A tool attachment and release system for robotic arms which using a magnet for supplying the attractive force to hold the tool to the robotic arm while allowing separation of tools from the robotic arm without manual intervention. A series of tools are held at predetermined locations in a tool rack allowing the robot to automatically deposit therein or acquire therefrom a particular tool. Permanent magnets are mounted between steel inserts in the tool attachment block. The steel insert are used to direct and concentrate magnetic flux to the tool attachment surface and also to each of two shunt bar contact surfaces. During the attach and disconnect operations, magnetic flux shunt bars are placed in close proximity to the two shunt bar contact surfaces to thereby provide an alternative path for the magnetic flux. This greatly reduces but does not eliminate the attractive force between the tool adapter plate and the attachment block. This results in a relatively easy disconnect of a particular tool with its associated adapter plate thus allowing a simple, inexpensive, low force capability device to be used for controlling the disconnect process. However, there will remain enough residual attractive force to keep the adapter plate from falling off of the attachment block in an uncontrolled manner.

Current technology for changing tools on robotic arms typically involves the use of tool racks with actuators enabled by air cylinders or magnetic coils to capture tools which the robotic arm moves in for attachment or away for detachment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,062 to Zeichner teaches a robotic manufacturing unit which utilizes a pneumatic actuator for tool acquisition. Individual tools are apparently mounted on a flange which has a shank of non-circular cross section extending therefrom. There is at least a partially circumferential groove in the shank. The shank is insertable into the tool holding unit and through operation of a pneumatic actuator, the conical tip of the piston rod is driven to engage the groove in the shank to thereby retain the tool on the arm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,928 to Tucker et al. teaches a tool attachment arrangement wherein doweling pins extending from the jaw mechanism of an arm insert into vertical holes in the tooling. The vertical holes are each provided with a spring loaded ball. There is an annular groove in each doweling pin which registers with the ball when the doweling pin is fully inserted. The pin is retained in the hole until a predetermined removal force is exerted, causing the balls to ride out the annular grooves in the doweling pins against the force of the springs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,493 to Cotsman et al. teaches a robot tool changer which has first and second separable plates adapted to be respectively connected to a robot arm and to an end of arm tooling device. A magnet is connected to one of the plates and a steel insert is connected to the other of the plates for providing magnetic attraction therebetween for holding the first and second plates together. In order to separate the plates a pneumatic release force is applied between the plates.
The prior art fails to teach a tool rack which allows for the use of magnetic shunts allowing for the quick connection and disconnection of various tools held in the rack to the robotic arm without any manual intervention.

Tool attachment and release device for robotic arms


A level sensing apparatus and method of use for use with a beverage server to indirectly sense the level of beverage retained in the server. The server having a body for receiving and retaining beverage with an opening in the body for receiving the level sensing apparatus and beverage there through. The level sensing apparatus includes at least one capacitive sensing probe assembly retained in a housing to separate the probe assembly from contact with beverage. The housing containing the capacitive sensing probe assembly being disposable into the opening in the body of the server. The capacitive sensing probe indirectly sensing at least one level of beverage retained in the beverage server. A separate display assembly is provided and selectively couplable to the capacitive sensing probe assembly. A power source is provided and coupled to the display assembly and to the capacitive sensing probe assembly to provide power to sense and display the level of beverage in the server.

This invention relates to beverage servers or dispensers, particularly coffee servers used in a commercial or food service environment.
Beverage dispensers, such as coffee servers, are well known in the commercial food service industry. The servers of the prior art generally include a refillable tank for holding coffee or other beverage, a heating element for keeping the beverage at a desired temperature, a valve or faucet located at the bottom of the tank for selectively dispensing the coffee, and a sight glass or tube mounted on the exterior of the tank and in fluid communication with the interior of the server for determining the level of coffee in the server.
The sight glass or tube used in the prior art, while simple in construction and operation, is not without some disadvantages. The sight tube is arranged so that it is in fluid communication with the beverage in the tank, and is generally placed vertically on the front of the server extending upward from the faucet used to dispense the coffee. Because the sight glass extends from the faucet, the coffee drawn by the user is a blend of coffee from the sight tube and the tank. Because the sight tube is located outside of the body of the server and hence the tank, the sight tube is not insulated. As a result, the coffee dispensed from the sight tube may be at a temperature lower than the rest of the tank, and hence lower than a coffee drinker might like. The sight tube can also become stained from contact with the coffee, and further coated by oils and other residue present in the coffee. This may lead to undesired tastes being imparted to the coffee or an undesirable cosmetic appearance on the sight gauge. The stains and residues can be cleaned, however this requires complete disassembly of the coffee urn and sight tube, which results in added expense and down time.
To avoid these and other problems, it is desirable to eliminate the sight tube, yet still retain the capability of readily displaying the level of coffee in the server to the user or food service personnel monitoring the server. To address these problems, the invention herein describes a capacitance probe placed within the tank, whereby the level of coffee is detected by the change in capacitance sensed by the probe. The electronic signal generated by the probe can then be used to drive a display, such as an analog level meter, or a digital display, thereby allowing food service personnel to monitor the level of coffee or other beverage in the server.
Additional features and embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of drawings.
The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the disclosure that is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

Fluid level measuring device for a beverage dispenser


A computer system (11, 12, 13) and method for managing data used in conducting clinical studies concerning subjects at a plurality of participating, geographically distributed clinical sites, each participating clinical site having a computer (17, 18, 19) for inputting, transmitting and receiving data over the Internet (15). An Internet network server computer (13) is interfaced to a database host computer (11) through a private network (12). The system (11, 12, 17, 18, 19) communicates data over the Internet (15, 16) to determine patient eligibility, randomization and initial prescriptions, which can then be adjusted by the physician online. The final prescription is printed out for signature and sent electronically to a distribution center (55). Study data is maintained in a database in the host computer (11) behind a firewall provided in the Internet server computer (13).

Prior networked systems for transferring clinical study information from remote sites typically used personal computers or work stations operating with a specific Windows or Macintosh or UNIX operating system and using various communications software programs to communicate through telephone lines from remote sites. This required updating software individually at each site as upgrades or other changes were needed, and the data was typically communicated in unencrypted form.
Prior known systems for managing the distribution of prescriptions have been located at the pharmacy distribution centers, and have not typically had input from clinical study investigators, such as physicians, over the Internet.

Method and system for interactive prescription and distribution of prescriptions in conducting clinical studies


A device, system, and method for detecting a leak (and determining the leak rate of the leak) for equipment, particularly generators, the device including a main body connected to the tested equipment and to an air supply source, wherein the main body includes a number of stages each having a valve and orifice such that flow of air through the independent stages is selectively controllable, where a change in the differential pressure recorded during flow of the air through a particular stage indicates a leak, and wherein the differential pressure recorded can be used to calculate the rate of leak in the equipment.

