A vibratory pothole packer includes a frame that supports an engine and a rotatable drum, and a rotatable eccentric shaft is supported within the drum. The eccentric shaft may be a drum shaft with a mass welded to its surface. The eccentric shaft is supported within the drum by bearings, and is also supported on the frame by bearings. The engine shaft can be selectively linked with eccentric shaft to selectively effect vibrational rotation of the eccentric shaft. The small, lightweight pothole packer is manually movable on a surface by one person, and can be moved along a surface either while the eccentric shaft rotates or while the eccentric shaft is not rotating. The center of mass of the eccentric shaft is offset towards one end of the shaft to allow the vibratory pothole packer to be easily moved in a straight line along a surface.

The present invention relates to a vibratory roller. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vibratory roller that is configured for use in compacting asphalt in potholes, and that is configured to be hand-operated and to be maneuvered by a human.
Vibratory rollers are used in the construction industry, compacting sand, gravel and asphalt in the construction of roads, parking lots and driveways. There are several types of vibratory rollers. They can be divided into two general groups. The first group includes self-propelled double drum units where the operator sits on a platform operating the vibratory element as well as the forward and reverse movement, namely, the direction in which the unit is travelling. The other group is the walk-behind type where the operator walks behind the roller controlling the vibratory element as well as the forward and reverse movement of the unit. These units are in the range of several hundred to thousands of pounds in weight, and are more suitable for large road repairs rather than for small potholes. There has been a need for a smaller, easy to maneuver, and lightweight vibratory roller for small repairs and primarily for compacting asphalt in potholes.
For small jobs, such as filling an individual pothole in a section of a roadway, it is well known in the industry that workers can try to compact asphalt in the pothole by hand, but this is ineffective. The usual method of pothole repair uses asphalt supplied from the bed of a truck, such as a truck operated by a department of transportation or another work crew. A person with a shovel typically walks behind the truck and fills the potholes with asphalt. He then flattens out the asphalt by hitting it with the shovel a few times in an attempt to pack down the asphalt. However, this method does not result in sufficient compacting of the asphalt. After a few cars and trucks have passed over the pothole the asphalt is pushed out, and usually a larger pothole is created, so the site of the pothole needs to be repaired again. Eventually, as the first pothole gets bigger, and as there are more potholes near the first pothole, the road has to be repaved. If the potholes are compacted properly, they will last as long as the rest of the asphalted surface, which eliminates the time and expense associated with improper repair of the pothole.
In view of the above, there is a need for an improved pothole packer that is well-suited for smaller jobs and is easier to operate.


A computer system provides a method and an apparatus for generating and manipulating graphic objects on a computer display screen. The computer aided design and drawing system includes a graphic guide used for associating edges and points of one graphic image with one or more other images. The graphic guide operates in relation to the position of a cursor on the computer display screen. After a first image has been drawn on the screen, the graphic guide automatically is initiated to assist the user in positioning and sizing a second and subsequent images that are drawn on the display screen. The computer system also includes a wall tool used for efficiently generating wall objects displayed on the display screen. Wall objects are generated and manipulated by specifying the width of the wall, displaying joints between walls, capping the ends of walls, and efficiently measuring the interior, exterior or center dimension of a wall. The present invention also includes a clean up tool used for manipulating and modifying the intersection, the joining, and the extension of graphic images displayed on the display screen. The clean up tool can be used to automatically remove interior line segments of objects, to remove desired portions of objects, or to automatically extend and join two objects.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of computer systems with display devices. Specifically, the field is that of interactive computer display control devices used for drawing and manipulating graphic or textual images on a display screen.
2. Prior Art
Interactive computer systems are commonly used for computer-aided design and drafting. These computer applications typically provide interactive controls for creating and manipulating graphic and textual images on a computer display screen. For example, a user operating one of these applications may be able to select from a plurality of drawing tools provided by the application. These drawing tools typically include controls for drawing images such as rectangles, polygons, circles, or blocks of text. A user may select a particular tool and position the associated image in a window on the display screen using a cursor control device, such as a mouse or a trackball. One such interactive computer display system is Claris CAD, developed jointly by Claris Incorporated, Santa Clara, Calif., and Craig S. Young d/b/a Computer Aided Systems for Engineering, Zephyr Cove, Nev.
A number of disadvantages exist with the image control mechanisms existing in the prior art. Some prior art computer assisted drawing mechanisms do not include a capability for associating dimensions between two images. This can be particularly troublesome when the two images are actually depictions of the same object as seen in different views. In this situation, the dimension of the sides or areas of one image correspond to the sides and areas of the other image. Thus, it is necessary that the dimensions of each image be accurately depicted. Since these prior art systems treat the images as independent entities, this accurate depiction is difficult to achieve. Moreover, a projection of points from one object onto another object is difficult to achieve in these prior art systems.
Another disadvantage of prior art computer-assisted design and drafting systems becomes apparent when images on the computer display screen are joined, overlaid, or extended. For example, a typical operation in a computer-assisted drafting application may be to draw two separate rectangular images. Part of one of these rectangles may overlay a portion of the other rectangle. The overlay portion may be represented in a number of ways. Typically, prior art computer-assisted drawing systems display overlaid images depending upon which image was created last. The most recently created image is usually displayed on the top layer. Thus, the edges of the top layered image are visible while portions of the edges of the overlaid image are hidden. Prior art systems provide little support for manipulating these overlaid and overlaying regions. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an efficient, yet simple user interface for creating and manipulating a plurality of graphic images on a computer display screen.
As will be discussed below, the present invention provides an improved computer-assisted design and drawing system which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art systems.

Controls for drawing images on computer displays


A modeling system predicts natural frequency responses in tube sub-systems including shrouded bellows components. The system determines a stiffness multiplier from input values and uses the determined flexibility factor to determine the natural frequency responses. The input values include geometry inputs and dynamic operating condition inputs. The flexibility factor is determined with a regression equation. The regression equation, based on dynamic stiffness test data of various shrouded bellows configurations, permits the system to characterize the shrouded bellows using a geometry element that includes an assigned flexibility factor based on dynamic stiffness test data.

This invention relates generally to shrouded bellows and, more particularly, to modeling techniques used to predict natural frequency responses in tube systems that include shrouded bellows.
Shrouded bellows or sealed ball joints are often used in gas turbine engine ducting systems to connect adjacent sections of fluid carrying tubing which require articulation therebetween. The shrouded bellows provide a flexible joint that prevents leakage of the fluid flowing therethrough despite potential movement between the adjacent sections of tubing. Such movement can be for example, caused as a result of thermal growth in the ducting system during engine operation.
Shrouded bellows are typically located in various locations within and around the engine. To design shrouded bellows and associated hardware to withstand High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) stresses, modeling techniques are used to predict natural frequency responses in the ducting systems including the shrouded bellows components. Known modeling techniques use analytical models that approximate shrouded bellows natural frequency response with manufacturer-supplied test data. Such test data is typically obtained from static stiffness component testing. The analytical models incorporate static stiffness data by assigning a spring constant to various spring elements used to represent the shrouded bellows within the analytical models. The spring elements provide the bellows stiffness input for an analytical determination of the system natural frequency response. Because the shrouded bellows natural frequency response is based on static stiffness test data, the ability of the analytical models to accurately estimate the natural frequency response of shrouded bellows is potentially limited.

Methods and apparatus for model based shrouded bellows stiffness determinations


Disclosed is an electrically conductive adhesive that includes an electrically conductive powder, a heat-curable silicone resin, and a solvent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrically conductive adhesive in an electric circuit board. The adhesive, which is basically made from the heat-curable silicone resin, shows excellent adhesiveness to an inorganic substrate and excellent thermal conductivity. The conductive adhesive is useful as an electronic component.
2. Technical Background
Solder provided with both electrical conductivity and adhesiveness has been conventionally used to adhere electronic components to a substrate or electric circuit when mounting on an electric circuit board. In recent years, however, there has been a tendency to avoid the use of solder containing lead. Also, the detrimental effect of heat possessed by molten solder on electronic components that lack heat resistance may also become a problem. Therefore, electrically conductive adhesives consisting mainly of a resin and a metal powder have come to be used in recent years. The advantages of these electrically conductive adhesives consist of being lead-free, having a lower treatment temperature than solder, and having a low specific gravity that contributes to reduced weight of electronic equipment. Various attempts have been made to improve the adhesiveness of electrically conductive adhesives containing resin as a main ingredient.
US2001-015424 discloses an electrically conductive adhesive that adheres two electrodes. According to this document, adhesive strength of the electrically conductive adhesive is improved by being composed of a resin having a functional group that forms a coordinate bond with the metal of the electrodes. This solves the problem of separation of the electrodes and the electrically conductive adhesive that frequently occurs in electronic components having large surface areas that are susceptible to bending stress.
US2005-288427 describes an anisotropic electrically conductive adhesive composed of an insulating resin containing a crosslinkable rubber-like resin and electrically conductive particles. According to US2005-288427, separation of the electrically conductive adhesive is prevented, where the rubber-like resin minimizes thermal shrinkage of the anisotropic electrically conductive adhesive that occurs during a polymerization or curing reaction during heating and adhesion. In addition, a silane coupling agent is added to improve the adhesion environment of adhesive surfaces.
However, electrically conductive adhesives composed of conventional thermoplastic organic binder resins still lack adhesiveness to many inorganic substrates or electrodes. In addition, since electric components or electric devices mounted on a substrate with an electrically conductive adhesive have low heat resistance, there is the problem of deterioration of these components or devices in the process during which the adhesive is heat-cured. In addition, where there is increasing amounts of heat generated from electronic components in the manner of IC chips and LED chips, accompanying the higher levels of performance and reduced size of electronic components, it is difficult to dissipate this heat. Moreover, in the case where the electronic device is a light source, organic adhesives may be deteriorated by ultraviolet light.
The present invention addresses the problems of improving adhesive strength and heat releasability during mounting of components with an electrically conductive adhesive.


