The present invention provides a registration agent site (4) which presents a simple intermediary between sites (3) and internet users (1) that acts a single source of data entry, user name and password for users. This allows users to register with new sites automatically and move between registered sites via a single interface, while allowing changes in profile information via the same interface. The registration agent site (4) acts as the agent for the internet user (1) rather than the site owner, allowing registration by proxy in a manner which is transparent to other sites. The agent negotiates connectivity and connects the user.

The present invention relates to the registration of internet users at websites.
Before using many websites, internet users need to fill in an often cumbersome registration form providing personal data. Site owners require this information for marketing purposes and to personalise the offering to customers. Registration demands can range from the basic requirement of a name and email address to a detailed request for personal information including street address, employment details and even salary levels. This process gives rise to a number of problems for users. Registration is often slow and not intuitive, with an additional problem that formats differ from site to site. Once registered with more than one site, users also have the problem of keeping track of the different user names and passwords that they use. When a user""s information changes (email, addresses etc.) the management of multiple registrations becomes unwieldy. Furthermore, users have little or no control of information released to sites which can on-sell the personal data leading to both a breach of individual privacy and, perhaps inevitably, an accompanying barrage of unwanted direct marketing emails or xe2x80x9cspamxe2x80x9d.
A typical internet user may be registered with between four and ten sites and would probably register with one new site each month. The greater these numbers the more serious the problem becomes. New users and sites are coming to the internet at exponential rates of growth so this problem can only get worse.
Though necessary for their business model, registration also poses a major problem to site owners. Users quite often enter bogus information (often several times having forgotten their password and thus having to register anew), which is of no use to site owners whilst bearing a data storage cost. Bogus information is entered for a number of reasons: frustration with the speed of the registration process, a general mistrust of the security and subsequent use of the data, or simply because the user has forgotten the previous registration details. Indeed, as much as 50% of all consumer data held by major sites on the internet is estimated to be false. Even genuine registration data becomes inaccurate over time if it is not up-dated.
Another problem is that users frustrated with the registration process will stop before completion so that the site loses a new potential customer. It is estimated that over 50% of potential users are lost due to aborted registrations.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an arrangement comprising at least one computer network connecting at least one personal computer to at least one service computer, the personal computer being associated with at least one user, a method for managing the registration of the user with the at least one service computer, the method comprising the steps of:
gathering registration data for the at least one service computer;
storing the registration data in at least one data structure on at least one registration agent computer connected to the computer network;
gathering personal data for the user;
storing at least part of the personal data in at least one data structure on at least one registration agent computer connected to the computer network; and,
in response to a request from the user to a registration agent computer connected to the computer network to register the user with the at least one service computer, submitting an application to register the user with the at least one service computer by transmitting registration information from at least one registration agent computer to the service computer, the registration information being compiled from data obtained by accessing the users personal data stored in the associated data structure and by accessing registration data for the service computer stored in the associated data structure.
The service computer may be a product-provider and/or an information-provider.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a method for registering a user at a client node of a communications network with at least one server node connected to the communications network by the use of at least one registration agent server node connected to the communications network which stores personal data associated with the user together with registration data associated with the at least one server node, the method comprising the steps of registering the user with the at least one server node in response to a user request received at the registration agent server node by completing and transmitting on behalf of the user a registration application from the registration agent server node to the at least one server node based on the personal data associated with the user and the registration data associated with the at least one server node.
Preferably, the computer or communications network utilises an internet protocol.
Preferably, each of the service computer or server nodes is a website having a server connected to an internet or intranet. Preferably, the at least one registration agent computer or registration agent server node is connected to an internet, intranet or internet protocol (IP) network.
Preferably, the at least one registration agent computer or registration agent server node is a World Wide Web server.
Preferably, the at least one registration agent computer or registration agent server node operates a World Wide Web site.
Preferably, the step of transmitting an application to register the user is preceded by the step of verifying a user identification and more preferably, a password, entered by the user which identifies the user with respect to the associated personal data.
Preferably, the method includes the steps of storing personal data in the form of a master user profile data structure which uniquely describes the user, together with a number of personal registration data structures, each of which describes registration data associated with the successful registration of the user with a service computer or server node. The personal registration data structures permit repeat visits to the service computer or server node without the user having to go through the registration procedure again.
Preferably, the method includes the step of accepting user inputs which define a privacy policy in relation to the user""s personal data which describes the extent to which the personal data is to be released for the purpose of submitting a registration application.
Preferably, the method includes the step of providing a unique proxy address for the user in a registration application so that communications addressed to the user using the unique address are received by the at least one registration agent computer or registration agent server and are subsequently forwarded to the user. More preferably, the communications are forwarded to the user in dependence on an email filtering policy accepted by the user. Most preferably, a different proxy address for the user is allocated for each subsequent registration with other service computers or server nodes.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for managing the registration of a user in accordance with either one of the first and second aspects of the present invention, comprises:
means for storing registration data;
means for storing personal data;
means for receiving a user request to submit a registration application on behalf of the user to a remote site;
means for completing a registration application based on a combination of personal data associated with the user and registration data associated with the remote site; and,
means for transmitting a completed registration application to the remote site on behalf of the user.
Preferably, the apparatus comprises a computer storage medium containing computer executable instructions for performing the method of either one of the first and second aspects of the present invention. More preferably, the apparatus comprises a server. Most preferably, the server is arranged to provide a website having a unique resource locator (URL).
In one example, the present invention provides a registration agent site which presents a simple intermediary between sites and internet users that acts a single source of data entry, user name and password for users. This allows users to register with new sites automatically and move between registered sites via a single interface, whilst allowing changes in profile information via the same interface. The registration agent site acts as the agent for the internet user rather than the site owner, allowing registration by proxy in a manner which is transparent to other sites. The agent negotiates connectivity and connects the user.
In terms of the internet user, the benefits of using the interface provided by the registration agent site can be summarised as follows: the interface provides a convenient way of navigating between sites since it is necessary to remember only one password; the interface provides an effortless way of registering with new sites; it offers the ability to effect a global change across sites; it provides for the control of privacy by allowing the user to define a privacy policy; and, it allows for the integration of email filtering by proxy to prevent xe2x80x9cspammingxe2x80x9d.
The registration agent site provides a central repository of all personal information that an individual internet user is, at least to some extent, prepared to give out to sites in order to register with the site. Personal details particular to each site registration are stored as well as a master profile of all personal information. This information can be recalled and modified via the interface. Accordingly, the user of the interface will know what personal information has been given out and to whom as well as the totality of information given out to all sites. Users are able to impose specific controls on how their personal information is used to register with a site including the complete prohibition of the use of certain information, provided this does not conflict with a site""s registration requirements. If there is a conflict, the interface allows this to be resolved by deferring to the user for a final decision.
Referring to FIG. 2, in summary, the service that the interface of the registration agent site 10 provides is one of assisting internet users to complete registration forms for websites by proxy, and logging into their sites on repeat visits. The user does not have to retype information, can have different profiles, can automatically check privacy policies, can review what data has been given out and to whom, and can protect their email address. Indeed, a key component of helping users control their interaction with sites is to protect their email address from being abused by the sites they give it to. The present invention""s registration processing system 11 offers the option to give protected email addresses to sites when a user registers through the interface. The site does not receive the user""s real address, but is instead given a unique proxy address by the registration processing system 11 (a different one for each site). Email sent to that address is forwarded by the registration processing system 11 to the user""s email account. This allows users to selectively cut xe2x80x9cspammersxe2x80x9d off without having to change their email address. It also allows users to identify which sites are giving their email addresses to third parties which use it for xe2x80x9cspamxe2x80x9d.
In summary, the service that the interface of the registration agent site provides is one of assisting internet users to complete registration forms for websites by proxy, and logging into their sites on repeat visits. The user does not have to retype information, can have different profiles, can automatically check privacy policies, can review what data has been given out and to whom, and can protect their email address. Indeed, a key component of helping users control their interaction with sites is to protect their email address from being abused by the sites they give it to. The present invention offers the option to give protected email addresses to sites when a user registers through the interface. The site does not receive the users real address, but is instead given a unique proxy address (a different one for each site). Email sent to that address is forwarded to the users email account. This allows users to selectively cut xe2x80x9cspammersxe2x80x9d off without having to change their email address. It also allows users to identify which sites are giving their email addresses to third parties which use it for xe2x80x9cspamxe2x80x9d.


