A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) operating based on a DRX (Discontinuous Reception) configuration are disclosed. According to these, the UE receives a message including configuration or reconfiguration of DRX; and monitors a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) during an active time according to the configuration or reconfiguration of DRX. Here, the active time includes a time period during a PDCCH indicating a new transmission has not been received after receiving the message including configuration or reconfiguration of DRX.

As an example of a mobile communication system to which the present invention is applicable, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (hereinafter, referred to as LTE) communication system is described in brief.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating network structure of an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (E-UMTS). The E-UMTS may be also referred to as an LTE system. The communication network is widely deployed to provide a variety of communication services such as voice (VoIP) through IMS and packet data.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the E-UMTS network includes an evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and one or more user equipment. The E-UTRAN may include one or more evolved NodeB (eNodeB) 20, and a plurality of user equipment (UE) 10 may be located in one cell. One or more E-UTRAN mobility management entity (MME)/system architecture evolution (SAE) gateways 30 may be positioned at the end of the network and connected to an external network.
As used herein, "downlink" refers to communication from eNodeB 20 to UE 10, and "uplink" refers to communication from the UE to an eNodeB. UE 10 refers to communication equipment carried by a user and may be also referred to as a mobile station (MS), a user terminal (UT), a subscriber station (SS) or a wireless device.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a concept DRX (Discontinuous Reception).
Referring to FIG. 2, if DRX is set for a UE in RRC CONNECTED state, the UE attempts to receive a downlink channel, PDCCH, that is, performs PDCCH monitoring only during a predetermined time period, while the UE does not perform PDCCH monitoring during the remaining time period. A time period during which the UE should monitor a PDCCH is referred to as "On Duration". One On Duration is defined per DRX cycle. That is, a DRX cycle is a repetition period of On Duration.
The UE always monitors a PDCCH during 'On Duration' in one DRX cycle and a DRX cycle determines a period in which On Duration is set. DRX cycles are classified into a long DRX cycle and a short DRX cycle according to the periods of the DRX cycles. The long DRX cycle may minimize the battery consumption of a UE, whereas the short DRX cycle may minimize a data transmission delay.
When the UE receives a PDCCH during On Duration in a DRX cycle, an additional transmission or a retransmission may take place during a time period other than the On Duration. Therefore, the UE should monitor a PDCCH during a time period other than the On Duration. That is, the UE should perform PDCCH monitoring during a time period over which an inactivity managing timer, drx-InactivityTimer or a re-transmission managing timer, drx-RetransmissionTimer as well as an On Duration managing timer, onDurationTimer is running.
The value of each of the timers is defined as the number of subframes. The number of subframes is counted until the value of a timer is reached. If the value of the timer is satisfied, the timer expires. The current LTE standard defines drx-InactivityTimer as a number of consecutive PDCCH-subframes after successfully decoding a PDCCH indicating an initial UL or DL user data transmission and defines drx-RetransmissionTimer as a maximum number of consecutive PDCCH-subframes for as soon as a DL retransmission is expected by the UE.
Additionally, the UE should perform PDCCH monitoring during random access or when the UE transmits a scheduling request and attempts to receive a UL grant.
A time period during which a UE should perform PDCCH monitoring is referred to as an Active Time. The Active Time includes On Duration during which a PDCCH is monitored periodically and a time interval during which a PDCCH is monitored upon generation of an event.
More specifically, the Active Time includes the time while (1) onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer or drx-RetransmissionTimer or mac-ContentionResolutionTimer is running, or (2) a Scheduling Request is sent on PUCCH and is pending, or (3) an uplink grant for a pending HARQ retransmission can occur and there is data in the corresponding HARQ buffer, or (4) a PDCCH indicating a new transmission addressed to the C-RNTI of the UE has not been received after successful reception of a Random Access Response for the preamble not selected by the UE.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method for a DRX operation in the LTE system.
Referring to FIG. 3, the UE may be configured by RRC with a DRX functionality and shall perform following operations for each TTI (that is, each subframe).
If a HARQ RTT (Round Trip Time) Timer expires in this subframe and the data of the corresponding HARQ process was not successfully decoded, the UE shall start the drx-RetransmissionTimer for the corresponding HARQ process.
Further, if a DRX Command MAC control element (CE) is received, the UE shall stop onDurationTimer and drx-InactivityTimer. The DRX Command MAC CE is a command for shifting to a DRX state, and is identified by a LCID (Logical Channel ID) field of a MAC PDU (Protocol Data Unit) subheader.
Further, in case that drx-InactivityTimer expires or a DRX Command MAC CE is received in this subframe, if the Short DRX cycle is configured, the UE shall start or restart drxShortCycleTimer, and use the Short DRX Cycle. However, if the Short DRX cycle is not configured, the Long DRX cycle is used. Additionally, if drxShortCycleTimer expires in this subframe, the Long DRX Cycle is also used.
Furthermore, if the Short DRX Cycle is used and [(SFN*10)+subframe number] modulo (shortDRX-Cycle) is (drxStartOffset) modulo (shortDRX-Cycle), or if the Long DRX Cycle is used and [(SFN*10)+subframe number] modulo (longDRX-Cycle) is drxStartOffset, the UE shall start onDurationTimer.
The UE shall monitor the PDCCH for a PDCCH-subframe during the Active Time. If the PDCCH indicates a DL transmission or if a DL assignment has been configured for this subframe, the UE shall start the HARQ RTT Timer for the corresponding HARQ process and stop the drx-RetransmissionTimer for the corresponding HARQ process. If the PDCCH indicates a (DL or UL) new transmission, the UE shall start or restart drx-InactivityTimer.
Here, the PDCCH-subframe is defined as a subframe with PDCCH. That is, the PDCCH-subframe is a subframe on which the PDCCH can be transmitted. More specifically, in a FDD (frequency division duplex) system, the PDCCH-subframe represents any subframe. For full-duplex TDD (time division duplex) system, the PDCCH-subframe represents the union of downlink subframes and subframes including DwPTS of all serving cells, except serving cells that are configured with schedulingCellId (that is, the Scheduled cell). Here, the schedulingCellId indicates an identity of the scheduling cell. Further, for half-duplex TDD system, the PDCCH-subframe represents the subframes where the PCell (primary cell) is configured as a downlink subframe or a subframe including DwPTS.
Meanwhile, when not in Active Time, the UE does not perform a SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) transmission and a CSI reporting, which are triggered by the eNB.
For the above DRX operation, there was a discussion about when the UE starts monitoring PDCCH after receiving a message including DRX configuration or reconfiguration. As stated above, according to the current DRX operation, Active time includes following 4 cases while:
(1) onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer or drx-RetransmissionTimer or drx-ULRetransmissionTimer or mac-ContentionResolutionTimer is running; or
(2) a Scheduling Request is sent on PUCCH and is pending (as described in subclause 5.4.4); or
(3) an uplink grant for a pending HARQ retransmission can occur and there is data in the corresponding HARQ buffer for synchronous HARQ process; or
(4) a PDCCH indicating a new transmission addressed to the C-RNTI of the MAC entity has not been received after successful reception of a Random Access Response for the preamble not selected by the MAC entity.