Dedicated, utility owned electrical power generating stations are the major sources of large amounts (Mega Watts and MVARs) of electrical energy required to provide the world's industrial, commercial and residential networks with reliable and stable electrical power. Many of these large power producing generators are designed to operate using pure hydrogen as a cooling media within the generator stator casing. In many cases the "larger" of the machines also utilize low conductivity water to provide direct cooling of the copper conductors via small passages within the strands that make up the generator stator armature coils (sometimes referred to as stator bars). Typically the volume of a cooling water circuit is 8 to 20 cubic feet depending on the size and design of the machine. During operation, power plant operations personnel closely monitor generator operating temperatures and subsequent hydrogen pressure and purity. It is imperative to maintain both hydrogen purity as well as hydrogen pressure to insure that the machine safely operates within its capability curve to obtain maximum output. When a change or increase in the amount of "make up" hydrogen needed to maintain pressure occurs, the operators are alerted that a leak is occurring and must investigate to determine the leak source.
Generally speaking, there are two ways by which hydrogen can escape the generator casing. The first and most obvious path of escape is through the casing into the surrounding environment though end shield and manway gaskets, instrument cable penetrations (resistance temperature detectors, thermocouples, air gap flux probes, etc.), generator main terminal leads or high voltage bushings, rotor shaft seals, piping, or other similar leak prone areas. These particular leak prone areas are traditionally investigated by operators using hand held localized portable gas detectors and/or sonic listening devices. If a leak source is located, repairs (usually temporary) are performed so that operation can continue until the next scheduled maintenance outage when appropriate corrections can be safely achieved.
The second potential path for hydrogen leakage (thus resulting in an increase in hydrogen consumption) occurs within the liquid cooled armature winding circuit, which is housed within the generator casing and which commonly uses water or oil as a coolant. Typically and by design, a differential pressure exists between the water cooling circuit (lower pressure) and the hydrogen casing pressure (higher pressure) so that in an event that the liquid cooling circuit develops a leak, the higher pressure hydrogen will infiltrate the water passage to prevent and/or delay moisture from leaking or "wicking" via capillary action into the generator stator armature coil insulation. If left uncorrected, moisture in the coil insulation will eventually lead to reduced dielectric strength of the insulation system resulting in a damaging stator phase to phase or ground fault. This will result in the occurrence of a generator trip or shutdown, which may be referred to as an "emergency forced outage."
Loss of a major power producing generator due to an emergency forced outage can be very costly (some estimate about $1000 per MW per day in losses) and can also jeopardize the stability of the transmission and distribution grid, ultimately resulting in power outages on the system. For this reason, it is crucial to expeditiously isolate and determine the root cause of any fault, whether the cause is a leak in the winding or another mechanism resulting in dielectric breakdown of the stator armature insulation.
Liquid Cooled Generator Stator Windings (LCSW) Testing Applications
Traditional leak testing, and the testing procedure most widely used today is commonly referred to as pressure and vacuum decay testing. This traditional testing technique is performed during planned maintenance outages (or as a result of an emergency forced outage as described above) and requires that the cooling water be gravity drained before applying bursts of pressurized air to further dry the system (aka blowdown). After blowdown a vacuum is applied to further remove (or "boil out") the remaining moisture. This drying process typically takes twenty-four to forty-eight hours or even longer. After the drying process is complete (and with vacuum still applied) a one hour vacuum decay test is performed. Results from this test are compared to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) permissible vacuum decay leak rate in standard cubic feet per day (SCFD). The standard acceptable leak rate is typically less than 3 SCFD. Next, the water circuit is pressurized with air and isolated containing the OEM recommended positive air pressure for testing (usually 45-75 psig). Monitoring and recording takes place every hour for 24 hours followed by a calculation of a theoretical leak rate that corrects the absolute pressure measurements to standard temperature and pressure. These results are then compared to the OEM's recommended permissible leak rate for pressure decay (typically less than 1 SCFD). It should be noted, however, that not all leaks can be detected by performing only one of the vacuum decay and pressure decay testing. This is because it is not uncommon, based on the geometry of a leak, for the insulation surrounding the leak to act as a "check valve" that pulls closed under vacuum (therefore indicating no leak) but that exhausts under pressure. Thus, it is necessary to perform both tests in order to locate and identify a leak.
Generator Casing Leaks Testing Applications
When large hydrogen cooled generators are reassembled following a scheduled maintenance or unplanned forced outage, a generator casing leak test must be performed to insure that the minimal OEM prescribed leak rate is achieved. This is necessary to maintain needed pressure for cooling and to minimize escape of hydrogen into the surrounding environment through gaskets, seals, instrument lead glands, etc. Currently this is performed by conventional time weighted pressure decay testing that is subject to environmental influences and temperature reference points for accuracy (similar to the LCSW application described above). Because of the large volume and the nature of the numerous casing to outside environment interface locations (manway covers, cable penetrations, bearings, etc.), and methods to prevent leakage (pumped in sealant, gaskets, labyrinth seals, etc.), the minimum recommended leak rates are much higher and can be as high as 800 SCFD for final assembly.
Unfortunately, as indicated above, these testing procedures are very technical, and because in LCSW scenarios both tests must be performed, a significant amount of equipment, set-up time, and testing time is required. For example, the LSCW testing procedure typically requires a flatbed semi-trailer for mobilization and a 480 VAC power feed, and both tests typically require. Furthermore, these tests are quite subjective and often not repeatable due to the fact that over the long testing period environmental factors (such as air temperature and barometric pressure) are changing. Because the leak rate is calculated on an hour-by-hour basis over the lengthy testing period, changes in these factors can play a major role in the calculated rate. For example, accuracy of leak rate calculation may be affected by the air temperature of a reference location within the generator's liquid cooled generator stator windings (LCSW), particularly on generators located outdoors—where temperatures change significantly over 24 hour periods and do not change evenly throughout the LCSW circuit (parts of the circuit are embedded in the insulated copper conductors which are installed in an iron core while other components like Teflon hoses, inlet and outlet piping, and distribution headers are directly exposed to environment surrounding the generator casing and can change quickly).
All of these factors can have a significant impact on reducing the accuracy of leak rate calculations, and a new system, device, and method of testing for leaks in these types of equipment is needed.

Device, system, and method for detecting equipment leaks


Hierarchically-controlled automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) is provided. One embodiment comprises a method for automatically generating test patterns for testing a device under test. Briefly described, one such method comprises the steps of: receiving a hierarchical model of a device under test, the hierarchical model comprising at least one low-level design component and at least one high-level design component which contains the low-level design component; selecting a fault to be detected in the device under test; and performing an automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) algorithm on the design components based on the hierarchy of the hierarchical model.

Integrated circuits and other semiconductor and electronic products are routinely tested to ensure that they function properly before a product containing the device under test (DUT) is shipped, sold, or placed into use. Automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) systems are used to generate a set of test patterns that will efficiently test for and detect faults on the tested device. ATPG systems use a model of a device to formulate the test patterns, test vectors, etc. that may be used by automatic testing equipment (ATE) to test the DUT.
A variety of automatic test equipment (ATE) have long been known for testing electronic circuits, devices, integrated circuits, and other semiconductor and electronic products. Generally, automatic test equipment is divided into two broad categories, analog testers and digital testers. As the names imply, analog testers are generally designed for testing analog circuit devices, while digital testers are designed for testing digital circuit devices. Digital testers generally include a testing device having a number of internal circuit cards or channels that generate programmably controlled test signals for testing and evaluating a DUT. More specifically, ATE may be programmably controlled to be adapted or configured to test a variety of devices in a variety of ways. This is achieved by programming ATE inputs to inject a certain signal (or signal transition) and by programming ATE outputs to compare a value to a certain pin or signal line on a DUT. In this regard, a digital tester generally includes a test head by which electrical signals are input to and output from the tester. The test head comprises a number of connectors, each defining a channel, which may be connected via cable or otherwise to a device under test. The electronics within the digital tester may then input and output signals to/from a DUT via the test head.
By way of an extremely simple illustration, consider a digital tester that is configured to test a package containing, among other things, a two input AND gate. The digital tester may be configured to apply a logic one on the two signal lines that correspond to the inputs of the AND gate, then receive the signal on the signal line corresponding to the output to ensure that it is driven to a logic one in response. The tester may then be configured to alternatively apply logic zero signals on each of the two signal lines corresponding to the AND gate inputs, in order to verify that the output of the AND gate transitions from a logic one to a logic zero in response. If proper (i.e., expected) operation is not realized, then a defect is detected.
An integrated circuit tester includes a set of channels or "nodes", wherein one node is associated with each terminal of the DUT. When the DUT is an integrated circuit chip (IC) chip, then one channel may be associated with each pin of the IC chip. A test is organized into a set of successive time segments ("test cycles"). During any given test cycle, each channel can either transmit a test signal to the pin, sample a DUT output signal at the associated pin, or do neither. Each channel includes its own memory for storing a sequence of these transmit or sample commands ("test vectors").
As known in the art, an ATPG system is independent and distinct from a tester. An ATPG system uses a model of a DUT to formulate a set of test vectors that will efficiently test for and detect faults on the tested device. Whereas, a tester is a device disposed downstream of the test generator. It utilizes the set of test vectors generated by the test generator in order to test the actual device.
Existing ATPG solutions, however, may be problematic due to the amount of required processing time, resources, etc. Typically, during existing ATPG processes, the device model is flattened (i.e., all levels of hierarchy are removed). Then, an ATPG algorithm designates (for the entire device model) whether the particular fault being tested may be detected (i.e., whether a test pattern can be generated to detect the fault). In this regard, an ATPG algorithm typically designates a so-called fault status for each fault in the design model (e.g., "untestable fault," "undetected fault," "detected fault," etc.). During ATPG processing, if a test pattern is generated, the fault may be categorized as "detected." For instance, if the ATPG algorithm cannot generate a test pattern after all possibilities have been exhausted, the fault may be categorized as "untestable." An ATPG algorithm may also implement an abort limit in order to manage processing resources. In this manner, a fault may be categorized as "undetected" if the abort limit is reached before the ATPG algorithm is able to resolve the fault as "detected" or "untestable." If ATPG processing terminates in this way, fault coverage may be hindered because the ATPG algorithm could have generated a pattern but did not. Existing solutions require substantial processing time, resources, etc. to detect faults and/or to determine that a fault is untestable.