A shoe sole and insole structure is disclosed. The sole comprises an upper sole and a lower sole; the lower sole has a plurality of through-holes thereon and includes a plurality of lock plugs inserted respectively inside the through-holes; the upper sole has the same number of lock bars on its undersurface. The upper sole directly laminates over the lower sole by inserting the lock bars into the through-holes and then securing the lock bars with lock plugs by inserting the lock plugs into the through-holes. The insole has a plurality of groove rings on its undersurface, each groove ring being disposed with a small through-hole, and further comprises a plurality of ladle discs respectively glued in the groove ring to form an insole with a plurality of air pockets.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved shoes sole and insole structure, more particularly a kind of sole and insole structure that allows wearer to replace the sole at will and keeps the inside of shoes aerated and dry. In addition, it allows the right side or left side of the heel part of the sole to be raised to balance uneven wear at the right side or left side of the heel.
2. Description of the Related Art
The sole of footwear nowadays typically has a single-layer structure. When the sole is worn to a certain extent and needs to replaced, the sole and instep must be separated manually and a new sole is sewed or glued to the instep. Such sole replacement requires the work of a professional for regular consumers lack the tools to do their own repair. In addition, many shoes on the market nowadays come with a sole design to improve aeration and dryness. But sole design with such purpose typically has one or two air charging means at limited locations and with limited aeration area and quantity. Thus its aeration effect is not striking.


An output circuit including an input inverting buffer circuit, and an output transistor circuit controlling a voltage of an output terminal by a current flowing therein. A control terminal of the output transistor is coupled to an output of the buffer circuit and to a current divider. The current divider is controlled by a voltage level of the output terminal and diverts current flowing from the output of the buffer circuit to the output transistor. The output circuit reduces overcurrent that flows at a rise of a voltage level of an output terminal, and thereby prevents a ground voltage level from floating up and noise from occurring.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional output circuit arranged in an integrated circuit. FIG. 2 is a Figure showing the characteristics of transistors Q1 and Q2 of the integrated circuit. An input signal S generated in a separate integrated circuit is supplied via a buffer B1 to a base of NPN transistor Q1. A collector of the transistor Q1 is connected via a resistance R2 to a power voltage source. An emitter of the transistor Q1 is connected via a resistance R1 to a ground GND, and also connected to a base of NPN transistor Q2. An emitter of the transistor Q2 is connected to the ground GND, and a collector of the transistor Q2 is connected to an output terminal, to which an external load is connected.
In this open collector circuit, the transistor Q2 is designed to operate in a saturation range as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3(a) is a timing chart of V.sub.S (voltage of input signal S), V.sub.Q1B (base voltage of transistor Q1), I.sub.Q1E (emitter current of transistor Q1), V.sub.0 (voltage of the output terminal) and I.sub.Q2C (collector current of transistor Q2). FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged Figure of a graph of current versus time for a part of I.sub.Q2C. This has been obtained by simulation. As seen in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), I.sub.Q2C has a maximum value when V.sub.S rises. The reason for this maximum is described below.
An initial status of the transistor Q2 is in an active range, and until the transistor transitions from the active range to a saturation range, a current, that is a product of the base current of the transistor Q1 and the square of H.sub.fe (current amplification factor of transistors Q1 and Q2), runs through the transistor Q2.
Accordingly, when input signal S transitions from a high level to a low level and the voltage level of the output terminal rises, since the transistor Q2 is in the active range, an overcurrent of h.sub.fe times the base current of the transistor Q2 runs through the transistor Q2. This overcurrent causes the voltage level of the ground to float up, generating noise, which is a problem in the prior art.

Output circuit with output voltage controlled by current flow through an output transistor circuit


A nuclear medicine imaging system including a gantry disposed above a table with a photo detector mounted on the gantry for performing imaging. The table may be fixed beneath the gantry or movable. A video screen is mounted on the gantry or on the table, along with an audio speaker, so as to remain substantially motionless relative to the table. The table may include an aperture through which the video screen may be viewed. A media player is connected communicably to the video screen by a first channel and to the audio speaker by a second channel, so that a patient on the table may view the video screen and listen to the audio speaker while undergoing imaging.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to nuclear medicine, and to systems for obtaining nuclear medicine images of a patient's body organs of interest. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for diverting the attention of a patient while obtaining nuclear medicine images of the patient's organs of interest.
2. Description of the Background Art
Nuclear medicine is a unique medical specialty wherein radiation is used to acquire images that show the function and anatomy of organs, bones or tissues of the body. Radiopharmaceuticals are introduced into the body, either by injection or ingestion, and are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues of interest. Such radiopharmaceuticals produce gamma photon emissions that emanate from the body and are captured by a scintillation crystal, with which the photons interact to produce flashes of light or "events."
Events are detected by an array of photodetectors, such as photo multiplier tubes, and their spatial locations or positions are calculated and stored. In this way, an image of the organ or tissue under study is created from detection of the distribution of the radioisotopes in the body.
It is very important for a patient who is undergoing such imaging to remain as motionless as possible. Movement by the patient during imaging produces spurious artifacts in the images. It may be difficult for a patient to remain motionless during the imaging process, however, since the imaging process may go on for some time.
A patient may also be nervous and apprehensive about the procedure. Indeed, visiting a hospital may well induce fear that borders on paranoia in some patients. Feelings of helplessness, such as may be associated with being strapped to a table moving through a large machine, can incite a flight reflex in a patient. Since patients who are struggling to control their flight reflex may exhibit an inability to keep still, this may also be detrimental to the imaging process.
It would be desirable for a patient who is undergoing imaging to have something else to think about. Having a video to view while the imaging is taking place may take the patient's mind off of the procedure, and enable them to remain still. Commonly available home entertainment systems, such as stereos and televisions, are not generally adapted to a hospital environment. Hospital equipment may be subject to rigorous standards for, e.g. cleanliness, fire prevention, and explosion proofing that commonly available entertainment systems may not meet.
Furthermore, a patient who is undergoing imaging may be placed in a position that is convenient for a photo detector, but inconvenient for comfortable viewing of, e.g. a video screen. It would therefore be desirable for a video screen to be adjustable to suit a particular position or orientation of a patient undergoing imaging.
Finally, a patient may be moved through a imaging system during the procedure. It would be desirable for the patient to be able to view continuously a video screen without having to turn his head or adjust his position during the imaging process.
Thus, there remains a need in the art to improve upon diverting the attention of a patient while obtaining nuclear medicine images of the patient's organs of interest.

Integrated audio visual system for nuclear medicine imaging systems


An FFT unit subjects a P-times oversampling output of an AD converter to Fourier transform into a frequency domain signal. A distortion estimation unit estimates a distortion characteristic from a difference between the frequency domain signal and a reference signal. A correction coefficient calculation unit calculates a correction coefficient of a distortion characteristic. A correction unit corrects the frequency domain signal by using the correction coefficient. An IFFT unit subjects the corrected frequency domain signal to inverse Fourier into a time domain signal having the same sampling speed as a symbol speed, and outputs a partial time series.

In recent years, there has been studied a service that provides data including a variety of large-capacity contents using a high-definition moving image or a sound to an end user through a wireless communication.
In particular, in order to transmit large-volume data of several G (giga) bits at a high speed, there has been studied a wireless communication system that conducts high-speed transmission of several Gbps with the use of a millimeter waveband including a 60 GHz band. In the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), a standardization work such as IEEE802.15.3c as a wireless PAN, or IEEE802.11ad as a wireless LAN is conducted.
For example, in a single carrier transmission system using a millimeter waveband which is studied in IEEE802.11ad, a signal that has been subjected to PSK or QAM modulation is transmitted at 1.76 G symbol/sec. One symbol time is shorter, that is, about 0.57 nsec. PSK modulation includes BPSK, QSPK, 8-PSK, and 16-PSK, and QAM modulation includes 16QAM, 64QAM, and 256QAM.
On the other hand, in the reception device that conducts a wireless communication in a millimeter waveband, a communication quality is deteriorated by multipath fading specific to the wireless communication even in a channel of a 60 GHz band. Even in a communication at a short distance (several tens cm to several m) in an indoor environment, a delay wave of several nsec to several tens nsec occurs due to reflection on a wall, a ceiling, furniture, a store fixture, or a surrounding human body. An inter-symbol interference occurs due to the delay wave which is several times to several tens times as long as the symbol time for transmission, resulting in a demodulation error.
As a countermeasure against a long delay, attention is paid to a frequency domain equalization system. There has been known that under the poor environments in which the delay wave longer than the symbol time is present, the amount of computation in a frequency domain equalizer is smaller than the amount of computation in a conventional general time domain equalizer.
As one of the wireless communication systems using the frequency domain equalization in the single carrier transmission system, an SC-FDE (single carrier with frequency domain equalization) system has been known (Patent Literatures 1 and 2).
In Patent Literature 1, a time-series portion longer than one block to be equalized is selected with respect to a time-series of a symbol, and converted into a frequency domain by Fourier transform (DFT or FFT, hereinafter referred to as "FFT") to conduct channel compensation processing. Further, after the portion that has been converted into the frequency domain has been converted into a time domain signal by inverse Fourier transform (IDFT or IFFT, hereinafter referred to as "IFFT"), the original time-series portion of one block is selected and output.
In Patent Literature 2, an oversampled signal with respect to the time series of the symbol is input, and a signal that is downsampled at a low oversampling rate is input to an FFT and an IFFT for filtering to conduct frequency domain equalization (FDE). On the other hand, in order to enhance a temporal resolution, a signal that is upsampled at a high oversampling rate is input to an FFT and an IFFT for channel estimation to conduct frequency domain equalization (FDE) to conduct FDE.