PDCCH monitoring after DRX configuration or reconfiguration


A shoe for dancing, comprising a forefoot portion, wherein the forefoot portion comprises a forefoot sole and a front upper; a rearfoot portion comprising a rearfoot sole including a high heel; a midfoot portion comprising a midfoot sole; and a rigidified section that extends at least partway from the rearfoot portion to partway into the midfoot portion, leaving a gap between the rear edge of the forefoot portion and the front end of the rigidified section so that there are at least two zones of flexibility in the midfoot portion, the first zone being relatively rigid for supporting a weight bearing midfoot, and the second zone being relatively flexible, the overall midfoot portion allowing the wearer to perform both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot over a full range of movement.

American musical theater has changed quite significantly over the past few decades. The popular shows of Broadway in the years following World War TI involved similar music and dance numbers of a particular style and choreography. Some people consider the 1950s as the Golden Age of Broadway when shows like Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, Kismet, and The King and I dominated the stage. These sophisticated, high-budget productions featured talented actors, singers, and dancers, but the dance choreography centered around one particular style for each entire show—ballroom, jazz, or some type of character dancing, such as country, folk, or Celtic dancing. Dancers usually engaged in a single, traditional dance style throughout an entire performance.
Bob Fosse, Broadway's great jazz dance innovator, appeared on the scene in the late 50s and ushered in a transition to high-energy, intense, and demanding dance choreography. Dancers required great stamina and the ability to combine precise hand gestures, rapid kicks, forceful foot action, and sinuous body movements. Fosse's style is best exemplified in the Broadway musical Chicago (1975) and the film, Cabaret (1972). Rock musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Grease, and The Wiz appeared around the same time, bringing new energy and innovative dance routines to American musicals. Fosse's twist on traditional jazz dancing and the influence of rock music brought high-energy routines to Broadway musicals, but shows still regularly followed a consistent dance style. Performers in these shows needed to perform only a single dance style (though often with some variation) and required only basic dance shoes of an appropriate type.
Since the late 1980s, however, Broadway musicals have become far more elaborate and complicated. Technological innovations in set design, lighting, and costuming have allowed stunningly expansive productions like The Lion King, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, and Wicked. Innovation swept through dance moves and choreography as well, leading to multiple different dance styles being incorporated into the same show, or even a single number within a show. Productions like Stomp, Rent, and Fosse fused and mixed jazz, character, tap, ballroom, ballet, African, and modern dance. Obviously, dancers in these shows would benefit from a dance shoe that offered the mechanical and aesthetic flexibility necessary to perform such a complicated set of routines.
Today's musicals demand dancers who can shift among many different dance styles, often within a matter of minutes or seconds, and dancers demand shoes that facilitate and enhance their abilities to do so. Dancers must leap and jump across the stage, glide effortlessly with partners, and sweep their legs broadly in curving arcs. They must straighten their legs and point their feet in ballet-like movements one moment, and switch to kicks, stomps, and turns on the next beat of music. All of these intricate choreographies incorporate isolated smooth, controlled, pliable manipulations of the foot and toes rooted in jazz and ballet with highly energetic movements from character dancing, such as stomping, kicking, gliding, jumping, turning, or scuffing. Elements of tap dancing (with or without actual tap plates on the shoes) are often incorporated as well.
Each dance style requires a shoe capable of facilitating and enhancing the movements of that style. For example, character dancing requires high-heel shoes with strength, rigidity, and support sufficient for performing energetic dance movements (kicking, jumping, stomping, etc.). Character shoes limit flexibility in favor of reinforcing the dancer's feet. To this end, character dance shoes commonly have hard leather soles and firm, strong shoe uppers. They have traditional high heels, which are rigid and typically more than 11/2″ high and relatively low forefoot sections. The heels usually taper from a broader area at the top-end, corresponding to the heel, to a reduced area at the bottom-side for ground contact. Accordingly, because of the heel-to-toe slope, the wearer's arch is considerably raised it and must be supported when weight bearing. In this regard, character shoes typically have rigid shanks spanning across their midfoot portion under the arch. Problematically, this form of constructions does not adequately afford the flexibility needed for jazz dance moves, particularly plantar flexion for pointing—a rigid midfoot portion impedes contraction of the arch, which is key to the pointing aesthetic.
In contrast, traditional jazz dancing shoes sacrifice reinforcing support in favor of flexibility and pliability. Traditional jazz dance shoes often are similar to ballet shoes or slippers, with soft soles and pliable shoe uppers that do not overly restrict the foot, allow a broader range of foot movement. They typically have a flat heel, which, relative to the forefoot of the shoe, result in a shoe that has little or no slope or elevated arch. The heels also provide a relative broad area of ground contact.
Accordingly, problems arise when dancers are forced to choose one style of shoe—either a character or a jazz shoe—for musicals or dance numbers incorporating such a blend of dance styles or movements. Dancers cannot change shoes in the middle of a number to accommodate a change in style, and they often have very little time for costume changes between dance numbers in a single performance.
In an attempt to address the foregoing problems, U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,251 describes a combination jazz dancing and character/tap dancing shoe and U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,498. However, the metal or hard leather shanks in these shoes do not offer the wearer optimum flexibility in the area of the shoe underneath the arch of the foot. In fact, the only area of moderate or substantial flexibility in the sole of a shoe described in the '498 patent is a small area in the rear of the front portion of the shoe between the rigid shank 30 and the support 70.
In view of the forgoing, there is an ever-present need for improved dance footwear that better balances the needs for support and flexibility in the region under the arch of the foot and elsewhere. Additionally, there is an ever-present need for better constructed dance footwear, including stronger construction of high heel portions, which historically have been prone to breakage.


A system and method are provided for the voice input of a destination using a defined input dialog into a destination guiding system in real-time operation. Devices are included by which an entered voice statement of a user is detected via a voice recognition device, compared with stored voice statements and classified according to its recognition probability, and by which the stored voice statement is recognized as the entered voice statement with the highest recognition probability. The stored voice statements assigned to a destination are composed at least of the destination name and at least a regionally limiting additional information unambiguously identifying the destination name. Each destination name is stored with a flag symbol in a first database and each additional information is stored in a second database.

