One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for performing wireless slot adaptation with reservations in a time division multiple access (TDMA) network where time is divided into time slots in repeated frames. During operation, the system receives a vector from a neighbor node, wherein a respective element in the vector indicates received signal quality for a corresponding time slot in a frame with respect to that neighbor node. Next, the system updates a record which indicates the received signal quality for all the time slots within a frame for the neighbor node based on the received vector. The system then determines a transmission threshold for a time slot with respect to a neighbor node based on the record. Subsequently, the system transmits a packet destined for the neighbor node in an outbound queue if the record indicates that the received signal quality in an upcoming slot is better than the transmission threshold.

1. Field
This disclosure is generally related to slot assignment and reservation in a wireless dynamic TDMA network. More specifically, this disclosure is related to a method and an apparatus to facilitate slot adaptation with reservations by measuring the quality of time slots and sharing the slot quality information with neighbors in a wireless dynamic TDMA network.
2. Related Art
In a wireless dynamic TDMA network, time slots are assigned to nodes in a changing sequence. Such networks are used in wireless multihop data networks and are distinct from wireless cellular TDMA networks. In situations where nodes cannot communicate or are otherwise unaware of each other but share the same channel, these random sequences will likely overlap between non-communicating groups and cause intermittent signal interference. Depending on topology, this interference may be more or less persistent. In such a network, however, if reservations are used, the interference might become persistent and repetitive. In the worst case, interfering nodes choose to reserve the same slot, and the performance of that slot becomes unacceptably low.
Previous works on time slot assignment and re-assignment looks primarily at signal-to-interference and noise ratios (SINR), power control, frequency channel, or modulation as the system parameters. For example, in order to re-assign a wireless device between time slots on the same channel when there is high co-channel interference, the wireless device scans frequencies to find one with a good signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), and requests the found time slot from the base station. Upon decoding the request, the base station acknowledges the request and confirms the link. The base station continues monitoring the signal quality on its side and making adjustments based on its local information.
Most of these works are unrelated to the specific problem domain we consider, which is a common-channel wireless ad hoc data network with random time slot assignments using persistent time slot reservations, particularly when those time slot reservations are not dedicated to a specific flow between fixed neighbors. Hence, there is a need for a method and an apparatus for efficient slot adaptation with reservations by measuring the quality of time slots and sharing the slot quality information with neighbors in a wireless dynamic TDMA network. Based on the shared state, nodes may choose preferred time slots to reserve and avoid transmitting data on other slots with high interference.

Slot adaptation in a wireless dynamic TDMA network with reservations


A speaker system utilizes dipole speaker drivers in conjunction with monopole speaker drivers in a listening area to disperse a surround sound effect to a listener. The dipole speaker drivers are physically mounted on top of the front left and right speakers and are angled in a way that the surround information is delivered to the listener via wall/room reflections. By reflecting the sound off the walls, the system provides a delayed diffuse audio signal from the dipole speakers, enhancing the surround effect.

Audio systems often include at least two speakers positioned to the front left and right of a listener. In a conventional home theater setting, the two speakers are positioned to the left and right of a television screen. In a conventional desktop setting having a computer, the two speakers are positioned to the left and right of a computer screen. Optionally, bass units or subwoofers are added, which can deliver the lower frequency range and permit smaller speakers. The subwoofer can be placed at almost any location. An optional center speaker may be positioned directly in front of the listener, between the left and right speakers. A conventional audio system having left and right speakers and a subwoofer (known as a "2.1" configuration) and the optional center speaker (known as a "3.1" configuration) is compact, but does not provide surround sound to the listener.
One conventional approach to providing surround sound to the listener is to add rear speakers to the listening area, located behind or to the sides of the listener. The speakers form a circular, square or rectangular array with the listener at or near the center. A surround sound processor may incorporate positional encoding by means of specific phase differences and amplitude ratios to enhance the effect of spatially surrounding the listener. A five speaker arrangement with a subwoofer (known as a "5.1" configuration) provides a desired surround sound effect. It is desirable, however, to achieve a surround sound effect with a more compact configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,416 to Croft discloses a dipole speaker for producing ambient sound in a multichannel sound reproduction system. Used in conjunction with direct path speakers connected to the audio system, the additional surround dipole speakers are placed in front of and behind the listener on the centerline of the listening setup. The radiation from the dipole speaker is such that one lobe of the sound pressure output is 180 degrees out of phase with the other so that they cancel each other out to produce a null zone aligned towards the listener. The sound pressure lobes are directed toward the walls so the acoustical signal of the dipole is reflected therefrom and arrives at the listener by an indirect path. The delayed indirect path of the signal from the dipole enhances the ambience of the effect of the dipole speaker. However, Croft does not achieve a compact design because a rear dipole speaker is required directly behind a listener. If the listener is using the Croft system with a computer on a desktop, the use of a rear dipole speaker may not be feasible.
One conventional system attempts to provide a system with a surround sound effect for use with a computer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,150 to Eberbach discloses a surround speaker system that utilizes skewed hypercardioid sound energy fields from right front and left front "surround" speakers with the principle nulls directed at the expected listener location. This produces the effect of side wall and rear wall speakers in a home theater setting without actual side wall or rear wall speakers. The effect is enhanced by secondary nulls that are directed so as to reflect off the front wall of the room toward the expected listener location. Each surround speaker contains an antiphase driver and circuitry that powers the drivers to create the skewed hypercardioid sound energy field. However, Eberbach's hypercardioid sound energy fields do not produce a sufficient dispersion of sound. With a very tight pattern, hypercardioid speakers do not provide a wide distribution across the horizontal plane. As a result, the surround sound effect is minimized.
Conventional surround sound systems generally require rear speakers for proper production of a surround sound effect. It would be desirable, therefore, to have a system which is capable of producing such surround sound effect without speakers positioned in the rear of the listening area.

Dipole and monopole surround sound speaker system


A wireless access network, and an associated method, is formed of multiple tiers to provide for communications between individual nodes. Each tier of the network operates at different frequency ranges and provides for connectivity between selected nodes of the different tiers.

The invention described in this document provides the system concept of a multi-tiered integrated wireless access network. The innovation includes the design of each tier to "fit seamlessly" in the multi-tiered architecture. In comparison, previous-disclosed networks typically consist of one tier only, which neither provide scalability nor are designed with lower or higher wireless network tiers in mind.
Fitting seamlessly, as mentioned above, is defined in terms of connectivity and interference avoidance. Within the described network, each tier operates in a different frequency band, hence achieving total interference avoidance, but prohibiting interoperability.
For network tiers outside the scope of this invention, which may be attached on top or below the described network for example WLAN (Wireless Local Area Networks) or PAN (Personal Access Networks), and which may operate within the same frequency band, CCA (Carrier Controlled Access) will be employed to allow for graceful coexistence. Devices meant for operation in the Ad-hoc Mesh Tier will be capable of interoperability with WLAN's. That is, these devices will be able to switch operation from one tier into the other.
Connectivity in the above sense is defined as the possibility to connect co-located devices from different tiers back to back. Interoperability is defined as the capability of a device made to function in one tier in a certain mode and to function in another tier in that same mode.
The notion of a multi-tiered architecture is relevant due to the fact that it provides flexible and scalable network deployment, which provides high cost efficiency especially in the mesh architecture of the lowest tier. Thus, increasing the throughput can easily be achieved by inserting only a new node into the tier above, without manual reconfiguration of any other devices. This compared to a one-tier approach, where increasing bandwidth demand often can only be met by a total reconfiguration of the whole (sub)-network.
This flexibility and scalability allows the network operator the unique ability to start the network small, extending it as demand increases, whereas other networks generally need to be fully pre-deployed (wired networks), or pre-deployed to a large extent to avoid the huge cost of network extension (one-tier wireless approaches).
The notion of a multi-tiered architecture is also relevant due to the fact that it avoids the trade-off between technology cost and performance demands. For a one-tiered network, for example a network in the LMDS band, the throughput can be made adequate throughout the network, but the cost of a CPE is high due to the high cost of RF-technology in this band. For a one-tiered network in the 2.4 GHz band for example, the CPE cost is comparatively much lower, however, the achievable throughput, with current state of the art technology, is lacking. The multi-tiered approach disclosed in this document provides the best of both of the above, while avoiding their drawbacks.
The physical layer of the Ad-hoc Mesh Tier (AMT) is based on existing WLAN standards, such as the IEEE 802.11 standard, or a variant thereof. This technology is not sufficient enough to handle all the cases in the outdoor environment. Improvements are therefore mandatory. The added features will among others aid in extending the range and improving the interference and error resilience, thereby increasing the system capacity.
Since the physical layer of the AMT has similar RF (radio frequency) characteristics as WLAN, interoperability can be achieved purely by additional software and is therefor not excluded. For example, if the device also has an indoor antenna, it could additionally serve as WLAN base-station on a time-sharing basis.
Comparing the proposed solution with WLAN on the link/network layer level, the proposed solution is superior in that it does not use the concept of base-stations (master/slave approach), which results in higher flexibility and failure resistance. Also, it avoids the thorough network planning required for WLAN networks with multiple base-stations. This is achieved by inband trunking and real-time adaptive network configuration. The link layer protocols will also decrease the systems self-interference.
The proposed solution also implicitly handles the hidden terminal problem, whereas this poses significant scheduling problems in the WLAN approach.
The AMT solution is optimized for both mobile and fixed terminals, where in the system design, special consideration is being given to mobile battery-life.
Compared to a classical PMP (pre-configured Mesh Tier) topology, a Pre-configured Mesh Tier, proposed below, has a higher reliability due to the possibility to connect a node to multiple others, and indirectly to multiple sink-nodes.
Another advantage of the PMT solution, is that not all nodes need to fulfill the LOS or near-LOS (line of sight) requirement to the sink-node, as LOS or near-LOS to any other node which achieves, directly or indirectly, LOS or near-LOS to the sink is sufficient. Hence the PMT solution relaxes the stringent PMP requirements on base-station placement.