Avago Technologies General IP (singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A cordless telephone system comprises a base unit which cam accept information services for stationary telephone sets, and which can transmit and receive various signals by way of networks, and a wireless handset which wirelessly communicates with the base unit in two-ways, wherein the wireless handset can accept information services for stationary telephone sets in pair with the unit. With this arrangement, information obtained from the information services for stationary telephone sets can be seen even at a position remote from the base unit.

These years, mobile telephones which can accept information services from various companies have rapidly been widespreadly used, and as a result, stationary telephone sets which can accept the information services have been also developed. It is noted that the information services include services for connection to information sites in which several many information menus have been prepared, or services for connection to information sites on internets.
Explanation will be hereinbelow made of a method of connection of a stationary (desk-top and wire type) telephone set which can accept information services, with an information site.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view for explaining a method of connection of a conventional telephone set to an information site, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the conventional telephone set.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the user uses an information service, the user calls the information service center 3 from the telephone set 1 by way of a telephone exchange station 2. It is noted that the information service center 3 and an information service provider 4 side are connected with each other through an exclusive network or an internet, and further, information provided by the information service 4 side are prepared on the information service center in the form of several information menus.
If the information menus provided by the information service provider 4 can be obtained by connecting the telephone set 1 with the service center through the exclusive network in such a case that the information service provider 4 is connected with the information service center 3 or through the internet in such a case that the information service provide 4 is connected with the service center 3 through the internet. That is, in the case of using the internet, the information service center 3 has a role of a sole provider for information services. Further, the information service center 3 is a base station for carrying out the above-mentioned services.
Incidentally, as to the so-called "i-mode" which is in popular at present, and which is a Trade Mark of an NTT Docomo Co., an i-mode center for i-mode services is one of the information service centers. The information service center 3 is connected to an information service provider 4 through an exclusive network, or is connected to an information service provider 4 on internets with the use of the internets. That is, the information service provider 3 has a role of a telephone exchange station for connecting an information service center 3 with the telephone set 1.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the telephone set 1 has a display part 5 having its screen on which image information from the information service center is displayed.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method for forming a sol gel-zeolite composite dielectric material is herein described. Zeolite particles may be dispersed in a sol creating a liquid sol-zeolite colloid. The liquid sol-zeolite colloid may be deposited on an underlying layer. The liquid sol-zeolite colloid may be formed into a wet gel-zeolite composite. All of the liquid may be extracted from the wet gel-zeolite composite to form an aerogel-zeolite composite. Then the wet gel-zeolite composite or the aerogel-zeolite composite may be calcined to freeze the structure of the composite material.

Modern integrated circuits generally contain several layers of interconnect structures fabricated above a substrate. The substrate may have active devices and/or conductors that are connected by the interconnect structure.
Interconnect structures, typically comprising trenches and vias, are usually fabricated in, or on, an interlayer dielectric (LD). It is generally accepted that, the dielectric material in each ILD should have a low dielectric constant (k) to obtain low capacitance between conductors. Decreasing this capacitance between conductors, by using a low dielectric constant (k), results in several advantages. For instance, it provides reduced RC delay, reduced power dissipation, and reduced cross-talk between the metal lines.
Some materials that may be used for ILDs are sol gel dielectrics. Sol gel materials, such as silica sol gels, start as a sols, or solutions, and go through a phase transition to form a wet gel. Typically, the solvent is extracted from the wet gel to form an ILD, with pores distributed through out the ILD. These pores allow sol gel materials to obtain low k dielectrics. However, these dielectrics often posses bad mechanical properties, which leads to fragility during hardening and semiconductor fabrication. For example, ILDs with weak mechanical properties may crack or otherwise break down during harsh fabrications steps, such as chemical mechanical polish (CMP).
Another material that may be used for ILDs is zeolite or silica zeolite. Zeolite films are advantageous in that they have a relatively uniform pore distribution and have good mechanical strength. Furthermore, zeolite films have dielectric constants (k values) in the range of 2 and below. Yet, zeolite is a crystalline structure, which makes forming a uniform film extremely difficult. Discontinuities in an ILD may cause line to line leakage or diffusion into the ILD materials.

Zeolite—sol gel nano-composite low k dielectric


Fundamental waveform data transferred through a serial interface is stored in a register. A fundamental waveform generation circuit uses the data to generate a fundamental waveform. A selector is capable of providing fundamental waveform data stored in a fixed memory to the register to replace the fundamental waveform data provided through the serial interface. An initial counter provides a low level signal to an exclusive OR gate until its count value reaches a first predetermined value. A direction control signal M/I is provided to the exclusive OR gate from an external source and the direction control signal M/I at high or low level inverts a direction control signal to be provided to a direction selector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drive wave generation circuit which generates a drive wave for driving a piezo actuator.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Piezo actuators using elongation and contraction of a piezo element have been proposed and are attracting attention as promising ultra-small actuators (KONICA MINOLTA TECHNOLOGY REPORT VOL. 1 (2004), p. 23-26). Such piezo actuators are employed in a mechanism for driving an image capturing element in small cameras, such as those provided in cellphones, to compensate for camera shake or in a focusing mechanism that moves a lens.
In a piezo actuator, a voltage is applied to a piezo element (piezoelectric element) to elongate and contract the element, thereby generating a reciprocating movement of a drive shaft. By moving the drive shaft in one direction at one speed and in the opposite direction at a different speed (i.e., by causing slow elongation and quick contraction, or vice versa), a movable object in frictional contact with the drive shaft can be moved. Because elongation and contraction of a piezo element is used as a driving force in this way, linear movement of an object can be achieved without coils or the like, making it possible to downsize actuators.
In order to change the speed of reciprocating movement of the drive shaft, the waveform of a voltage applied to the piezo element must be changed. For example, in order to cause slow elongation and quick contraction, a voltage in a first direction must be applied slowly and a voltage in the other opposite direction applied abruptly.
To make duty ratio and timing variable for the voltage application pattern described above, setting data may be written in registers. For example, data transferred through a serial bus such as an I2C bus may be set in a register. "0" is set in the register during initialization after power on. When the data is "0", a drive wave is not generated. Accordingly, no drive wave is output until predetermined data is set in the register through the serial bus and thus operation for the initialization takes a long time.
In the case of focusing of a camera, typically the direction of infinity is set as the initial position. Therefore, a predetermined number of driving waves for driving the lens in a predetermine direction may be output during initialization. However, in operation, one may sometimes want to move the lens in the direction of macro as an initial setting.


A fluid actuated piston and cylinder assembly with a cylinder housing having a head end and a cap end with a piston slidably reclined within the cylinder. A piston rod is attached to the piston for sliding movement with respect to the cylinder housing between an extended position and a retracted position with the piston rod extending out of the head end of the cylinder housing. A linear bearing assembly is interposed between the cylinder housing and piston rod for slidably engaging the piston rod along the axial direction with respect to the cylinder head. The linear bearing assembly frictionally engages the rod to prevent relative rotation motion between the piston rod and the cylinder.

Piston and cylinder assemblies have long been used in a variety of machines that provide repetitive linear motion. The repetitive linear motion is caused by a piston rod moving between an extended and a retracted position. The piston rod is moved by reciprocating motion of the attached piston within the cylinder. The piston is moved by controlled pneumatic or fluid pressure exerted against the piston to move the piston rod with respect to the cylinder.
Various linkages or tools may be mounted onto the piston rod. Certain tools such as welding guns or clamps need to be rotationally affixed in a certain location. Consequently, certain cylinders and piston rods are equipped with an anti-rotation device to prevent the piston rod from rotating with respect to the cylinder. These devices may be in the form of a square piston rod extending through a complementary square hole in the cylinder head.
These type of non-rotatable piston and cylinder assemblies however cannot provide a leak proof seal or gasket about the square hole and square rod so the device cannot be double acting. A substitute return mechanism is often provided by the introduction of a compression spring positioned about the shaft above the piston and within the cylinder to return the piston and rod to the retracted position. The introduction of the spring adds extra complexity to the piston rod and further demands additional fluid pressure to overcome the continuous retracting bias of the spring.
Double acting cylinder and piston rod assemblies are often greatly desired because of the more precise and positive control for movement in both the extending and retracting directions. One does not merely rely on the biasing force of the spring for retraction but can more precisely and more forcefully retract the piston rod by having fluid pressure exerted on the top surface of the piston while the pressure is relieved on the bottom surface of the piston.
However, most double acting cylinder and piston rods do not have any anti-rotation device built therein and require additional exterior anti-rotation devices which add complexity and expense to the device. Some internal anti-rotation devices in the form of an interior splined shaft mounted in the cylinder are known. These interior splined shafts require special non-solid piston heads with a non-round hole machined therethrough.
What is needed is a double acting non-rotating piston and cylinder assembly that is made from standard pistons, rods, and cylinder components. What is also needed is an anti-rotation device that can be installed in the cylinder and mounted onto a standard piston and cylinder assembly about the piston rod to prevent the piston rod from rotating with respect to the cylinder.