A monolithically integrated tunable wavelength converter and variable optical delay device(s) that is capable of providing optical delay(s) of any length. Advantageously, our devices are both compact and readily realized as a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) on a semiconductor substrate.

Optical delay devices are essential elements for all-optical implementation(s) of a wide variety of other optical devices including interferometers, signal delay devices, signal synchronization devices, and optical buffering devices. And while very short optical delays may be readily implemented by providing small changes in an optical path length or small changes to an optical signal propagation speed, longer delays are provided by fiber delays having a large path differences. Such delays typically require from few meters to several kilometers of optical fiber that are difficult to maintain and impossible to integrate into a compact form. Consequently, a compact, variable optical delay device capable of providing both long and short optical delays would represent a significant advance in the art.

Integrated tunable wavelength converter and variable optical delay


A method for controlling network traffic based on a token ring includes: acquiring, by a node that obtains a token, network congestion situation information carried in the token, where the network congestion situation information includes the total number of to-be-retransmitted messages requested by nodes in a current token passing period; comparing the total number of to-be-retransmitted messages requested by the nodes in the current token passing period with a congestion threshold; determining according to a comparison result, the number of messages that can be transmitted; and transmitting messages according to the number. Because the total number of to-be-retransmitted messages requested by nodes in a current token passing period is added into a token to reflect a network congestion situation, a node is capable of reducing the number of messages to be transmitted when a network is severely congested, thereby reducing network load and improving cluster availability.

The token single-ring ordering and membership protocol provides a mechanism to submit a message to an upper-layer service in a global and orderly manner within a broadcast domain, so as to ensure the reliability and orderliness of message transferring. On a network that supports the token single-ring ordering and membership protocol, such as a token ring network, a token controls each node to access the token ring network. The token is passed between nodes on the token ring network in an orderly manner. Only a node that has the token is capable of broadcasting a message on the token ring network. Each node receives all messages sent by other nodes within a token passing period and stores the received messages in a receive buffer queue. If the number of messages broadcast by a node is not limited, a node with a relatively slow processing speed on the token ring network may fail to process messages in the receive buffer queue in time, resulting in an overflow of the receive buffer queue. To prevent occurrence of this situation, traffic on the network needs to be controlled.
A method for controlling traffic in the prior art is as follows:
In a token passing period: the total number of messages that all nodes can transmit is specified as N; the maximum number of messages that each node can transmit after it gets a token is specified as M; for a node that transmits more messages, it can be considered to allocate a larger transmission proportion to the node, and the number of messages that the node can transmit by proportion is further specified as K=[(cbl/backlog)×N], where cbl indicates the number of messages to be transmitted by the node that gets the token, backlog indicates the total number of messages to be transmitted by all nodes, and [ ] indicates rounding down to the nearest integer. After the passing order of the token changes, the token passing period ends.
Accordingly, the number of messages that each node can transmit finally is X=min (M, K, N-fcc), where fcc indicates the total number of messages that have been transmitted by all nodes that have transmitted messages in the current token passing period.
During the implementation of the present invention, the inventor finds that the prior art has at least the following problems.
When a network is severely congested, a large number of messages may be lost. According to requirements of the token single-ring ordering protocol on message reliability, a node requests retransmission of a lost message. The method for controlling network traffic in the prior art does not consider the situation of network congestion, which results in more and more retransmitted messages, thereby increasing network load. In addition, increasing of retransmitted messages results in an overflow of a retransmission list in a token, and loss of massive messages results in that the messages in the receive buffer queue cannot be submitted in an orderly manner, further resulting in an overflow of the receive buffer queue and lowering cluster availability.

Method, node, and system for controlling network traffic based on token ring


A customer premises parking system including one or more cameras and wireless communications transmission capability is described. The presence of a vehicle with a license plate at an entrance or exit of a parking area is detected and one or more high resolution images are captured and time stamped. A license plate portion of the HD image is captured and stored. The license plate number and corresponding time is determined and communicated using a wide area wireless network. The HD license plate portion of the image is processed to produce a low resolution version of the license plate image which is segmented and processed into fragments which are transmitted via the wide area network using available transmission opportunities. A high resolution version of the license plate portion is stored at the premises where the parking facilitate is located and can be retrieved via a cellular wireless interface in the event of a dispute or discrepancy with regard to the detected and reported license plate number. From the time stamps associated with entrance and exit images of license plates the amount of time and/or date at which a vehicle was present at the parking garage is determined and the vehicle owner billed for the use of the parking facility.

Parking systems often rely on a variety of methods to control access to one or more parking spaces and/or track usage by a vehicle of a parking space so that the operator or owner can be charged for the use of the parking space.
Many parking garage systems rely on the issuance of tickets by a distribution device at a gate an entry to a parking garage. The ticket usual includes printed or magnetically embed information that indicates the date and/or time of entry to the parking garage. Upon exit the ticket is presented and the amount to be charged determined based on the information on the ticket.
Such systems are often prone to problems of ticket loss or damage and in many cases require the presence of a human parking attendant to resolve such issues.
Other parking systems rely on a meter at each parking spot in a parking area. Such systems often require entry of coins or electronic payment in the form of a credit card. Single parking meter systems can be costly to implement since in a large parking lot a meter is often required for each spot. This results in a large initial deployment cost with potentially high ongoing operating costs due to the use of a large number of meters, e.g., one per spot of a parking lot or garage. Jamming of meters, e.g., to slugs or dirty coins being placed in the meters and/or physical damage to meters can be costly requiring routine maintenance and may result in the loss of the ability to use a parking spot during times a meter is not functioning properly. Furthermore such systems often rely on the use of parking police or parking lot attendants to make sure the parking spots are being paid for through use of the meters and/or ticketing or towing of vehicles where the parking spot has not been paid for.
In view of the above discussion it should be appreciated that there is a need for improved parking systems and particularly parking systems which have benefits in the amount of hardware that needs to be deployed and maintained and/or the amount of human operators or technicians needed to keep the parking system functioning. In view of the above it should be appreciated that it would desirable if a parking system could be fully or significantly automated and/or avoid at least some of the disadvantages associated with using a ticket system and/or a separate parking meter at each individual parking spot.

Methods and apparatus for using wide area networks to support parking systems


This invention is related to an improved version of the wound wrapping, support means and compression units for use in a living body. Rapid wound dressing and wrapping are of significant importance and may save a lot of complications and lives. Also as important is the stability of the wrapped unit, a unit which does not stay stable on the wound will not function properly. The wound compression and prevention of bleeding are of significant importance as well as covering the whole area and preventing a site of wound to be covered. The compression also would be helpful and needed after certain surgeries to prevent complication and reach the ultimate goal. The adjustablility and being able to use one unit in more patients are of clinical and economical importance. This invention introduces a models combination of support units with straps, that can be used in various parts of the body. The new version allows the user to wrap a leg or arm easily and more securely. The use of more than one support is again stressed, different ways of use of these units are also discussed. Also new is the use of stretchable hoses for allowing the straps to be held in place more securely. So that these better unit can make the patient care a bit easier and help humanity.

This invention is related to an improved version of the wound wrapping and support means for use in a living body. Wrapping a limb and application of compression to a limb is important in conditions such as control of varicose veins, limb swelling and post surgical status for the vessels or cosmetic surgery etc. However, to the knowledge of the applicant there is not a simple unit for providing such a help to the users. This application introduces models that are designed in solving such problems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An integrated control circuit for generating a regulated control voltage for voltage-controlled attenuators used in speakerphone circuits. The circuit provides separate transmit and receive voltage regulation to provide accurate gain settings for the voltage-controlled attenuators. The circuit eliminates the need for absolute value external components or external signal feedback between the voltage-controlled attenuators and the control circuit.