Generation broadband wireless internet, and associated method, therefor


Disclosed herein in a method and system for creating and utilizing a virtual-three dimensional image in a real-world environment to guide medical procedures. The process may include receiving image data related to a patient and creating and displaying a three-dimensional holographic model of the patient utilizing the received image data, wherein creating a three-dimensional holographic model of the patient utilizing the received image data. Exemplary methods include organizing image data in a unique manner and utilizing subvolume skipping techniques allowing for more efficient accurate rendering of holographic images.

The present disclosure finds its genesis in limitations in using traditional two-dimensional (2D) and 3D images in surgical settings. Surgical planning is necessary for every medical procedure. A surgeon and their team must have a plan for a case before entering an operating room, not just as a matter of good practice but to minimize malpractice liabilities and to enhance patient outcomes. Surgical planning is often conducted based on medical images including 2D DICOM scans (MRI, CT, etc.), requiring the surgeon to flip through numerous views/slices, and utilizing this information to imagine a 3D model of the patient so that the procedure may be planned. Accordingly, in such a scenario, the best course of action is often a surgeon's judgment call based on the data that they are provided.
While 2D images may allow for a surgeon to make a general plan for a procedure, they have their limitations as the human body is not two-dimensional. Therefore, for complex cases, for example, brain tumor resections, the patient's life and many essential functions are at risk, requiring accurate planning taking into account the three-dimensional complexities of a brain's anatomy. Therefore, there is a need for advancement in visualization that allows for better surgical planning. Currently technology that is being utilized in surgical settings includes traditional monitors which display two-dimensional radiographic imaging co-registered to the patient. Furthermore, current uses of three-dimensional models in medical setting are limited due to their lack of refinement and accurate rendering and an inability to utilize them in real-time with accuracy as a procedure is being conducted.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and systems for generating and using 3D images in surgical settings


One or more computer processors generate an augmented reality overlay. One or more processors generate an overlay image that includes a tangible content that is within a field of view of an imaging device. The one or more processors generate a shape in the overlay image that is fixed to a set of coordinates, wherein a border of the shape encompasses a tangible content that is included within a field of view of an imaging device. The one or more processors displays the overlay image using an image display device, wherein the shape is displayed as a visible object with a fixed position and orientation.

The present invention relates generally to the field of photography, and more particularly to digital overlay of images.
Professional and non-professional photographers use cameras and other recording devices to capture media content. While most individuals are capable of capturing media content, there are challenges to doing it well. The photographer needs to have an understanding of lighting, composition, as well as an understanding of what image is actually being captured by their equipment.
Often what is captured by a photographer is not the intended lighting, composition, or content. However, the photographer often is unaware of this until they review the captured media content. By this point, it may be too late to capture the intended or desired content. For example, images from a sporting event were to show a certain amount of foreground in order to provide perspective in an image. However, given the fast pace of the sporting event, the photographer does not have the time to review the captured images to ensure that the desired amount of foreground is included in each shot.

International Business Machines Corporation


In one embodiment, an in-line tandem axle assembly comprising: a tandem wheel arm (46); a pair of wheel connecting assemblies (44A, 44B), each comprising a hub (60A, 60B) and a spindle (58A, 58B); a pair of mounts (50A, 50B) coupled respectively to the pair of wheel connecting assemblies; a pair of wheels (52A, 52B) coupled respectively to the pair of wheel connecting assemblies, the pair of wheels separated by the tandem wheel arm and in a same fore-and-aft position; and plural pairs of parallel links (48A, 48B) of equal length pivotably mounted to the pair of mounts and pivotably mounted to the tandem wheel arm.

Towed implements, such as those with soil working implements (e.g., row units) attached, often use walking tandems. Walking tandems use wheels (including the tire mounted thereon) in a configuration in which one wheel of the tandem leads the other by a defined distance. However, since one wheel leads the other, a sharp turn may cause the lagging wheel to drag or push, creating a small mound of dirt that may compromise yield, particularly in no till conditions. Further, when space is a limitation to the rear, a center point (center of gravity) of the walking beam is shifted, which places more mass behind the tandem pivot, causing less weight to be carried on the hitch. This condition may lead to situations of negative tongue weight, which may cause a corresponding hitch to rise at the tail end of the towing vehicle. Traditional duals may be used, but one shortcoming to using them is that the load is not equalized over both wheels and spindles under certain conditions (e.g., when one of the wheels encounters an obstacle or trench or furrow), which may result in undesirable high compaction areas (e.g., for planting applications).


A brush assembly adapted to be rotated about an axis has a brush having a flexible, annular and generally cylindrical collar generally centered on the axis and having a predetermined and generally uniform radial thickness, a predetermined inside diameter, and a predetermined axial length, and a plurality of arrays of radially projecting bristles angularly equispaced about the collar and defining a plurality of axially throughgoing and angularly equispaced bristle-free zones. A holder drum has a core having an outer surface centered on the axis and having a predetermined outside diameter substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the collar, inner and outer end flanges axially flanking the core paced axially apart by a predetermined axial distance greater than the axial length of the collar so that the collar is received with axial play between the flanges, and respective retaining tongues extending axially between the flanges in the bristle-free zones of the brush. The tongues have inner surfaces spaced radially outward from the outer surface of the core body by a radial spacing substantially greater than the radial thickness of the collar so that the collar is received with radial play between the surfaces and the tongues.

A standard rotary brush assembly has a flexible, annular and generally cylindrical collar generally centered on the axis and having a predetermined and generally uniform radial thickness, a predetermined inside diameter, and a predetermined axial length. A plurality of arrays of radially projecting bristles angularly equispaced about the collar define a plurality of axially throughgoing and angularly equispaced bristle-free zones. A holder for the brush is comprised of a pair of flange disks each formed with a circular groove of the same diameter as the brush collar, a central screw spindle extending between the disks, and axially projecting tongues radially outside the grooves and spaced to engage in the bristle-free zones of the brush. The axial ends of the collar are fitted in the grooves of disks with the tongues positioned in the bristle-free zones, and the screw is tightened to clamp the brush in place.
This assembly is structurally very stable so that when it is rotated the outer ends of the bristles can be counted on to lie on a cylinder centered on the rotation axis of the brush, and the tongues prevent the brush from coming loose even if stressed considerably.
While this arrangement is fairly effective, it is susceptible of improvement.


The present invention relates to an improvement for a differential apparatus that transmits torque produced by a motor to two axle shafts. A motor output shaft portion is formed coaxially and integrally with a gear case.

The present invention relates to a differential apparatus for vehicles, and in particular, to a joining structure for an output shaft, which outputs torque produced by a driving source, and a differential case.
A differential apparatus for vehicles transmits torque produced by an engine to left and right axle shafts (wheel drive shafts), which respectively transmit the torque to left and right drive wheels. A conventional differential apparatus is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-229162. The conventional differential apparatus includes a gear case and a ring gear that are integrally formed from the same material. Such an integral structure eliminates the need for assembling the gear case and the ring gear. This improves productivity of the differential apparatus and prevents noise and vibrations, which are produced when the axis of the gear case is misaligned from the axis of the teeth in the ring gear.
FIG. 2 illustrates a differential apparatus 100 that transmits torque produced by a motor to left and right axle shafts. The differential apparatus 100 transmits torque produced by the motor 150, which includes a stator core 152 and a rotor core 154, to a left axle shaft 102 and a right axle shaft 104 while causing a rotational difference between the left axle shaft 102 and the right axle shaft 104. In more detail, the differential apparatus 100 includes a pair of side gears 106, each of which is arranged at one end of either the left axle shaft 102 or the right axle shaft 104. A pair of differential pinions 108 and a pinion shaft 110 are meshed with the pair of side gears 106 to automatically generate a rotational difference. The pinion shaft 110 extends through a gear case 112. With this structure, torque of a motor output shaft 156 is transmitted to the left axle shaft 102 and the right axle shaft 104. The differential apparatus 100 does not need to have a ring gear for transmitting torque from the motor output shaft 156 to the gear case 112. Therefore, the gear case 112 does not have to be assembled with a ring gear, and there are no problems caused by the assembled gear case 112 and ring gear.
One end of the motor output shaft 156 is inserted in the gear case 112 so that internal splines 114 formed around the outer surface of the motor output shaft 156 and external splines 116 formed around the inner surface of the gear case 112 are engaged with one another. This means that the gear case 112, which is joined with the motor output shaft 156 by the internal and external splines 114 and 116, must be positioned at the same time as when the motor output shaft 156 is positioned. Moreover, when the machining accuracy of the internal and external splines 114 and 116 is not sufficient, the axis of the motor output shaft 156 and the axis of the gear case 112 may not be aligned with each other. This may produce noise and vibrations.
Further, the internal splines 114 and the external splines 116 occupy space in the axial direction of the motor 150 (see dimension H). This restricts the maximum size of the mountable motor 150.