The invention relates to a system and a process for the voice input of a destination into a destination guiding system using a defined input dialog into a destination guiding system.
A system and a process of this type are known, for example, from German Patent document DE 197 09 518 C1. In this known process, several operating functions selectable by voice commands are offered to the user. For each selectable operating function, a lexicon is generated from a general databank, whereby a faster and user-friendlier voice-controlled search for destination addresses is to be permitted. In this case, German Patent document DE 197 09 518 C1 is based on known systems, which require a spelling of the destinations. However, a destination guiding system according to German Patent document DE 197 09 518 C1 also does not provide a user-friendly input possibility because, before a destination input, a voice command is first required for the selection of a desired operating function. Before a destination input, the user has to select the manner by which the destination is input; for example, whether the destination is to be spelled, whether the destination is to be searched by way of a destination area input or whether it is to be searched by way of an input of the destination name. The input of the destination name, for example, requires the search in a lexicon with all destination names. In Germany, such a lexicon would comprise a volume of approximately 60,000 locations. This abundance of stored voice statements can no longer be satisfactorily handled by the known voice recognition systems (usually so-called HMM systems) whose limit for a good speed recognition rate is empirically at approximately 1,000 words.
It is an object of the invention to improve a system and a process of the initially mentioned type with respect to an easier operability and with respect to the above-mentioned limit of known voice recognition systems.
This object is achieved by a system for the voice input of a destination by means of a defined input dialog into a destination guiding system in real-time operation. The system has devices, by which an entered voice statement of a user is detected via a voice recognition device. The entered voice statement is compared with stored voice statements and is classified according to its recognition probability by means of which the stored voice statement is recognized as the entered voice statement with the highest recognition probability. The stored voice statements assigned to a destination are composed at least of the destination name and at least a regionally limiting additional information unambiguously identifying the destination name, each destination name being stored with a flag symbol in a first database and each additional information being stored in a second database. Advantageous further developments of the invention are the objects of the dependent claims.
According to the invention, the stored voice statements assigned to a destination are composed at least of the destination name and at least one regionally limiting additional information, which unambiguously identifies the destination name. Each destination name is stored in a first database and each eligible additional information (without any destination name) is stored in a second database. Each piece of data relating to the destination or each input concerning a destination name in the first database comprises a flag symbol. Such a flag symbol may, for example, be a program-related marker for rapidly finding the piece of data. The marker or the flag symbol preferably characterizes the additional information itself assigned to the respective piece of data.
In this case, the second database is naturally much smaller than the first. Regionally limiting additional information consists, for example, of federal states, regional names, administrative districts, rivers, lakes and/or prominent larger cities. The additional information can preferably be differentiated unambiguously; that is, identical additional information does not exist in the second database. This additional information should be so-called identifiers by which the problem of the ambiguity of identical destination names (such as Münster near Straubing, Münster in Lower Franconia) is also solved. The identifiers are preferably selected such that their number does not exceed the above-mentioned limit for good voice recognition.
This databank structure according to the invention is preferably used such that, after an entered voice statement, the latter is in each case first compared with the identifiers stored in the smaller second database. Only when an identifier is recognized in the second database, will the voice recognition of the destination name be continued. In this case, the entire first database is not searched for the destination name with respect to the entered voice statement but only a partial data stock assigned to the recognized identifier and generated from the first database.
In a third database, prepositions can be stored which are used for separating the destination name and the additional information in an entered voice statement.
At best, the user speaks a phrase as a voice statement which consists of the destination name, a preposition and the additional information. However, it is important to the invention that, at the beginning, the input dialog permits a single word input as well as a phrase input, for example, in the form of the destination name, the preposition and the identifier, or in the form of the destination name and the identifier, as the voice input. After the input of a voice statement, the voice recognition device checks whether at least a part of the voice statement is additional information. The voice recognition devices guide the user, as required, that is, particularly when no part of the voice statement is recognized as additional information, in the further course to the voice input of additional information or to a defined phrase input, by which the voice recognition device can recognize that at least a part of the voice statement is additional information.
The user is flexible in the presentation of his voice statement and does not have to make any manual operating function selection (such as a "a destination area input"). In addition, a learning effect takes place. After repeated use, the user will automatically offer to the system the optimal phrase input in the form of the destination name, the preposition and the additional information.
The entered voice statement is preferably assigned by the voice recognition device to one of at least two input categories. In this case, a first input category is defined as a phrase input when the voice recognition device considers a part of the voice statement to be additional information. A second input category is defined as a single word input when the voice recognition device considers no part of the voice statement to be additional information.
When a part of the voice statement is recognized as additional information, then for the voice recognition of the destination name, the entire database will not be searched with respect to the destination name in view of the entered voice statement. On the contrary, by means of the flag symbols from the first database, a partial data stock is generated which is assigned to the known identifier. The partial data stock can be generated on the basis of an environment list assigned to the identifier. Such an environment list contains all destination names or flag symbols of the destination names which are eligible for the respective identifier. The environment lists can be stored inside or outside of the second database. As an alternative, without the presence of such environment lists, the first database can be searched for the flag symbols characterizing the respectively recognized identifier. Finally, the partial data stock contains at least the data of the destination names required for the voice recognition which are eligible with respect to the identifier. Such destination name data comprise particularly also reference models or principles for establishing reference models for the voice recognition according to processes known from the prior art. Therefore, the entered voice statement, for finding the desired destination name, only has to be compared with the respective dynamically generated partial data stock.
If no destination name was recognized, either an input dialog with a repeated query of the destination name or of the additional information can follow, or a list can be offered for the selection of a destination name (for example, by a reading-out and a voice-controlled operation, by a display on the video screen with a manual selection possibility, or by a display on the video screen and a voice-controlled selection).
When no part of the voice statement is considered to be additional information, a search takes place in the second database for the entire voice statement. The purpose of this approach is a fast search for a destination name which may also be an identical additional information. Preferably, only that additional information in the second database is compared with the entered voice statement which may also represent destination names.
When no additional information is recognized in the second database, the user is requested within the scope of another input dialog to carry out a voice input of an additional information. In this case, either an additional information alone or a phrase input (with additional information) may be requested. The previously entered voice statement is preferably interpreted as the destination name and is stored for the later voice recognition of the destination name.
An entered voice statement is categorized as a phrase input when a part of the voice statement is recognized as a preposition or as an identifier which is preceded by a part of the voice statement.
It is an important aspect of the invention that, independently of the form of the voice input, a first search never takes place in the first database but only in the second database. The first database is used as a basis for dynamically generating a partial data stock as a function of the additional information recognized in the second database. The entire first database is never used for the voice recognition of a destination name itself, but only the partial data stock taken from the first database. If no additional information is considered as being recognized, the input dialog of the voice recognition system guides the user at least to an input of the identifier or to the input of a phrase which, according to the definition, contains an identifier.
The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention.

Speech input into a destination guiding system

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A method of producing a cell mass by three-dimensional culture of primary cancer cells having proliferative ability and properties of handleability, versatility, and high-throughput performance, in which a tumor tissue is used as a starting material, proliferation of cells such as fibroblasts other than cancer cells is inhibited, and the cell mass includes primary cancer cells as a main component. The object is achieved by providing a method of producing a cell mass by three-dimensional culture of primary cancer cells using a tumor tissue, including: a three-dimensional culture step of culturing cells obtained from the tumor tissue in a medium containing a 5% v/v or less extracellular matrix on a substantially low-adhesive cell culture substrate.

