R., and Y. Tanada [eds.], Epizootiology of insect diseases, 1987, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y.). Microbial control of C. caryae with these agents is most likely to be successful when fungi are applied to soil as a barrier treatment when larvae are dropping from nuts or when adults are emerging (Sikorowski, P. P., Pecan weevil pathology, pp. 87-101, In W. W. Neel [ed] Pecan weevil: Research perspective, 1985, Quail Ridge Press, Brandon, Miss.).
Some promising results have been reported in suppressing C. caryae with fungi (e.g.,>60% suppression) (Gottwald, T. R., and W. L. Tedders, Suppression of pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations with entomopathogenic fungi, Environ. Entomol., 12: 471-474 (1983); Tedders, W. L., et al., Pecan weevil: suppression of larvae with the fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana and the nematode Neoaplectana dutkyi, J. Econ. Entomol., 66: 723-725 (1973)). However, other laboratory and field experiments indicate a lack of consistency (i.e., less than 35% suppression) (Harrison, R. D., et al., Relative susceptibility of pecan weevil fourth instars and adults to selected isolates of Beauveria bassiana, Biological Control, 3: 34-38 (1993)). Virulence can depend substantially on the strain or species of the particular entomopathogen being used (Shapiro-Ilan D. I., et al., Factors affecting commercial success: case studies in cotton, turf, and citrus, In R. Gaugler, [ed.] Entomopathogenic Nematology, CABI, In press; Tanada Y., and H. K. Kaya, Insect Pathology, 1993, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.). Discovery of new strains or species of fungi may lead to enhanced potential for microbial control since susceptibility of C. caryae varies among species or strains of entomopathogenic fungi (Harrison, R. D., et al., Relative susceptibility of pecan weevil fourth instars and adults to selected isolates of Beauveria bassiana, Biological Control, 3: 34-38 (1993)).

Methods and materials for control of insects such as pecan weevils

The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture


Optimization constraints are used to select an appropriate content item from an available group of content items which are ordered in a specific manner to facilitate the proper selection of the content item, even if the exact item desired is not present. The server is then able to insert the selected content item into the outgoing content page requested by the client. The optimization constraints can be, but are not limited to, any one of the following: communication channel performance (bandwidth), client operating system, client processor, client display capabilities, client installed software (video or audio codecs for example), and/or user preferences. A software product and method enable selective delivery of content to client devices of varying performance characteristics, including varying bandwidth, by selective filtering and inclusion of markup language content using tags demarcating optional content. The optional content may include a number of alternate items of content. An optimization constraint is used to select one of the items. The server includes the selected item in an item of content requested by a client device. The optimization constraints are associated with varying levels of client/communication channel performance.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and software products for delivering content in client-server networks, and more particularly, to systems, methods, and software products that optimize the delivery of such content in response to optimization criteria.
2. Background of the Invention
The Internet generally, and the World Wide Web specifically, provide a client-server model of content delivery, in which content stored on a server at a web site is delivered over a communications channel to a client device. Conventionally, the content as structured by the author is delivered by the server to all requesting clients in the same form. That is, the server does not change the structure of the content to accommodate the performance characteristics of the communication channel to a particular client, or the performance characteristics of the client itself. At best, the client re-formats the received content based on its own capabilities (e.g. a text only browser will filter out images, but still must receive the images, thereby consuming bandwidth).
This delivery model is not satisfactory when there are many different types of clients, with varying performance capabilities and varying communication channels. For example, today a web site may be accessed by many different types of clients, from conventional full size computers with large screen displays (e.g. 13″ to 17″) and full color capabilities (16 M colors) to small handheld computers with small screens (e.g. 4″ to 6″) and limited color capabilities (256 colors), to cellular telephones with very small screens (1″–2″) and virtually no color capabilities (2–8 colors monochrome). A web page with many images that is designed to be viewed on a full size, full color monitor will not appear at all properly on a cellular telephone display with only monochrome output. Moreover, the cellular telephone has a much lower bandwidth capability than a standard desktop computer, and thus would require significantly more time (and hence more cost and delay) in loading such a web page.
Typically, in order to accommodate these varying capabilities, a server must maintain many different web sites or web pages, each designed to be served to a particular class of client. But this approach is very labor intensive, particularly for sites that must be updated frequently, since the many different sizes and content selections for a given page must be kept in synchrony to all have the same current content. Further, display capabilities are only one characteristic that affects client performance. Different client devices may operate with different bandwidth capabilities, having different processor and memory capacities, or even have different pricing schemes associated with retrieval of content. When considering the possible combinations of factors that affect client performance, such as bandwidth and display capabilities (to name just two), the number of different possible web sites that need to be maintained quickly becomes unmanageable.
An alternative solution to maintaining multiple web sites is to design web sites that are acceptable to only the lowest performance devices that are going to access the site. But this approach yields simple sites that do not fully allow higher performance devices to take advantage of their performance features.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system, method, and software product that can optimize delivery of content to client devices in response to optimization criteria. In particular, it is desirable to provide a web server that can efficiently deliver content to client devices having varying bandwidth, display, and other performance characteristics.