A pair of openings are formed using an EDM technique. A pair of clamps are inserted into the openings and moved toward each other until such time as the inboard edges of the two openings are engaged. A pair of EDM cutters are used to cut a pair of slots which extend from one opening to the other. Upon completion of these slots, the sample, which remains clamped between the two clamps, is withdrawn and lowered back down the conduit to a remote collection point.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a sampling technique. More specifically, this invention relates to a sampling technique which uses a tool that can be inserted into a conduit such as used in a nuclear facility, and used to cut out and remove a sample of the pipe wall for inspection and analysis.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,607 issued on May 31, 1994 in the name of Formanek, discloses a tool having an EDM crack removal head which can be inserted and positioned with a nozzle/thermal sleeve and used to detect and then cut-away cracked portions of metal from the sleeve. While this arrangement has proven very useful, it suffers from the drawback that it is impossible for samples of the metal, which constitute the wall of the nozzle or sleeve, to be captured and returned to a remote site for further detailed inspection and analysis.


Various embodiments of methods and apparatuses for managing authentication key contexts are described herein. In various embodiments, the methods and apparatuses include purging an authentication key context of a supplicant after handing off the supplicant, even the authentication key has not expired.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention are related to the fields of data processing and data communication, and in particular, to wireless networking.
2. Description of Related Art
An Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11e standard (approved 2005, IEEE Standards Board, Piscataway, N.Y.), among other things, define aspects of Worldwide Inoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). Under WiMAX, uplink and downlink control media access control (MAC) messages are cryptographically signed in order to protect against replay attacks. For the purpose of signing MAC messages, an authentication key (AK) is generated at both the Mobile Subscriber Station (MSS) and Base Station (BS). From AK, both MSS and BS generate an Uplink MAC key and Downlink MAC key which are used for signing uplink and downlink MAC control messages respectively. In order to protect against replay attacks on MAC messages, associated with each AK is an Uplink Packet Number and a Downlink Packet Number that are stored as part of a AK Context and are used in computation for MAC message signing. The Uplink Packet Number is incremented whenever a new Uplink MAC message needs to be sent by the MS. Similarly, the Downlink Packet Number is incremented whenever a new Downlink MAC message needs to be sent by the BS. The Uplink and Downlink Packet Number Counters have to be unique for each uplink and downlink MAC management message, otherwise a security hole is created and that allows replay attack.
Additionally, under WiMAX, a MSS can do a high speed handoff (HO) from one BS to another leading to creation of a new AK and AK context at MSS and the new BS. Since an AK can have a lifetime of several days, MSS and old BS are required to cache the AK and AK Context after MSS does handoff until that AK is valid. This ensures two things: a) when the MSS HO back to the old BS, correct AK and Uplink Packet Number and Downlink Packet Number are used i.e. starting for the value at least one more than just before the HO and b) avoiding the need to do lengthy authentication steps to generate new AK and AK Context whenever MSS does a HO. Since AKs can have a valid lifetime of several days, BSs have to cache a large number of AKs and AK Contexts belonging not only to MSSs currently active in the network but also MSS that had joined and left the network but still have valid AKs. This leads to potentially large memory requirements in BS and lengthy searches that are keyed by MSS, leading to a costly BS.

Purging of authentication key contexts by base stations on handoff


A DNA-Chip includes a flat carrier and an array of spots containing probe molecules (oligonucleotides) which are arranged on said carrier. Each spot is associated with a microelectrode arrangement for impedance spectroscopic detection of binding events occurring between the probe molecules and target molecules (DNA fragments) applied by way of an analyte solution. In order to increase the sensitivity or the binding specific measuring effects of the biochip, the electrode arrangement is at least partially embedded in a hydrophilic reaction layer containing probe molecules and which is permeable to target molecules.

During a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), the sample to be investigated is subjected to a cyclical temperature treatment in which the DNA fragments are essentially duplicated with the aid of a primer pair and a polymerase. For this kind of analyses, there are nowadays processes available in which the PCR is carried out on a microchip which has an array of microspots which form "gel pads" (WO 01/34842 A2). In order to enable hybridizations within the microspots to be detected by fluorescence spectroscopy, the known processes involve adding a labeled primer to the analyte solution.
Methods for amplifying and detecting nucleic acids are known from the prior art. Here, gel pads may form separate microspots as hydrophilic reaction layers on a microarray, said gel pads containing oligonucleotides which can hybridize with target nucleic acids to be identified. Furthermore, the printed publication "Nucleic Acids Res." (1999) 27 (18) e19, pages 1 to 6, discloses carrying out amplification reactions in gel pads on a microarray and detection reactions by way of single base elongation. In this connection, mention should further be made of DE 196 10 115 C2 which discloses an array having a microelectrode arrangement and of WO 01/42508 A2 which discloses gel pads with immobilized probes in contact with microelectrodes.
Finally, WO 99/36576 A1 involves the use of gel pads in an array and also methods and systems for their preparation, it being intended to prepare "intelligent gels" as reaction layers.

Method and device for PCR-amplification and detection of nucleotide sequences


This invention provides a driving method for a three-phase stepping motor used in various types of electrical equipment, which driving method reduces vibration peculiar to a stepping motor and can drive the stepping motor smoothly. Specifically, the driving method comprises alternating two-phase conduction of conducting a current from a first terminal to a second terminal of coils having three terminals of a three-phase stepping motor internally connected by a Y-connection with three-phase conduction of conducting the first terminal to the second terminal and from a third terminal to the second terminal simultaneously, to energize the coils sequentially according to a specified sequence, thereby making the motor rotate in units of 1/2 of the basic step angle with low vibration.

This invention relates to a driving method for a three-phase stepping motor.
In recent years, stepping motors have found increasing applications in automobiles. The requirements for the stepping motors for automotive use are size reduction, higher torque, and low vibration.
Description will first be made of the driving method of the conventional three-phase stepping motor. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing currents of the respective coils by the driving method of the conventional three-phase stepping motor. Reference numeral 21 denotes a current flowing through a first coil, 22 a current flowing through a second coil, and 23 a current flowing through a third coil. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining FIG. 9. Reference numeral 24 denotes a first terminal of a coil, 25 a second terminal of the coil, and 26 a third terminal of the coil.
Description will next be made of the driving method of the thus constructed three-phase stepping motor referring to its operation. First of all, a current is conducted from the first terminal to the second terminal. Next, a current is conducted from the third terminal to the second terminal. Subsequently, a current is conducted according to the sequence shown in the conceptual diagram. According to this power conduction method, the stepping motor rotates in units of basic step angles.
However, in the above-mentioned conventional construction, a vibration peculiar to the stepping motor is determined by the design of the stator and the rotor, which constitute the stepping motor. The conventional stepping motor has a problem that this vibration is attributable to the influence of machining accuracy, and therefore, the stepping motor cannot be used in electric equipment which is required to have low vibration.