Non-rotating double acting piston and cylinder assembly


A bladder portal including a fistula threaded on the inside to accept a seatable screw. The fistula includes a flange fitting inside the bladder and a flange positioned outside the body. The screw is removed to allow urine to flow.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a device that substitutes for the urethra and sphincter muscles that control the release of urine from a bladder.
2. Description of the Related Art
For many different reasons, one of which is cancer, the urethra and sphincter muscles that allow urine to flow from an animal bladder can become dysfunctional or lost. What is needed is a device that can substitute for these organs.


A positioning jig includes a holding portion, a contact portion, and an operating portion. The holding portion holds the cartridge. A portion of the contact portion contacts a writing portion of the pen when the cartridge is held in the holding portion and the pen is held in the accommodating portion. The contact portion is able to rotate with a direction in which an axis of the pen extends as a first rotational axis. The operating portion performs an operation to rotate the contact portion. The contact portion restricts rotation of the pen about the first rotational axis with respect to the contact portion by contacting the writing portion of the pen and positions the pen in a rotational direction about the first rotational axis with respect to the cartridge.

The present disclosure relates to a positioning jig for positioning a pen fixed to a cartridge.
A cutting device for cutting a sheet-like target object is known. A cutter cartridge to which a cutter is fixed is fitted to the cutting device. The cutting device cuts the target object by moving the cutter cartridge with respect to the target object. Also, the cutting device may also be able to be fitted with a pen cartridge to which a pen is fixed, instead of the cutter cartridge. In this case, the cutting device is able to draw a pattern or a design on the target object with the pen by moving the pen cartridge with respect to the target object.
The pen cartridge has a case, an operating member, and a gripping member. The case has a tubular hollow portion through which a pen is inserted. The operating member can be rotated between a first position and a second position. When the operating member is in the first position, the gripping member is in an open state in which the gripping member does not grip the pen inserted through the tubular hollow portion. On the other hand, when the operating member is in the second position, the gripping member is in a gripping state in which the gripping member grips the pen inserted through the tubular hollow portion. The pen cartridge fixes the position of the pen with respect to the case when the gripping member has been in the gripping state in response to the operating member being rotated.
A positioning jig for positioning a pen fixed to a pen cartridge is known. The procedure when fixing the pen to the pen cartridge with the positioning jig is as follows. The pen cartridge is inserted from the front into a space surrounded by a bottom wall portion, a back wall portion, and side wall portions of the positioning jig. As a result, movement of the pen cartridge in the up-down direction with respect to the positioning jig is restricted. Next, the pen with the tip end thereof pointing downward is inserted from above into the tubular hollow portion of the pen cartridge. The tip end of the pen protrudes downward from the lower end of the tubular hollow portion and abuts against a contact portion corresponding to an upper surface of the bottom wall portion. Next, the operating member of the pen cartridge is rotated from the first position to the second position such that the pen is gripped by the case. As a result, the pen is positioned in an axial direction with respect to the pen cartridge.


A gas turbine engine comprises a fan section including a fan hub supporting a plurality of fan blades for rotation relative to a fan case, a shaft rotatable relative to the fan case about an engine center axis, and a geared architecture driven by the shaft to provide driving output to rotate the fan hub. A compressor is positioned forward of the geared architecture and radially inward of the fan blades, with the compressor being driven by the shaft.

A gas turbine engine includes a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section. The fan section drives air along a bypass flowpath while the compressor section drives air along a core flowpath for compression and communication into the combustor section then expansion through the turbine section
The engine typically includes a low speed shaft and a high speed shaft mounted for rotation about an engine central longitudinal axis relative to an engine static structure via several bearing systems. The high speed shaft interconnects a high pressure compressor and high pressure turbine. The low speed shaft interconnects a fan, a low pressure compressor, and a low pressure turbine. In one example, the low speed shaft is connected to the fan through a geared architecture to drive the fan at a lower speed than the low speed shaft. The low pressure compressor is positioned aft or rearward of the geared architecture. An example engine configuration having this low pressure compressor position is found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,176,725.
The core airflow is compressed by the low pressure compressor then the high pressure compressor, mixed and burned with fuel in a combustor, then expanded over the high pressure turbine and low pressure turbine. The turbines rotationally drive the respective low speed and high speed shafts in response to the expansion. This typical arrangement provides a geared turbofan of significant length. In certain applications shorter engine lengths are needed.

Geared fan with inner counter rotating compressor


A band pass filter includes a first micro-strip port for receiving a radio-frequency signal, a second micro-strip port for outputting a filtered radio-frequency signal and comprising at least one resonating cavity formed for enhancing rejecting effect of image frequency corresponding to the filtered radio-frequency signal, and a plurality of resonators arranged between the first micro-strip port and the second micro-strip port for performing band pass filtering on the radio-frequency signal to generate the filtered radio-frequency signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a band pass filter and related frequency down converter, and more particularly, to a band pass filter and related frequency down converter for enhancing rejecting effect of image frequency.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a broadcast system, a superheterodyne receiver is the most widespread use receiver, which can execute carrier frequency adjustment (namely select a channel), filtering, and amplifying. In the superheterodyne receiver, signal is received by an antenna, and performed amplifying, RF (radio-frequency) filtering, IF (intermediate frequency) transformation, and finally, via one or more IF amplifying and filtering processes, transformed to a base frequency band for succeeding demodulation. Transforming RF to IF is always influenced by image frequency interference, and may cause some problems.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of a frequency down converter 10 for a superheterodyne receiver according to the prior art. The frequency down converter 10 includes low noise amplifiers 100 and 102, a receiver end 103, an image reject filter 104, a mixer 106, a local oscillator 108, an IF low pass filter 110, and an intermediate frequency amplifier 112. Below is a summary of an operation method of the frequency down converter 10. An RF signal VRF1 is received by an antenna, and enters the frequency down converter 10. The RF signal VRF1 is amplified to an RF signal VRF2 via the low noise amplifiers 100 and 102. Then, the image reject filter 104 receives the RF signal VRF2 via the receiver end 103, and filters out image frequency signals to generate a filtered RF signal VFRF. Finally, the filtered RF signal VFRF transforms to an IF section through the mixer 106, and outputs IF signal VIF via filtering of the IF low pass filter 110 and amplifying of the IF amplifier 112. The image reject filter 104 is used for removing interference of the image frequency. A cause of the image frequency is two input frequencies |fLO±fIF| are both outputted to a frequency fIF through the mixer 106. The frequency fLO is an oscillatory signal frequency of the local oscillator 108, and the frequency fIF is a frequency of the IF signal VIF. Therefore, in the superheterodyne receiver, when a signal of spectrum corresponding to sides of a local oscillating signal goes through the mixer 106, the signals enter the same spectrum, and form an interference signal which lowers a signal to interference ratio, influences a desired received signal, and affects a receiving efficiency of the superheterodyne receiver. For solving a problem of image frequency interference, the most common method is to add a band pass filter in front of the mixer 106, i.e., the image reject filter 104, for filtering out the interference signal before entering the mixer 106, so as to lower the interference.
In order to examine an effect of the frequency down converter 10, there is an important standard which is image frequency rejection ratio defined as a gain between a received frequency and an image frequency. For example, in a satellite frequency down converter, the general standard is 40 db. Besides, a difference of an insertion loss between the received frequency and the image frequency of the image reject filter 104 is the most important parameter for deciding the image frequency rejection ratio of the frequency down converter 10.
There are many methods for realizing the image reject filter 104 according to the prior art, for example, hairpin band pass filter, parallel-coupled line filter, etc. Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of a hairpin band pass filter 20 according to the prior art. The hairpin band pass filter 20 is a transverse symmetry structure, which includes micro-strip ports IO_a and IO_b, and resonators RSN_1˜RSN_n. The micro-strip ports IO_a and IO_b connect to a front-stage and a rear-stage circuit for receiving and outputting signals. A length of each of the resonators RSN_1˜RSN_n is half of a wavelength corresponding to a desired received signal, and the number "n" of the resonators RSN_1˜RSN_n represents an order of the hairpin band pass filter 20. Therefore, a designer can vary the number "n" according to different demands. For example, FIG. 3 is a frequency response diagram of the hairpin band pass filter 20 when n=5. In FIG. 3, curves a1, b1 and c1 are respectively corresponding to scattering parameters S11, S21 and S22. Since a related definition is fairly known for people in the art, a detail description is omitted herein, and can be found in books listed below, for example, Microelectronic Circuits, 2004, 5th edition, written by Adel S Sedra. and Kenneth C. Smith, Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems, 1994, 3rd edition, written by Gene F. Franklin, J. David Powell and Abbas Emami-Naeini, and Nonlinear Microwave Circuit, 1998, written by Stephen A Maas. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the insertion loss of the desired lowest frequency 18.3 GHz is 5 dB, and a lowest insertion loss of the image frequency section 17.3˜17.8 GHz is 40.3 dB. Therefore, the image frequency rejection ratio is 40.3−5=35.3 dB.
Generally, as the order of the hairpin band pass filter 20, or the number "n", is getting higher, the rejecting effect of image frequency is getting better. However, the circuit area is also getting larger, and thus, increases cost. On the contrary, reducing the size and limiting the order of the hairpin band pass filter 20, the rejecting effect of image frequency may cause an insufficient condition, and influences the quality of signal receiving.