Optimizing server delivery of content by selective inclusion of optional data based on optimization criteria


Adjustable electronic device stand includes a base member defining therein a circular accommodation recess, an adjustment mechanism including an axial rotary table, a rotating component set consisting of a stub rod member, a driving plate, a rotating plate and a position-limit plate for rotatably securing the axial rotary table to the base member and a longitudinal adjustment unit pivotally coupled with a first pivot at one side thereof to the axial rotary table, and an electronic device holder including a mating connection member pivotally coupled to a second pivot at an opposite side of the longitudinal adjustment unit, a supporting platform for holding an electronic device, an electrical connector for the connection of an electrical connector of the loaded electronic device and a retractable clamp for clamping on the loaded electronic device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic device stand technology, and more particularly to an adjustable electronic device stand, which allows adjustment of the elevation, angular position and tilting angle of the loaded electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the innovation and evolution of the economic and financial system, the mode of consumer transaction has changed under the application of modern technological devices. In early days, when purchased certain items from a traditional market, grocery store or street vendor, consumers didn't understand the details and amount of the consumed items before purchase and simply paid the total amount after settlement by the vendor. With the advent of the electronic age of technology, large shopping malls, supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores and entertainment ticket vendors entered the consumer market. After purchase, the related personnel or clerks will issue receipts or uniform invoices to the consumers so that the consumers can check the consumed items and amounts, and thus, the number of consumer disputes cases is gradually reduced in recent years. However, with the rise of environmental awareness in recent years, the government actively promotes electronic invoicing activities so as to reduce paper usage. These electronic invoices simply record the amount of consumption without listing the quantity and price of the consumed items. If an electronic invoice is stored in an electronic card, the consumer cannot see the consumed amount or item. Further, many people often need to go to financial institutions (such as banks or post offices, etc.) for storing cashes, withdrawing money or transferring money. After processed through a computer by a bank clerk, people cannot know the detailed of the transaction items, and can simply learn increasing or decreasing of money in the account through the paper document or deposit book. Further, the display screens of all kinds of electronic cash registers, ticket machines or computer systems are commonly disposed to face toward the workers, and the displayed contents such as transacted items, unit prices, quantity, total price, etc. are not easily visible by the consumer or payer, and the consumer or payer cannot grasp the actual content of consumption.
Further, for the advantage of convenient application of electronic technology products, many caterers and food service companies use electronic cash registers, ordering machines and/or tablets for serving consumers. After a consumer ordered a food, meal or beverage, the food, meal or beverage can be quickly prepared in the internal kitchen, significantly reducing the waiting time. However, the content displayed on the display screen of an electronic cash register, ordering machine or tablet cannot be provided for viewing by the consumers, and the consumers cannot easily understand the details of the consumption when paying for the bill.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a measure that can resolve the problem that the consumer cannot easily know the items, quantity, unit price, total price and other related details during consumption, avoiding consumer disputes.


The present invention relates to a resin composition, and a brake pad friction material made of the resin composition. The resin composition according to the present invention has high heat resistance and excellent processability, and thus enables the preparation of a brake pad friction material that is capable of securing improved durability and stable brake performance.