Driving method for three-phase stepping motor

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method of obtaining beta-islet cells from pancreases of rabbits and a composition for transplantation (xenografts or xenotransplants) of beta-islet cells isolated and cultured from rabbit pancreases to promote natural insulin production among people with diabetes.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a cell therapy method and a composition for transplantation of beta-islet cells isolated and cultured from animal pancreases to promote natural insulin production among people with diabetes.
2. Description of Related Art
Type 1 diabetes affects more than one million Americans. Type 1 diabetes is the most severe form of the disease, in which the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells required to keep blood sugar at normal levels. It is known that extremely low blood sugar can result in seizures, impaired cognition, or unconsciousness. In the most severe cases, the complications are not well controlled by insulin.
Ideally, replacing insulin-producing cells in the pancreas can free diabetics from lifelong insulin injections and effectively cure the disease. The transplantation of these "islet" cells can now be done in two ways, through a whole pancreas transplant or through a less invasive and less costly process of injecting just the islet cells. Successful pancreas transplantation has been demonstrated to be effective in significantly improving the quality of life of people with diabetes, primarily by eliminating the need for exogenous insulin and frequent daily blood glucose measurements (Pancreas Transplantation for Patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 25 (Supplement 1): S111. January 2002). However, pancreas transplants require lifelong immunosuppression therapy to prevent rejection of the graft and potential recurrence of the autoimmune process that may destroy pancreatic islet cells.
The transplantation of beta-islet cells from donor pancreases has been shown to promote natural insulin production among patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (see Sperling, M. A. Type 1 Diabetes: Etiology and Treatment. Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press Inc. 2003. p. 529-552; Insulin Therapy. In: Edelman, S. V. and Henry, R. R. Diagnosis and Management of Type 2 Diabetes. Caddo, Okla.: Professional Communications, Inc. 2002. p. 121-148). Islet cell transplantation can be performed as a percutaneous minimally invasive procedure, in which islet cells are infused into the liver via the portal vein. However, like other transplant patients, islet recipients must take immune-suppressing drugs to prevent rejection of the foreign cells.
Xenografts or xenotransplants of islet cells derived from pork or beef has been studied and shown as required immunosuppression.
Ability of pre-cultured beta-cells of pancreases of newly-born rabbits to survive and to actively function in organism of xenogeneic recipient was demonstrated by us in experiments on rats with experimentally induced Diabetes Mellitus. (Skaletsky N. N. and others. 1994 {4}). Expressed and long-term (8 weeks—experiment term) anti-diabetic effect of xnotransplantation of cultures of islet cells as in cases of administering into abdominal cavity and spleen, and also in cases of administering it into transverse abdominal muscle. After experiments, histological tests were conducted that at the place of introduction of xenotransplants discovered islet cells with preserved structure and without signs of cellular immune reaction. At the same time, clear signs of regeneration of own beta-cells in pancreases of animals-recipients were detected. Beside a well-defined sugar-reducing effect, a well-defined medical-prophylactics effect of xenotransplantation of islet cells cultures on distinctive late complication f diabetes—Nephropathy,—was noted during experiments (Skaletskaya G. N. and others (2005 {4}).
RU 2135193 to Skaletsky at al. discloses obtaining beta islet cells from new-born rabbit pancreas and to transplantation methods. Beta cells are obtained by migration from pancreatic fragments in a culturing method requiring addition of serum to a culture medium.
Thus, despite of current developments, islet cells from different sources which would not require immunosuppression are needed.
All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Cell therapy: a method and a composition for treating diabetes

PHILADELPHIA MEDICAL SCIENTIFIC CENTER, L.L.C.


An electronically controlled frequency agile impulse source utilizing pulse sharpening techniques to increase its versatility in radiating impulse energy at a variety of center frequencies and bandwidths in the megahertz to the gigahertz range. Such pulse sharpening provides for a radiator having a wider range of applications.

In recent years there has been active research in the area of nanosecond-type pulse generation. Such research has produced GaAs substrate high power storage devices that utilize photoconductive solid state switching to generate nanosecond-type pulses. One such switch, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,971, issued to Anderson H. Kim et al on Jul. 2, 1991, entitled, "High Power Photoconductor Bulk GaAs Switch" is incorporated herein by reference.
The "Bulk GaAs Switch" is basically an electrical energy storage device comprised of two mutually opposite gridded electrodes positioned on opposite surfaces of a GaAs semiconductor substrate such that a power supply means can provide an electric field in a predetermined direction across the patterned electrodes. The device is photoconductively activated to discharge its stored energy when it receives light radiation at a predetermined wavelength. When light energy penetrates the substrate region it generates electron/hole pairs which cause the electrical resistance of the semiconductor material to decrease. As a result, the stored electrical energy will instantaneously discharge through a load.
It is widely recognized that when such devices discharge properly, they radiate pulses in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. The bandwidth of such pulses is determined and/or limited by the speed with which the device discharges and recovers. In general there is a direct correlation between the output pulsewidth and the center frequency of the radiated waveform. As the pulsewidth narrows, the bandwidth increases and the center frequency shifts towards the higher frequency spectrum. For the wider pulsewidth, the center frequency of the radiated waveform becomes lower. Consequently, those skilled in the art recognize that by controlling the output pulse characteristics, one can control the center frequency and bandwidth of the radiated energy, and thus increase the effectiveness as well as the versatility of the systems utilizing such impulse generators.
The critical elements in controlling the radiated pulsewidth of such GaAs energy storage devices are its construction (shape, size, etc.) and the switching technique (photoconductive triggering of the stored energy discharge). Heretofore, two general techniques have been used to generate such narrow pulsewidth (ultra-wideband) radiation.
The first technique utilizes the recombination property of the semiconductor material from which the switch itself is fabricated. This technique (using photoconductive GaAs switches), however, typically generates a signal with a long pulsewidth due to a relatively long recovery time. The long recovery time is attributed to the inherent properties of gallium arsenide, including: (1) the substantially long recombination time and (2) the switch lock-on phenomena. As such, this technique is not desirable for generating narrow pulses and thus for having ultrawideband radiation.
The second technique utilizes an energy storage element which is comprised of either a short section of transmission line or a capacitor. The energy storage element is photoconductively triggered to instantaneously discharge all or substantially most of its stored energy to an impedance load. As with the aforementioned technique, the extended recovery time inherent in photoconductive switches prevents this device from producing extended wideband radiation.
A major breakthrough in this pulsewidth problem, however, was presented in the inventors copending patent application entitled "Ultra-Wideband High Power Photon Triggered Frequency Independent Radiator," Ser. No. 07/946,718, filed by Kim et al, Sep. 18, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,621 and incorporated herein by reference. This frequency radiator combines an energy storage function and an antenna radiating function into one structure to create an ultra wideband frequency radiator capable of generating pulses with a range of frequency components from hundreds of megahertz to several gigahertz. Basically, this radiator utilizes two identical quasi-radial transmission line structures to store electric energy while it implements photoconductive switching to trigger the instantaneous discharge of the stored energy to generate the desired ultra wideband RF radiation.
Such an energy storage device comprises a dielectric storage medium, two quasi-radially shaped, metalized electrodes mounted opposite one another on the top surface of the dielectric storage medium and a metalized electrode mounted on the bottom surface of the dielectric medium. A photoconductive switch, centrally located on the dielectric between the two quasi-radially shaped electrodes, connects the two quasi-radially shaped electrodes to the bottom electrodes through a load impedance. When the switch is activated by light radiation, the stored energy discharges through the load impedance generating a sub-nanosecond-type pulse.
Although such a device provides for fast rise-time pulses, the radiation bandwidth is limited by the trigger speed of the photoconductive switch and the recovery time of the GaAs substrate. One method of breaking through these physical limits and thus increasing the radiation bandwidth is by sharpening the discharge pulse (a sharpened pulse has a fast rise-time as well as fast falltime).
A method of sharpening the radiated pulsewidth has been disclosed in copending patent application, Ser. No. 08/061,612, entitled "Pulse Sharpening Using An Optical Pulse," filed May 6, 1993. The method consists of coupling an optical pulse from a laser system into two separate fibers of different length (Fiber1=L and Fiber2= L+ .delta.L) to create a delay between the signals. Specifically, the optical pulse conveyed through fiber1 triggers the discharge of the device, and the optical pulse conveyed through fiber2 illuminates the gap between the transmission line and the load (to turn off the device). Hence, the energy extraction from the device is abruptly terminated, and the radiating pulse incurs a fast falltime, thus sharpening the pulse.
This pulse sharpening technique, however, is not versatile in that it does not provide the capability for one device to effectively generate a multiple of output pulsewidths having center frequencies ranging from hundreds of megahertz to several gigahertz (which would be useful for many different applications as described above). Consequently, those skilled in the art recognize both the need and the benefit of a device capable of radiating a range of pulsewidths from a single optical pulse source.

Electronically controlled frequency agile impulse device

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


Herein disclosed in some embodiments is a fault detector for power amplifiers of a communication system. The fault detector can detect a portion of the power amplifiers that are in fault condition and can prevent or limit current flow to the power amplifiers in fault condition while allowing the rest of the power amplifiers to operate normally. The fault detector can further indicate which power amplifiers are in fault condition and/or the cause for the power amplifiers to be in fault condition. Based on the indication, a controller can direct communications away from the power amplifiers in fault condition and/or perform operations to correct the fault condition.

Many legacy communication entities produce a signal at a lower magnitude and rely on power amplifiers to increase the magnitude of the signal for transmission of the signal. In many instances, the legacy communication entities may include multiple power amplifiers, where each of the power amplifiers may be utilized for increasing the magnitude of the signal for transmission via corresponding transmission means. When one or more of the power amplifiers enter a fault condition, the legacy communication entities fail to identify which of the power amplifiers have entered the fault condition. The inability to identify which of the power amplifiers are in the fault condition can result in shut down of the entire legacy communication entity for identification and repair of the fault condition.