Fabrication of sub-micron design rule integrated circuits entails imposition of patterning information, consisting of degree of scattering, on a projected scanning beam of accelerated electrons by means of a mask, imaging being dependent upon passage through a back focal plane filter including a plurality of apertures for selectively passing relatively unscattered electrons.

1. Technical Field
The invention is concerned with a fabrication of devices best exemplified by Large Scale Integrated circuits built to submicron design rules, e.g. equal to or less than 0.5 .mu.m. Relevant fabrication entails projection lithography using charged particle delineating energy--either electron or ion.
2. Terminology
It is useful to consider specific usage of certain terms in the context of the disclosure.
Optical Field--defines the field area--depending upon context, either for mask or wafer--corresponding with extreme values of angle of incidence of delineating rays (generally for delineating electron rays). It sometimes refers to maximum field permitting needed edge-to-edge resolution. It more generally refers to the actual area resulting from electronic beam scanning,--in one system, to the area electronically scanned before mechanical repositioning of mask or wafer to initiate the next electronic scanning step.
Scanning--as unmodified, refers to movement of the delineating particle beam under the influence of an applied field of varying magnitude. It does not refer to mechanical movement, e.g. of wafer or mask stage, which may be described as "mechanical scanning", "mechanical movement", etc. deBroglie Wavelength--has relavent implications described of the related property for electromagnetic radiation. It is defined as follows: EQU .lambda.=h/p
in which:
.lambda.=deBroglie Wavelength PA1 h=Planck's constant=6.6.times.10.sup.-27 erg-sec PA1 p=momentum=mass.times.velocity
Note: Description is generally in terms of electrons as operating in vacuum. Accordingly, accelerating field energy (e.g. .apprxeq.50-200 kV) is imparted to result in similarly energized electrons (e.g. to result in 50-200 key electrons). While there is some increase in effective mass of the electrons due to relativistic influence, this is largely ignored for purpose of this description.
Transfer of the same energy to ions results in smaller deBroglie wavelength. Since wavelength varies inversely as the square root of particle mass, increasing mass, e.g. by 1800.times.--the mass relationship for a proton relative to an electron--results in a .lambda. value which is approximately 1/42.5 of that of an electron at the same kinetic energy.
Back Focal Plane Filter--The position of this filter is at a cross-over. For the exemplary case of parallel or near-parallel illumination, the cross-over is on the back focal plane or on some equivalent conjugate plane of the lens system.

Sub-micron device fabrication using multiple aperture filter


A medical syringe container comprising a housing, an outlet through which a new syringe can be removed from the housing, an inlet through which a syringe can be replaced into the housing, and holding means to prevent a second syringe from being removed from the housing until a used syringe has been replaced into the housing. The container is particularly useful with needle exchange programs.

Medical syringe containers (also known as needle cases) are known in the art. The containers function to protect the syringes from damage prior to use. Typically, the container comprises a rigid housing in which a number of syringes can be held. The housing can be opened and any number of syringes can be removed. It is also possible for these containers to accommodate used syringes.
A disadvantage with these containers is that they are not particularly suitable with a needle exchange program. In a needle exchange program, a new needle (that is a syringe containing a needle) is given only when a used syringe is returned. With these known containers, there is no mechanism to ensure that a used syringe is returned prior to a new syringe being given.
There is also the temptation to try to obtain new syringes without returning used syringes. With conventional containers, there is no security against this type of abuse. Even if the container is locked it can be forced open and a new syringe can be removed.


This invention relates to a kind of coding method and related miniature keyboard for western characters. The invention assigns a 3-digit number that has specific value to every western letter. The 3-digit number corresponding to a letter is the code of this letter, which is composed of three numbers, namely, 0, 1 and 2. The total of corresponding modes that correlates the three-digit code with letters of alphabet is the factorial of 26, which is 4×1026. The data input keyboard that introduces this coding principle can be simplified as to a miniature keyboard that is consisted of only three input keys, which can be used as data input device for small portable electronic equipment and the like to replace traditional large keyboards. Besides, this coding method can be designed as a kind of tool for character games.

With the rapid development of electronic computers, more and more coding methods and data input keyboards come into being. Amongst the most commonly used are Pinyin (Chinese Phonetic-Alphabetic) Method, Five-Stroke Font Method, Zbeng Coding Method and the like, that are used to input Chinese characters. However, the tools these data inputting methods use can only be traditional keyboards, which, besides being clumsy in size and hence not easily carried, have various keys, for example, keys for 26 letters, numerical keys etc, that not only render blind typing difficult but also result in a low working efficiency.

English letter coding method and a small keypad


‘Tip Top’ is a new and distinct cherry tree notable for its sweet, crisp fruit, reduced tendency to bruise, non-browning flesh, and early maturity as compared to ‘Rainier’.

The new cherry variety 'Tip Top' originated as a chance seedling of unknown parentage. The seedling was found in a commercial 'Sweetheart' cherry (not patented) orchard planted in 2001 near Wenatchee, Wash. In 2005, it was observed that the seedling was markedly different from the surrounding trees. It was similar in appearance to a 'Rainier' cherry tree (not patented), but was distinguished from 'Rainier' by its sweeter, more crisp fruit and its early maturity. Additionally, fruit of the newly discovered plant was found to be resistant to bruising and browning. Trees were propagated from the seedling by budding onto 'Mazzard' rootstock near Wenatchee, Wash., to determine whether the desired characteristics of the chance seedling would carry through to asexually propagated progeny. It has been found that the distinguishing characteristics of the tree and fruit of the newly discovered variety are reproduced through asexual propagation and have remained stable through successive generations.
'Tip Top' is a new and distinct cherry tree notable for its sweet, crisp fruit, reduced tendency to bruise, non-browning flesh, and early maturity as compared to 'Rainier'.


In a data processing system, the flow of messages specifying the states of various processes in the system, is regulated using a first register which maintains a list of the current states of each process, and a queue. Whenever a process state message relating to a particular process arrives, the new state of that process is written into the current state register, and an item is placed in a queue. The item indicates the identity of the process concerned. When the item reaches the front of the queue, the current state of the process it identifies is read from the current state register and used to generate an output message. Flags can be used to reduce the redundancy of items in the queue and limit its size. The queue can be modified to cope with messages of differing priorities. To reduce memory requirements, the processes may be grouped into sets, so that each queue item relates to a set of processes.

It is known to control the operation of multiple processors using 'process state control messages'—that is, messages flowing between processors and comprising data identifying a particular processor and describing the state of a process associated with that processor. For example, each processor may be associated with an input queue (e.g. defined by a router device) and be arranged to receive data packets after they reach the front of the queue (e.g. pass into a data switch in the router device which interconnects the input queues to the processors). In this case, the 'process state control message' is referred to as a 'flow control message', and indicates the state of the input queue for that processor. The current state data may be a 4 level indicator specifying that the queue is in one of the four states 'empty', 'filling up', 'nearly full', and 'very full'; however in other implementations the data indicates one of only two states ('empty' and 'very full'). In an example of particular relevance to the present application, a data processing system may be of the kind disclosed in WO 00/38375 including two processors: a first processor which is a network processor generating data packets and the other processor being an input port administration processor creating flow control messages to which the network processor is required to respond.
Flow control messages can be generated from any queue (e.g. by an input device which implements that queue), and in any order. In many systems, multiple messages can be sent from each queue, as it moves between states an unrestricted number of times.
The importance of minimizing the time taken to deliver a given flow control message to its destination varies according to the state which the message indicates. For example, a flow control message carrying an 'empty' notification is signalling to the recipient of the message, e.g. the network processor, that the network processor is free to send data to the queue which is the subject of the message; a delay in the transmission of such a message merely results in a loss of efficiency since the network processor may have traffic to deliver but is unable to do so. However, if the flow control message contains a 'very full' notification, this means that the network processor must not send any more data for this queue, since there is no more room to store it. Accordingly a 'very full' notification may be considered as more important than an 'empty' notification.
Accordingly, one might contemplate prioritizing status updates. If so, however, there are some rules that must be obeyed. Consider the sequence 'very full', 'empty', 'very full' relating to the same queue. Simply reordering the messages according to their respective priorities would create the sequence 'very full', 'very full', 'empty'. This would be invalid since the result at the end of the sequence is different from last known state of the queue. On the other hand, assuming that none of the messages has already been transmitted, just transmitting 'very full' (the latest known state) would be valid since it brings the network processor up to date with the current state of the queue.

Methods and apparatus for regulating process state control messages


The present invention relates to compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for preparing the same, comprising a tetracycline with improved stability and solubility. Some embodiments include a tetracycline with an excess of a divalent or trivalent cation.