Hairpin band pass filter and related frequency down converter


A system may include first and second apparatuses. The first and second apparatuses may each include: an enclosure portion including a plurality of mounting features that are configured to receive information handling systems, wherein dimensions of the enclosure portion define a footprint; a base portion disposed below the enclosure portion and coupled to the enclosure portion; a plurality of casters coupled to the base portion and mounted in respective positions that are laterally displaced from the base portion such that the positions are outside the footprint of the enclosure portion; and a locking mechanism. The first and second apparatuses may be operable to be coupled together via their respective locking mechanisms for transport.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Various problems are known in the field of transportation and delivery of information handling systems, particularly in the enterprise context of rack-mounted systems including a plurality of standard-sized server information handling systems. Currently, integrated rack solutions are typically delivered to customers on a wooden pallet with foam (e.g., extruded polystyrene foam) to mitigate shock events. The shipping environment is extremely harsh, and integrated rack solutions can see significant forces, causing damage to the rack or the internal equipment. Further, existing solutions tend to involve large quantities of single-use packing and shipping materials that must be discarded after delivery.
This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/681,336, filed Nov. 12, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. That application discusses in detail various embodiments of shippable "totes" that may be used as an all-in-one solution to dampen shock events via shock absorbers and/or isolators fully integrated into a server rack.
The present application addresses more specifically problems that may arise in the transportation of racks and/or totes (e.g., in semi-trailers, shipping containers, and the like). Existing solutions are typically strapped in place in a truck, which is both time-consuming and a potential point of failure. The amount of discretion that is available in strapping apparatuses into a truck is also a source of problems, as different drivers may use different methods, tighten straps to varying degrees of tension, etc. Vibration during transit may cause racks to resonate within the truck, leading to high stresses. Existing shipping solutions are also quite bulky, leading to a low packing density within the truck.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides systems of interlocking totes that may reduce the amount of discretion in packing, allow for increased packing density, and limit the effects of vibrational resonance.
The use of techniques according to this disclosure may provide many benefits. It should be noted that for the sake of concreteness, this application describes the use of totes for transportation of information handling systems. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate its applicability to other designs as well.
It should also be noted that the discussion of a technique in the Background section of this disclosure does not constitute an admission of prior-art status. No such admissions are made herein, unless clearly and unambiguously identified as such.


Methods are provided for suppressing the immune system response in recipients of transplanted organs, tissues or cells. An extracorporeal quantity of blood from the intended transplant recipient is treated to induce monocytes contained in the blood to differentiate and form dendritic cells. The maturation of the dendritic cells is truncated at a stage where the dendritic cells can inactivate T cell clones which would otherwise generate an undesired immune system response. The immature dendritic cells can be directly administered to the transplant recipient, or the dendritic cells can be co-incubated with the bone marrow or stem cell preparation, prior to transplantation, in order to suppress or eliminate anti-recipient donor T cells contaminating the bone marrow or stem cell preparation. The methods can be used to suppress graft versus host disease in recipients of transplanted bone marrow or stem cells, or to suppress rejection of transplanted organs or tissue.