ANALOG DEVICES INTERNATIONAL UNLIMITED COMPANY


A process for testing vision sensitivity from a target is set forth. Specifically, I illuminate the vision sensitivity chart with only indirect light and in the total absence of direct light. In the preferred embodiment, the contrast sensitivity chart is placed in an enclosure and provided with only indirect illumination of a desired intensity. The indirect illumination is such that all light illuminating the vision sensitivity target first indirectly rebounds from a surface and only then is incident upon the vision sensitivity target. At the same time, light rays on the target from this illumination cannot directly rebound into the direct viewer of the subject being tested. With an enclosure having this characteristic, paired viewing apertures are provided and spaced from the eye to provide the eye with a clear the contrast sensitivity chart. Offset from the eye and at a solid angle emulating a real life night driving light source, such as a headlight, light having a direct glare is introduced to the eye. Thereafter, for various indirect light levels on the contrast sensitivity chart, measurements are made with and without glare from the glare sources being present. The test results have been found by me to reliably predict test results on my prior art simulator enabling a simple clinical analog to take the place of what heretofore was much more elaborate testing.

I have developed, and it is prior art to this invention, a night time vision sensitivity testing simulator. This simulator includes the subject sitting behind the wheel of a sectioned car having a conventional windshield and driving interior. Through the windshield of the sectioned car, an observer views, projected by video or movie, a real world night driving scene. In my preferred embodiment I used a "country" night driving scene and a "city" night driving scene. The scenes are motion scenes with the driver seeing various road signs and hazards as if the car is proceeding at normal driving speeds (55 mph in the country and 35 mph in the city). To provide the equivalent of real world glare, I added glare sources to the simulator. Specifically, I attached small lights to the rear view mirror and the side view mirror. The solid angle of the source of the lights was maintained to produce an equivalent to an automobile headlight shining either through the side or rear view mirror. Naturally, this glare reproduced by reflection substantially the same glare as that of an on coming car.
Under these conditions, the effect of glare was measure by having the patient push a mechanical indicator whenever a road sign or hazard was identified. Upon pushing of the mechanical indicator, the sign or hazard was blanked out, and the patient asked to designate with particularity the sign or hazard observed. Sensitivity in the simulator was judged by the projected distance at which the subject undergoing test observed the sign or hazard.
Vision sensitivity was formerly measured with Snellen charts, the familiar randomly placed letters which diminish in size along graduated visual sensitivity lines. The subject in reading one line of larger letters can be graded 20/30, the next line of smaller letters 20/20, etc.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,479 issued May 9, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,699 issued Mar. 3, 1996 both entitled Spatial Frequency and Contrast Sensitivity Test Chart and Method, I have shown that by using fine gradations of lines on a chart, contrast vision sensitivity can be more accurately determined. Additionally, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,699 issued Mar. 3, 1996 both entitled Spatial Frequency and Contrast Sensitivity Test Chart and Method, I have shown that the background provided such images is necessary to avoid image artifacts that may otherwise be generated to provide in accurate or misleading test results. It will be understood that these issued patents form the preferred targets utilized with this disclosure, although the prior art Snellen tests or other low or high contrast vision sensitivity tests may be used as well.
Accordingly, these patents are incorporated by reference to this disclosure as if set forth herein in full.

Variable luminance contrast sensitivity and glare vision test process


A method of making a sponge device is provided. This method includes introducing a curable liquid sponge forming material into a form, placing a handle into the material before it is fully cured, heating the form to cure the material, removing the cured material from the form, and rinsing the cured material. Another aspect of the present invention is the assembly for making this sponge device. This assembly includes a runner for joining a plurality of handles, plates that are spring-biased together to support the handles, a chase formed of heat conductive metal having a shelf where the plates can be set, and a silicone form having a plurality of cavities therein for receiving the sponge forming material.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sponge. More particularly, this invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sponge using a casting process. This sponge may be used for medical, cosmetic or general purposes.
Currently, ophthalmic sponges are made by taking a large bun of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) foam or cellulose material and cutting it into the desired thickness. The sponge is washed, dried, compressed, cut and then secured to a handle. The sponge must then be sterilized after it is packaged.
One disadvantage with the present process is that it is very labor intensive, and the multiple cutting and handling steps are expensive. Another disadvantage with the present process is that the multiple cutting steps cause some debris to be left on the sponge, which is referred to in the trade as "float away." No matter how much effort is made to clean up the sponge, some of the debris from the cutting process remains embedded and has the potential to come loose when the sponge is wetted at the time of use. This creates contamination, which, of course, is undesirable in medical applications. Still further, the float away problem is exacerbated by the final step in the conventional manufacturing process. This is a compression step to help shape the sponge. It deeply embeds some of the dust or float away from the cutting operation into the sponge. Another disadvantage is that even if nearly all of the debris is removed from the finished sponge the cutting process leaves an inherently "rough" surface while a smoother surface is preferred.
To overcome the deficiencies found with conventional methods of manufacturing sponges, a new method that does not create float away and results in a smoother finished surface is needed. This method will avoid cutting entirely so as to avoid producing float away particles.


A customizable wrapper for a product, such as a candy bar, including a wrapper assembly having a pair of removable edges. A face sheet of the wrapper assembly includes a printable surface and an integrated wrapper sized to cover the product on both a front and back. A back sheet of the wrapper assembly includes a removable portion at least partially overlaying the wrapper, the removable portion removable to expose an adhesive surface along the wrapper. The customized wrapper is then wrapped around the product and adhered along the exposed adhesive.

Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a customizable wrapper that includes a wrapper assembly with a label having a printable surface.
Description of Related Art
Weddings, parties, corporate events, trade shows and similar gatherings often require favors or giveaways. Typically, such giveaways are customized by the giver to suit the particular event. Several mail order companies exist that permit customization of candy bars and similar items by custom printing wrappers to replace the existing wrapper. Such wrappers are generally printed bands that are swapped in exchange for the original band.
As such, a need arises for a customizable wrapper that a gift or favor giver may design that is appropriate for the particular gift, event, occasion, season and/or recipient.


A slide module includes a base, at least one rail receiving part is formed; a slider includes at least one rail part slidably and facing the base; and a friction reducing unit formed on at least one of the base and the slider to reduce friction generated when the slider is slidably moved over the base. The sliding operation can be more smoothly and silently performed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a slide module and, more particularly, to a slide module capable of implementing a smooth and silent sliding operation between elements, which would cause undesired friction according to a sliding operation of the slide module, by reducing friction therebetween.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, mobile terminals are portable wireless communication devices and can be classified variably according to its type. For example, the mobile terminals can be divided into a bar type terminal formed as one body, a folder type terminal whose folder part is rotatably connected over a main body part, a slide type mobile terminal whose slider part is slidably moved up and down over the main body part, and a swinging type mobile terminal whose two swing parts are rotated in a facing manner.
In the mobile terminals, a module (rotation module or a slide module or a swing module, etc.) for allowing a relative rotation or sliding or swing movement between two or more bodies guarantees a mechanical position changing (rotating or sliding or swing, etc.) of the mobile terminals according to a user manipulation. Here, the rotation module makes one body rotate about another body. The sliding module enables one body slide over another body with facing each other and the swing module enables one body swing around another body with facing each other, too.
If the module is not smoothly operated during the position changing process, a noise or friction would be inevitably generated, making users uncomfortable and not satisfied in using the mobile terminals.
Thus, demands for a module that can be smoothly and silently operated for a position changing and a mobile terminal having such a module are increasing.

Slide module and mobile terminal having the same


According to the improved method of thermal recording with a thermal head, each time a specified amount of thermal recording has been performed, a coating layer is formed in a specified area of the surface of the protective layer on the glaze of the thermal head and, thereafter, the thermal recording operation is resumed. The improved thermal recording method and the improved thermal recording apparatus to which this method is applied permit a coating layer to be present at all times on the surface of the protective layer on the glaze of a thermal head; hence, a great number of prints can be produced without causing the wear and corrosion of the protective layer, thereby assuring that the thermal head is long-lived to maintain high operational reliability over a prolonged period.