Tetracyclines are used as broad spectrum antibiotics to treat various bacterial infections, such as infections of the respiratory tract, sinuses, middle ear, urinary tract, and intestines, and can be used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, especially in patients allergic to β-lactams and macrolides. Tetracyclines interfere with the protein synthesis of Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria by preventing the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome. The action of tetracyclines is bacteriostatic (preventing growth of bacteria) rather than killing (bactericidal).
Tetracyclines degrade rapidly to form epitetracycline, anhydrotetracycline, epianhydrotetracycline, and other degradation products. Once degraded, tetracyclines have small therapeutic value, since the degradation products have no therapeutically useful activity. Degradation begins as soon as the antibiotic is in solution, and continues until reaching an equilibrium of antibiotic and epimer concentrations. The equilibrium point is temperature and pH dependent, with more epimer being formed at higher temperatures and lower pH. Oxidation and other side reactions cause further degradation. Thus, tetracyclines can have a limited existence in aqueous environments in their active form. Moreover, the degradation products of tetracyclines are toxic and can cause Fanconi syndrome, a potentially fatal disease affecting proximal tubular function in the nephrons of the kidneys.
There is a need to provide hospital staff with the flexibility and advantages that come with longer admixture and reconstitution times without the need for refrigeration so that for instance, a hospital pharmacist could prepare a solution the day before it is needed. Furthermore, often after a natural disaster such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or tsunamis, access to refrigeration equipment can be scarce and may be further impeded by the lack of electricity. Stable formulations of tetracyclines could be stored as a solution, negating the need for reconstitution, and allowing its use in inhalers or nebulizers for outpatient use.
In addition, some tetracyclines can cause tetracycline-induced hemolysis. This hemolysis can lead to venous phlebitis at the site of injection when administered intravenously, resulting in irritation and potentially limiting the volumes of infusion that can be tolerated. Thus, there is a need for formulations of such tetracyclines that reduce the incidence of hemolysis.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In a pointing device for electronic equipment, the equipment includes a casing and a receiving space defined by the casing, and the pointing device includes a sensor unit, a column, and a joystick. The sensor unit is disposed in the receiving space. The column is disposed on the sensor unit, and is swingable relative to the sensor unit. The sensor unit is used to detect swinging state of the column. The joystick is mounted on the column, and is movable relative to the column between first and second positions. The joystick projects from an outer surface of the casing when at the first position, and is accommodated in the receiving space when at the second position. Thus, the joystick can be accommodated in the receiving space to avoid inadvertent actuation so as to enhance the convenience of carrying the electronic equipment.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pointing device for electronic equipment, more particularly to a pointing device for controlling movement of a cursor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional pointing devices for use in portable electronic equipment, such as a notebook computer, an ultra mobile personal computer (UMPC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a global positioning system (GPS), can be generally classified into touch screens, touch pads, track balls, pointing sticks, etc.
However, the aforesaid conventional pointing devices have their respective drawbacks in application. For instance, touch screens are relatively costly, and are quite inconvenient to use if the user wants to make an input via keys or buttons since the user needs to operate the keys or buttons and a stylus interchangeably. Touch pads and track balls occupy a relatively large amount of space in application, and are therefore not suitable for use in relatively small electronic equipment, such as UMPCs, PDAs, and GPSs.
Pointing sticks can overcome the drawbacks associated with the aforesaid pointing devices. However, since a pointing stick generally stick out from the cuter surface of the electronic equipment for operation by the user and cannot be stowed within the electronic equipment, when the electronic equipment is being carried around by the user, the protruding pointing stick may undesirably catch other objects, thus rendering carrying of the electronic equipment inconvenient. Inadvertent actuation of the electronic equipment may also result. In addition, the pointing stick generally requires the arrangement of a button to perform switching between a cursor mode and a scroll mode to enable the pointing stick to scroll web pages by moving up and down under the scroll mode. Such switching actions render the operation of the pointing stick inconvenient.

Pointing device for electronic equipment


The invention provides a method of contrast enhanced MR angiography of the human or non-human animal body, said method comprising administering into the vasculature thereof a contrast effective amount of a contrast agent composition comprising magnetic particles having a r.sub.2 /r.sub.1 ratio of no more than 5, and, at a time when sufficient of said magnetic particles remain in the vasculature to provide positive contrast enhancement thereof in a T.sub.1 -weighted image while sufficient magnetic particles have been taken up into an organ of the reticuloendothelial system to provide negative contrast enhancement thereof in said T.sub.1 -weighted image, generating a T.sub.1 -weighted image magnetic resonance image of at least said organ.

In diagnostic imaging modalities, such as X-ray, MR and ultrasound, the use of contrast agents to enhance image contrast, e.g. between different organs or tissues or between healthy and unhealthy tissue, is a well established technique.
In MR imaging, the contrast agents used generally have a contrast generating effect due to their effects on the characteristic relaxation times T.sub.1 (spin-lattice) or T.sub.2 (spin-spin) of the imaging nuclei which are responsible for the MR signals which are detected and manipulated to yield images.
In T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 dependant images, the function for signal intensity is dependent on T.sub.1 in such a way that, absent other effects, a decrease in T.sub.1 would lead to an increase in signal intensity. However the signal intensity function is dependent on T.sub.2 in such a way that, again absent other effects, a decrease in T.sub.2 (or T.sub.2 *) would lead to a decrease in signal intensity.
For the purposes of this specification references to T.sub.2 and T.sub.2 dependency shall where appropriate cover T.sub.2 * and T.sub.2 * dependency as well.
Thus, while MR contrast agents may reduce both T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, for a given imaging sequence one effect may dominate, and where the T.sub.1 decrease dominates the agent may be referred to as a T.sub.1 or positive contrast agent while where the T.sub.2 decrease dominates the agent may be called a T.sub.2 or negative contrast agent.
The first parenteral MR contrast agents available commercially were low molecular weight lanthanide chelates, such as GdDTPA and GdDTPA-BMA, which distribute extracellularly and generally have an MR signal intensity increasing effect in the zones into which they distribute. Such contrast agents are thus commonly used in T.sub.1 -weighted imaging sequences in which their image brightening effect is optimal.
Later, the use of magnetic particles (e.g. superparamagnetic iron oxide particles) as T.sub.2 or negative agents for investigation of the liver was proposed in view of the ability of the organs of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) to abstract particulate materials from the blood. Thus, for example, the use of magnetic particles in T.sub.2 -weighted imaging of the liver and spleen was proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,210 (Widder). Widder taught that the particle should be administered and allowed to accumulate at the liver before a T.sub.2 -weighted imaging sequence is used to generate images in which the particles, localized image darkening effect serves to enhance contrast, for example between healthy liver parenchyma and liver tumour tissue.
Recently there has been much interest in the development of MR contrast agents which assist visualization of the vasculature, i.e. so-called blood pool or angiographic contrast agents, by enhancing contrast between blood vessels and surrounding tissue or organs. The utility of an MR angiographic contrast agent depends largely upon its relaxivity profile and pharmacokinetic behaviour. Ideally the agent should remain in the intravascular space for a period of time sufficient to allow image generation, i.e. the blood half life should be sufficient to provide an adequate imaging window. For this purpose the low molecular weight chelates are inadequate because of their rapid distribution to the whole extracellular volume.
Macromolecular paramagnetic agents (e.g. lanthanide chelates of polychelants) have been found to be operable as MR angiographic contrast agents but only have the contrast enhancing effect of brightening blood vessels.
It has now been found however that certain magnetic particles having low r.sub.2 /r.sub.1 ratios (i.e. ratios of T.sub.2 relativity to T.sub.1 relativity) may be used particularly effectively in liver angiography, the study of the vasculature within the liver in RES angiography (or the study of other phagocytosing organs which have appropriate vasculature), by virtue of their opposed contrast generating effects in the two environments of blood vessel (before RES uptake) and liver tissue (after RES uptake). Using a T.sub.1 -weighted imaging sequence, a positive signal enhancement of the vessels containing the magnetic particles is achieved whereas in the organs of the reticuloendothelial system, once the particles accumulate, there is a negative contrast effect. Thus the vessel to liver contrast is increased significantly.
To achieve this double contrast effect, it is important that the magnetic particles used as the contrast agent should comprise particles which, unlike those of Widder (supra) or of other commercially available magnetic particle MR contrast media, have a low r.sub.2 /r.sub.1 ratio and a prolonged blood residence half-life and that the images generated should comprise (i.e. be or include) T.sub.1 -weighted images.

Method of T.sub.1 -weighted resonance imaging of RES organs


An acoustic physiological monitoring system and method wherein the usability for physiological monitoring of time segments of an acoustic signal recording body sounds is determined using frequency analysis. A time segment of the acoustic signal is filtered into a target portion in a target frequency band and a non-target portion in a non-target frequency band. Energies of the target portion and the non-target portion are computed. A usability indicator for the time segment is computed using the energies. The usability of the time segment is determined using the usability indicator. A physiological parameter estimate is selectively calculated using the time segment based on the usability of the time segment. Finally, information based on the physiological parameter estimate is outputted.