Established cancer cells (cancer cell lines) have been conventionally used for a method of evaluating tumor ex vivo. However, it has been pointed out that cancer cell lines have lost the nature of their original tumor due to the homogenization of population and the accumulation of gene mutations as a result of adaptation to an ex vivo environment with long time cell culture. In addition, it has been also pointed out that the limited number of cancer cell lines cannot fully explain the pathological conditions of tumor composed of cancer cells with diverse genetic heterogeneity. Therefore, in order to understand a tumor more correctly, a culture system using primary cells of the tumor has been gaining attention. In addition to a tumor obtained from a patient, a xenograft (patient-derived xenograft, PDX) tumor produced by grafting the tumor to an immunodeficient animal is used.
Basic steps of culturing primary cells of a tumor include physically or enzymatically dispersing an extracted tumor and seeding the obtained dispersed cells with a medium in a culture container, thereby allowing the cells to proliferate in a CO2 incubator (Non Patent Literature 1: Tissue Culture Technology-Basics-(Soshiki Boiyo no Gijutsu-Kisohen-), the 3rd edition, Asakura Publishing Co., Ltd., 1996). In order to improve proliferation of cancer cells or inhibit excessive proliferation of non-cancer cells (especially fibroblasts), cell separation by density gradient centrifugation, coating of a culture container with an extracellular matrix, use of a serum-free medium, cell separation based on differences in sensitivity to trypsin enzymes and antibiotics, and the like have been conducted. However, even with such creative techniques, it is difficult to achieve cancer cell proliferation with high probability, and a more reliable culture method has been desired.
In recent years, a method of three-dimensionally culturing cells has been gaining attention as a method of culturing primary cancer cells. A first example of such a method is the organoid culture method developed by Clevers et al. from the Hubrecht Institute (Non Patent Literature 2: Sato, Toshiro, et al. "Single Lgr5 stem cells build crypt villus structures in vitro without a mesenchymal niche," Nature 459.7244 (2009): 262-265; Non Patent Literature 3: Sato, Toshiro, et al. "Long-term expansion of epithelial organoids from human colon, adenoma, adenocarcinoma, and Barrett's epithelium," Gastroenterology 141.5 (2011): 1762-1772). Organoid culture is a method of forming a cell mass (organoid) by self-organization of adult stem cells. Specifically, adult stem cells are embedded in extracellular matrix gel and cultured in an optimal medium. By applying this technique to primary cancer cells, they have established a method of culturing large bowel cancer (Non Patent Literature 3), prostate cancer (Non Patent Literature 4: Gao, Dong, et al. "Organoid cultures derived from patients with advanced prostate cancer," Cell 159.1 (2014): 176-187), and pancreatic cancer (Non Patent Literature 5: Boj, Sylvia F., et al. "Organoid models of human and mouse ductal pancreatic cancer," Cell 160.1 (2015): 324-338). However, this method requires embedding cells in gel at low temperatures, and thus, lacks high-throughput performance, and is not sufficiently versatile in drug development and the like.
A second example thereof is the 3D-tumor growth assay (3D-TGA) method developed by Molecular Response LLC and others. This method is similar to the first method in that cells are embedded in extracellular matrix gel and cultured using an optimal medium, but is different in that preculture is performed in a culture container coated with an extracellular matrix in the prior step, and grown cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are optionally embedded with cancer cells in extracellular matrix gel (Non Patent Literature 6: Saunders, John H., et al. "Individual patient oesophageal cancer 3D models for tailored treatment," Oncotarget (2016)). This method also requires embedding cells in gel at low temperatures as in the first method, and thus, lacks high-throughput performance.
A third example thereof is the culture method using a non-uniformly dispersed cell mass having a diameter of from 40 to 100 μm (cancer tissue-originated spheroid, CTOS) developed by Inoue et al. from the Center for Adult Diseases (the CTOS method) (Non Patent Literature 7: Kondo, Jumpei, et al. "Retaining cell-cell contact enables preparation and culture of spheroids composed of pure primary cancer cells from colorectal cancer" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108.15 (2011): 6235-6240). Specifically, the obtained CTOSs are seeded on a non-adhesive plate and culture is conducted while suspending the CTOSs using an optimal medium. As cancer cells of CTOSs can proliferate without being embedded in extracellular matrix gel, this method does not require a temperature control operation as compared with the first and second methods. However, as the drug sensitivity test requires a complicated step of selecting and arranging CTOSs of a uniform size, high-throughput performance is poor and cancer cells have poor proliferative ability in the method as compared to the method in which cells are embedded in an extracellular matrix. Therefore, the method is insufficient in terms of practical use.
A fourth example thereof is the culture method using a cell culture plate treated for inhibiting adhesion to uniformly dispersed cancer cells developed by Nakatsura et al. from the National Cancer Center (Patent Literature 1: WO2016/047801). Specifically, it is a method in which uniformly dispersed cancer cells are seeded with a medium containing serum at 1% by volume or more on a NanoCulture Plate, which is a three-dimensional culture plate manufactured by ORGANOGENIX, Inc. so as to culture a cell mass. A culture kit (Cancer Organoid Culture Kit) is commercially available from ORGANOGENIX, Inc. As cancer cells can proliferate without being embedded in extracellular matrix gel, this method does not require a temperature control operation as compared with the first and second methods. In addition, since uniformly dispersed cancer cells are used, it is possible to uniformly seed cells without the need for special operations, the method is superior to the third method in terms of high-throughput performance. However, there are only reports using a human lung cancer tumor and a xenograft tumor of breast cancer (Non Patent Literature 8: Sakamoto. Ruriko, et al. "Time-lapse imaging assay using the BioStation CT: A sensitive drug-screening method for three-dimensional cell culture," Cancer science 106.6 (2015): 757-765). In particular, in the xenograft tumor of breast cancer, proliferation of cell mass could not be clearly confirmed, verification of versatility has remained unsatisfactory, and there is a question about practical use.
As described above, in culture of primary cancer cells using a tumor tissue, the certainty of culture performance is increasing because of the use of the three-dimensional culture methods. However, each method is problematic in terms of proliferative ability, handleability, high-throughput performance, versatility, etc. of cancer cells.

Three-dimensional culture of primary cancer cells using tumor tissue


A writing tool having a ring (1) allowing the tool to be worn on a finger (2) immediately ready for writing. The writing tool has a ring-shaped portion (1) for receiving an index finger (2), a guide portion (3) for guiding the tool during writing extending from the ring-shaped portion (1) and a support for a writing instrument (4) such as a pen or pencil extending outward from the end of the guide portion (3). A unique characteristic is the formation of the finger mounting ring (1) at an oblique angle to guide portion (3) to allow comfortable, proper positioning on the finger (2) when writing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a writing tool having a ring for inserting it on a finger to easily write while continuing some other action such as playing golf, touching the keys of a computer, turning over a chit, a slip, etc.
2. Background Information
Heretofore, this inventor invented a writing tool as shown in FIG. 6 of Patent Laid Open No. 7-214981 having ring part 1 for inserting on a finger 2, guide part 3 extending from ring part 1, and writing part 4 extending out of the end of guide part 3. Ring part 1 extends at right angles to guide part 3. However, ring part 1 does not adapt well to a finger, especially when an articulating finger is bent, ring part 1 presses against finger 2, causing difficulty in writing.