This invention relates to the art of a method and apparatus for thermal recording using a thermal head.
Thermal recording materials comprising a thermal recording layer on a substrate of a film or the like, which are hereunder referred to as thermal materials, are commonly used to record images produced in diagnosis by ultrasonic scanning.
This recording method, also referred to as thermal recording, eliminates the need for wet processing and offers several advantages including convenience in handling. Hence in recent years, the use of the thermal recording system is not limited to small-scale applications such as diagnosis by ultrasonic scanning and an extension to those areas of medical diagnoses such as CT, MRI and X-ray photography where large and high-quality images are required is under review.
As is well known, thermal recording involves the use of a thermal head having a glaze in which heat-generating elements for heating the thermal recording layer of a thermal material to record an image are arranged in one direction (main scanning direction) and, with the glaze a little pressed against the thermal material (thermal recording layer), the thermal material is relatively moved in the auxiliary scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the heat-generating elements of the respective pixels on the glaze are heated by energy application in accordance with image data to be recorded which were supplied from an image data supply source such as MRI in order to heat the thermal recording layer of the thermal material, thereby accomplishing image reproduction.
The glaze of the thermal head has a protective layer formed on the surface in order to protect the heat-generating elements for heating thermal materials, the associated electrodes and the like. It is this protective layer that contacts the thermal material during thermal recording and the heat-generating elements heat the thermal material through this protective layer so as to perform thermal recording.
The protective layer is usually made of wear-resistant ceramics; however, during thermal recording, the surface of the protective layer is heated and kept in sliding contact with the thermal material, so it will gradually wear and deteriorate upon repeated recording.
If the wear of the protective layer progresses, uneven densities will occur in the thermal image or the desired protective strength can not be maintained and, hence, the ability of the layer to protect the heat-generating elements is impaired to such an extent that the intended image recording is no longer possible (the head has lost its function). Particularly in the application such as the aforementioned medical use which require variable-contrast images of high quality, the trend is toward ensuring the desired high image quality by increasing the settings of recording temperature (energy applied) and of the pressure at which the thermal head is urged against the thermal material, and the protective layer on the thermal head is more prone to deterioration by wear, which largely affects the operational reliability and life of the thermal head.
With a view to preventing the wear of the protective layer on the thermal head, various ideas have been proposed and implemented and they include improvements on the constituent material of the protective layer, its layer arrangement and the recording conditions, as well as methods directed to the formation of a coating layer on the surface of the protective layer.
Among these proposals, the method of forming a coating layer on the surface of the protective layer has been the subject of intensive research and development efforts since it is capable of not only preventing the deterioration by wear of the protective layer but also refilling the pinholes formed in its surface, thereby ensuring that the operational reliability of the thermal head can be greatly improved in comparatively simple ways.
To mention a few examples of the proposals so far made in this direction, they include: Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application (Kokai) No. 193853/1988 which discloses a thermal head that has an electrically conductive paint applied to the surface of the protective layer to form a coating layer which not only provides improved reliability but also prevents static buildup which would otherwise cause the failure of the heat-generating elements; Kokai No. 251255/1988 which discloses a thermal head that has an anaerobic resin coating formed on the surface of the protective layer to ensure that the pinholes are closed while providing improved reliability; Kokai No. 232762/1992 which discloses a thermal head designed to close the pinholes in the surface of the protective layer while preventing its corrosion by employing a coating agent that has specified values of viscosity, surface tension, softening temperature, thermal decomposition temperature and withstand voltage; and Kokai No. 84948/1993 which discloses a thermal head also designed to close the pinholes in the surface of the protective layer while preventing its corrosion by forming a coating layer made of an alkoxide glass having specified values of viscosity and surface tension.
With these thermal heads having a coating layer formed on the surface of the protective layer, the coating layer can initially attain the intended object by effectively preventing the corrosion and wear so as to ensure the reliability of the thermal heads. On the other hand, these thermal heads heat the thermal recording layer through the coating layer which is kept in sliding contact with the thermal material and, hence, the coating layer will eventually wear upon repeated recording. As a result, in extensively worn areas of the coating layer or in areas where the coating layer has worn out completely, the protective layer is either worn or corroded as in the case of the thermal head having no such coating layer and the reliability and life of the thermal head are inevitably reduced.

Method and apparatus for thermal recording


An indexed limit stop for mounting on the headrail of a covering for architectural openings is easily connected to the headrail in overlying relationship with shade material wrapped on a roller in the headrail and has two elements that are pivotally interconnected and movable between selected fixed positions. The second element includes an abutment stop for engagement with the bottom rail of the shade material when the covering is fully retracted and can be positioned such that the abutment stop is spaced from the outer wrap of shade material to avoid damage to the shade material while being desirably positioned for intercepting movement of the bottom rail to limit retracting movement of the roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to coverings for architectural openings and more specifically to a limit stop adapted to limit the retracting rotation of a roller on which a shade material is mounted.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Generally, window coverings have various mechanical means for controlling the upper and lower positions of the fabric sheeting materials used in the covering. Such mechanical means is commonly referred to as a limit stop. The limit stop ensures that the fabric materials of the window covering do not traverse into the headrail more than intended, nor does it descend beyond the measured drop of the fabric. By way of example, window shade products generally use a ratchet and pawl device to stop the fabric from winding too far into the upper portion of the window. In another example, a ball stop may be attached to the operating cord to prevent the cord from traveling into the operating system beyond its design, thus preventing the fabric from wedging into the headrail. Regardless of the type of covering, it is beneficial to the operation of the window covering that some type of limit stop be installed in the system for the typical window covering to operate easily and efficiently regardless of whether it is an upper or lower limit stop.
In one limit stop known in the trade, first and second pivotally connected elements are utilized wherein the first element is attached to the rear edge of the headrail and the second element is pivotally connected to the first element so as to ride along the shade material wrapped about a roller. Such a limit stop has not been without problems inasmuch as the hinged connection of the two elements has an objectionable noise factor and the constant contact of the second element with the shade material as well as the repetitive raising and lowering of the shade causes soiling of the fabric where the limit stop contacts the fabric.
It is to provide an improvement in limit stops and to avoid the shortcomings of prior art limit stops that the present invention has been developed.

Limit stop for coverings for architectural openings


A gaseous compression system for compressing a gas from an initial pressure to an exit pressure with a first, blower compression bank and a second, mechanical compression bank. Each compression bank has plural stages of gaseous compression with a gaseous fluid compressor and a heat pump intercooler. The heat pump intercooler comprises a cascading heat pump intercooler with a high temperature section, a medium temperature section, and a low temperature section, each temperature section with an intercooler core. Each stage of the blower compression bank has a high-pressure blower, and each stage of the mechanical compressor bank has a mechanical compressor. A final stage of gaseous compression is without a heat pump intercooler. Gas compressed by the gaseous fluid compression system can be injected into a gas-driven generator to generate electric power from movement of a working fluid induced by injection of the compressed gas.

For many decades, the need for realizing increased efficiency in gaseous fluid compression has been well recognized. There have been numerous attempts at achieving improved thermodynamic performance and elegance in construction in the provision of systems and methods for compressing gaseous fluids. Knowledgeable scientists and skilled inventors have endeavored to harness the principles of thermodynamics to provide for the compression of gases, such as air, with improved efficiency thereby to enable the conservation of energy and the overall advance of the art.
In 1938, for instance, H. F. Parker filed what became U.S. Pat. No. 2,280,845 for an Air Compressor System. There, Parker sought to approach the ideal isothermal cycle more closely than was previously practicable and, in so doing, to reduce the power consumption necessary for a given output. Parker proposed to intermix a non-compressible, heat-absorbing, and heat-carrying medium, namely water in mist form, with compressed gas to reduce the temperature of the compressed gas thereby to approach an ideal isothermal cycle. After compression, Parker taught to separate and remove the heat-carrying water and with it the greater part of the heat deriving from compression from the compressed gas.
More recently, with U.S. Pat. No. 8,572,959, Ingersoll et al. describes Systems, Methods and Devices for the Management of Heat Removal within a Compression and/or Expansion Device or System. Under the Ingersoll et al. system, liquid is moved into a pressure vessel to compress gas within the pressure vessel. During the compression and/or expansion process, heat is transferred to the liquid used to compress the air, and a liquid purge system removes at least a portion of the liquid to which the heat energy has been transferred. The liquid can be cooled and then recycled within the system.
These and other systems and methods for the compression of gaseous fluids model the principles of thermodynamics. Heat pumps and refrigeration systems rely on the thermodynamic cycles of heat pumping and refrigeration. In a heat pump, heat is moved from the source location to another location, a heat sink, using mechanical work or a heat source. In a heater, the heat sink is warmed. In refrigeration, the objective is to cool the source of heat.
Sadi Carnot mathematically set forth the principle of the refrigeration cycle in 1824. A heat pump or heat engine operates in reverse of the refrigeration cycle. The heat pump and refrigeration cycles are commonly classified into vapor absorption, vapor compression, the gas cycle, or the Stirling cycle.
In an ideal vapor compression cycle, a refrigerant working fluid enters a compressor in vapor form and is compressed at constant entropy before exiting the compressor superheated. A condenser receives the superheated vapor, cooling the vapor and condensing it into a liquid by removing additional heat at constant pressure and temperature. The liquid refrigerant then goes through a decrease in pressure as it passes through an expansion valve causing refrigeration and resulting in a mixture of liquid and vapor at lower temperature and pressure. That mixture is vaporized through coils or tubes of an evaporator by the cooling of warm air from the space being refrigerated as it is blown by a fan across the evaporator coil or tubes. The thermodynamic cycle is completed as the resulting refrigerant vapor returns to the compressor inlet. The vapor absorption cycle is similar to the vapor compression cycle. However, the compressor is replaced by an absorber that dissolves the refrigerant in a suitable liquid. A liquid pump raises pressure, and a generator drives the refrigerant vapor from the high-pressure liquid. In the ideal Stirling cycle heat engine, mechanical work drives heat transfer in a reversed direction. In a reversed Carnot cycle, four reversible processes formed by two isothermal steps and two isentropic steps are performed in reverse. Finally, in the gas cycle, a gaseous working fluid is compressed and expanded but does not change phase.
The coefficient of performance (COP) is a measure of the efficiency of a refrigerator or heat pump. The coefficient of performance is an instantaneous measurement of the ratio between useful cooling or heating output to power input. In a refrigeration system, the coefficient of performance can be defined as the ratio of the heat removed in relation to the power input to the compressor. The coefficient of performance in heating can be defined as the ratio of the heat delivered to the power input to the compressor. Accordingly, a higher coefficient of performance denotes a more efficient system.
Like any other system relying on the relationship between heat and other forms of energy, the coefficient of performance of any gaseous compression system is inherently constrained by the Laws of Thermodynamics. Each inventor seeking to advance the art of gaseous compression has sought to minimize losses in efficiency while maximizing the efficacy of the components and processes involved thereby to achieve optimal coefficients of performance.
Accordingly, despite the foregoing and many other useful improvements in relation to the compression of gases, the drive continues for improved efficiencies in systems and methods for the compression of gaseous fluids. In this regard, it is recognized that refrigeration is an efficient method for facilitating the compression of gases. However, it is further recognized that refrigeration has a relatively narrow temperature range over which it works with high efficiency. Additional cooling beyond a low point of that temperature range can be carried out only with drastically reduced efficiency.
The present inventor has thus appreciated that it would be highly advantageous to provide a system and method for gaseous fluid compression that minimizes losses in performance during fluidic compression and that exploits the efficiencies of refrigeration.