In general, a brake or a brake system means a device that applies friction to an object running or rotating at high speed to stop it by frictional force. An automobile is equipped with a brake system for control of running speed, and in the brake system, a brake pad that contacts a friction surface under the control of a driver is installed.
Under normal braking conditions, even if heat of predetermined temperature is generated in a brake pad, the brake pad is not significantly damaged. However, under a continuous high speed or downhill conditions, the generation of heat by friction increases.
For example, under common running conditions, heat of about 100 to 200° C. is generated in a brake pad, but during downhill running, frictional heat may increase to a temperature exceeding 1000° C. Such heat generation in a brake pad may induce a phenomenon in which a rapid decrease in a coefficient of friction is generated, thus causing significant problems in terms of safety.
In general, a composition including a filler, a reinforcing agent, and a binder resin is used to prepare brake pad friction materials, and among them, the binder resin is a material having relatively low heat resistance.
In general, as the binder resin, a phenol resin, an acryl rubber modified phenol resin, an NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) modified phenol resin, a melamine resin, an epoxy resin, an acryl rubber, etc. are used. However, most binder resins do not have heat resistance exceeding 150° C., and thus, there is a limitation in that the reliability and running safety of brake pad friction materials cannot be assured in extreme situations.

Resin composition for brake pad friction materials and brake pad friction materials made of the resin composition


A backup processor for backing up data stored on a first storage medium to a second storage medium includes an obtaining unit that obtains, from the first storage medium, backup reference data for referring to directory data included in the data to be backed up; a memory that stores the backup reference data; a recording position determining unit that refers to the directory data on the first storage medium on the basis of the backup reference data stored in the memory, determines recording positions on the second storage medium for recording the directory data and a file belonging to a directory indicated by the directory data, and stores the recording positions in the memory; and a write unit that obtains the directory data from the first storage medium, refers to the memory, writes the directory data at the recording position of the directory data on the second storage medium, reads file data from the first storage medium, and writes the file data at the recording position of the file on the second recording medium.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos: 2006-085208, filed Mar. 27, 2006, 2006-329050, filed Dec. 6, 2006 and 2006-342138, filed Dec. 20, 2006 are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to techniques for backing up data stored on a recording medium to another recording medium, and more particularly to techniques for quickly backing up a large amount of data in a backup processor with a limited memory capacity.
2. Related Art
Image data captured with an electrophotographic still camera (so-called "digital camera") or a digital video camera is first stored in a semiconductor memory contained in the camera. A user of the camera backs up the image data stored in the semiconductor memory to another recording medium, such as a compact-disc recordable (CD-R) or a digital versatile disc (DVD), and then deletes the image data in the semiconductor memory so that the semiconductor memory can be used repeatedly.
In other words, because electrophotographic still cameras and digital video cameras have become popular and widely used, more and more general users back up a large amount of data in a rapidly increasing number of instances.
If the file system of a storage medium storing the original data to be backed up is different from the file system of a storage medium for backup, a backup processor must convert the file system. To back up data using a personal computer (PC) or the like, a data image of a storage medium for backup is generated in the PC, and then the data is collectively written to the storage medium (for example, see JP-A-11-185375).
To generate the data image in the backup processor, however, it requires a large memory capacity, which corresponds to the capacity of the storage medium for backup.


The present invention relates to a coating composition for a film with low refractive index and a film prepared therefrom, and more precisely, a coating composition with low refractive index which contains dispersed porous organic/inorganic hybrid nano-particles or a colloid containing the dispersed nano-particles, a photocurable compound having unsaturated functional groups, photoinitiator or photosensitizer, or an organic siloxane thermosetting compound, and a solvent and a film prepared therefrom. According to the present invention, porous particles have been formed by using a structural regulator in a silane compound at a specific size, in order to be fitted for a film with low refractive index, and then the structural regulator has been eliminated by a simple process before forming the film, resulting in preparation of a film with extremely low refractive index at a low temperature of up to 120° C. which will be applied as a film with low refractive index or a film with low reflection for various uses including displays.