The present invention relates to physiological monitoring and, more particularly, noise handling in acoustic physiological monitoring.
Real-time physiological monitoring can be helpful in maintaining the health of people as they go about their daily lives. For example, real-time physiological monitoring can enable prompt discovery of a problem with the respiration of a person who suffers from a chronic pulmonary disease or works in a hazardous environment so that the person can obtain emergency medical treatment. Real-time physiological monitoring can be also used to rapidly detect other types of physiological ailments, such as heart maladies, and can be applied in other contexts, such as senior monitoring and sleep monitoring.
Real-time physiological monitoring often invokes the body sound method, which is sometimes called auscultation. In the body sound method, an acoustic transducer mounted on the body of the person captures and acquires an acoustic signal recording respiration and heart sounds. The sound transducer is typically placed over the suprasternal notch or at the lateral neck near the pharynx because the sounds captured in that region typically have a high signal-to-noise ratio and high sensitivity to variation in flow. Once the acoustic signal has been generated, a respiration sequence may be identified in the acoustic signal and respiration parameter estimates (e.g., respiration rate, inspiration/expiration ratio, etc.) may be calculated. Heart rate estimates may also be calculated from a pulse sequence. Health status information based on respiration parameter estimates and heart rate estimates may then be outputted locally to the monitored person or remotely to a clinician.
One problem commonly encountered in real-time acoustic physiological monitoring is parameter estimation error caused by noise. An acoustic signal that records body sounds can be disrupted by several types of noise, such as long-term, moderate amplitude noise introduced by the surrounding environment, or short-term, high amplitude noise introduced by impulse events such as talking, coughing or sneezing. Regardless of the source, noise can mask the vital signs of interest, resulting in erroneous estimation of physiological parameters and outputting of erroneous health status information. In turn, reliance on erroneous health status information can have serious adverse consequences on the health of the monitored person. For example, such information can lead the person or his or her clinician to improperly diagnose health status and cause the person to undergo treatment that is not medically indicated or forego treatment that is medically indicated.
One known approach to combating noise-induced physiological parameter estimation error tries to remove the noise from the acoustic signal, such as by using a reference microphone to measure environmental noise and attempting to cancel the noise through differentiation. However, this approach adds substantial complexity to the monitoring system and at best only offers a piecemeal solution.
Another known approach, disclosed in Fu et al. application Ser. No. 13/065,816, subjects the acoustic signal to dual path analysis, one path configured to detect long-term moderate amplitude noise and another path configured to detect short-term, high amplitude noise, designates portions of the acoustic signal as noisy based on the combined results of the dual path analysis and excludes the noisy portions when estimating physiological parameters. However, this approach adds meaningfully to the complexity of the monitoring system and tends to be more effective at detecting short-term, high amplitude noise than other types of noise.

Determining usability of an acoustic signal for physiological monitoring using frequency analysis


Tracking areas that comprise service cells capable of providing advanced long-term evolution (LTE-A) features, can be utilized to indicate to a mobile device that the mobile device can access the advanced features. For example, an LTE-A capable mobile device can display an LTE-A icon if the mobile device is in a geographic area that qualifies as an LTE-A tracking area. However, if the mobile device is not capable of receiving LTE-A services, then the mobile device can display an LTE icon instead of an LTE-A icon.

In telecommunication, long-term evolution (LTE) is a standard for high-speed wireless communication for mobile devices and data terminals. It increases the capacity and speed of the network by using a different radio interface together with core network improvements. The standard is developed by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The different LTE frequencies and bands used in different jurisdictions/countries mean that only multi-band phones are able to use LTE in all jurisdictions/countries where it is supported.
The above-described background relating to facilitating an icon update for a mobile device is merely intended to provide a contextual overview of some current issues, and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other contextual information may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

Network based carrier managed long-term evolution advanced device indication for long-term evolution or other next generation network


Methods of improving visual endpoints related to retina-associated disease with CCR3 modulating agents are provided. An example of such an endpoint is visual acuity. Retina-associated diseases upon which visual acuity and other visual endpoints may be improved include retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration, central retinal vein occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy.

Among the variety of retinal-associated diseases, there are those that manifest themselves early in life as well as those that manifest themselves in connection with aging. An example of the former type of disease is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Examples of age-related retina-associated diseases include: age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is the most common degenerative disease of the macula; central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), and diabetic retinopathy. Untreated, retina-associated disease can lead to legal blindness.
AMD is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people 50 years of age or older in the developed world. (Jager, R. et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 358(2606-17), 2008). AMD is a term that is used to describe a family of diseases that are all characterized by a progressive loss of central vision associated with abnormalities of Bruch's membrane, the choroid, the neural retina and/or the retinal pigment epithelium. In the early stages of AMD, which is often referred to as age-related maculopathy (ARM), accumulation of drusen (biochemical byproducts of the photoreceptor cells which accumulate in Bruch's membrane which are categorized by their appearance) and disturbances of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are often observed.
AMD that becomes clinically advanced is classified into two forms—"dry," nonexudative or atrophic AMD and exudative "wet" or neovascular AMD. Dry AMD occurs in approximately 15%, and wet AMD in approximately 10%, of AMD patients. Wet AMD is considered the more debilitating form of AMD and is thought to be caused by the growth of abnormal choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVM). These new blood vessels grow from the choriocapillaris, growing under the RPE or retina, and leak serum and blood. This fluid accumulates in the sub-RPE and subretinal spaces along with the neurosensory retina, and in turn causes measurable thickening of the macula. If the fovea becomes involved with the CNVM, the resulting edema and hemorrhage can significantly impair visual acuity (VA), leading to dramatic vision loss.
Estimates suggest that about 10% of those aged 65-74 years old and 30% of those aged 75-85 years old, exhibit signs of AMD. The current standard of care for wet AMD is anti-angiogenic therapies such as ranibizumab (Lucentis®) and aflibercept (Eylea®) by intravitreal (IVT) administration (i.e. injection directly into the eye). Such therapies target vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF, VEGF-A) and their angiogenic-promoting properties. However, monthly IVT injections have been associated with the adverse effects of geographic atrophy. (Desai, S J, et al., Curr Opthalmol. Rep. (Feb. 1, 2017)). Currently, there exist no effective, less-invasive therapies, underscoring an unmet need for an orally-administered, non-anti-VEGF based therapy for treating AMD. In addition to alleviating and reversing the symptoms and dramatic detrimental effects on the vision of patients, such a therapy would have the added benefit of increased compliance. IVT injections bear increased risk to patients and are burdensome to both patients and caregivers.
The mechanistic basis of anti-VEGF therapies also bears risk. VEGF, particularly VEGF-A has a physiologic cytoprotective role in the retina. Modulating VEGF expression and activity can be toxic to multiple cell types. (Ambati, J., et al., Neuron 75(1):26-39, July 2012). Evidence shows that anti-VEGF-A therapy can also contribute to physiologic alterations in the retinal vasculature in the short-term as well as RPE toxicity in the long-term. (Papadopoulou D N, et al., Ophthalmology 116(9):1755-61 (2009); Sacu S, et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 52(6):3046-50 (2011); and Rofagha S, et al. Am. J. Ophthalmol. 159(5):915-24 (2015)).
In contrast, treatment with C—C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) antagonists occurs without altering levels of VEGF-A or broadly affecting the immune system. In addition, CCR3 antagonists can be in the form of small, organic molecules, and can be prepared in oral formulations. The compounds, co-crystals, salts, and formulations of the invention provide for highly specific and potent small molecule modulators of the human C—C chemokine receptor type 3, which is the principal receptor for eotaxin-1. The CCR3/eotaxin axis is a key chemotactic factor for eosinophils, mast cells, and (in the retinal context) endothelial cells of the retinal vasculature, and studies on rodents have shown promise in alleviating retinal disease-associated neovascularization.
Despite this promise, there has been a failure in the industry to develop a CCR3 antagonist for human treatment of retina-associated disease. However, the compounds, co-crystals, salts, and formulations disclosed herein, which specifically modulate/antagonize CCR3, are effective at improving the visual acuity of a significant number of subjects, even while effects on neovascularization are insignificant.