Writing tool with a ring for mounting on a finger


A film cassette comprises a light-shielding door for preventing ambient light from entering the cassette interior, a film spool supported for rotation in film unwinding and film winding directions, and a locking device supported for movement into engagement with the spool to secure the spool and out of engagement with the spool to release the spool. According to the invention, the door is supported for closing movement to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and for opening movement, and includes a cam for moving the locking device into engagement with the spool responsive to closing movement of the door. Also, the locking device is resilient to permit it to be temporarily deformed should it be obstructed from being moved by the cam to engage the spool and the light-shielding door is forcibly closed, or should it be engaging the spool and the spool is forcibly rotated in the film unwinding and winding directions.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of photography, and in particular to a film cassette containing a film spool about which a filmstrip is coiled. More specifically, the invention relates to a film cassette having a spool lock for preventing rotation of the film spool and a light-shielding door that can be opened to permit film movement out of and back into the cassette interior.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,268 issued May 19, 1992 discloses a film cassette comprising a light-trapping plush for preventing ambient light from entering the cassette interior through a film egress/ingress passageway, a film spool supported for rotation in film unwinding and film winding directions, and a locking pawl supported for movement into engagement with the spool to secure the spool and out of engagement with the spool to release the spool. The spool has a coaxial ratchet wheel with assymmetrically shaped teeth. The locking pawl appears to be a rigid beam member which is pivotally mounted at one end and has an assymmetrically shaped detent portion at an opposite end. A curved spring arm portion of the locking pawl extends from the end of the rigid beam member that has the detent portion, to bias the detent portion to between any two adjacent ones of the teeth in order to secure the spool. To remove the detent portion from between the two adjacent teeth, an engagement release portion of the locking pawl is turned to pivot the rigid beam member against the contrary urging of the spring arm portion. The engagement release portion then is held in the turned-to position to maintain the detent portion separated from the ratchet wheel. When the engagement release portion is released, the spring arm portion is free to pivot the rigid beam member to return the detent portion to between any two adjacent ones of the teeth in order to re-secure the spool.

Film cassette with spool lock and light-shielding door


An electronic device including a casing, an optical fiber connector and a protecting cover is provided. The case includes an opening and a first engaging member. The optical fiber connector is disposed in the opening. The protecting cover is disposed at the opening and includes a second engaging member movably engaged with the first engaging member so that the optical fiber connector is exposed or shielded by the protecting cover. An optical fiber connector having a connecting port, a first engaging member and a protecting cover is further provided. The first engaging member is disposed besides the connecting port. A second engaging member of the protecting cover is movably disposed at the first engaging member so that the protecting cover exposes or shields the connecting port. The protecting cover is capable of fixing an optical fiber cable and shielding a light emitted from the optical fiber connector.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to an optical fiber connector and an electronic device and more particularly, to an optical fiber connector and an electronic device with a protecting cover for the optical fiber connector.
2. Description of Related Art
When a commercially available optical fiber router is connected with power, an optical fiber connector emits light; however, the light with high brightness may probably cause harm to eyes if a person gazes at the light emitted from the optical fiber connector. At present, when the optical fiber connector is not in use (i.e., the optical fiber connector is not connected with an optical fiber cable), a dedicated plug or plastic cover is inserted therein to shield an opening of the optical fiber connector to shield the light. However, the plug or plastic cover has to be detached every time when the optical fiber cable is to be plugged in, while the electronic device itself has no place or space dedicated for accommodating the plug or plastic cover, which leads to high risk of mislaying the plug or plastic cover. Moreover, the currently available optical fiber connector is fixed with the optical fiber cable only through the connection with the optical fiber cable, such that the optical fiber cable is easily detached and cannot be fixed securely.

Optical fiber connector and electronic device


A measuring device is proposed whose sensors (12) and circuit holders (14) are combined into a compactly structured measuring device (10). This measuring device (10) has a console (11), which is used for containing circuit holders (14) and sensors (12). The measuring device (10), which can be fastened anywhere and is therefore easily accessible, permits a relatively short, direct line routing and consequently, to the greatest extent possible, prevents the accumulation of function-impairing air cushions in the measuring circuits, particularly in pressure measurements. specially embodied bushings (35) that are connected in an airtight fashion to the measuring cells (30) of the pressure sensors (12) reduce the interior space of the cup-shaped pressure sensors (12) so that air cushions are also to a large extent prevented in these components.

The invention is based on a measuring device. Measuring devices are used for example in brake systems of motor vehicles, which are electrohydraulically actuated or regulated. Known applications are antilock brake systems or brake systems without mechanical coupling between the brake actuation pedal and the master cylinder.
The main parameters for regulating these electrohydraulic brake systems are the operating pressures that occur in the brake circuits. These can be detected by brake sensors, converted into electrical signals, and, together with other sensors signals, can be processed in a control unit into control signals for the brake assembly. This requires a relatively large number of individual parts, which must be separately fastened and connected by way of hydraulic or electric lines. When routing hydraulic lines, in particular a possible production of air cushions in the measuring circuits must be prevented because air conditions of this kind can cause incorrect measurements and in the extreme case, can lead to malfunctions of the brake system. A production of air cushions is particularly encouraged when conventional, inexpensive pressure sensors with cup-shaped measuring cells are used.
In keeping with these objects, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated in a measuring device, in which at least one sensor and at least one circuit holder are combined into a measuring unit with the aid of a console.
A measuring device with these characterizing features has the advantage over the prior art of a measuring device that is combined into a separate assembly, which in particular can be fastened to the hydraulic block of a brake assembly and as a result, has a relatively compact structure. The necessary electric and hydraulic line routing from or to the measuring device can therefore take place in a comparatively short and direct manner so that to a large extent, hollow chambers that are not flowed through in the measuring circuits can be prevented. Also, the hollow chambers required by the cup-shaped embodiment of the pressure sensors are reduced to an obligatory minimum in the measuring device according to the invention. The measuring device has a particularly embodied console with recesses for the sensors and the circuit holders. As a result, the console also protects these sensitive components against mechanical and thermal stresses. The measuring device is also easily accessible when serviced and can be replaced with a small number of operations and using a standard tool.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the subsequent description.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view that shows a first exemplary embodiment of a measuring device,
FIG. 2 shows the measuring device according to FIG. 1 in a cross section along the cutting line IIxe2x80x94II in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment;
FIGS. 4 and 5 show cross sections along the line IVxe2x80x94IV in FIG. 3, which disclose different possibilities for routing the measuring tube to the sensors.

Measuring device for brake system of motor vehicle


A method for determining beginning and end nodes in a FALSP, applied to a multilayer network using an higher-layer signaling triggering model to establish the FALSP is provided, comprising: a path compute element, when a computed service path comprises FALSPs of one or more layers, encapsulating FALSP path information of each layer into a Secondary Explicit Route Object (SERO) respectively to return together with service path information through inquiry response message to a beginning node in a first layer initiating the inquiry; after receiving them, a node in the service path determining whether the node is a beginning node in the FALSP of a layer according to said FALSP path information, if yes, learning that the FALSP is the FALSP of next layer, and determining an end node in the FALSP of the next layer according to FALSP path information of the next layer. A multilayer network is also provided.