Generally when we catch visual information including objects or letters from a transparent substrate or from the transparent substrate of a mirror, it is difficult to read the visual information shown on the transparent substrate because of the reflection on the surface of the substrate.
Recently, screens have become bigger and wider with the development of display techniques. So, a clearer screen display is required, arousing interest in reflection prevention. If a reflection preventing function is added to a transparent substrate, a clearer screen can be secured by preventing reflection of the exterior light.
The conventional techniques to prevent the reflection on the surface of a transparent substrate include chemical or physical vapor deposition forming a transparent metal oxide layer on the surface of a transparent substrate. Those techniques can reduce the reflection of light over a wide range and at this time the reflection preventing effect is great. However, the deposition process is not suitable for mass-production because it has shown low productivity; therefore the process is less welcomed day by day.
As an alternative, a method for preparing a reflection preventing film using a coating solution containing silica or inorganic fine particles, a composition containing fluorine organic compound with low refractive index, or a copolymer containing fluorine organic compound and/or fluorine silane compound has been proposed.
In the case of preparing a film by using a coating solution containing silica or inorganic fine particles, the film is generally prepared by mixing porous particles with binder resin. At this time, the binder resin can be one of either silicon-based thermosetting resins with low refractive index or acryl-based photocurable resins that are able to reduce curing time. To prepare porous particles according to the conventional techniques, silica is hydrolyzed and condensed by using a structural regulator, similarly to a zeolite synthesis method, and the hydrolyzed and condensed silica is treated at a high temperature of at least 400˜500° C. to eliminate the structural regulator, resulting in the preparation of the porous particles. This method, however, has the disadvantages of requiring treatment at a high temperature of at least 400˜500° C., difficult redispersion for film with low reflective, inconveniently huge particle size, and thereby difficulty in preparing a transparent film with low refractive index. If the heat-treatment at a high temperature of at least 400˜500° C. is omitted, a structural regulator cannot be eliminated according to this method, so when the product is applied to a film with low refractive index which has to be prepared by low-heat treatment, for example a plastic substrate, the refractive index in fact increases.
To solve the above problems, an attempt has been made in which a film is formed by using silica particles containing a porous particle forming material such as a structural regulator and binder resin and then the porous particle forming material is eliminated by plasma treatment at low temperature or by dissolving it in an acid or solvent. However, plasma treatment of at least eight minutes is required to eliminate the porous particle forming material and the eliminated organic compounds become pollutants. The method of dipping a substrate in acid or solvent to eliminate the porous particle forming material also has the problem in that a wet process has to be added, making the method complicated and troublesome.
Another method for preparing porous particles is that particles are formed with aluminum and silicone and then aluminum is eliminated to form porous particles. However, this method has the problems of low yield resulting from the low silica concentration, overdose of solvent used for ultra-filtration, and prolonged manufacturing time.
In the case of using fluorine-based resin, the refractive index is reduced with the increase of the fluorine content. But, an over-dose of fluorine also causes a decrease in film adhesiveness, solubility in organic solvent, and coating properties, suggesting a limitation in lowering the refractive index.
According to the increasing demand of low dielectric materials in the semi-conductor industry, various methods have been tried to prepare an insulating film in the presence or absence of a porous particle forming material. However, all the methods are aimed at the promotion of the dielectric characteristics of a semiconductor and thus take the procedures of hardening of organic siloxane at high temperature and preparing a porous film by eliminating the organic compound at at least 350° C. That is, organic compound elimination at high temperature makes the method undesirable for the preparation of a low temperature oriented display film with low refractive index and reflection protection.
Therefore, a method is required for preparing photocurable or thermosetting film with low refractive index having excellent properties and which is characterized by easy manufacturing processes, excellent dispersibility, transparency, and low temperature processes.
To overcome the limitation of the conventional arts, the present inventors completed this invention by confirming that a film with extremely low refractive index can be prepared at a low temperature of up to 120° C. by adding a structural regulator to a silane compound for growing for further applications, and the film still maintains low reflection, dispersibility and transparency when it is mixed with silicone-based thermosetting resin or photocurable resin containing ethylenically unsaturated functional groups.