Methods and compositions for treating retina-associated disease using CCR3-inhibitors


A display device includes a display panel having cathodes, gates, and anodes in which the cathodes and the gates are connected in a matrix manner, and an electron emitter which emits electrons in a state where a voltage is applied only between the cathodes and the anodes and which is provided with the cathode. A display of pixels is performed under a dark state by stopping electron emission from the electron emitter for the anodes by applying a stop voltage between the cathodes and the gates. In addition, a controller controls operation of a circuit for driving a display panel in such a way that a potential of each of the anodes becomes not less than a threshold value potential by which the potential of each of the anodes can perform electron emission from the electron emitter after a predetermined time elapse from starting of application of a drive voltage which provides a specified display state or the stop voltage between the cathodes and the gates when a display starting signal is generated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a display device used for a monitor for a computer and a television, and particularly a display device having three terminals of an anode, a cathode, and a gate, in which the cathode and the gate are connected in a matrix manner, and a drive control method therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a flat-typed display device has been noticed which uses an electron emission element.
The electron emission element is grouped as a hot cathode type and a cold cathode type. The cold cathode type is mainly used for the display panel of the flat-typed display device. As such a cold cathode type, a field emission type (hereinafter called "FE-type"), a metal/insulating layer/metal (hereinafter called "MIM-type"), a surface conducting type (hereinafter called "SC-type") and so on are known.
A famous FE-typed example is disclosed in following document; "C. A. Spindt. "Physical properties of thin-film field emission cathodes with molybdenium cones", J. Appl. Phys., 47,5248 (1976). A known MIM-typed example is disclosed in following document; "C. A. Mead, Operation of Tunnel-Emission Devices", J. Appl. Phys., 32,646 (1951). A known SC-typed example is disclosed in following document; "M. I. Elinson, Radio Eng. Electron Phys., 10,1290(1965).
A display panel using any of the electron emission elements as an electrical source is realized by a constitution having a substrate where cathodes and gates are formed in XY-matrix manners, and anodes having a fluorescent member opposing to the substrate are arranged, thereby electrons emitted from an electron emitter of the cathode are irradiated onto the fluorescent member at the anode side resulting in allowing the fluorescent member to be emitted.
As such an electron emitter, an electron emitter made of a carbon group material or a fibrous material having a smaller working function for electron emission and a lower threshold voltage is being noticed. Examples of usage of these electron emission elements are disclosed in before-mentioned Patent documents 1 to 3.
In any of these documents, it is disclosed that fluerene, diamond, diamond-like carbon (DLC), carbon nano tube (CNT), fibrous carbon, or the like is used as an electron emitter.
Thus in case of three terminals type of an electron emission device having a lower threshold voltage, a voltage is not applied between cathode and gate. Merely a normal high voltage (called "anode potential") has only to be applied between anode and cathode, resulting in that electrons are emitted from a electrical releasing member being provided at the cathode under field electron emission phenomenon. Accordingly, when emitted, electron emission is performed without applying a voltage between cathode and gate. On the other hand, when not emitted, electron emission is refrained by applying a stop voltage between cathode-gate. An operation like this will now be defined as "normally-on-type" operation.
Hereinafter, a single normally-on-type electron emission device using an electrical emitting member made of carbon fiber will be picked up and explained as an example.
FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are schematic views showing a voltage distribution of a single electrical releasing member. FIG. 12A shows a voltage distribution in a drive state in which electron emission is performed. FIG. 12B shows that in a stop state in which electron emission is stopped.
In a state shown in FIG. 12A, an electrical field which is larger than a threshold value electrical field that electron emission will be started in an electron emitter 5 on a cathode 2, is generated only using a voltage between the cathode 2 and an anode 6. Namely, FIG. 12A shows a drive state in which an electron emission occurs. Now, such a state is called "normally-on-state".
For example, if a threshold electrical field of the electron emission member 5 is defined by 3 V/μm, if the anode 6 is provided at a position of 2 mm away from the cathode 2, and if the cathode voltage is applied by 0 V and the anode potential between the cathode 2 and the anode 6 is applied by 6 kV, the electron emission will be started.
In order to establish a preferable normally-on-state, higher anode potential may be applied. The anode potential may be decided depending on an electrical field intensity by which a necessary current density can be obtained by a voltage-current characteristic of the electrical emission device.
For example, if the necessary current density is obtained at the electrical field intensity having 5 V/μm and if the anode 6 is provided at a position of 2 mm away from the cathode 2, 10 kV has only to be applied as the anode potential.
FIG. 12A shows a mode of equipotential surfaces at this time. In FIG. 12A, there exist the substantially equipotential surfaces between the anode 6 and the electron emitter 5, and the electrical field intensity near the electrical emitter 5 becomes about 5 V/μm, resulting in that electron emission will occur.
Further, a voltage to be applied between the cathode 2 and the gate 4 for electron emission should be a voltage except for a voltage which prevents the electron emission by the anode potential. Namely, any voltage except for 0 V can be also available. More preferably, the voltage may be a voltage which provides no uncomfortable affection to the electrical field intensity. In the above-mentioned normally-on-state, an example is shown in which the voltage is set to be 0 V.
On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 12B, if a negative potential is supplied to a gate 4 with respect to a cathode 2, an electrical field intensity to be received from the anode 6 becomes smaller near an electrical emitting member 5 i.e., the electrical field intensity becomes intensity of a necessary threshold value electrical field or smaller, resulting in that the electron emission is stopped. The voltage between the cathode 2 and the gate 4 at this time is called stop voltage".
The equipotential surface when a stop voltage is applied between the cathode 2 and the gate 4 will be explained as follows. As shown in FIG. 12B, voltage of each of The cathode 2 and the electrical emitting member 5 is 0.0 V while potential of the gate 4 becomes negative, so that a distance between the equivalent voltage surfaces near the electrical emitting member 5 becomes wider, resulting in that it will be found that the electrical field becomes smaller.
The stop voltage to be applied between the cathode 2 and the gate 4 at this time will be decided as follows. First, necessary electrical field intensity is decided by a threshold value electrical field of the electrical emitting member 5 and a necessary electrical field intensity by the anode potential in a normally-on-state, and thereafter the stop voltage is properly decided by design of a dimension of the electrical emitting member 5, a distance between a cathode and a gate, a dimension of a gate and so on.
As above, in the normally-on-typed electrical emitting member, electron emission is performed merely by applying a voltage between a cathode and an anode, and electron emission is controlled by stopping electron emission by applying a stop voltage between the cathode and a gate. As a result, there is no necessity that a voltage between cathode and gate becomes equal or more than a threshold value, resulting in that stable drive control becomes possible at lower voltage.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-open No.2000-251783 gazette
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-open No.2000-268706 gazette
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-open No.2002-100279 gazette
Then, it has been considered that such a normally-on-typed electron emission device is applied to an XY-matrix-typed and flat-typed display device. In a case where such a flat-typed display device, a voltage is applied between cathode and gate, which provides an electrical field intensity having a value being equal to or more than a threshold value, and when a stop voltage is not applied between cathode and gate, all-white-display will be performed at a most luminosity over all the surface of the display screen.
Accordingly, when such a flat-typed display device is used as a television or a computer monitor, if the all-white-display is performed even for a short time, a user often incorrectly recognizes that the device might be out of order and/or feels uncomfortable.
Further, like the above-mentioned fibrous material or nano constitutional body, when an electron emitter having a relatively low threshold value voltage for emitting electrons, if a voltage between a cathode and a gate lies under no-control state, a condition is continuously kept that electron emission is apt to occur owing to the voltage between the cathode and an anode, resulting in that though all-white display might not be established at a most luminosity, there might be a fear that light-emission occurs owing to unintentional electron emission.
Above all, all-white-display and unintentional electron emission are apt to occur in a case where an anode potential is transited from a stop state to a supply state depending on occurrence of a display start signal, for example when the display device itself is turned on and/or when the present display mode is switched from a non-display mode to a display mode in order to save electrical power.

Display device and drive control method therefor


Apparatus and method for conducting secured communications with a client device in a network are disclosed. The method includes receiving at the server a request message from the client device, wherein the request message comprises a nonce, a nonce count and an encrypted request, determining whether the client device has permission to access the server using the nonce and the nonce count, forming an encrypted server response message in response to the encrypted request and the client device has permission to access the server, and issuing the encrypted server response message from the server to the client device.

The recent proliferation of electronic devices for communication, information management and recreation has taken routine computing power far away from the desk-bound personal computer. Users are using devices such as cell phones, camera phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and navigation systems, not only in the office and in the home, but also in the field and on the road. There is a diverse range of possible applications for such devices, including communication, business, navigation, entertainment and even managing basic daily activities. Many users today only use a single device for a single task, for example, using cell phones for making and receiving phone calls. However, these devices are no longer single-function devices. They are capable of creating various types of data, for instance, electronic mail, voice messages, photos, video, etc. Increasing the number of functions of a device increases the desirability of personalization for each user. It is desirable to provide users a connected-service to connect and access their data wherever they are, with whatever device they are using and whatever service they are connected to.
One of the challenges of providing such a connected-service to a user is the need to securely transfer information between the content router server and one or more client devices in the communication network. Traditional means for ensuring security through the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol is not practical for many mobile client devices with small memory footprint and low computing capabilities. For example, the client device needs to implement Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) encryption, which requires a large amount of memory for executing the RSA encryption software code. In addition, implementing the SSL protocol client authentication requires the client device to manage a large number of client certifications, which imposes significant implementation and performance burdens on the client device.
There are also issues for implementing the SSL protocol on the server. For example, with RSA encryption, the decryption algorithm at the server requires a large amount of computing power to execute. Also, each device has to share a session key, which imposes the burden on the server to keep track of the multiple communication requests from the same client device.
Therefore, there is a need to address the problems of the existing SSL protocol in conducting secured communicationss between a server and a client in a network.


The present invention concerns a Magnus rotor comprising a carrier arranged in the interior of the Magnus rotor, a rotor which in operation of the Magnus rotor rotates about the carrier, a bearing which carries the rotor on the carrier and a heating device provided for producing heated air in the interior of the carrier. The carrier has at least one opening at its outside, which connects the internal space in the carrier to the intermediate space between the carrier and the rotor in such a way that air can pass through between those two spaces.