With the developing of transport network, the network topology is more and more complicated and the service volume is larger and larger. To meet the requirement of scheduling granularities of different services, ASON (Automatic Switch Optical Network) supports several switching capabilities and service scheduling of different rates under each switching capability. Multilayer network is constituted by the support for the various switching capabilities and different rates under each switching capability, such as the multilayer networks of MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) and GMPLS (Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching).
A Label Switched Path (LSP) is established on a boarder node of a layer. If the LSP is flooded as a Traffic Engineering (TE) link of the higher layer, the LSP is referred to as a FA (Forwarding Adjacency) LSP, and the TE link is referred to as FA (Forwarding Adjacency). Routing adjacency relationship does not exist between end points of FA, but a signaling adjacency relationship exists therein.
The FA LSP may be automatically established or manually established.
The manual way of establishing the FA LSP means to plan and configure well in advance. The most deficiency of the way is that it is not flexible enough and the efficiency of the whole network is not optimal.
To establish automatically, the FA may use three models: a Path Compute Element-Virtual Network Manager (PCE-VNTM) cooperative model, Network Manager System-Virtual Network Manager (NMS-VNTM) cooperative model or higher-layer signaling triggering model. The first two models both introduce VNTM, which may lead to the difficulty of layout, the increasing of content that needs to be coordinated and interchanged, the increasing of the time for LSP establishing and instability.
When the higher-layer signaling triggering model is used, it is difficult for the beginning node on the boarder of the layer to learn the beginning node and the end node in the FA LSP to initiate an establishment of the LSP to the end node in the FA LSP. There is no related resolution now.

Method and system for determining initiator and terminator in forwarding adjacency label switched path


The present disclosure relates to a system for sourcing and sinking power. The system may have a bi-directional system of electrical components configured for placement in electrical communication with a power source and a load. The bi-directional system may further be configured to source AC and DC power from the power source to the load and sink AC and DC power from the load to the power source. The system may further include a high frequency isolation transformer. In some embodiments, the system may have four input/output channels. The bi-directional system of electrical components may include a line filter configured to reduce harmonic content, a line converter configured for converting between AC power and DC power, a load converter configured for converting between AC power and DC power, and a load filter configured to reduce harmonic content.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Various industrial and other applications call for power sourcing and/or power sinking capabilities. Power sourcing may transfer energy from a power source, such as a grid or other power source, to a load, such as a battery for example. Conversely, power sinking may transfer energy form a load to a power source. Various industrial and other applications call for a power supply or source capable of delivering regulated AC and/or DC power to a load. Additionally, in some applications, such as testing applications, there is a need for systems and methods of absorbing, or "sinking" AC and/or DC power from a load. For example, to test a generator or power supply, a load may be used to sink power from the power supply. Power sinking may also be used for returning power to a utility grid. For example, in the field of solar power, energy from solar cells may be put onto the grid with an inverter. Some conventional power sinking devices or systems operate with a resistive load, which may be inefficient by losing energy in the form of heat, for example. In some applications, there is the need to alternately both source and sink power. For example, in the field of energy storage, a battery load may be charged from a power source, and alternatively discharged back to the power source.

Interface system for supplying and/or sinking energy


A new and improved video order confirmation method and system that is adapted for use with a point-of-sale terminal and an audio order confirmation station to facilitate customer throughput. The video order confirmation system and method includes a point of sales terminal for receiving order input information from an order taker in response to order requests from a customer, and a video confirmation order terminal to facilitate order confirmation by the customer. The order confirmation terminal includes a free standing terminal housing having a microprocessor and display unit mounted therein for translating order items entered by an order taker at the point-of-sales terminal, into pixel images indicative of the description of the item ordered, the quantity of the item ordered, the unit price of the item ordered, the total price of the item or items ordered, and the accumulated total of all items ordered at any given time during the order process. For the purpose of protecting the display unit from vandalism, the system further includes a remote controlled motorized security shield that covers the display unit during non business hours.

There are many different types and kinds of order confirmation systems that help facilitate customer throughput. In this regard, such prior known systems include both audio and visual systems that help facilitate the processing of customer orders.
For example, in a typical large modern super market, a customer brings his or her order to a check out stand for processing by an order checker. The order checker causes each item selected by the customer to be scanned by a bar-code reader coupled to a point of sales terminal. As each item is scanned, the point of sales terminal displays on a display device a brief description of the item and its price for confirmation by the customer. In this regard, if the customer believes the displayed price is inaccurate a price check can be immediately requested to verify the correctness of the displayed item and price.
At the conclusion of the order processing, the checker verbally confirms with the customer that the order is complete. If the order is completed, the checker causes the point of sales terminal to display the total price of the customer order for verification and payment by the customer. Thus, the displaying of the price of individual ones of the items in combination with the use of a high speed bar code reader helps facilitate both accuracy and customer throughput.
Another example of a order confirmation system is found in today's fast-food restaurants. In this environment, the customer views a menu board which displays the names and prices of the various available food items. The customer then selects the items desired and verbally informs an order-taker of his or her selections. As each item is announced by the customer, the order taker depresses a keypad on a food item keypad selection device coupled to a point of sale terminal, which in turn, causes the name of the item and its associate price to be displayed on a display bar for verification by the customer. If the customer has placed his or her order from a drive-up station, the order taker must repeat each item ordered over a full-duplex communication system for customer verification purposes.
When the customer has completed his or her order, the order taker depresses a total sales button on the food item keypad device, which in turn, causes the total price of the order to be displayed for verification and payment by the customer. Again, if the customer is at a drive-up station, the order taker must announce the total price to the customer for verification purposes. Thus, like the point of sales terminal in a super market, the displaying of the name of the individual items and their associated prices at the point of sales terminal in a fast food restaurant also helps facilitate customer verification of order accuracy and price to improve customer throughput.
Although prior known point of sales systems have improved customer throughput, they have not proven entirely satisfactory. In this regard, once an item has been displayed for customer verification, the displayed item is removed and immediately replaced from the display unit as soon as another item is scanned or entered by an order taker. Thus, the customer must constantly direct his or her attention to the display unit at all times or suffer losing the window of opportunity for item and price verification.
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved order confirmation system that enables a customer to verify the accuracy of each item ordered at all items while the order is being placed and until the entire order has been approved.
Another problem with prior known systems has been the loss of time associated with correcting a customer's order during the order taking process. For example, in a fast food restaurant environment, a customer may not have a sufficient amount of money to pay for the food items ordered or may not have heard the order taker when he or she repeats the item ordered for customer verification purposes. Thus, at the end of the order taking process, the customer may need to cancel one or more items, if the item requested was not properly ordered or if the total price of the order exceeds the funds available to the customer.
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved order confirmation system that enables a customer to verify not only the individual item and prices of the items ordered, but also the total accumulated charges incurred during the ordering process.
Thus, while such prior known systems may have helped to improve order accuracy and customer throughput, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved method and order confirmation system that provides a customer with a visual verification of his or her entire order and that also eliminates the need for an order taker to repeat and verify the order placed by the customer.
Such a new and improved order confirmation system should also be adapted for use with both point-of-sale terminals and audio order stations to facilitate customer throughput regardless of whether the order is placed at an order point within a business establishment, such as at a check out station at a super market, or outside a business establishment, such as at a drive through order station at a fast food restaurant.