The present invention relates to voltage controlled attenuator circuits, and a means to provide accurate gain settings for such attenuators. In particular, the invention relates to such circuits for use in integrated circuit speakerphone systems.
Voltage controlled attenuators find applications in a wide variety of systems, to adjust the amplitude of signals passed through such systems according to the magnitude of a control signal. For example, in a speakerphone circuit, attenuators are included in both the transmit and receive channels to provide half duplex communication. The transmit and receive attenuators are typically operated in a complementary manner, while one is at maximum gain the other is at maximum attenuation and vice versa. The setting of each attenuator is adjusted so that the difference between the levels remains the same. Using this technique a constant loss is inserted between the two channels and prevents instability that would otherwise occur, due to signal coupling between the loudspeaker and microphone, or sidetone through a hybrid circuit. One requirement of attenuators used in a such an arrangement is accurate gain settings to ensure consistent performance of the speakerphone system. Large variations of the gain level of each attenuator makes the inserted loss between the two channels unpredictable and presents difficulties maintaining the stability of the system.
In a typical speakerphone, the gain setting of a channel is dependent upon the detection of speech within that channel. If a far end talker is speaking, the receive signal is greater than the transmit signal, and the transmit attenuator should be set to maximum loss while the receive attenuator is set to maximum gain. The reverse is true if the mirror-end talker is speaking. By monitoring the amplitudes of the signals in both channels, a control circuit may be developed to determine which channel is active and adjust the gains accordingly. A further requirement of an attenuator used in a speakerphone is the need to minimize the feedthrough of control signal into the audio path. Feedthrough generates an audible "thump" in the speech channel which occurs when switching from one channel to the other. With sufficient magnitude, the feedthrough causes errors in switching due to its detection as a false speech signal. The primary source of feedthrough is gain dependent offset within the attenuator.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a prior art voltage controlled attenuator. An input voltage is provided at a point 210 through a resistor R2 to a first amplifier 212. Amplifier 212 operates to sink the current from emitter coupled transistors 218, 220 and 214, 216 which receive current from a current source 222. The output is provided through a second amplifier 224 to a voltage output 226. A control voltage indicated VC is applied to transistor 214 and transistor 220. The control voltage VC affects the two transistors in opposite ways, one being NPN, the other PNP. In response to an increasing control voltage, the current in transistor 214 will increase while the current in transistor 220 will decrease. Thus, the current through the two legs of the amplifier section will split in proportion with the control voltage. In accordance with this varying current, the voltage amplification between the input at point 210 and the output at point 226 will vary, such that the gain of the attenuator is directly proportional to the split of the current from current source 222.
One problem with a circuit such as that shown in FIG. 2, when used in a typical bipolar integrated circuit, is the different characteristics of the NPN and PNP transistors, which causes a DC feedthrough from the input to the output and which varies in accordance with the level of amplification set by the control voltage. It would be desirable to have a voltage controlled attenuator which eliminates this DC feedthrough effect due to the use of both NPN and PNP transistors in the current splitting core.

Control circuit for voltage controlled attenuator for speakerphones


A method for in-place machining of a collector ring attached to a turbine shaft of a hydroelectric generator includes: attaching a support member to stationary portions of the hydroelectric generator, the support member being configured to support a machine tool at an angle parallel to an inclination angle of an axis of rotation of the turbine shaft; attaching an adjustable positioning device to the support member; attaching the machine tool to the adjustable positioning device, the machine tool being configured to perform a machining operation on the collector ring; controlling a rotational speed of the turbine shaft to a specified rotational speed by controlling a flow of water through the turbine; adjusting the adjustable positioning device to adjust a position of the machine tool with respect to the collector ring; and performing the machining operation on the collector ring at the specified rotational speed of the turbine shaft.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
A hydraulic turbine converts the energy of flowing water into mechanical energy. A hydroelectric generator converts this mechanical energy into electricity. The hydroelectric generator includes a stationary element referred to as a stator having loops of wire (conductors), and a rotating element referred to as a rotor that has loops of wire wound around stacks of magnetic steel laminations. When a magnet is moved past a conductor, it causes electricity to flow. In the hydroelectric generator, electromagnets are made by circulating direct current through the loops of wire wound around stacks of magnetic steel laminations of the rotor. The rotor is attached to the turbine shaft, and rotates as water flows past blades of the turbine. When the rotor turns, it causes the electromagnets to move past the conductors mounted in the stator causing a voltage to develop at the generator output terminals.
In order to provide the direct current to the rotor to energize the electromagnets, collector rings are provided on the turbine shaft to enable a connection between the rotating rotor and a direct current source. Brushes that are in contact with the collector rings form the stationary portion of the rotating connection. Over time, the brushes and collector rings may wear due to friction and dirt, and may sustain pitting damage caused by electrical arcing between the brushes and the collector rings, thereby reducing the efficiency of the hydroelectric generator. While the brushes may be easily replaced, repair or replacement of the collector rings often involves disassembly of significant portions of the hydroelectric generator. In particular, the physical arrangement of an inclined hydroelectric generator provides limited space to accommodate machinery to repair the collector rings and requires disassembly for the repair. Thus, the conventional repair procedures for the collector rings of an inclined hydroelectric generator can result in extended down time for the hydroelectric generator.


A plating apparatus securely carries out a flattening plating of a substrate to form a plated film having a flat surface without using a costly mechanism, and without applying an extra plating to the substrate. The plating apparatus includes a substrate holder; a cathode section having a seal member for watertightly sealing a peripheral portion of the substrate, and a cathode electrode for supplying an electric current to the substrate; an anode disposed in a position facing the surface of the substrate; a porous member disposed between the anode and the surface of the substrate; a constant-voltage control section for controlling a voltage applied between the cathode electrode and the anode at a constant value; and a current monitor section for monitoring an electric current flowing between the cathode electrode and the anode, and feeding back a detection signal to the constant-voltage control section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plating apparatus and a plating method, and more particularly to a plating apparatus and a plating method useful for forming interconnects by filling a conductive metal (interconnect material) such as copper (Cu) into fine interconnect patterns (recesses) formed in a substrate such as a semiconductor substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, instead of using aluminum or aluminum alloys as a material for forming interconnect circuits on a semiconductor substrate, there is an eminent movement towards using copper (Cu) that has a low electric resistivity and high electromigration resistance. Copper interconnects are generally formed by forming fine recesses for interconnects, such as trenches or via holes in a circuit form, in a semiconductor substrate, embedding the fine recesses with copper (interconnect material) by copper plating, and removing a copper layer (plated film) at portions other than the fine recesses by CMP or the like. In this damascene process, from the viewpoint of reducing loads on subsequent CMP, it is desirable that a copper plated film be deposited selectively in trenches or via holes in a circuit form, and that the amount of copper plated film deposited on portions other than the trenches or via holes be small. In order to achieve such an object, there have heretofore been proposed various ideas regarding a plating solution, such as composition in a bath of a plating solution or a brightener used in a plating solution.
Upon the electroplating for forming the copper layer, a copper sulfate plating solution containing copper sulfate and sulfuric acid in its composition is generally employed as a plating solution.
In recent years, more and more fine interconnects are formed in copper interconnects forming process for semiconductor devices, and design rules for such fine interconnects are considered to be changing from the 0.18 μm generation to the 0.13 μm generation and further to the 0.10 μm generation. Depending on circumstances, the advent of the seed-layer-less generation of semiconductor devices may not be impossible. With those more and more fine interconnects, unless the thickness of the seed layer is further reduced, the seed layer overhangs at the inlets of fine recesses, tending to produce voids in the plating process. In the 0.18 μm generation of design rules, the thickness of the seed layer is generally in the range from about 150 to 200 nm on the flat surface of the substrate. In the 0.13 μm generation of design rules, the thickness of the seed layer is about 50 nm in order to prevent voids from being produced in the plating process. In the 0.10 μm generation of design rules, the thickness of the seed layer will possibly be reduced to a range from about 5 to 25 nm.
A plating apparatus having the following configuration has been known as this type of plating apparatus used for plating to form fine interconnects having high aspect ratios. A substrate is held in such a state that a surface (surface to be plated) of the substrate faces upward (in a face-up manner). A cathode electrode is brought into contact with a peripheral portion of the substrate so that the surface of the substrate serves as a cathode. An anode is disposed above the substrate. While a space between the substrate and the anode is filled with a plating solution, a plating voltage is applied between the substrate (cathode) and the anode to plate a surface (surface to be plated) of a substrate (for example, see Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2002-506489).
In a plating apparatus in which a substrate is held and plated in single wafer processing while a surface of the substrate faces upward, a distribution of a plating current can be made more uniform over an entire surface of the substrate to improve uniformity of a plated film over the surface of the substrate. Generally, the substrate is transferred and subjected to various processes in such a state that a surface of the substrate faces upward. Accordingly, it is not necessary to turn the substrate at the time of plating.
Meanwhile, in order to deposit a copper plated film selectively in trenches in a circuit form or the like, there has been known a method of bringing a porous member into contact with a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer, and plating the substrate while relatively moving the porous member in a contact direction (for example, see Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2000-232078).
In order to detect the end point of plating and determine the timing of terminating plating in a plating apparatus of the type described above, there are generally employed a method in which plating is stopped when the plating time has reached a predetermined time, a method in which the quantity of electricity that has passed between a cathode and an anode is integrated, and plating is stopped when the integrated value has reached a predetermined value, and a method in which a thickness of a plated film is measured with a film-thickness monitor provided in the plating apparatus, and plating is stopped when the measured film thickness has reached a predetermined value.
For performing copper electroplating on the surface of a substrate, the outer circumferential portion of the substrate is come in contact with electrodes (electric contacts) to pass an electric current through the substrate. As the seed layer is thinner, the sheet resistance becomes higher immediately after the substrate starts to be plated, causing the plating current to concentrate on the outer circumferential portion of the substrate. The within-wafer thickness uniformity cannot be controlled only by a single shield plate for electric field correction.
The applicant has proposed a plating apparatus wherein a plating power source is connected individually to a plurality of split anodes to increase a current density at those split anodes positioned in a central area of the substrate to a level higher than at those split anodes positioned in a peripheral area of the substrate only during a certain period of time in which an initial plated film is formed on the substrate, thereby preventing the plating current from concentrating on the outer circumferential portion of the substrate, but allowing the plating current to flow to the central area of the substrate to make it possible to form a uniform plated film even if the sheet resistance is high (for example, see Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2002-129383).