Gaseous fluid compression with alternating refrigeration and mechanical compression using a first and second bank of compression coupled with first and second cascading heat pump intercoolers having a higher and a lower temperature section


There are provided a rule-set analyzer and a method of analyzing an ordered security rule-set comprising a plurality of rules and characterized by at least one extrinsic field. The method comprises: upon specifying atomic elements constituting an extrinsic space corresponding to the at least one extrinsic field, partitioning, by a processor, the extrinsic space into two or more equivalence classes, wherein each atomic element in the extrinsic space belongs to one and only one equivalence class; mapping, by the processor, said equivalence classes over the rule-set; and analyzing, by the processor, the security rule-set using the results of mapping said equivalence classes over the rule-set.

Today, information security is one of the critical concerns in computer networks and services. Various methods have been developed for protection of various resources and services; usually these methods include implementation of one or more security policies, combinations and hierarchies thereof. A security policy typically includes control of inbound and outbound traffic related to certain resources. Such control can be enforced with the help of a security gateway. Functions of the security gateway can be implemented fully or partly at various network devices (e.g. switches, routers, firewalls, VPN devices, load balancers, combinations thereof, etc.) and/or fully or partly implemented in the platforms accommodating these certain resources.
In addition to controlling traffic in accordance with source, destination and/or services, the security gateways are now evolving into a new generation that adds to the security policy two new dimensions, users and applications. Alternatively, the security gateways can provide control of access to certain resources in accordance with user and/or application independently of control based on source, destination and/or services characteristics of the traffic.
The problem of user/application based control has been recognized in the Prior Art and various systems have been developed to provide a solution, for example:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,350 (Belani et al.) discloses a distributed access controller for controlling access to resources in a multi-domain distributed computing environment. The access controller is configured to receive a request from a user requesting performance of one or more operations on a particular resource. The access controller attempts to resolve the requested operations based on user hierarchy information and access list information for the particular resource. If all the operations in the user's request cannot be resolved based on the user hierarchy information and the access list information for the particular resource, the access controller then attempts to resolve the unresolved operations based on the particular user's user hierarchy information in combination with resource hierarchy information, and access list information for the resources in the resource hierarchy information. In alternate embodiments, the access controller attempts to resolve the requested operations based on the resource hierarchy information and access list information for the resources in the resource hierarchy information. If all the operations in the user's request cannot be resolved based on the resource hierarchy information and the access list information for the resources in the resource hierarchy information, the access controller then attempts to resolve the unresolved operations based on the resource hierarchy information in combination with the particular user's user hierarchy information, and the access list information for the resources in the resource hierarchy information.
US Patent Application No. 2005/132054 (Chang et al.) discloses methods, systems, and media for determining access rights to a resource managed by an application. One embodiment includes receiving a request by the application, wherein the request comprises an action a user seeks to perform on the resource, and locating, based on the request, the resource in both a containment relationship graph and in a structure having groupings of resources, wherein the groupings comprise a grouping having the resource. Further, the embodiment includes traversing a vertex of the containment relationship graph, wherein the vertex comprises a generational resource of the resource, and reading an authorization table associated with a grouping having the generational resource in the groupings. Further still, the embodiment includes determining whether to grant the access rights for performing the action on the resource.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,234 (Ashland et al.) discloses a system and method for managing system-level privileges and for granting access rights to system resources within a data processing system. System-level privileges are assigned directly to individual users. In contrast, access rights are assigned to individual users and/or to groups of users using data constructs known as Access Control Records (ACRs). Each ACR associates one or more user groups and/or one or more individual users with a set of access rights. A system resource is then associated with an ACR. The users identified within the associated ACR are thereby granted access to the object using the access rights specified by the ACR. An ACR may define multiple sets of access rights, with each set of access rights being associated with one or more user groups and/or one or more individual users.

Method and system for analyzing security ruleset by generating a logically equivalent security rule-set


A magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk, a first read element, a second read element, and a controller. In the magnetic disk, first servo information is written. The controller controls the servo writing of second servo information on the magnetic disk, based on the first servo information. In addition, the controller controls acquisition of the first servo information by the first read element. The controller switches a read element to be used to control the servo writing from the first read element to the second read element based on quality of the first servo information acquired by the first read element.

In a step of manufacturing a magnetic disk device, an auxiliary servo pattern serving as a reference for recording a servo pattern is written in advance on a magnetic disk by a servo track writer or the like. For example, after a magnetic disk is assembled to the magnetic disk device, the magnetic disk device writes a servo pattern on the magnetic disk with reference to the auxiliary servo pattern. Such a system in which a magnetic disk device writes a servo pattern on a magnetic disk by itself is known as self servo writing (SSW).

TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION


A projection apparatus and method for vivid and realistic projection is disclosed, with applications to amusement and optical engineering. Contemplated applications of the invention also include video shopping applications and cosmetic applications. Graphics data is entered into a user interface and is processed to generate an output representing an image to be projected onto a three-dimensional object. This output controls a light filter, such as a plurality of optically superposed color composite liquid crystal panels, to selectively filter projected light so that an image having a desired appearance is projected upon the object. The projected image may be interactively modified and it may also be stored in memory and projected as part of an image sequence so as to create apparent motion in the object.

The present invention relates to projection devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for projection upon a three-dimensional object.
The projection of an image onto a three-dimensional object having various contours and shapes is not an easy task. It is generally known that the correction of all optical distortion problems inherent in flat, two-dimensional image projection is especially difficult when working with three-dimensional projection surfaces. These problems include proper image registration on the object, proper keystoning, corrections to ensure appropriate perspective appearances and focusing of the image within a specified range of depth.
Through the years, various attempts have been made to project images onto three-dimensional objects. For example, from the days of early artists it has been known to transfer three-dimensional images to two-dimensional images by using a pane of glass and tracing the three-dimensional image by eye onto the glass. In general, these three-dimensional images could not be accurately reconstituted from the glass by projection, because the human eye cannot reproduce the optical distortions induced by the condensing and objective lens systems used in most projectors. This is due in large part to the fact that the human eye generally cannot perceive depth or perspective in projected images.
In recent times, artists have nevertheless used projection in an effort to recreate three dimensional images. Attempts have been made, for example, to use two distinct but overlapping image projections of polarized light to create an illusion of depth. In these circumstances, special three-dimensional viewing glasses are worn for viewing the polarized image projections. These viewing glasses filter the polarized light to present one of the image projections to each eye. The discrepancies between these image projections create the impression of depth in the image.
Other approaches, such as holography, present a three-dimensional image through the interference patterns of two distinct projections of coherent light. In these applications, the phase difference between the light projections is varied such that some points in three-dimensional space appear brighter than others because of the superposition of the crests of the light waves.
The foregoing approaches have inherent limitations, however. Holograms, for example, are very limited in color pallet and exhibit uncontrollable color shift with varying viewing angle. The techniques they employ simply are not practical for reproducing a three-dimensional image from a two-dimensional depiction, because the two-dimensional image has to be initially captured and subsequently processed to include a depth component so that a three-dimensional image can be reconstituted.
Attempts have also been made to recreate three dimensional images by projecting a two-dimensional image upon a stationary three-dimensional object or a molded screen. However, these images are very difficult to edit and they cannot be modified in real time. The need for registration and alignment between the projected two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional projection surface affects the utility of these methods. Additionally, the requirement that these three-dimensional images be recorded in advance generally necessitates film preparation, which further contributes to the registration and keystoning difficulties, not to mention focusing problems associated within the desired depth of field.
In yet another system, interactive image modification is provided through a video shopping device that superimposes computer generated apparel upon an image of a human figure which is captured by a video camera. The human figure adorns an orientation identifying feature that can be recognized by image control circuitry which maps the appropriate orientation of the computer stored apparel image onto the figure and which then displays the composite two-dimensional image upon a viewing screen. This method, however, has drawbacks in that it requires a human figure to wear at least one orientation identifying feature, and it does not provide for the projection of vivid and realistic three-dimensional images. A method of projection which can interactively recreate three-dimensional images from two-dimensional depictions without the need for a video camera, advance processing or the adornment of orientation identifying features would therefore be desirable.
Accordingly, there has existed a definite need for an apparatus and method of projection which can recreate three-dimensional images from two-dimensional depictions without advance processing, and which solves the distortion problems inherent in flat image projection. Additionally, there has existed a need for such an apparatus and method that would allow for interactive image modification, and would therefore have applications in a wide range of fields, including by way of example, a guest-interactive amusement attraction, optical engineering, video shopping and cosmetic surgery. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides further related advantages.