Technical Field
The present invention concerns a Magnus rotor.
Description of the Related Art
Magnus rotors are also referred to as Flettner rotors or sailing rotors.
Magnus rotors are known in the state of the art. Particularly in the form of ship drives they are also known by the term Flettner rotor and equipping ships with such a Flettner rotor or Magnus rotor is described in the book 'Die Segelmaschine' by Klaus D Wagner, Ernst Kabel Verlag GmbH, Hamburg 1991.
As such ship drives produce a propulsion force for the ship, with the co-operation of the rotary movement of the rotor and the wind flowing therearound, Magnus rotors can basically be used as ship drives wherever sufficient winds prevail. That is basically the case on all seas around the globe, that is to say in all climatic regions of the earth.
In that respect however the seas and climatic regions of the earth have very different climatic conditions and weather conditions which can fluctuate greatly even at the same location according to the seasons involved. Those climatic conditions can lead to a restriction on the use of a Magnus rotor.
As general state of the art, attention is directed to DE 10 2006 025 732 A1.


A water heater comprising: a case main body; a front cover for closing a front opening of the case main body; a waterproof packing member interposed between a first inner peripheral flange formed on an inner peripheral edge of the front opening of the case main body and a second inner peripheral flange formed on an inner peripheral edge of a rear end of the front cover; and a water receiver which is located below the waterproof packing member disposed in an upper region and which extends from the first inner peripheral flange of the case main body or the second inner peripheral flange of the front cover.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water heater having inner peripheral flanges formed on a peripheral edge joint portion of a case main body and a front cover between which a waterproof packing member is interposed.
2. Description of the Related Art
To upgrade the design and to differentiate from other water heaters, there is an inner peripheral flange type water heater in which a first inner peripheral flange and a second inner peripheral flange are formed on a peripheral edge joint portion of a case main body and a front cover constituting an outer case, and the outer case does not have a projection. This kind of water heater is disposed outdoor in many cases. To prevent rainwater from entering into the outer case, a waterproof packing member is interposed between the first inner peripheral flange of the case main body and the second inner peripheral flange of the front cover. However, tightening of the front cover connected to the case main body is loosened, and the sealing performance of the waterproof packing member becomes insufficient in some cases. Also, in the case of an inner peripheral flange type water heater, since an outer periphery of the waterproof packing member is exposed outside, the waterproof packing member is exposed to sunshine, wind and rain, and whereby the sealing performance is likely to be deteriorated. Thus, in the inner peripheral flange type water heater, if the sealing performance of the waterproof packing member is deteriorated, rainwater is likely to enter the outer case from an upper region on the side of a top plate. As a result, if rainwater is dispersed to an inside combustion device or an inside electrical component, there is a possibility that the water heater does not operate normally.


The present invention relates to a method for universal detection of bacteria in biological samples and for specific detection of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae in urine or any other biological samples, said method comprising denaturation of bacterial DNA to single stranded form and either fixing it on a support or leaving it in solution, contacting said single stranded genetic material with a labeled probe selected from the group consisting of i) fragments of chromosomal DNA of the above-mentioned bacteria and ii) synthetic oligonucleotides whose sequences are derived either from the said fragments of chromosomal DNAs or from sequences available in data banks, all (i and ii) probes being capable to hybridize specifically to their chromosomal DNA or, in case of universal probes, to any bacterial chromosomal DNA.

Classical Identification of Bacteria
Bacteria are classically identified by their ability to utilize different substrates as a source of carbon and nitrogen through the use of biochemical tests such as the API20E.TM. system (bioMerieux). Susceptibility testing of gram-negative bacilli has progressed to microdilution tests. Although the API and the microdilution systems are cost-effective, at least two days are required to obtain preliminary results due to the necessity of two successive overnight incubations to isolate and identify the bacteria from the clinical specimen. Some faster detection methods with sophisticated and expensive apparatus have been developed. For example, the fastest identification system, the autoSCAN-Walk-Away.TM. system (Dade Diagnostics) identifies both gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial species from isolated colonies in as little as 2 hours and gives susceptibility patterns to antibiotics in only 7 hours. However, this system has an unacceptable margin of error, especially with bacterial species other than Enterobacteriaceae (Croize J., 1995, La Lettre de l'Infectiologue 10:109-113; York et al., 1992. J. Clin. Microbiol. 30:2903-2910). Nevertheless, even this fastest method requires primary isolation of the bacteria as a pure culture, a process which takes at least 18 hours for a pure culture or 2 days for a mixed culture.
Urine Specimens
A large proportion (40-50%) of specimens received in routine diagnostic microbiology laboratories for bacterial identification are urine specimens (Pezzlo, 1988, Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 1:268-280). Urinary tract infections (UTI) are extremely common (affect up to 20% of women) and account for extensive morbidity and increased mortality among hospitalized patients (Johnson and Stamm, 1989, Ann. Intern. Med. 111:906-917). UTI are usually of bacterial etiology and require antimicrobial therapy. The gram-negative bacillus Escherichia coli is by far the most prevalent urinary pathogen and accounts for 50 to 60% of UTI (Pezzlo, 1988, Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 1:268-280). The prevalence for bacterial pathogens isolated from urine specimens observed recently at the "Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite Laval (CHUL)" is given in Tables 1 and 2.
Conventional Pathogen Identification from Urine Specimens
The search for pathogens in urine specimens is so preponderant in the routine microbiology laboratory that a myriad of tests have been developed. The gold standard is still the classical semi-quantitative plate culture method in which a calibrated loop of urine is streaked on plates and incubated for 18-24 hours. Colonies are then counted to determine the total number of colony forming units (CFU) per liter of urine. A bacterial UTI is normally associated with a bacterial count of 10.sup.7 CFU/L or more in urine. However, infections with less than 10.sup.7 CFU/L in urine are possible, particularly in patients with a high incidence of diseases or those catheterized (Stark and Maki, 1984, N. Engl. J. Med. 311:560-564). Importantly, close to 80% of urine specimens tested are considered negative (less than 10.sup.7 CFU/L; Table 3).
Accurate and rapid urine screening methods for bacterial pathogens would allow a faster identification of negative specimens and a more efficient clinical investigation of the patient. Several rapid identification methods (Uriscreen.TM., UTIscreen.TM., Flash Track.TM. DNA probes and others) were recently compared to slower standard biochemical methods which are based on culture of the bacterial pathogens. Although much faster, these rapid tests showed low sensitivities and poor specificities as well as a high number of false negative and false positive results (Koenig et al., 1992. J. Clin. Microbiol. 30:342-345; Pezzlo et al., 1992. J. Clin. Microbiol. 30:680-684).
Urine specimens found positive by culture are further characterized using standard biochemical tests to identify the bacterial pathogen and are also tested for susceptibility to antibiotics. The biochemical and susceptibility testing normally require 18-24 hours of incubation.
Any Clinical Specimens
As with urine specimens which were used here as an example to show the need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tests for bacterial detection and identification directly from clinical specimens, our probes and amplification primers are also applicable for bacterial detection and identification directly from any other clinical specimens such as blood cultures, blood, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid and others (Table 4). The DNA-based tests proposed in this invention are superior in terms of both rapidity and accuracy to standard biochemical methods currently used for routine diagnosis from any clinical specimens in Microbiology Laboratories. Clinical specimens from organisms other than humans (e.g. other primates, mammals, farm animals or livestock) may also be used.
A High Percentage of Culture Negative Specimens
Among all the clinical specimens received for routine diagnosis, approximately 80% of urine specimens and even more (around 95%) for other types of clinical specimens are negative for the presence of bacterial pathogen (Table 4). It would therefore be desirable, not only to identify bacterial species, but also to screen out the high proportion of negative clinical specimens by detecting the presence of any bacteria (i.e. universal bacterial detection).
Towards the Development of Rapid DNA-Based Diagnostic Tests
A rapid diagnostic test should have a significant impact on the management of infections. For the identification of pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in clinical samples, DNA probe and DNA amplification technologies offer several advantages over conventional methods. There is no need for culture of the bacterial pathogens, hence the organisms can be detected directly from clinical samples thereby reducing the time associated with the isolation and identification of pathogens. DNA-based technologies have proven to be extremely useful for specific applications in the clinical microbiology laboratory. For example, kits for the detection of fastidious organisms based on the use of hybridization probes or DNA amplification for the direct detection of pathogens from clinical specimens are commercially available (Tenover F. C., and E. R. Unger. 1993. "Nucleic Acid Probes for Detection and Identification of Infectious Agents", pp. 3-25. In Persing, D. H., T. F. Smith, F. C. Tenover, and T. J. White (ed.) Diagnostic Molecular Microbiology: Principles and Applications. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C.).
Others have developed DNA-based tests for the detection and identification of some of the bacterial pathogens for which we have identified species-specific sequences (PCT patent application Ser. No. WO 93/03186). However, their strategy was based on the amplification of the highly conserved 16S rRNA gene followed by hybridization with internal species-specific oligonucleotides. The strategy from the present invention is different, simpler and more rapid because it allows the direct amplification of species-specific, genus-specific or universal bacterial targets using oligonucleotides derived from genomic DNA fragments other than the 16S rRNA genes or from antibiotic resistance DNA sequences which are derived either from the genome or from extrachromosomal elements.
Although there are diagnostic kits or methods already used in clinical microbiology laboratories, there is still a need for an advantageous alternative to the conventional culture identification methods to improve the accuracy and the speed of the diagnosis of bacterial infections. Besides being much faster, DNA-based diagnostic tests are more accurate than standard biochemical tests presently used for diagnosis because the bacterial genotype (e.g. DNA level) is more stable than the bacterial phenotype (e.g. biochemical properties).
Knowledge on the genomic sequences of bacterial species continuously increases as verified from the number of sequences available from data banks. From the sequences readily available from data banks, there is no indication therefrom as to their potential for diagnostic purposes. For determining good candidates for diagnostic purposes, one could select sequences for either (i) the species-specific or genus-specific detection and identification of commonly encountered bacterial pathogens, (ii) the universal detection of bacterial pathogens from clinical specimens and/or (iii) the specific detection and identification of antibiotic resistance genes.
In our co-pending U.S. patent application (Ser. No. 08/526,840), we described DNA sequences suitable for (i) the species-specific detection and identification of 12 clinically important bacterial pathogens, (ii) the universal detection of bacteria, and (iii) the detection of 17 antibiotic resistance genes. This application described proprietary DNA sequences and DNA sequences selected from data banks (in both cases, fragments of at least 100 base pairs), as well as oligonucleotide probes and amplification primers derived from these sequences. All the nucleic acid sequences described in this patent application enter the composition of diagnostic kits and methods capable of a) detecting the presence of bacteria, b) detecting specifically the presence of 12 bacterial species and 17 antibiotic resistance genes. However, these methods and kits need to be improved since the ideal kit and method should be capable of diagnosing close to 100% of bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes. For example, infections caused by Enterococcus faecium have become a clinical problem because of its resistance to many antibiotics. Both detection of these bacteria and evaluation of their resistance profiles are desirable. Besides that, novel DNA sequences (probes and primers) capable of recognizing the same and other bacterial pathogens or the same and additional antibiotic resistance genes are also desirable to aim at detecting more target genes and complement our earlier patent application.