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides a method of route optimization. The method may include obtaining a packet associated with a first address associated, by a home agent, with a first mobile unit and routing the packet to a second address associated with a second mobile unit along a forward link of a communication path that bypasses the home agent.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to communication systems, and, more particularly, to wireless communication systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wireless network typically consists of a plethora of network elements that collectively provide data and voice communications for nomadic users through a macro-cellular environment. For example, a conventional Evolution, Data-Optimized (EvDO) cellular network includes one or more base transceiver stations (BTS), radio network controllers (RNC), packet data switch nodes (PDSN), foreign agents (FA) and home agents (HA). In the EvDO network, the BTS provides radio access to nomadic access terminals, the RNC provides for radio channel mobility, the PDSN maintains an Internet Protocol-Point to Point Protocol (IP-PPP) tunnel between the PDSN and the access terminal. Lastly the HA and FA provide macro-mobility functionality for nomadic access terminals. In a typical cellular network, there are many BTSs, relatively fewer RNCs, PDSNs and FAs, and still fewer HAs.
Data transmission between the PDSN and the mobile terminal is byte oriented, while data transmission between the PDSN and the HA is based on transmitting whole IP packets. To transmit packets, such as IP version 4 (IPv4) packets, between the home network (i.e. HA) and the PDSN, the HA tunnels the IP packets to the FA by way of an IP-in-IP tunnel, e.g., by extending the IP packets with an additional header indicating an address of the FA. Once a packet is received by the FA, the FA transmits the packet to the PDSN for further delivery to the access terminal over a PPP tunnel between the PDSN and the access terminal. The PDSN and FA are typically co-located to simplify delivery of IP packets to the appropriate PPP tunnels. Conversely, packets transmitted by the access terminal are forwarded to the PDSN/FA over a PPP tunnel, which may then transmit the packets via an IP-in-IP tunnel to the home agent for eventual transmission onto an external network, such as an Internet. Thus, packets transmitted on either the uplink or downlink will be transmitted to the home agent before reaching their final destination.
A substantial fraction of the calls within a wireless communication system are generally thought to be local calls. This means that a voice call originating within a particular geographic area is also likely to terminate in the same geographic area. However, voice calls that are handled using various Internet protocols need to take a circuitous route that may take individual packets far from their point of origin before returning to nearly the same location. For example, the voice samples for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls are encoded in RTP/UDP/IP packets and are routed between source and destination through standard IP routing mechanisms. Thus, the packets transmitted between source and destination access terminals are still routed back by way of a BTS, RNC, PDSN and foreign agent to the home agent even if the source and/or destination access terminals have roamed away from their home networks. This is a particularly inefficient way to route voice traffic given that it is assumed a fraction of voice calls in a cellular network are local and that a packet typically travels through a relatively large network (i.e., distance and number of network elements) before it reaches its home agent.

Route optimization at a packet data switch node


A method of capturing content, performed by a mobile terminal, is provided. The method includes sensing a user's gesture requesting the mobile terminal to capture at least one content, selecting a type of content to be captured, based on a time period that the user's gesture requesting the mobile terminal to capture at least one content is maintained for or a number of times that the user's gesture requesting the mobile terminal to capture at least one content, and capturing the selected type of the content. The type of the content includes internal content to be reproduced in the mobile terminal, and external content from outside the mobile terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of capturing various types of contents, and a mobile terminal thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of capturing various types of contents by sensing a user's gesture, and a mobile terminal thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile terminals may be constructed to perform various functions. Examples of various functions include establishing data/voice communication, capturing a photo or a motion picture by using a camera, storing a voice signal, reproducing a music file by using a speaker system, displaying an image or video, and so on.
Some mobile terminals may further include a function of playing games and some mobile terminals may be embodied as multimedia devices. Furthermore, mobile terminals that have recently been developed are capable of receiving a broadcast or multicast signal to allow a user to view video or a television program.
Also, as users hold their respective mobile terminals for a relatively long period of time, a large amount of personal information of each of the users may be accumulated in the mobile terminal thereof. Thus, there is a need to develop a mobile terminal capable of effectively accumulating personal information of a user and providing various functions to the user based on the accumulated personal information in a user-convenient way.

Method of capturing content and mobile terminal thereof


The invention provides an anion-containing calcium phosphate compound, composition and dental patch comprising the same and their use in remineralizing teeth. The anion-containing calcium phosphate compound has the following formula:(Ca+2)x(anion−a)y(PO4−3)z wherein 2x=(a*y+3z);    a is an integer of 1 to 3; and    each of x, y and z is not 0.