Order confirmation system and method of using same


Provided are resistive materials for a microbolometer, a method for preparation of resistive materials and a microbolometer containing the resistive materials. The resistive materials for the microbolometer include an alloy of silicon and antimony or an alloy of silicon, antimony and germanium, which has a high TCR and a low resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to resistive materials for a microbolometer, a method for preparation of resistive materials, and a microbolometer containing the resistive materials, and more particularly to using an alloy of silicon and antimony or an alloy of silicon, antimony and germanium as resistive materials for a microbolometer.
This work was supported by the IT R&D program of MIC/IITA [2006-S-054-02, Development of multifunctional sensor technology of CMOS-based micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) for Ubiquitous].
2. Discussion of Related Art
To sense infrared, various methods are used according to infrared wavelength ranges to be sensed.
To sense near infrared, a photon-type infrared sensor is used. The photon-type infrared sensor, which uses a photovoltaic effect of a semiconductor to sense a photon due to absorbed infrared, has advantages of good sensitivity and short response time. However, the photon-type infrared sensor has a defect of requiring a cryogenic cooling system when operating at the highest sensitivity.
On the other hand, in the case of a sensor of sensing mid or far infrared, a device capable of sensing heat generated by infrared has been generally used. The infrared sensor capable of sensing heat is classified into a bolometer type, a thermocouple type, and a pyroelectric type according to sensing method. Although the heat-type infrared sensor has lower sensitivity and longer response time than the photon-type infrared sensor, it has attracted attention for its aptness for minimization and various applications since the heat-type infrared sensor does not need the cryogenic cooling system. Generally, such a no-cooling infrared sensor senses an infrared wavelength that ranges from 8 to 14 microns. To manufacture the no-cooling infrared sensor, a substrate and a multilayer membrane structure having a certain thickness (i.e., a thickness corresponding to a quarter of a center wavelength) are needed. Such a membrane includes an absorbing layer, an insulating layer, a resistive layer, an electrode layer, etc. Among them, the resistive layer may govern the performance of the microbolometer.
At the present time, vanadium oxide is most used resistive material for the microbolometer. V2O5 and VO2 are the most commonly used compositions. Between them, VO2 is employed as the resistive material for the microbolometer.
Vanadium oxide shows various values of a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) according to oxygen content and metal components used in doping. If VO2 whose oxygen content is properly adjusted is used as the resistive material, it is known that a TCR is approximately −2 to −4% K. Further, it is also known that there is little Johnson noise since a fabricated thin film has relatively low resistance, and noise due to frequency variation is very low.
Generally, a sputtering method is used for producing vanadium oxide. In the case of VO2, it is very difficult to precisely adjust the composition. Because of such process characteristics, it is very hard to apply a semiconductor batch process to a matching process with a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) structure.
Meanwhile, to overcome the difficulty in the process using vanadium oxide, research into a microbolometer that employs amorphous silicon as the resistive material has been carried out. However, the resistive material of amorphous silicon shows a TCR lower than that of vanadium oxide, and a high resistance having an effect on noise when a signal is reproduced. In the case of the microbolometer produced by Texas Instrument Incorporated and L-3 Company, it has been reported that the resistance thereof reaches 10 to 30 MΩ if the thickness of amorphous silicon ranges from 100 to 200 nm. However, such a resistance causes 1/f noise, and thus the performance of the microbolometer is deteriorated. Further, a low resistance allows a higher degree of freedom when designing a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) for processing a signal generated by the infrared sensor.
Accordingly, the present invention proposes a silicon alloy, which lowers the resistance while maintaining the TCR close to that of vanadium oxide, as the resistive material for the microbolometer

Resistive materials for microbolometer, method for preparation of resistive materials and microbolometer containing the resistive materials

Electronics and Telecommunication Research Institute


An information-holding unit is provided which can minimize increase in cost and which can increase storage capacity as a whole without changing information transferring time. The information-holding unit comprises a plurality of RFID tags with desired specific information stored therein, and a tool holder as a mounting body for mounting these plural RFID tags.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information-holding unit on which information carriers with specific information stored therein are mounted.
2. Description of the Related Art
An information-holding unit has been used and made by mounting, on various articles, an information carrier such as a magnetic card, an IC (integrated circuit) card, a bar code, or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) that stores specific information about such articles. Systems that use such information-holding unit, for example, for identification, collating, management, or conveyance of the above-mentioned articles, are employed in wide-ranging areas such as distribution, FA (Factory Automation), and medical care.
Recently, a non-contact automatic identification system that utilizes RFID techniques capable of reading, without any contact, an IC chip as the information carrier, on which information is written, has been widely used, for example, in product assembly and conveying line systems, inspection lines, product management, product inventory and order management, work information management, and tool management. For example, at manufacturing plants or other locations, the non-contact automatic identification system is used to attach IC chips to tools for machine tools, to prevent errors in attaching the tools to the machine tools, to improve efficiency in arrangement, to register offset information automatically, and to conduct location management. Moreover, PC networks are utilized to share information about manufacturing plants (or job sites), thereby enhancing the efficiency and quality of the production and accumulating processing know-how.
Since the conventional information carrier is generally constructed by mounting one information carrier on an article, if the desired amount of information to be stored is large, one of the possible methods is the method of increasing the storage capacity of the information carrier or having the information carrier carry a code and drawing necessary information from an information server.
However, if the storage capacity of the information carrier is increased, it brings about the drawbacks that it will become expensive and will require longer information transferring time (or time required for sending/receiving information).
In the case of the RFID, the dominant type of RFID saves power in an IC chip by using high-frequency waves to be transmitted as a power source and operates with the saved power as the power source. This type of RFID has the drawback that if the storage capacity of the information carrier is increased, the required driving power should also be increased.


The present invention relates to a flooring system base unit (1), made of a resilient material, and comprising a first portion (3) having a first surface (4) which, in use, contacts the floor to cover, and a second surface (5), opposite to said first surface (4), a second portion (7) set above said first portion (3), at least one space (9) provided on said second surface (5) of said first portion (3) and provided by a side edge of said second portion (7), anchoring means provided through said first and second portions (3, 7) to anchor said base unit (1) to the floor to cover.

It is well known that sport grounds are generally covered by synthetic material or by a wood inlaid flooring to provide a surface with suitable properties for players and sportsmen.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,562,990 discloses a flooring construction comprising a flooring laid over sleeper sections, the sleepers being secured on the concrete by means of metallic retainers and nails. However such a flooring system presents the drawback of having poor rebounding or shock-absorbing properties.
Resiliency is typically obtained by implementing a shock absorption device under a base flooring. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,526 discloses a portable hardwood floor system of interconnected floor sections mounted on a resilient pad comprising a glide member located below the pad. The floor system has thus a dimensional stability and resiliency. Furthermore, the glide member is slidable to enhance maneuverability in positioning and aligning the floor sections to facilitate interconnectable floor sections. The glide member also protects the portable floor section during frequent handling.
Regarding anchored flooring, U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,675 discloses a structure having vertical restraints secured to a base in parallel relationship to each other and the restraints have outwardly directed flanges, parallel spaced apart struts positioned under the flanges and transverse to the vertical restraints, a resilient upward biasing means secured under the struts so that the struts are resiliently engaged with the outward directed flanges of two adjacent vertical restraints, parallel spaced apart nailers secured transversely to the top surface of the struts and parallel to the vertical restraints, and a wood flooring secured transversely to the nailers. The spaced apart relationships or the struts and nailers provide a ventilated subfloor. The spaced apart relationships of the vertical restraints, struts and nailers permits the "tuning" of the subfloor by modifying the size and spacing of the subfloor components to effect changes in the measurable properties of the floor.