Coating composition for film with low refractive index and film prepared therefrom


Embodiments of a fluid transfer device are disclosed.

High-throughput research applications often employ automated liquid handling techniques and/or technologies to transfer very small or minute volumes of fluid from one source to another destination. Such transfers generally involve substantially high levels of precision, which may be limited by available technologies. Often, the transfer of precise, minute volumes of a concentrated fluid involves diluting the fluid to a lower concentration, and accordingly a larger volume which may be sufficiently more manageable and/or workable within the limitations of existing sample transfer technologies.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An embodiment of this invention provides a circuit and method for reducing the number of electronic components needed to calibrate circuits on an IC. A multiplexer is located on the IC where the outputs of a plurality of circuits located on the IC are each connected to a separate data input of the multiplexer. The control input of the multiplexer selects which data input of the multiplexer is connected to an external component. Each data input is individually connected to the component periodically.

External reference components are often used to calibrate the performance of an individual circuit on an integrated circuit (IC). These components include but are not limited to passive components such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors. These components also include but are not limited to active components such as op-amps, voltage regulators, and current regulators. The number of external reference components used to calibrate individual circuits on an IC add to the cost of producing ICs, components, electrical boards, and computer systems. One method used to reduce the cost of producing ICs is to reduce the number of external reference components used to calibrate or test ICs.
There is a need in the art to reduce the number of components used to calibrate integrated circuits. An embodiment of this invention reduces the number of reference resistors required to calibrate optimal output impedance for off-chip drivers on an IC.

System located in an integrated circuit for reducing calibration components


Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for determining a status of an enable signal and selecting a leaker resistance from a plurality of leaker resistances based at least in part on the status of the enable signal. Additionally, the selected leaker resistance may be applied to a data strobe line of a memory bus. In one example, the selected leaker resistance reduces ringback noise on the data strobe line.

Conventional DRAM (dynamic random access memory) structures may generate a DQS (data strobe) signal that is used by a memory controller to maintain synchronization with the DRAM. Since the line carrying the DQS signal may float between transactions, noise and/or false transitions might be encountered when the DRAM is not actively driving. In order to qualify the state of the DQS signal, the memory controller may trigger a receive enable (RcvEn) signal after expiration of a calculated delay from a read command being sent to the DRAM, wherein the receive enable signal is frequently trained to precisely position itself relative to the rising edge of the DQS signal and the memory controller may ignore the DQS signal when the receive enable signal is deasserted.
While a "weak leaker" resistance may be applied to the line carrying the DQS signal in order to eliminate noise encountered when the DRAM is not actively driving, there remains considerable room for improvement. Other embodiments may use a weak leaker or weak resistor pulldown on a DQS_P (e.g., DQS positive signal in differential signaling) and/or a weak resistor pullup on a DQS_N (e.g., DQS negative signal in differential signaling) to keep DQS in the logical low state when the DRAM is not driving. Such a solution, which may be used in addition to or instead of the RcvEn qualification, may potentially provide a more deterministic DQS value that only toggles during actual read operations. In any case, there remains considerable room for improvement.
For example, back-to-back reads (e.g., from multiple ranks in the DRAM) may create significant ringback noise that calls for a relatively low weak leaker resistance value (i.e., a "strong" leaker) in order to sufficiently keep the DQS signal logical low despite the ringback noise. Such a strong leaker may create DQS duty cycle distortion, which may have a negative impact on read timing margins during normal operation (e.g., when the DRAM is actively driving the DQS signal). This impact of both ringback and duty cycle distortion may be even more pronounced in systems having longer trace lengths between the DRAM and the memory controller.