Teeth are mainly composed of enamel, dentin, and pulp chamber rich with nerves and blood vessels. Enamel and dentin are highly calcified hard tissue because they contain hydroxyapatite (HAp).
In the oral environment, the phosphates and calcium ions in the liquid phase (saliva) and the solid phase (enamel) maintain a dynamic equilibrium between demineralization and remineralization. Demineralization is the process of mineral loss from teeth caused by plaque acids or dietary acids. Demineralization can occur on tooth surfaces or below tooth surfaces depending upon the composition of the acids, concentration and pH. Demineralization may increase due to various factors affecting the balance of the equilibrium. However, inhibition of oral bacterial growth, or buffering of acidity caused by soft drinks or bacteria metabolism may aid tooth repair and prevent/alleviate caries, thereby avoiding pain and tooth loss.
Dental caries is a state of a dental carious cavity caused by the dissolution of hydroxyapatite from teeth (demineralization) which cannot naturally return to a healthy state by saliva remineralization alone. Dental decay and caries usually occur as the result of attack by acids in the mouth or saliva. A lesion or cavity in the enamel thus occurs and, if deep enough, renders the tooth vulnerable to attack by decay-producing bacteria. These acids are readily produced by fermentative catabolism of dietary carbohydrates by various plaque-forming organisms such as S. mutans. Many studies have shown that the consumption of fermentable sugars can result in plaque pH changes below the critical level (pH 5.5) at which enamel starts to dissolve.
Remineralization refers to the process of repair of acid damaged tooth structure by the recrystallization of mineral salts on the tooth architecture. Remineralization processes are a natural protective feature of saliva against the formation of tooth cavities, as saliva is supersaturated with respect to calcium phosphate tooth mineral salts. Remineralization and resistance to demineralization represent primary mechanisms toward the reduction of tooth decay or other acid insults.
In view of the dynamic equilibrium mechanism, remineralization can be improved by increasing the concentration of phosphate ions and calcium ions in the oral environment. Among various calcium phosphate salts, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP; Ksp: 10−24.8) is a good source of calcium ions and phosphate ions because of its advantageous solubility. However, after ACP contacts with water in a physiological environment, the solubility of ACP decreases as it transforms into crystalline hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2; Ksp: 10−116.8) through phase transformation. Furthermore, ACP only remains in mouth or dental surface for a short time, so it is difficult to fully demonstrate its effect. In 2004, Eric Reynolds of the University of Melbourne, Australia, used peptide fragments produced from enzyme-cleaved casein as carriers to chelate with ACP to form casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate complex (CPP-ACP) and constitute a core-shell structure to stabilize the amorphous structure of ACP and prevent ACP from transforming into crystalline calcium phosphate. This maintains the high solubility of ACP, attaches ACP to oral surfaces securely, keeps ACP for a long term efficacy in preventing caries. Although CPP-ACP is effective in preventing caries, its popularity is limited due to a potential milk protein allergy in some subjects which is triggered by casein.
Taiwan Patent Publication No. 200637587 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/020,010) discloses an oral care composition comprising xylitol. Although the composition can reduce oral acidity and prevent dental caries, the composition fails to prove remineralization effect.
Taiwan Patent Publication No. 200637605 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/256,861) discloses a toothpaste composition comprising a wetting agent, an abrasive, and an antibacterial component including ursolic acid and carnosic acid. The application relates to an anti-bacteria formulation that is irrelevant to remineralization.
Taiwan Patent Publication No. 200640531 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/256,788) discloses an oral care composition comprising oregano for inhibiting bacteria and preventing dental plaque, inflammation and oxidation. However, the composition fails to provide a remineralization effect.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,037,639, 5,268,167, 5,437,857, 5,427,768 and 5,460,803 involve various amorphous calcium phosphate compounds (such as amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (ACPF) and amorphous calcium carbonate phosphate (ACCP)) for remineralization. However, these compounds are intended for crystallization after contact with water, so they are not suitable for commercialization.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,333 provides a two-part oral product capable of remineralizing subsurface lesions and/or mineralizing exposed dentinal tubules in teeth which is composed of cationic and anionic discrete parts. The cationic discrete part contains ACP. However, the ACP in the product cannot stay in continuous contact with teeth for a long time, so its remineralization effect is not satisfactory.
U.S. Patent Application No. 20080171001 provides new toothpaste comprising casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate and its remineralization effect is also not satisfactory. Taiwan Patent Application No. 200637587 uses calcium glycerophosphate for teeth remineralization. However, the calcium bonds to glycerophosphate in the calcium glycerophosphate but not glycerol and phosphate separately, and the solubility of the calcium glycerophosphate is relatively low.
Therefore, there is still a need to develop a material with advantageous remineralization effect.

Type of anion-containing calcium phosphate compound for dental remineralization


A platform included in a device can be configured to execute instructions to operate the device. The platform can be configured to setup connectivity to a network provided by a data service provider by having an activated account with the data service provider. To activate the account, the platform can be configured to determine that subscription information requested by the data service provider is included in an existing profile associated with the device. Responsive to the determination the subscription information is included in the profile, the platform can be configured to provide information from the profile as the subscription information to activate the account with the data service provider and receive subscriber-level connectivity to the network.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
A mobile device such as a phone or tablet can be configured to access a carrier's data network. For example, the device can be configured to allow access to the carrier's website to purchase or add data service to the device, but otherwise prevent access to the Internet. For example, a warm SIM (subscriber identity module) can be provided by the carrier and included with the device with instructions to allow the device to utilize the carrier's network only to access the carrier's billing website. When the user of the device is directed to the carrier's website, the user may provide subscription information (e.g., identity and/or payment information) to the carrier to activate an account and receive data connectivity through the carrier's network.

Methods and systems for carrier activation using information from an existing profile


A fluid container has a pull tab for providing a way of easily opening beverage containers such as milk cartons. The pull tab is positioned at the upper spout area of the carton such that pulling the pull tab opens the seal at the top of the container.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to accessory devices for handling milk cartons and more particularly pertains to a new Fluid Carton Container With Pull Tab for offering an easier manner of pulling a pour spout out of a milk carton.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of accessory devices for handling milk cartons is known in the prior art. More specifically, accessory devices for handling milk cartons heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. The first step in opening a milk carton is typically easily accomplished because it involves spreading one side of the milk carton's top open by pushing outwardly to separate the milk carton's top and towards the center of the carton to fold the one side of the milk carton's top back to a common plane with the center of the carton. The second step is usually quite difficult because it involves pulling a middle panel of the one side of the milk carton's top outwardly so that a spout can be formed. This step is difficult because of a number of reasons; two of which are that it is more difficult to pull that to push and that there is nothing to grab from which to pull.
Known prior art accessory devices for handling milk cartons include U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,698; U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,104; U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,024; U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,159; U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,813 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,778.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Fluid Carton Container With Pull Tab. The inventive device includes a milk carton, a sealed top, and a pull tab.
In these respects, the Fluid Carton Container With Pull Tab according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of offering an easier manner of pulling a pour spout out of a milk carton.