Species-specific and universal DNA probes and amplification primers to rapidly detect and identify common bacterial pathogens and associated antibiotic resistance genes from clinical specimens for routine diagnosis in microbiology laboratories


A new and distinct Aloe cultivar named ‘Pickled Pink’ is disclosed, characterized a very papillose texture to leaves, jewel-like appearance to leaves with bright coral leaf margins and papillae; overlaid with glaucous blue green patina. Plants are very floriferous and exhibit an upright morphology. The new variety is an Aloe, typically produced as a garden or container plant.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated from a cross pollination of the seed parent, an unpatented proprietary selection of Aloe×rauhii×parvula referred to as 'P' with the pollen parent an unpatented proprietary selection of, Aloe parvula×capitata referred to as 'Parvula hybrid #5'. The crossing was made during March of 2006 in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse. 'Pickled Pink' was discovered by the inventor, Renee O'Connell, in November of 2006, in Vista, Calif. at a commercial greenhouse.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar 'Pickled Pink' was first performed in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse by vegetative leaf cuttings in February 2007. 'Pickled Pink' has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.


An object of the invention is to provide a control system in which the phase shift between drive signals of an optical modulator can be reliably detected and compensated by a simple configuration. To this end, a control apparatus of the invention, for an optical modulator generating a signal light of a CS-RZ modulation system or the like by two LN modulators connected in series, detects the phase shift between drive signals given to the former and latter stage LN modulators, or judges the phase shift between the drive signals based on intensity information of the electric spectrum of the signal light output from the optical modulator, to control the phases of the drive signals so as to minimize the phase shift. As a result, the phase shift between the drive signals can be reliably detected and compensated by an electric circuit with a simple configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control technique for an optical modulator used in an optical communication, and particularly, relates to a control technique for compensating for the phase shift between a plurality of drive signals driving the optical modulator and the operating point deviation of the optical modulator.
2. Description of the Related Art
At present, a practical use of optical transmission system in which a transmission speed of optical signals is 10 Gb/s or the like, has been started. However, due to a recent rapid increase of network utilization, larger network capacity has been required, and a demand for ultra long distance has been increased.
In an optical transmission system in which a transmission speed is equal to or more than 10 Gb/s, the wavelength dispersion significantly affects waveforms, leading to a wider optical spectrum. As a result, a WDM transmission in which channel lights are arranged in high density becomes difficult. Particularly, in an optical transmission system of 40 Gb/s, the wavelength dispersion is one of factors limiting a transmission distance.
As one means for solving the above described problems, a dispersion compensation technique for accurately measuring a dispersion value of an optical transmission path to compensate for the dispersion value has been studied (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-72761 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-077053). Moreover, for realizing the above described optical transmission system, it is essential to develop a modulation system in which the dispersion tolerance is as large as possible. Specifically, a modulation system is required, in which an excellent optical signal to noise ratio can be secured for a long distance optical transmission system, that is to say, a modulation system is required, which is strong in the self phase modulation (SPM) effect and can increase an upper limit of optical input power into the optical transmission path. Furthermore, a modulation system is required, in which the optical spectrum is narrow, to enable a high density WDM optical transmission for the large capacity.
Recently, as new modulation systems, a Carrier-Suppressed Return-to-Zero (hereunder, CS-RZ) modulation system and the like have been studied (refer to Y. Miyamoto et. al., "320 Gbit/s (8×40 Gbit/s) WDM transmission over 367-km zero-dispersion-flattened line with 120-km repeater spacing using carrier-suppressed return-to-zero pulse format", OAA′99 PD, PdP4). Since this CS-RZ modulation system has an advantage that, as described later, the optical spectrum width becomes ⅔ times compared to the Return-to-Zero (RZ) modulation system, the wavelength dispersion tolerance is large, which enables a high density channel light arrangement in the WDM. Furthermore, since the waveform deterioration due to the self phase modulation effect is small, it becomes possible to secure the optical signal to noise ratio for the long distance transmission.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a basic configuration for generating a CS-RZ modulating signal of 40 Gb/s.
In FIG. 25, a light source 100 generates a continuous light. The continuous light output from the light source 100 is sequentially input to two LiNbO3 modulators (hereunder, LN modulators) 110 and 120 connected in series, to be modulated.
The former stage LN modulator 110 is applied with, at a signal electrode thereof (not shown in the figure), for example, a data signal with bit rate of 40 Gb/s, which is generated in a data signal generating section 111 and corresponds to the NRZ modulation system, as a drive signal. As a result, the former stage LN modulator 110 modulates the continuous light from the light source 100 in accordance with the data signal, and outputs an NRZ signal light of 40 Gb/s having a waveform as exemplified in (a) of FIG. 26 to the latter stage LN modulator 120.
For the latter stage LN modulator 120, for example, a Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulator or the like having two signal electrodes is used. The latter stage LN modulator 120 is applied with, at the respective signal electrodes thereof, a first drive signal and a second drive signal generated based on a clock signal having a frequency of ½ the bit rate of the data signal. As a result, the latter stage LN modulator further modulates the NRZ signal light from the former stage LN modulator 110, and outputs a CS-RZ signal light of 40 Gb/s having a waveform as exemplified in (b) of FIG. 26. Here, a clock signal having a waveform of a sine wave and the like with frequency 20 GHz, is generated in a clock signal generating section 121. The clock signal is branched into two by a branching device 124, and then adjusted by phase shifters 125A and 125B so that a phase difference between branched signals reaches approximately 180°. Furthermore, respective amplitudes of the branched signals are adjusted by amplifiers 126A and 126B, to become first and second drive signals to be applied to the respective signal electrodes of the LN modulator 120.
Moreover, a part of the clock signal generated in the clock signal generating section 121 is branched by a branching device 122 and transmitted to the data signal generating section 111 so that phases of the data signal and clock signal are synchronized, and at the same time, the phase of the clock signal is adjusted by a phase shifter 123 so that a phase difference between the respective signals is controlled.
Here, the theory of how the CS-RZ signal light of 40 Gb/s is generated is briefly described using an optical intensity characteristic of an LN modulator to a drive voltage, shown in FIG.27.
Generally, in the case where a signal light corresponding to the NRZ modulation system or the RZ modulation system is generated using an optical modulator, an optical intensity characteristic of which to a drive voltage is changed periodically, a drive voltage corresponding to adjacent "top, bottom" or "bottom, top" of the above optical intensity characteristic (hereunder, this drive voltage is Vπ) is given to the optical modulator, so as to perform the modulation. Here, "top" of the optical intensity characteristic denotes emission peak points and "bottom" denotes extinction peak points.
On the other hand, in the case where a signal light corresponding to the CS-RZ modulation system is generated, the signal light of 40 Gb/s modulated by the former stage LN modulator 110 shown in FIG. 25 in accordance with the data signal, is further modulated by the latter stage LN modulator 120 in accordance with the clock signal of 20 GHz having the frequency of ½ the bit rate of the data signal. The latter stage LN modulator 120, as shown in the left of FIG. 27, is applied with a drive voltage corresponding to "top, bottom, top" of the optical intensity characteristic to the drive voltage (hereunder, this drive voltage is 2Vπ). This light modulation is performed by corresponding the respective levels of −1, 0, 1 of the clock signal to the respective conditions of ON, OFF, ON of the light. As a result, the CS-RZ signal light generated becomes a binary optical waveform as shown at the top right of FIG. 27. For the signal light in this CS-RZ modulation system, since optical phases of respective bits thereof have a value of 0 or π, for example, as shown in a calculation result of the optical spectrum at the bottom right of FIG. 27, a carrier component of the optical spectrum is suppressed.
For the signal light of the CS-RZ modulation system generated as described above, for example, as in the respective experimental results of the optical spectrum and optical waveform shown in FIG. 28, an optical waveform of the form approximately the same as the optical waveform of the RZ modulation system can be obtained, and the optical spectrum width becomes narrower than that of the RZ modulation system. Moreover, as in the experimental results related to the wavelength dispersion tolerance shown in FIG. 29, a range of total wavelength dispersion where a value of power penalty becomes equal to or less than 1 dB, is approximately 40 ps/nm in the RZ modulation system, whereas in the CS-RZ modulation system, the range is approximately 50 ps/nm. Accordingly, it is understood that, for the signal light of the CS-RZ modulation system, the dispersion tolerance is enlarged compared to the signal light of the RZ modulation system.
Incidentally, the signal light corresponding to the CS-RZ modulation system has the above described advantages, but there are disadvantages in that; the phase between the first and second drive signals to be given to the latter stage optical modulator which is driven based on the clock signal, should be precisely adjusted, and the phase between the above described clock signal and the data signal used for driving the former stage optical modulator should also be precisely adjusted. Furthermore, since there is a possibility that the phase shift occurs due to environmental changes such as temperature changes, it becomes essential to detect a phase change in each signal during the system operation, to perform a feedback control.
Here, the present applicant has proposed a system, for example as shown in FIG. 30, for monitoring the optical spectrum of signal light output from an optical modulator by a monitoring section 130, and then based on an intensity variation of a specific frequency component in the optical spectrum, feedback controlling the above described phase shift between drive signals by a control circuit 140 (refer to Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-087017). According to this prior invention, by focusing on the intensity variation of the specific frequency component of the output optical spectrum, the phase shift between signals of the drive system can be reliably detected, and it becomes possible to control the phase difference between drive signals so that an optimum drive condition can be obtained stably.
However, the control system of the optical modulator according to this prior invention has the following problems. That is, in the above described control method, the specific frequency component of the output optical spectrum is extracted using a narrow-band optical filter 132, to monitor the intensity variation. However, at this time, there is a problem that, unless the specific frequency component is extracted using an optical filter with a sufficiently narrow bandwidth of transmission band, the monitoring accuracy of the intensity variation is reduced. Generally, an optical filter having a sufficiently narrow bandwidth is not easily realized. Therefore, due to the reduction of monitoring accuracy of the intensity variation as described above, there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to feedback control stably the phase difference between the drive signals. Furthermore, for the control system of the prior invention, another problem is that a control corresponding to the operating point variation of the optical modulator has not yet been realized.