Apparatus and method for projection upon a three-dimensional object


The present disclosure relates to a drive belt tensioning system that comprises drive assembly detachably attached with mounting bracket. The drive assembly comprises assembly plate, driving mechanism rigidly affixed to the assembly plate, and driving pulley shaft protruding through assembly plate. First axis of rotation of the driving mechanism perpendicular to the assembly plate defines center of rotation of the drive assembly. The driving pulley shaft is positioned at first radial distance from the center of rotation of the drive assembly. The mounting bracket defines shaft aperture sized to receive the driving mechanism and radial driving pulley slot that extending circumferentially around a portion of the shaft aperture and sized to receive the driving pulley shaft. An application of torque causes arcuate motion of the driving pulley shaft in the radial driving pulley slot such that distance between the driven pulley and the driving pulley is altered.

Drive belts, such as timing belts, are used in drive applications, such as cross belt sorters, where various parameters, such as position, speed, and torque transmission capability, are critical in a material handling system. The drive belt is used to transmit torque from a servo controlled gear motor to a driven pulley, via a driving pulley. The driven pulley, in-turn, moves a product on a transport belt. Applicant has identified several technical challenges associated with the belt tension of the drive belt. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified challenges have been overcome by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present invention, many examples of which are described in detail herein.

Method and system for tensioning a drive belt


A flip chip lead frame package includes a die and a lead frame having a die paddle and leads, and has interconnection between the active site of the die and the die paddle. Also, methods for making the package are disclosed.

This invention relates to semiconductor packaging and, particularly, to lead frame packaging such as QFN ("Quad Flat No-lead") packaging.
A conventional QFN lead frame package includes a lead frame consisting of a centrally situated die paddle and peripheral leads, and a die attached to, and electrically connected with, the lead frame; and a molding or in capsulation that seals all of the parts of the die-and-lead frame assembly, and leaves land portions of the leads exposed for second-level interconnection of the package to circuitry in the environment of use, such as circuitry on a printed circuit board.
The die in a lead frame package may be affixed to the lead frame by attaching the backside of the die to the die paddle using a die attach adhesive; and in such an arrangement, where the active side of the die faces away from the lead frame (that is, the active site of the die faces "upward"), electrical interconnection of the die with the lead frame can be made by way of wire bonds between interconnect pads on the die and bond sites on the leads.
Or, the die in a lead frame package may be a so-called flip chip die, which is situated in the package with the active side toward the lead frame, and he is attached and electrically connected to the leads by flip chip interconnections between peripheral pads on the die and bond sites on the leads. In a flip chip lead frame package of this type, there is no direct mechanical or electrical connection between the die and the die paddle.
In a conventional flip chip QFN lead frame package, therefore, electrical connections between the die and the lead frame are made only by way of connection of peripheral die pads with the leads. In many die, interconnect pads are situated in a central portion of the die, and particularly die pads for power and ground interconnection may be situated in a center portion of the die. Such die cannot be mounted in a conventional flip chip QFN package, and some proportion of the peripheral die pads must be dedicated to ground or power connection.
Also, in a conventional flip chip QFN package, the active side of the die is separated from the die paddle and, accordingly, if heat generated at the active site of the die is to pass out of the package by way of the die paddle, the heat must pass through a layer of encapsulation or molding between the die and the die paddle.

Chip scale package having flip chip interconnect on die paddle


Provided are a catalyst for producing a higher silane with high yield at low cost by performing a reaction at relatively low temperature while inhibiting decomposition into solid silicon; and a process using the catalyst for producing a higher silane. The catalyst for producing a higher silane includes a porous oxide and is used to convert a lower silane to a higher silane wherein the porous oxide has at least regularly arranged pores and is primarily composed of silicon oxide, wherein a content of alkali metals and alkali earth metals in the porous oxide is not less than 0.00 wt % and not more than 2.00 wt %.

With recent advancement in electronics industry, there has been rapid increase in demand for silicon-based thin films used for the production of semiconductors, such as polycrystalline silicon thin films or amorphous silicon thin films. These days, the importance of monosilane (SiH4) and higher silanes (SinH2n+2; n is an integer of 2 or more) such as disilane (Si2H6) have been increasing as raw materials used to produce those silicon-based thin films used for the production of semiconductors. The demand for disilane, in particular, is expected to significantly increase as a raw material of silicon-based thin films used for the production of microfabricated latest semiconductors.
Hitherto known processes for producing a higher silane such as disilane include:
(1) a production process utilizing hydrogen reduction of silicon using hydrogen sulfide or a metal sulfide as a catalyst (Patent Literature 1); (2) a production process utilizing the reduction of a silicon chloride compound (Patent Literature 2); (3) a production process utilizing the reaction between a silicon oxide having a silicon-hydrogen bond or a silicon-silicon bond, and a hydride, an alkoxide or an amalgam of an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal, (Patent Literature 3); (4) a production process utilizing the decomposition of magnesium silicide with an acid (Patent Literature 4); (5) a production process utilizing the discharge in a monosilane gas (Patent Literature 5); and (6) a production process utilizing the condensation of monosilane using a transition metal complex as a catalyst (Patent Literature 6).
Production processes are also reported in which a lower silane is subjected to, for example, thermal treatment in order to be converted to a higher silane (Patent Literatures 7, 8 and 9). In these techniques, for example, monosilane is thermally treated at 350 to 550° C. to produce a higher silane.
In another known production process, thermal treatment is carried out with the use of a catalyst which is alumina, a composite oxide containing alumina, or an alumina containing a noble metal element such as palladium and rhenium; in which technique, disilane is produced from monosilane at a temperature as low as about 300° C. (Patent Literature 10).
In the production of the silicon-based thin films used for materials like semiconductors, there is continuing demand for technology that fulfills not just economic efficiency but also allows for stable and efficient production on an industrial scale.

Catalyst for producing higher silane and process for producing higher silane


A flat display apparatus provided with emitter electrodes for emitting electrons and gate electrodes for controlling the electrons emitted from the emitter electrodes, the emitter electrodes and the gate electrodes being formed on the same plane at positions facing a fluorescent screen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flat display apparatus having an array of field emission cathodes (emitter electrodes).
2. Description of the Related Art
A flat display apparatus having an array of electric-field emission cathodes is known as the related art.
The flat display apparatus is comprised of a silicon substrate on which are successively deposited a silicon oxide or other insulating film and gate electrodes. In the array of cavities between the gate electrodes and the insulating film, an array of microcathodes with tapered front ends is arranged.
A counter plate on which a fluorescent screen is formed is disposed at a predetermined distance from the substrate on which the microcathodes are formed. The flat display is realized by the emission of electrons to the fluorescent screen from the front ends of the microcathodes scanned by the gate electrodes.
In the flat display apparatus of this related art, it is important that the radii of curvature of the front ends of the microcathodes be kept uniform. If there is any variation in the radii of curvature, the front ends of some of the microcathodes will be destroyed by the emission, electrons will not be emitted, and therefore there will be pixel defects.
A technique has been developed for ensuring a uniform radii of curvature for the front ends of microcathodes.
In a flat display apparatus having microcathodes of this construction however, since it is basically necessary to fabricate an array of microcathodes with tapered front ends, the process of forming of the microcathodes becomes complicated. Accordingly, the achievement of a uniform radius of curvature for the front end of each of the microcathodes and uniform arrangement at relative positions with respect to the gate electrodes (extraction voltage) remains difficult, variations occur in the extraction voltage, and the problem of a shortened useful life due to the destruction of the front ends of the microcathodes remains.