The principles of the present invention provide for categorizing electronic messages based on trust between electronic messaging entities. Messaging servers maintain trust lists indicating levels of trust between electronic messaging entities. Trust lists can be generated from existing trust information, such as, for example, address book entries. Messaging servers also maintain activity stores that indicate messaging activity between messaging entities. Based on information in a trust list and, when appropriate, information in an activity store, a messaging server can categorize an accessed electronic message, such as, for example, as unwanted and/or unsolicited. Messaging servers can securely exchange trust list information to increase the possibility of identifying a level of trust between messaging entities, even between messaging entities that have not previously exchanged electronic messages. Exchanged trust list information increases the possibility that a messaging server will be able to appropriately categorize an accessed electronic message.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic messaging, and more specifically, to categorizing electronic messages based on trust between electronic messaging entities.
2. Background and Relevant Art
Computer systems and related technology affect many aspects of society. Indeed, the computer system's ability to process information has transformed the way we live and work. Computer systems now commonly perform a host of tasks (e.g., word processing, scheduling, and database management) that prior to the advent of the computer system were performed manually. More recently, computer systems have been coupled to one another to form both wired and wireless computer networks over which the computer systems can communicate electronically to share data. As a result, many tasks performed at a computer system (e.g., voice communication, accessing electronic mail, electronic conferencing, web browsing) include electronic communication with one or more other computer systems via wired and/or wireless computer networks.
In particular, electronic mail has become an important method for communicating. To send an electronic mail message, a sending user typically manipulates an input device, such as a keyboard, within an active electronic mail application to enter text into an electronic mail message. The sending user also typically includes an electronic mail address of a recipient user in the electronic message, for example, by entering text in the "To" field. The sending user then sends the electronic mail message to the recipient user by selecting a "Send" control within the active electronic mail application. Sending the electronic message may cause the electronic mail message to be routed from the sending user's computer system, through a sending mail server, across a network, to a receiving mail server that stores electronic mail messages for the recipient user.
To view the electronic mail message, the recipient user establishes a connection from an electronic mail client application to the receiving mail server. Establishing the connection typically causes all electronic mail messages sent to the recipient user, including the mail message from the sending user, to be transferred from the receiving mail server to the recipient user's computer system. After the electronic mail message from the sending user is transferred, the recipient user may manipulate an input device, such as, for example, a mouse to view the electronic mail message. Manipulating an input device often includes selecting an identifier (e.g., an icon), which represents the electronic mail message, from an "inbox" folder. When the identifier is selected the full text of the electronic message may become viewable to the recipient user.
Sending an electronic mail message to a recipient user is a relatively easy task, as all that is needed to route the electronic mail message is an electronic mail address of the recipient user. Further, most electronic mail applications allow a sending user to easily send the same electronic mail message to a number of recipient users by including multiple electronic mail addresses in the "To" field. Some electronic mail applications even include the functionality to configure a computer system to automatically send an electronic message to multiple recipient users without human intervention. Such computer systems are often configured to "mass mail" advertisements or marketing materials to large numbers of electronic mail addresses. These computer systems are also often configured to send mass mailings to recipient users even if the recipient users have made no request to receive the mass mailing.
Thus, at times, recipient users may receive unsolicited and potentially unwanted electronic mail messages containing advertisements and marketing material. Most recipient users view these types of electronic mail messages as electronic junk mail, and these types of electronic mail messages are often referred to as "SPAM." Receiving SPAM wastes the time of recipient users since time must be taken to review a received electronic mail message before the received electronic mail message can be identified as SPAM. Once identified as SPAM, additional time must be taken to delete the received electronic mail message. As such, computerized techniques have been developed to detect SPAM and, after detection, process SPAM differently than other electronic mail messages.
One SPAM detection technique is to use electronic mail filters configured to categorize electronic mail messages, for example, as SPAM, based on the characteristics of the electronic mail messages. Electronic mail filters can use relatively simple algorithms, such as, for example, searching for key words (e.g., '$$$') within an electronic mail message, or relatively complex algorithms, such as, for example, running a Bayesian analysis on an electronic mail message. Electronic mail filters can also be configured to process SPAM in a way that differs from other electronic mail messages. For example, an electronic mail filter can be configured so that electronic mail messages including specific keywords are categorized as SPAM and moved to a SPAM folder.
Further, more sophisticated individually trainable electronic mail filters have also been developed. An individually trainable filter is typically included in a recipient user's computer system. When an electronic mail message is received at the recipient user's computer system, the recipient user provides feedback about the received electronic mail message to the individually trainable filter. The individually trainable filter analyzes the feedback to incrementally generate rules used to categorize subsequently received electronic messages. After a sufficient amount of feedback is analyzed and corresponding rules generated, this eventually results in the individually trainable filter being able to automatically categorize electronic mail messages with little intervention from the recipient user. Accordingly, if properly configured, electronic mail filters can be useful for reducing the amount of SPAM received by a recipient user.
Unfortunately, electronic mail filters suffer from at least two major drawbacks. One drawback is that it is difficult if not impossible to keep electronic mail filters up to date. Entities that send SPAM (hereinafter referred to as "spammers") continually develop new approaches to attempt defeat known filtering algorithms, such as, for example, altering the arrangement of text in the contents of an electronic mail message. A user of an electronic mail filter may have to frequently check for product updates to maintain the highest level of SPAM protection. Many electronic mail users lack the desire and know how to check for updates with the same frequency spammers develop new approaches to defeating existing filtering algorithms.
Another drawback is that some electronic mail filters require a recipient user to provide significant feedback about received electronic messages. For example, to generate sufficient feedback for an individually trainable electronic mail filter, a recipient user may need to provide feedback on hundreds of electronic messages before the individually trainable electronic mail filter has enough feedback to automatically categorize electronic messages with any degree of accuracy. If a recipient user receives only two or three electronic mail messages a day, it may take weeks or months to generate an appropriate level of feedback.
Another SPAM detection technique is to use electronic mail address blacklists. When an electronic mail address, or even an electronic mail domain, is identified as either sending SPAM or not preventing associated users from sending SPAM, the electronic mail address or electronic mail domain is added to a blacklist. Thereafter, when a recipient user receives an electronic mail message, the recipient user's electronic mail server (or computer system) can check the blacklist to determine if the sender's electronic mail address or electronic mail domain is included in the blacklist. If so, the recipient user's electronic mail server (or computer system) can identify the electronic mail message as SPAM. The recipient user's electronic mail server (or computer system) can then delete the electronic mail message or mark the electronic mail message as SPAM.
Unfortunately, until information associating an electronic mail address with SPAM is indicated, both electronic mail filters and blacklists will identify electronic mail messages from an electronic mail address as legitimate. That is, an electronic mail filter will not identify electronic mail messages as SPAM until received user feedback or updates indicate that electronic messages from a particular electronic mail address are SPAM. Likewise, a blacklist will not identify electronic mail messages as SPAM until received updates indicate that electronic messages from a particular electronic mail address are SPAM. Thus, in the absence of express information indicating that an electronic mail address is associated with SPAM, electronic mail filters and blacklists default to identifying electronic mail messages as legitimate.
Thus, spammers will often intentionally configure electronic mail messages to defeat electronic mail filters and blacklists. For example, when a spammer becomes aware of an electronic mail filter identifying a particular text pattern, the spammer can change the particular text pattern. Similarly, when a spammer's electronic mail address is added to a blacklist, the spammer may simply obtain a new electronic mail address. Other spammers may spoof an electronic mail address or electronic mail domain to defeat existing techniques used to identify electronic mail messages as SPAM. Spoofing changes the domain name of sender's electronic mail address (i.e., the text after the "@" in the electronic mail address) to make it appear as if an electronic mail message was sent from an entity, when that entity did not in fact send the electronic mail message.
Accordingly, when an electronic mail message does not originate from an electronic mail address or domain previously identified as sending SPAM and does not have known characteristics of SPAM, the electronic mail message will typically not be identified as SPAM. Thus, after transfer to a recipient user's inbox, the recipient user is required to spend time manually identifying the electronic mail message as SPAM and appropriately disposing of the electronic mail message. Therefore systems, methods, computer program products, and data structures for identifying unwanted and unsolicited electronic messages in a more proactive manner would be advantageous.

Categorizing electronic messages based on trust between electronic messaging entities


A wiring protector that controls the direction of exiting branch wires, secures a tube over the branch wires, and adjusts the length of the branch wires. Wire protector, which includes main body and a passageway formed therein through which trunk wires pass, is placed over a wire harness and attached to a vehicle body. Exit ports for branch wires are formed within the main body, and disk-shaped guide members or a clamp are attached to the internal region of the main body to control the exit direction of the branch wires and to determine the length of the branch wires.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wiring protector, and more particularly to a wiring protector positioned over branch joints of a wiring harness that may be attached to a vehicle. The wiring protector establishes the direction that branch wires extend from the wiring harness, secures tubes attached to the branch wires, and adjusts the length of the branch wires.
2. Description of Background Information
As shown in FIG. 8 and described by Japanese Kokai (Laid Open) Patent H9-117032, protector 1 is an example of a prior art wiring protector that fits over the branching wire locations of a wire harness attached to an automobile. Protector 1 is a one-piece structure that includes open-ended main body 2 which is placed around trunk wires w1 of wire harness WH at the location where branch wires separate therefrom, and lid 3 that exposes or covers the upper portion of main body 2 by pivoting on flexible hinge portion 4. Cutout portion 2b is formed in sidewall 2a on main body 2 to allow the passage of branch wires w2 therethrough.
The design of the prior art protector does not regulate the extending direction of branch wires w2 because branch wires 2w are merely pulled through cutout portion 2b in main body 2. Also, because a protective tube is placed over the exposed portion of branch wires w2 exiting protector 1, tape must be wrapped around the tube to prevent it from becoming displaced in the axial direction along branch wires w2. Moreover, connector 5 is attached to the end of branch wires w2 to connect the branch wires to a terminal device (not shown in the drawing). Branch wires w2 can become slack in the region external to protector 1 after connector 5 is attached to the terminal device, and the slack portion may interfere with other components. This slackness can also result in the branch wires generating noise induced by vehicle vibration.


Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces, the refracting power of the lens elements and two parameters to meet an inequality associated with the thickness of the second lens element, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.

Dimension reduction is the major consideration for designing an optical imaging lens in recent years. When reducing the length of the optical imaging lens, however, achieving good optical characteristics becomes a challenging problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,502,181, U.S. Pat. No. 7,826,151 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,422,145 all disclosed an optical imaging lens constructed with an optical imaging lens having five lens elements. In these patents, the aperture stop is positioned before the first lens element, and the transition of refracting power of the first two lens elements is positive-negative. However, such configurations still fail to satisfy users needs for a better imaging quality and thinner and slimmer design, because the HFOV (half of field of view) in these patents is merely 32˜33 degrees and the lengths of the optical imaging lenses thereof fall into the range of 6.5˜8.0 mm.
Therefore, there is needed to develop optical imaging lens with a shorter length, while also having good optical characters.

Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof


Methods to generate analogs of coenzyme A in vitro and in vivo are disclosed. The methods comprise reacting pantetheine or a derivative thereof with a reporter to form labeled pantetheine or a derivative thereof, phosphorylating the labeled pantetheine or derivative thereof to form phosphopantetheine or a derivative thereof, adenylating the labeled phosphopantetheine or derivative thereof to form a labeled dephosphoCoenzyme A or derivative thereof, and phosphorylating the 3′-hydrozyl of the labeled dephosphoCoenzume A or derivative thereof to form a labeled coenzyme A analog or derivative thereof.