Transplantation of organs, tissue or cells from one genetically distinct person (donor) to another (recipient) is hindered by the recipient's immunologic rejection of the donated organs or cells. This rejection phenomenon is understood to involve both cellular and humoral mechanisms, mediated respectively by T cells and antibodies. The recipient's immune system targets distinguishing histocompatibility antigens on the transplanted cells. Except in rare cases, the donor's histocompatibility antigens will not match exactly the recipient's histocompatibility antigens, and the recipient's immune system attacks the incompatible donor organs or cells.
With respect to immunologically mediated rejection, the most potent of the histocompatibility antigens are the major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) known as the human leukocyte antigens, HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C. Although originally defined by their presence on the cell membranes of human leukocytes, they have long been recognized to be present on virtually all of the nucleated cells of the human body. Since each person receives genes encoding one set of these antigens from each parent, human cells typically express six major HLA antigens. In addition to the major histocompatibility antigens, there are several minor histocompatibility antigens.
When tissue or cells are transplanted, it is desirable to match, to the maximum extent possible, the histocompatibility antigens of the donor and the recipient. The best immunologic match between donor and recipient is between identical twins, since they share the same six major HLA antigens. In addition, identical twins also share the same minor histocompatibility antigens, and therefore organs or cells transplanted from one identical twin to the other are immunologically tolerated. In the far more common situation in which the donor and recipient are not genetically identical, some level of immunologic rejection of transplanted tissue regularly occurs. To minimize this rejection and permit survival of the engrafted tissue, efforts are routinely made to find the best match between donor and recipient. If an identical twin is not available, the next best choice is typically a non-identical sibling of the recipient sharing the same six major HLA antigens, a situation which occurs on the average in one out of four siblings. Such a six out of six HLA match between siblings is preferable to a six out of six match between unrelated individuals, because the matched siblings will also more likely share at least some minor histocompatibility antigens inherited from their common parents. Yet, because they are not identical siblings, there is a high probability of some difference in the minor histocompatibility antigens, and the donor and recipient will almost certainly be sufficiently distinct in terms of cellular antigens that some level of rejection will occur following transplantation of tissue from one sibling to another.
The adverse reactions following transplantation of an organ or tissue from one genetically distinct individual to another can be profoundly dangerous. The primary adverse reaction is immunologic rejection of the transplanted organ or tissue. If the organ is life-sustaining, such as a heart, liver or lung, the destruction of that organ may lead directly to the death of the patient. In other circumstances, such as rejection of insulin producing pancreatic islet cells or kidneys, the quality of life of the recipient may be devastated by the tissue rejection. In order to prevent or limit the rejection, patients typically receive a combination of immunosuppressive drugs, which introduce their own major side effects. These drugs are usually globally immunosuppressive, thereby greatly increasing the susceptibility of the recipient to serious infections, often by organisms against which an uncompromised immune system would readily defend. The individual immunosuppressive drugs each have their own set of other adverse effects, especially when used in the dosages necessary to inhibit rejection of transplanted organs. For example, high doses of prednisone precipitate diabetes mellitus and hypertension, while simultaneously causing demineralization of supporting bones. Another commonly used immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporine A, has major toxic effects on the kidney. Globally immunosuppressive treatments also increase the susceptibility of transplant recipients to opportunistic infections, against which normal individuals have strong defenses.
These adverse effects have stimulated searches for therapies that can more selectively suppress the rejection of transplanted tissue, while leaving the remainder of the immune system intact and not injuring other important organs. An especially promising approach has been the use of a conventional Photopheresis device to deliver the immunotherapy generally referred to herein as "Transimmunization" to prevent or reverse rejection of transplanted organs. Depending on the circumstances, the therapeutic impact of the Transimmunization can be enhanced by following the conventional Photopheresis step with an overnight incubation phase, prior to returning the treated cells to the patient. Transimmunization may be accomplished using a Photopheresis apparatus, although Transimmunization may also be accomplished without the use of a Photopheresis apparatus, using other methodology.
A controlled trial comparing conventional Photopheresis plus conventional immunosuppression with conventional immunosuppression alone in the prevention of rejection of transplanted hearts was reported by Barr et al., Photopheresis for the prevention of rejection in cardiac transplantation, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 339, No. 4, 1744-51, Dec. 10, 1998. That study revealed that the addition of Photopheresis to the conventional immunosuppressive regimen quite significantly and safely reduced the number of rejection episodes, thereby markedly diminishing the need for dangerous boosting of the levels of toxic conventional immunosuppressive drugs. Similarly, in Greinix et al., Successful use of extracorporeal photochemotherapy in the treatment of severe acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, Blood, Vol. 92, No. 9, 3098-3104, 1998, and in Greinix et al., Extracorporeal photochemotherapy in the treatment of severe steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease: a pilot study, Blood, Vol. 96, No. 7, 2426-31, 2000, the authors describe testing which revealed that Photopheresis was particularly effective in reversing the adverse effects (known as graft-versus-host-disease or GVHD) following transplantation of bone marrow or stem cells.
One mechanism that is involved in the efficacy of Photopheresis has been recently deciphered. The flat plastic ultraviolet exposure system, a component of the Photopheresis apparatus, can cause the transformation of blood monocytes to dendritic antigen presenting cells (dendritic cells) as a result of the forces imposed on the monocytes as they flow past the plastic surface in a conventional Photopheresis apparatus. Since the therapeutic benefits resulting from the use of these dendritic cells are caused by the transfer of tissue antigens to dendritic cells capable of immunization of the patient against these antigens, the immunotherapy is referred to as "Transimmunization." Therefore, Transimmunization is a treatment that can, in one embodiment, be accomplished with a Photopheresis apparatus. Alternatively, the Transimmunization treatment may be performed using any other appropriate device having plastic channels which can induce differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells. One important difference between the Transimmunization process described herein and conventional Photopheresis is the recognition that the necessary tissue antigens can best be delivered to the new dendritic cells by overnight ex vivo incubation, prior to return to the patient of the antigen loaded dendritic cells.
In Photopheresis, a photoactivatable agent, such as 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), is activated by exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) in extracorporeally circulated blood, causing the 8-MOP to form photo adducts with pyrimidine bases of DNA and tyrosine containing cytoplasmic proteins. The positive clinical sequelae caused by Photopheresis result from the patient's immunologic response to the reinfused treated blood. The resulting immune response can, in the best responders, lead to the selective suppression or even elimination of the pathogenic clone(s).
As stated above, it has more recently been discovered that the passage of the blood through the plastic ultraviolet exposure chamber of the Photopheresis device can stimulate the conversion of blood monocytes to dendritic antigen presenting cells (DC), the most potent initiators of cellular immune reactions. Two phenomena contribute to the clinical success of Transimmunization. In certain situations, it is desirable to produce a positive immunologic reaction or immunization against disease causing cells which are distinguished from their normal counterparts by their surface display of distinctive molecular targets which can be targeted immunologically. One such situation is cancer, in which the malignant cells display distinctive tumor antigens. In other situations, it is desirable to suppress an immunologic reaction which actually causes the disease. Those situations include immunologic rejection of a transplanted organ or graft-versus-lost disease (GVHD), in which stem cell preparations transplanted from a donor to a recipient include donor T cells which then recognize the recipient's tissues as "foreign", proliferate to form many copies of themselves in the recipient and dangerously attack the normal cells of the recipient.
In the cancer situation, the malignant cells may be damaged so that they will be ingested by the newly formed DC, which are then permitted to develop into mature DC which subsequently present the distinctive antigens of the pathogenic cells to a responding immune system, thereby generating a "positive" immunologic reaction capable of inhibiting or destroying a cancer. The CD8 (and probably also CD4) T cell responses caused or enhanced by this treatment can often be sustained for long periods of time. As described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/928,855, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,722, the process can be refined to maximize ingestion of apoptotic pathogenic T cells by newly formed DC and thereby maximize the strength of the anti-cancer immunologic reactions generated.
However, a variation of the same procedure can also be used to selectively suppress undesirable immunologic reactions, such as organ transplant rejection or GVHD, through the suppressive actions of DC that have remained immature. Unlike mature DC, immature DC transmit specific suppressive signals to T cells, because the immature DC have not yet developed the arsenal of membrane molecules capable of stimulating strong positive immunologic responses. For example, immature DC are deficient in costimulatory molecules, such as B7.1 and B7.2, which can contribute to the delivery of positive signals to responsive T cells. Instead of causing positive, or immunizing responses, these immature DC can selectively suppress reactions against precisely those antigens which they have ingested, processed and presented on their surface. Studies in an experimental model of conventional Photopheresis revealed the capacity of that treatment to selectively suppress rejection of transplanted tissue. Specifically, when skin was transplanted from a donor black mouse to a genetically completely distinct white mouse, the transplanted skin was completely rejected within 14 days. This was anticipated, since the donor and recipient mice differed in terms of histocompatibility antigens to a level equivalent to a six out six mismatch in humans and since skin is the most immunogenic solid organ. Following the rejection of the transplanted skin, the recipient mouse was sacrificed and its spleen, containing markedly expanded clones of those T cells causing the rejection, as well as tissue monocytes, were brought into single cell suspension. Then, in a system devised to mimic conventional photopheresis, the suspended T cells were exposed in a petri dish to UVA activated 8-MOP and then returned intravenously to a mouse genetically identical to the original recipient, thereby immunizing this new mouse against the clones of T cells involved in the rejection of the transplanted skin.
This new mouse then received new skin transplants: one from the same original donor strain and another from a third mouse strain completely unrelated to either of the other two strains. Instead of being rejected within 14 days as before, the transplanted skin from the original donor strain now survived intact for the full 42 days of the experiment. In contrast, the simultaneously transplanted skin from the third unrelated strain was rejected within the 14 days. The selective suppression of the rejection of the skin graft could be transferred to another set of mice, genetically identical to the original recipient, by transfusion of recipient T cells. These results demonstrated that the experimental model of Photopheresis led to donor specific suppression of the rejection of the transplanted skin and that this suppression was mediated by selectively suppressive T cells induced by the procedure. These tests are reported in more detail in Yamane et al., Suppression of anti-skin-allograft response by photodamaged effector cells—the modulating effects of prednisone and cyclophophamide, Transplantation, Vol. 54, 119-124, No. 1, July 1992; Perez et al., Induction of a cell-transferable suppression of alloreactivity by photodamaged lymphocytes, Transplantation, Vol. 54, 896-903, No. 5, November 1992; Perez et al., DNA associated with the cell membrane is involved in the inhibition of the skin rejection response induced by infusions of photodamaged alloreactive cells that mediate rejection of skin allograft, Photochemistry and Photobiology, Vol. 55, 839-849, No. 6, 1992.
Paradoxically, when the experiment was altered so that the donor strain differed from the recipient strain by only minor histocompatibility antigens, the transplanted skin could be kept intact on the recipient for only 21 days. This was longer than in untreated controls, but only half as long as when skin from the completely unrelated strain was transplanted to prepared recipients. Although puzzling at the time, it appears that the stronger the reaction that is being suppressed, the more effective it is. This is probably due to the preferential sensitivity of high affinity T cells, more readily generated by potent immune reactions, to be suppressed directly by the immature DC produced in the experimental Photopheresis procedure. Importantly, this finding suggests that the Transimmunization process described below may be most effective in preventing rejection of transplanted organs when the donor and recipient are mismatched by one or more HLA antigens. Accordingly, Transimmunization may dramatically augment the donor pool of transplantable tissue. The modification of Transimmunization which is described in this application will further augment the donor pool of transplantable tissue, by enhancing the suppressive effects of Transimmunization.
Methods for suppressing the immune response of individuals to transplanted tissue or cells using the Transimmunization procedure in combination with skin grafts between transplant recipients and donors have been described previously in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/217,856. The present invention relates to methods of suppressing the immune response of individuals to transplanted tissue or cells using a modified Transimmunization procedure to induce formation of dendritic cells, and truncating the maturation of the dendritic cells at a stage where they will inactivate selected T cells which would otherwise participate in GVHD or in rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue.
Immature dendritic cells may be used to suppress undesired immune system responses in individuals receiving transplanted bone marrow, stem cells, organs or tissues. Immature dendritic cells can preferentially suppress immune responses due to their relative deficiency in costimulatory molecules, such as CD-80 and CD-86 (also known as B7.1 and B7.2 respectively). In order for an antigen presenting dendritic cell to stimulate positive immune responses from antigen-specific T cells, two signals must be transmitted from the antigen presenting dendritic cell to the antigen-specific T cell. A first signal is transmitted from the antigen presented on the surface of the dendritic cell to the T cell via the binding of the antigen with a complementary surface T cell receptor. The second signal is transmitted by costimulatory molecules on the surface of the dendritic cell. If the antigen signal is transmitted in the absence of the costimulatory signal, the antigen-specific T cell is inactivated or eliminated, rather than being stimulated to produce a positive immunologic response to cells displaying the transmitted antigens. It is known that immature dendritic cells are deficient in costimulatory molecules, and therefore transmit negative or suppressive signals to those T cells having receptors for the presented antigens. Accordingly, dendritic cells may be produced having a truncated maturation, and the immature dendritic cells can be used to suppress the response of antigen specific T cells in transplant recipients.
Cancer patients are often prepared for bone marrow/stem cell transplants from genetically distinct individuals by first receiving large doses of chemotherapy to accomplish two goals: diminution of the tumor burden and weakening of the immune system so that the transplanted cells will not be quickly rejected. This level of preparation is itself life threatening, since the cancer patient's own bone marrow is largely destroyed by the preparative chemotherapy. If the transplanted cells do not take and ultimately reconstitute the patient's bone marrow, the patient will succumb to infections, anemia, hemorrhage, etc. When the bone marrow/stem cell transplant does successfully reconstitute the patient's immune system, that immune system is repopulated by the cells of the donor. These donor cells then recognize the recipient's tissue as foreign and attack (reject) the recipient's own organs in a process called graft versus host disease (GVHD). Most prominently attacked in this resulting GVHD are the skin (which can slough), the liver (which can fail) and the intestinal tract (which can cease to function properly and hemorrhage). Life-saving reversal or suppression of GVHD is quite difficult with conventional treatments, which are usually quite toxic.
Remarkably, in recent years, it has become clear that a controllable level of GVHD may be of great benefit to the cancer patient. Since the donor cells react against recipient histocompatibility antigens, and since the residual cancer cells are also recipient cells bearing the patient's histocompatibility antigens, a certain level of "graft-versus-tumor" reaction or GVTR commonly accompanies the undesirable other components of GVHD. Those cancer patients who survive GVHD following bone marrow/stem cell transplants appear to have an improved survival from their cancer, since recurrences are less frequent. Therefore, a fine line exists between the toxic effects of GVHD and the beneficial ones of GVTR. In an ideal situation, a treatment could suppress GVHD while leaving a partial GVTR, directed at those weaker antigens which distinguish the malignant cells from the benign cells of the recipient. The methods of the present invention may be used to inactivate donor T cells which would otherwise attack the recipient's healthy tissues, while leaving intact T cells which attack tumor cells displaying a different set of antigens.
In the organ transplantation situation, the recipient's T cells attack the transplanted organ, as the cells of the transplanted organs display antigens that are not identical to the antigens present in the recipient's cells. It would be desirable to find a treatment that could inactivate the recipient's T cells from attacking cells displaying the donor's antigens, while not effecting the ability of the recipient's T cells from recognizing and attacking infectious microbes or other disease causing agents.