Control apparatus and control method for optical modulator


A powered pallet assembly (10) for use on two intersecting trackways (11 and 13). The pallet assembly (10) includes: a pallet frame (23) having an upwardly facing surface (12) formed for support of a load thereon; a first plurality of load-supporting wheels (16a, 16b) rotatably mounted to frame (23) for movement of pallet assembly (10) in a first direction on the first trackway (11); a second plurality of load-supporting wheels (18a, 18b) rotatably mounted to frame (23) for movement of pallet assembly (10) in a second direction intersecting the first direction on the second trackway (13) intersecting the first trackway (11); a power drive assembly carried by pallet frame (23) and coupled to drive at least one wheel of first wheels (16a, 16b) and coupled to drive at least one wheel of second wheels (18a, 18b). The first wheels (16a, 16b) are mounted to the frame (23) in a manner which causes them to be disengaged from a second trackway (13) when the pallet (10) is supported for movement on the second trackway (13) by second wheels (18a, 18b), and the second wheels (18a, 18b) are mounted to the frame (23) in a manner which causes them to be disengaged from the first trackway (11) when pallet (10) is supported on the first trackway (11) by the first wheels (16a, 16b). A method of operating the trackway-based pallet assembly also is disclosed.

Powered pallet assemblies are used in industry for supporting and moving loads, workpieces or objects thereon. These devices are typically shaped as rectangular platforms which move either with their wheels running directly upon a floor surface or upon parallel tracks. Powered pallet assemblies are especially useful for material handling in industrial settings for transporting loads, particularly to and from various assembly work sites, production locations and warehouse sites. Powered pallet assemblies have on-board assemblies, as distinguished from non-powered pallets which must be pushed or pulled into position, and powered pallet assemblies may be either directly or remotely controlled.
A minimum amount of free floor space is typically available in production areas in factories and warehouses, and in other areas where powered pallet assemblies are commonly used. Consequently, powered pallet assemblies are commonly required to navigate through tight spaces and to make tight turns. The smaller the area of floor space in which these pallet assemblies are able to change their direction, the more efficient these assemblies become in their use of floor space. Consequently, a need exists for powered pallet assemblies, or motorized carriages, which are able to change their direction of movement in very tight spaces having minimal available floor space.
When making turns or changing directions, present powered pallet assemblies usually must be advanced forward somewhat when turning so as to enable steering along an arc. To increase the efficiency of the floor used by such powered pallet assemblies, this turning arc may be made tighter, but problems quickly develop when designing systems to enable a powered pallet assembly to turn through tighter and tighter arcs. What would instead be desired is a powered pallet assembly which is able to stop, make an abrupt change in its direction of motion, and then start moving in this new direction, all without having to steer or turn the pallet assembly through any arc.
To change directions, prior art powered pallet assemblies typically use their own internal steering systems, which change the direction in which the pallet assembly's wheels are facing, or they use trackways which the pallet assembly's wheels passively follow, thus avoiding the need for an active steering system. Both of these options suffer from their own particular disadvantages.
The design complexity and cost of a powered pallet assembly increase dramatically when an internal steering system is added to steer the wheels of the pallet as a way of changing the direction of motion. What is instead preferred is a pallet assembly which does not require a complex and expensive internal steering system with its accompanying internal guidance system. An inherent disadvantage of powered pallet systems which employs steerable pallets is that such systems typically employ a plurality of these expensive pallets. Thus, the overall system cost increases dramatically as the number of pallets in the system with steerable controls is increased.
Complex internal steering systems can be avoided through the use of guide-rails or trackways upon which the powered pallets travel. All that is required is some form of drive assembly to rotate the wheels of the pallet assembly, thus causing the pallet to move along the trackways. The pallet wheels passively follow the trackways which effectively steer the pallet assembly. Unfortunately, trackway-based pallet systems often suffer from the disadvantage of not being able to easily turn the pallet assembly in a very tight arc. In the system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,283, for example, cornering modules are provided to enable movement of motorized carriages through relatively tight curves. In other rail-based pallet systems, the corners simply are not very tight, and in still others, for example, the turntable type of system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,202, floor space is required to accommodate the structure necessary for rotation of the trackway.
Consequently, a type of compromise problem exists in choosing between and expensive pallet assemblies having internal steering systems, which will enable the pallet to change directions within a smaller area, and the less complex trackway-based pallet systems which are unable to change the direction of motion of the pallet assembly within a small area. What is desired, therefore, is a powered pallet assembly which is able to use the best features of both of these designs, in particular, the ability to change directions abruptly using only a minimum amount of floor space without requiring a complex internal steering or guidance system.
A further important limitation exists in many prior art pallet systems. Pallet assemblies which are able to make turns requiring only a minimum amount of floor space correspondingly turn the objects placed upon the pallets. This problem exists, for example, in the system of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,044,283 and 4,416,202. Such changing of the workpiece or load orientation can cause problems in certain production operations since the turning of the objects supported by the pallet assembly during pallet turning may result in these objects being misoriented from one step in a production process to a subsequent step. Consequently, what is desired is the further advantage of a powered pallet assembly that is able to change its direction of motion without changing the orientation of the objects being transported.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,469,575, 3,094,941 and 3,356,039 disclose trackway mounted carriages or platforms which can abruptly change direction without changing the orientation of the load which they are carrying. In these systems, however, the load-supporting wheel assemblies are either very difficult to couple to an on-board motor for driving of the pallet through the support wheels, or the systems employ elaborate switch assemblies, or both. U.S. Pat. Nos. 989,759, 3,348,497 and 4,516,504 are examples of other switch assemblies employed in trackway-based transport systems.
A powered pallet assembly is needed, therefore, which is able to change its direction of movement in very tight spaces. Specifically, this new direction of motion should include angles of up to 90.degree. from the previous path of motion. The above should be done without having to steer the pallet assembly through any arc on the floor, and furthermore without the use of a complex internal steering apparatus, bulky turntables or complex switch assemblies. The pallet assembly further should be able to change its direction of motion without turning to face this new direction of motion, thus being able to move objects without rotating the orientation of the objects during changes of direction of the pallet assembly.
Still a further desirable feature of any powered pallet system is the ability to provide a system which will allow simultaneous operation of a large number of powered pallets. The pallets should be able to move around a trackway circuit and through various intersections in the circuit, with the movement of each of the pallets being individually controllable from a remote location, all while automatically preventing pallets from bumping into one another. Most preferably, such a system should not require complex communications apparatus on-board the pallets in order to be controlled by a central controller.

Method and apparatus for automated powered pallet