Various publications, including patents, published applications, technical articles and scholarly articles are cited throughout the specification. These cited publications are incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety and for all that they illustrate.
Selective chemical control of biochemical processes within a living cell enables the study and modification of natural biological systems in ways that may not be obtained through in vitro experiments (Cook et al., C.R. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 10: 829, 2002; Chen et al., Curr Opin Biotechnol. 16:35, 2005). Accordingly, access to promiscuous metabolic pathways has provided a unique chemical entry into small molecule engineering in vivo (Mahal et al, C.R. Science 276:1125, 1997). A method for covalent reporter labeling of carrier proteins using promiscuous phosphopantetheinyltransferase (PPTase) enzymes and reporter-labeled coenzyme A (CoA) has recently been described (La Clair et al., M.D. Chem Biol. 11:195, 2004). Until now, this method has been limited to in vitro and cell-surface protein labeling, as CoA derivatives have not been shown to penetrate the cell (La Clair et al., M.D. Chem Biol. 11:195, 2004; Mercer et al., Chem Bio Chem 2005; George et al., Am. Chem Soc., 126:8896, 2004; Yin et al., Am Chem Soc. 126:13570, 2004; Yin et al., Am Chem Soc. 126:7754, 2004). To overcome this obstacle, labeled metabolic precursors may be delivered to the cell culture, which results in cellular uptake and metabolic conversion into active, labeled CoA derivatives. In the process, a chemoenzymatic route to protein modification via a four-step sequence is established.
The chemical synthesis and activity of CoA has been studied for well over a century, yet the full biosynthesis of the cofactor has only recently been elucidated in prokaryotes and eukaryotes (Mishra et al., Chem Rev., 100:3283, 2000, Mishra et al., Bacteriol., 183:2774, 2001; Martin et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 192:1155, 1993; Strauss et al., Biol. Chem. 276:13513, 2001; Daugherty, et al., Biol. Chem. 277:21431, 2002; Kupke et al., Biol. Chem. 278:38229, 2003; Zhyvoloup et al., Biol. Chem 277:22107, 2002 and Worrall et al., Biochem. 215:153, 1983). CoA is biosynthesized from vitamin B5 by five enzymes in E. coli, CoaA-CoaE, while eukaryotes contain a fusion of CoaD and CoaE, PPAT/DPCK. Knowledge of the substrate specificity of these enzymes remains incomplete, although some evidence points to promiscuity within this pathway. Early studies on CoaA indicated that the enzyme will also accept pantetheine as a substrate (Abiko, Biochem 61:290, 1967 and Shimizu et al., Biol. Chem 37:2863, 1973). This ability has since been used in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of CoA analogs (Rudik et al., Biochemistry 39:92, 2000; Martin et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 116:4660, 1994; Schwartz et al., Biochemistry 34:15459, 1995 and Nazi et al., Anal. Biochem., 324:100, 2004). This permissiveness suggests the ability of the CoA biosynthetic pathway to convert reporter-labeled pantetheine to reporter-labeled CoA in vivo. To this end, the synthesis of fluorescently-labeled pantetheine analogs provides a direct link to reporter-labeled post-translational modifications (Mandel, A L et al. 2004).

Methods for generating analogs of coenzyme A

The Regents of the University of California


A semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises a substrate; a copper interconnect layer formed on the top surface side of the substrate; an aluminum bonding pad formed on the top surface side of the copper interconnect layer with an aluminum-based material; and an aluminum interconnect formed on the top surface side of the copper interconnect layer with an aluminum-based material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device. In particular, it relates to a semiconductor device using copper interconnects, which has bonding pads made of aluminum.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In semiconductor integrated circuits beginning with the sub-quarter micron generation, demands have been made for alternative interconnect materials to replace the conventionally used aluminum-based interconnect. Accompanying the miniaturization of semiconductor integrated circuits, interconnect caused delay time has been increasing in comparison with the delay time due to the transistor elements. Moreover, accompanying the miniaturization of interconnect width, interconnect resistance has increased. The increase in interconnect resistance invites electric potential on the power supply line to fall and clock signal delay time to fluctuate, causing malfunctions to occur. In addition, since the density of the electric current flowing through an interconnect increases, adverse influences on reliability against electromigration have become more acute. It is difficult to deal with these problems using aluminum-based interconnects.
Copper has shown great promise as an interconnect material to be used for semiconductor integrated circuits from the sub-quarter micron generation forward. Copper is characterized by low resistance and is highly resistant against electromigration. These characteristics of copper are favorable for use in semiconductor integrated circuits from the sub-quarter micron generation forward.
When copper is used as the interconnect material, it can be generally considered that the bonding pads are also formed with copper.
However, since bonding pads formed with copper easily oxidize, problems caused by oxidation of the bonding pads may occur. Copper is a material that oxidizes very easily. In addition, when exposed to the outside atmosphere, oxidation is accelerated through the moisture in the air. The surface of the bonding pads formed with copper is easily oxidized. Once the surface of the bonding pads is oxidized, sufficient adhesive strength between the wiring and the bonding pad cannot be obtained where the wiring is bonded. Moreover, the copper oxidation does not stay at the surface layer, but progresses deep inside the copper. Oxidization of bonding pads formed with copper begins at the exposed portions not covered with a bonding ball, and the corrosion of the bonding pads then progresses. Ultimately, the entire bonding pad may be corroded. If the corrosion progresses deeper, the copper interconnect connected to a bonding pad may be corroded.
To deal with this problem, a semiconductor device comprising bonding pads formed with aluminum on top of the copper interconnect is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 11-135506. In this well known semiconductor device, as shown in FIG. 13, a copper interconnect 504 is formed on the upper surface side of a silicon substrate 501. The copper interconnect 504 is covered with an insulation/protection film 512. In the insulation/protection film 512, an aperture 512a, which reaches the copper interconnect 504, is provided. On top of the copper interconnect 504, an aluminum film 510 is formed. The aluminum film 510 is connected to the copper interconnect 504 through the aperture 512a. The aluminum film 510 is used as bonding pads.
FIGS. 14A through 14C illustrate a method for manufacturing such a well-known semiconductor device. Referencing FIG. 14A, a silicon oxide film 602, which acts as an interlayer film, is formed through a CVD method on top of a silicon substrate 601 whereupon transistors are formed. Typically, the film thickness of the silicon oxide film 602 is approximately 1 μm. Afterwards, a photolithography technique and a dry etching technique are used to form a trench 602a with a depth of 50 nm. The depth of the trench 602a is 550 nm. In addition, each of the apertures, which respectively reach the source, drain, and gate of a transistor formed on the silicon substrate 601, are formed. However, the formed apertures are not shown in FIG. 14A. Moreover, a titanium nitride film and copper film are sequentially formed through a CVD method. The titanium nitride film prevents diffusion of the copper film, and also improves the adhesiveness between the copper film and the silicon oxide film 602. The film thickness of the formed titanium nitride film and copper film are 50 nm and 500 nm, respectively. In addition, the portion of the formed titanium nitride film and copper film besides the portion that is within the trench 602a are removed through a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method. As shown in FIG. 14A, a titanium nitride layer 603 and copper interconnect 604 are formed.
Then, referencing FIG. 14B, a silicon nitride film 605, silicon oxide film 606, silicon nitride film 607, and silicon oxide film 608 are sequentially formed. The silicon nitride film 605 prevents the diffusion of copper from the copper interconnect 604. A trench 608a is formed, as shown in FIG. 14B, on the silicon nitride film 607 and silicon oxide film 608. A trench 606a, which reaches the copper interconnect 604, is formed within the trench 608a.
Then, referencing FIG. 14C, a titanium nitride film is formed through a CVD method. The thickness of the titanium nitride film is 50 nm. The formed titanium nitride film is etched back through an anisotropic etching. The titanium nitride film is not completely removed but remains at the sidewall of the trench 608a, thereby forming a titanium nitride layer 609. Similarly, the titanium nitride film is not completely removed but remains at the sidewall of the trench 606a, thereby forming a titanium nitride layer 610.
Between formation of the silicon nitride film and formation of the titanium nitride layers 609 and 610, the surface of the copper interconnect 604 is exposed, and a copper oxide is formed. In addition, on the surface of the copper interconnect 604, deposited material remains after etching back the titanium nitride film. Consequently, after forming the titanium nitride layer 610, the copper oxide and deposited material formed on the surface of the first layer copper interconnect 604 are removed by using O2plasma, diluted hydrofluoric acid, and hydrogen (hfac) gas.
Moreover, a copper film is formed through a CVD method. The portions other than the portions within the trenches 606a and 608a of the formed copper film are removed through a CMP method, to form a copper interconnect 611 as shown in FIG. 14C. Continuing, as shown in FIG. 15A, an insulation/protection film 612 is formed with silicon nitride. Moreover, an aperture 613 is formed using a lithographic technique and a dry etching technique.
Continuing, the copper oxide formed on the surface of the copper interconnect 611 is removed by using O2 plasma, diluted hydrofluoric acid, and H (hfac) gas. Moreover, an aluminum film is formed using a sputtering method. The aluminum film is patterned through a lithographic technique and etching technique to form an aluminum bonding pad 614.
However, in the well-known semiconductor device manufacturing method, the aluminum film formed on the top surface side of the second layer copper interconnect 611 is used only for forming the bonding pad. More effective utilization of the formed aluminum film is desired.