Method for suppressing immune system response to transplanted tissue or cells


An apparatus for controlling telephone communications through a communication switch during intervals of call traffic volume in excess of a threshold call traffic volume includes: (a) a call traffic volume sensing device coupled with the communication switch and measuring the call traffic volume during selected intervals; and (b) a call traffic control device coupled with at least one of the communication switch and the call traffic volume sensing device. The call traffic control device cooperates with the communication switch to involuntarily terminate selected calls through the communication switch when at least one selected parameter is exceeded. The at least one selected parameter includes the call traffic volume.

The present invention is directed to telecommunication network apparatuses and operations, and especially to telecommunication networks experiencing high call traffic volume. There are times when call traffic volume threatens to or actually does overwhelm the capabilities of a telecommunication network. Examples of such times of increased call activity are during special events such as a festival, or a holiday. Disaster may also occasion sharply increased use of a telecommunication network sufficiently to overwhelm the network. An overload situation caused by such increased traffic volume may be somewhat local in nature, as in the case of a disaster, or the situation may more generally apply throughout a larger expanse of the network, as in the case of a significant national holiday.
For example, an emergency condition or a local festival or another circumstance may cause a significant increase in the number of people seeking to place telephone calls. High call traffic volume and call congestion at a local switch may be overwhelmed if it is required to accommodate all of the calls at a given time. In order for a telecommunication service provider to permit a larger number of calls to be placed without having to increase the hardware installation at the local switch, an improved management of telecommunication resources is required. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for effecting improved management of telecommunication network resources in high call traffic volume conditions. In order to have a greater number of callers provided access to the telecommunication network, longer-duration calls are released, or terminated, in order to provide telecommunication network resources to other callers (for short duration calls).
There is a need for a system, or apparatus, and method for controlling telephone communications in a telecommunication network that avoids overloading the network.
There is a further need that such a communication controlling apparatus and method effect the requisite control without interrupting special calls, such as emergency service calls (commonly referred to as 9-1-1 calls).

Apparatus and method for controlling telephone communications during intervals of high call traffic volume


A transmission operating apparatus A mainly includes: a forward/backward direction sensor 3 which detects positions of a shift lever 1 manipulated by the driver; an operation mode selecting switch 7 which selects one of two operation modes to be manipulated by the shift lever 1; a forward/backward manipulation reaction force actuator 9; and a controller 4. The controller 4 further includes: an operation panel setting section 4A which virtually sets an operation panel corresponding to the operation mode selected by the operation mode selecting switch 7; a reaction force control section 4B which sets a reaction force corresponding to the position of the shift lever 1 in accordance with the operation panel; and a transmission control section 4C which controls a transmission 6 based on the position of the shift lever 1 in relation to the operation panel.

In recent years, transmission operating apparatus have been proposed, which enables to select both an automatic transmission operation mode wherein a gear change is automatically carried out with a shift lever positioned in a drive (D) range and a manual transmission operation mode wherein gear-shifting is manually carried out from the first gear, the second gear and the like. In these transmission operating apparatus, during the automatic transmission operation mode, the transmission is generally controlled by a connection mechanism that is mechanically connected from the proximity of the supporting point of the movable shift lever to the transmission, whereas during the manual transmission operation mode, an electric signal is transmitted to the control means whenever the shift lever contacts with switches arranged at the front and rear sides of the shift lever, and the transmission is controlled by the control means.
However, these conventional transmission operation apparatus have a construction in that a guide groove (shift gate) for setting the shift pattern is mechanically or structurally produced and the driver can not change the shift pattern of the completed vehicle. It is also difficult to adjust the position of the shift lever in accordance with the driver's body size.
In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a transmission operating apparatus for a vehicle, which enables to change the shift pattern or the position of the shift lever by way of electrically creating a load, and which improves the operating property.

Transmission operating apparatus for vehicle


A collection apparatus including an autonomous power supply means and an image acquisition means for acquiring image sequences of at least one area of surveillance is disclosed. The collection apparatus may further include control means connected to the image acquisition means for receiving and processing the acquired sequences of images, to detect the presence and position of said game elements, and to send a control command to move the collection apparatus to collect a detected spherical game element. The collection apparatus also includes interaction means for interacting with a player to deliver a previously collected spherical game element to the player and a delivery device controlled by the control means to perform the delivery. An automatic collection system is also disclosed that uses two collection apparatuses, operating in a complementary and/or synchronized way to collect and deliver a spherical element to a player, on request by the player.