Variable weak leaker values during read operations


A hanging apparatus (10) for a dumbbell (12) of the type having a straight cylindrical bar (14), a sleeve (16) on the straight cylindrical bar (14) and weights (18) at opposite ends. The hanging apparatus (10) comprises a frame (20) having a hook (22) at a first end. A structure (24) is for attaching a second end of the frame (20) to the straight cylindrical bar (14) of a dumbbell (12). The hook (22) will suspend the dumbbell (12) from a support shaft (26), enabling a person (28) using the dumbbell (12) not to reach down to a floor to pick up the dumbbell (12) and lower the dumbbell (12) back to the floor upon completion of a workout. These movements would put undue strain on forearm (30) and elbow joint ligaments and can cause severe damage to the entire arm muscles, tendons and tissues of the person (28).

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to exercise equipment and more specifically it relates to a hanging apparatus for a dumbbell. The hanging apparatus for a dumbbell eliminates the need for a person to stretch when reaching down to pick up the dumbbell off of the floor. The present invention will suspend the dumbbell from a support shaft at a comfortable height, off of the floor for easy pick-up and return, therefore, preventing damage to muscle, tendon and arm tissues.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Weight lifting is a sports activity that may have any of several objectives. Weight lifting may be done competitively as a test of strength or as bodybuilding to increase muscle mass and definition. Many people also engage in weight lifting as part of an exercise regimen using it to build strength and stamina or as a part of physical therapy to speed recovery from an illness.
Weight lifting for physical conditioning is more properly called weight training. In addition to barbells and dumbbells, the equipment used in weight training may include a variety of other resistance devices, such as Nautilus machines. Many athletes, including football and baseball players, swimmers, bicyclists, golfers, and runners, engage in weight training to build their basic strength and to promote physical fitness. Physicians often prescribe supervised weight training as a means of regaining strength and coordination after an illness or injury.
Bodybuilding is a special branch of weight training that emphasizes symmetrical, balanced, and clearly defined muscular development. Specially devised exercises using dumbbells, barbells, and other types of equipment make it possible for the bodybuilder to exercise each part of the body and to develop muscle mass and definition to a remarkable extent. Bodybuilders engage in competitions where the judging is based on which contestant has the most impressive appearance rather than which is actually strongest.
Numerous exercise equipment have been provided in prior art, that are adapted to be utilized fore the purposes of enhancing muscular development. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


A radio receiver in which the length of time that it takes to synchronise with a burst to be received is used as a measure of the quality of the channel over which the burst is transmitted.

This invention relates to radio receivers, and particularly but not exclusively to such receivers forming part of the transceiver of a portable radio telephone or handset, for communication with a base station in a radio telephone system. The invention also relates to a method of operation of such radio receivers. The invention also relates, particularly but not exclusively, to handsets for communication with base stations in a digital cellular radio telephone system employing transmission by a plurality of carrier frequencies in frames, such as TDMA frames, each consisting of a predetermined number of time slots.
Any radio system in which information is transmitted in bursts causes problems for the receiving station in maintaining synchronicity with the signals received. Many protocols provide for a solution to this problem by including a synchronisation field at the start of a burst to allow the receiving station to synchronise with the signal before signals carrying data or other information are received.
In digital systems the receiver must achieve both `lock recovery` or bit synchronisation with the incoming signal allowing data to be recovered, and slot, or burst, synchronisation that allows the receiver to determine which point of a burst is being received. For this purpose, a synchronisation field comprising a known string of bits is provided at the beginning of each burst so that the receiving station can correlate its timing to that of the incoming signal. The known string allows bit synchronisation to be achieved relatively quickly in good conditions i.e. when the signal is of a high quality. The bit synchronisation field must, however, be long enough for bit synchronisation to be achieved under all the circumstances in which the signal quality is suitable to provide information. Following the bit synchronisation string is typically a slot synchronisation string that allows the receiving station to locate a particular point in the burst so that the category or type of information carried by the subsequently received bits of that burst can be identified by virtue of their position within the burst.
Signalling protocols typically provide for error detection so that good data received can be distinguished from corrupt data. The quality of a channel for receiving signals can be monitored to determine if a new channel is necessary in order to preserve transfer of the information carried by the signal bursts from the base station to the handset or vice versa. It is desirable to monitor channel quality to allow a better quality channel to be used before too much information is lost. The quality of a received signal can be used as a trigger for changing channel.

Radio receivers and methods of operation