Application WO-A-2009022929 describes an automatic golf ball collection system that can function autonomously or remotely controlled. It includes an artificial vision system to detect the balls to be collected, and a processing system which processes the images acquired by the artificial vision system, and which individually controls motors which move a collection vehicle, defining a path to be followed according to the detections found in the images. Several operational modalities are proposed with reference to the path to be followed by the collection vehicle e.g. it has to pass along some designated control points or control locations which are previously defined by a positioning system (for example GPS) of the own collection systems. The system provides the installation of a great variety of sensors which allow it to avoid all kind of obstacles and irregularities of the field (since it is intended for outdoor use: in particular for a golf course), as well as to return to the base station if weather conditions are adverse.
DE-A-19711298A discloses a method and a device for the detection and automatic collection of objects, such as tennis balls, with a computing system including an opto-electric detection system comprising one camera, a laser scanner or a sonar sensor that, depending on the application, even can be combined. The device analyzes the surroundings, it detects the elements to be collected, and it determines the collection trajectory, along which the device can redirect its path to avoid obstacles or to choose an alternative itinerary
In US-A-20080189004, a vehicle for ball collection in a golf course is disclosed, which follows either one balls collection trajectory or another one based on the information relative to the balls distribution on the field. The information can be acquired by means of a visual sensor located on the vehicle itself or on a remote unit. Its specification indicates that collection of other types of balls can be a performed, such as those for tennis. In EP-B 0372249, a device to collect tennis balls in an automatic way is proposed, as well as to smooth the playing surface by means of a brush.
In the cited applications, possible interaction of the ball collection apparatus or device with the player is unsolved or insufficiently developed, whereby the possibility for the device to deliver the game balls or balls to the player and generally the response time is deficient to use the application in a game dynamic without imposing restraints or excessive changes. The purpose of this invention solves such deficiencies.

Apparatus and system for automatic collection and delivery of spherical game elements


A user name entered on a user authentication screen is searched and if it found to be an unregistered user name a different, registered image formation apparatus is asked to act as a proxy to perform user authentication. If the apparatus returns “OK” a decision is made that the authentication of interest is “OK” and the authentication process ends. If all of the image formation apparatuses registered in a proxy authentication apparatus registration table are requested to perform user authentication do not provide an authentication “OK” a decision is made that the authentication of interest is “NG” and the authentication process ends. Thus in networked environment an image formation apparatus can be provided that can eliminate the necessity of registering information for user authentication with all image formation apparatuses and also prevent improper use by a user registered with an unintended image formation apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image formation apparatuses and systems and particularly to such apparatuses and systems that can authenticate whether a user attempting to use the apparatus is a user authorized to use the apparatus and if the user is authenticated as an authorized user they can provide control to permit the user to use the apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional image formation apparatuses and systems an identification (ID) and a password are set for each user. When the user utilizes the image formation apparatus or system, the user is authenticated by the ID and password specific to the user.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-65425 discloses a digital copier network system connecting to a plurality of digital copiers on a network to allow a first digital copier to transmit to a second digital copier image data to be copied thereby to maximally increase productivity attributed to copy rate.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-10935 discloses an image formation apparatus matching a user input identifier to a previously registered identifier and if they do not match the apparatus makes an inquiry asking another copier whether the copier has an identifier matching the user's identifier and if so the apparatus permits the user to operate it.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-77480 discloses an image formation apparatus management system allowing one image formation apparatus, having a management device connected thereto, to notify another image formation apparatus, also having a management device connected thereto, of a setting for the former apparatus's management device when the apparatuses perform tandem print.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-111917 discloses a system operative in response to instructions received from a client PC to perform a large amount of private printing by a color digital copier connected on a network. When the color digital copier verifies a password to perform the private printing, single-printing at a single color digital copier as previously set by the client PC's instruction or tandem print at two color digital copiers can be switched.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-16039 discloses a system in which when a terminal device utilizes services provided by a service provision server the user who desires to utilize the service provision server is authenticated by an authentication server independent from the service provision server. Whenever the authentication server authenticates a user, the user's ID is updated and transmitted to a terminal. The terminal stores the transmitted ID. By using the stored ID in a subsequent authentication, the ID is updated for each use to prevent improper use of the ID and password.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-264551 discloses a method allowing an authentication device to authenticate an account and password transmitted from a mobile phone by radio and on the Internet. If the authentication is "OK" a mailing device creates a URL with a key attached thereto and transmits the created URL to the accessing mobile phone by mail. The mobile phone returns URL with key, which is confirmed and if the transmitted URL with the key is returned within a predetermined period of time the service of interest is performed so that a communications terminal and server's security is ensured.
<First Disadvantage>
As has been described above, the necessity of registering with an apparatus a user name and password or similar user information permitting a user to use the apparatus is eliminated by making an inquiry to another image formation apparatus to verify a user input user name and password. If the inquiry is made in an networked environment to an indefinite number of image formation apparatuses, however, a user registered with an unintended image formation apparatus would also be authorized and allowed to improperly use the image formation apparatus of interest.
<Second Disadvantage>
If a plurality of image formation apparatuses tandemed to process a single print job (or provide tandem print) to achieve increased productivity each authenticate the same user, the authentication process would be time-consuming, reducing the effect of the tandem print intended to achieve increased productivity. In particular, if user authentication is performed by a server external to the image formation apparatus and dedicated to authentication, the authentication process can in the worst case require a period of several minutes and thus would significantly impair the productivity of tandem print.

Image formation system with authentication function

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A device, for use in a press, for feeding fasteners, especially nuts, and attaching the fasteners in workpieces by pressing with a punching head. Joining and pressing of the fasteners in the workpieces takes place, with an infeed and loading means on a tool or press part, and on a rigid feed, which together with a punching head can be attached to one of two antagonistic tool or press parts. A first conveyor section for the fasteners is located between the punching head and the loading means, and forms the fasteners. Each of the fasteners is supplied individually to a loading position of the loading means and each is moved by an infeed element from the loading position into a subsequent first conveyor section, forming a row which extends into the punching head, in which the fasteners tightly abut one another. An infeed element, for infeed out of an initial position outside of a conveyor section, is moved with an infeed surface into the conveyor section and is moved with an infeed stroke along the conveyor section is designed. The infeed element is moved back each time immediately following completed infeed into the initial position. At the loading position there is at least one stop for fasteners, which pass only with infeed by the infeed element.

Production of workpieces from sheet metal unwound from a coil (for example, steel sheet) or from individual sheets or plates using a press or tool located in this press (for example, also follow-on tools) by punching, by permanent deformation, etc. is known. Here, providing tools with fasteners at the same time in production in the press is also known, by joining or insertion of the pertinent fastener into a prepared (punched) hole and by subsequent pressing of the fastener in the workpiece.
Fasteners are, among others, nuts or threaded nut pieces which for example have a circular cylindrical peripheral surface and which are provided with a collar on one front face, with which the respective nut fits into the prepared hole of the workpiece and is attached there by pressing.
To feed and attach especially nuts in workpieces a device for use in a press, for feeding fasteners, especially nuts, and attaching the fasteners in workpieces by pressing with a punching head has been suggested (P 43 40 642.4-14). This device consists essentially of a punching head which is provided on one or two antagonistic tool or press parts, and with the interposition of an insertion plunger causes joining of the respective fastener into the prepared hole of the workpiece and also with the cooperation of the other of the antagonistic tool and press parts causes subsequent attachment or fixing of the fastener in the workpiece by pressing, i.e., by permanent deformation of the material of the workpiece in the area of the hole. Furthermore, the known device has a rigid feed on which a loading and infeed means is provided and which, between this loading means and the punching head, forms a first rigid conveyor section which ends in the punching head or in a plunger channel formed there and which in the transportation and conveyance direction of the fastener adjoins a second, likewise rigid conveyor section, in the area of which the infeed means is provided at the transition between the two conveyor sections.
In this device the infeed means has an infeed element made as an infeed rocker which is normally in an active position, in which it elastically adjoins by one surface the last fastener in the first conveyor section and in this way prestress this fastener for movement in the direction of the punching head.
From this active position which is the normal position of the infeed rocker, the latter is moved by the motion of the antagonistic tool or press parts into an inactive position in which the infeed rocker is outside of the rigid feed, during each downstroke of the press shortly before reaching bottom dead center of the press stroke. At bottom dead center of the press stroke the fastener which is ready in the punching head is joined to the workpiece. During the subsequent upstroke of the press a new fastener from the second conveyor section is reloaded into the first conveyor section by the infeed rocker which returns to the normal position, i.e., to the active position.
Among others, the disadvantage here is that for reloading from the loading position into the "first" conveyor section only a relatively short time is available, specifically the time of a partial stroke of the press directly after bottom dead center.

Device for use in a press for feed of fasteners and for their attachment in workpieces by pressing