Systems and methods for providing machine-readable symbol readers that make reading difficult direct part marks simple for a user. A dark field illuminator may generate grazing incidence radiation (e.g., less than 45 degrees, less than 30 degrees, less than 20 degrees) in a plane which is tilted with respect to a plane which is normal to an optical axis of the machine-readable symbol reader. Such configuration provides a reading system which is relatively less affected by unwanted scattering caused by irregularities of a surface marked with a machine-readable symbol. Generally, during use users attempt to scan a machine-readable symbol by positioning the front end of the machine-readable symbol reader “head on” or parallel to the marked surface. By providing a front end which is tilted at an angle other than perpendicular with respect to the optical axis, the user is automatically guided to scan machine-readable symbols at an optimum angle.

Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to machine-readable symbol readers.
Description of the Related Art
Machine-readable symbols encode information in a form that can be optically read via a machine-readable symbol reader or scanner. Machine-readable symbols take a variety of forms, the most commonly recognized form being the linear or one-dimensional machine-readable symbol. Other forms include two-dimensional machine-readable symbols such as stacked code symbols, area or matrix code symbols, or digital watermarks. These machine-readable symbols may be made of patterns of high and low reflectance areas. For instance, a one-dimensional or barcode symbol may comprise a pattern of black bars on a white background. Also for instance, a two-dimensional symbol may comprise a pattern of black marks (e.g., bars, squares or hexagons) on a white background. Machine-readable symbols are not limited to being black and white, but may comprise two other colors or two different reflective property areas, and/or may include more than two colors (e.g., more than black and white). Machine-readable symbols may also include human-readable symbols (e.g., alpha, numeric, punctuation).
Machine-readable symbols are typically composed of elements (e.g., symbol characters) which are selected from a particular machine-readable symbology. Information is encoded in the particular sequence of shapes (e.g., bars, dots) and spaces which may have varying dimensions. The machine-readable symbology provides a mapping between machine-readable symbols or symbol characters and human-readable symbols (e.g., alpha, numeric, punctuation, commands). A large number of symbologies have been developed and are in use, for example Universal Product Code (UPC), International Article Number (EAN), Code 39, Code 128, Data Matrix, PDF417, etc.
Machine-readable symbols have widespread and varied applications. For example, machine-readable symbols can be used to identify a class of objects (e.g., merchandise) or unique objects (e.g., patents). As a result, machine-readable symbols are found on a wide variety of objects, such as retail goods, company assets, and documents, and help track production at manufacturing facilities and inventory at stores (e.g., by scanning objects as they arrive and as they are sold). In addition, machine-readable symbols may appear on a display of a portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, laptop computer, or other device having an electronic display. For example, a customer, such as a shopper, airline passenger, or person attending a sporting event or theater event, may cause a machine-readable symbol to be displayed on their portable electronic device so that a merchant (e.g., via a merchant-employee) can read the machine-readable symbol via a machine-readable symbol reader to allow the customer to redeem a coupon or to verify that the customer has purchased a ticket for the event.
Machine-readable symbol readers or scanners are used to capture images or representations of machine-readable symbols appearing on various surfaces to read the information encoded in the machine-readable symbol. One commonly used machine-readable symbol reader is an imager- or imaging-based machine-readable symbol reader. Imaging-based machine-readable symbol readers typically employ flood illumination to simultaneously illuminate the entire machine-readable symbol, either from dedicated light sources, or in some instances using ambient light. Such is in contrast to scanning or laser-based (i.e., flying spot) type machine-readable symbol readers, which scan a relative narrow beam or spot of light sequentially across the machine-readable symbol.
Machine-readable symbol readers may be fixed, for example, readers may be commonly found at supermarket checkout stands or other point of sale locations. Machine-readable symbol readers may also be handheld (e.g., handheld readers or even smartphones), or mobile (e.g., mounted on a vehicle such as a lift vehicle or a forklift).
Imaging-based machine-readable symbol readers typically include solid-state image circuitry, such as charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices, and may be implemented using a one-dimensional or two-dimensional imaging array of photosensors (or pixels) to capture an image of the machine-readable symbol. One-dimensional CCD or CMOS readers capture a linear cross-section of the machine-readable symbol, producing an analog waveform whose amplitude represents the relative darkness and lightness of the machine-readable symbol. Two-dimensional CCD or CMOS readers may capture an entire two-dimensional image. The image is then processed to find and decode a machine-readable symbol. For example, virtual scan line techniques for digitally processing an image containing a machine-readable symbol sample across an image along a plurality of lines, typically spaced apart and at various angles, somewhat like a scan pattern of a laser beam in a scanning or laser-based scanner.
Direct part marking (DPM) is a process for imprinting a machine-readable symbol directly on an item or surface in a permanent manner instead of printing the symbol on a paper label that is adhered or attached to a surface. The intent is to create a permanent identifier for the item. In some applications, 2D machine-readable symbols are used in DPM technology. The use of DPM technology is becoming increasingly popular in many applications as manufacturers are required to trace their products from beginning to end throughout the supply chain. This tracking ability needs to endure regardless of the size of the symbol, the surface material involved, or where a component might be shipped to on a global basis. The main benefit of DPM technology is its durability. The permanent nature of the marking assures that the item can be identified throughout its full life cycle and throughout the supply chain, even while being exposed to harsh environmental conditions.
In many cases, machine-readable symbols marked with DPM technology are used to identify and track unique items such as spare parts or components. Another important benefit of DPM technology is that DPM technology allows the marking of very small codes in limited spaces where a standard label cannot be applied. The high variability of the surface material (metal, plastic, glass, etc.) and the reduced size of the symbols marked with DPM offer unique challenges to the device used to read the machine-readable symbols. For DPM technology to be successful in providing traceability and increased operational efficiency, multiple factors need to be considered before choosing DPM technology as the right solution for lifetime product traceability.
DPM technology may be suitable for various industries. While the use of machine-readable symbols marked with DPM technology were first adopted by the automotive sector, the popularity of DPM technology has spread to aerospace, defense, electronics and computers, healthcare, raw materials, jewelry and more. Machine-readable symbols marked with DPM can be implemented on different surfaces and materials including plastic, metal, wood, rubber, leather, glass, etc. The use of 2D symbols provides the capacity to encode a large amount of data in a very limited space. Indeed, manufacturers use DPM technology to enhance the supply chain traceability of car components, medical tools, weapons and defense equipment, fine jewelry, electronic parts or any application where there is the need to experience harsh chemical treatment, endure extreme conditions of moisture or temperature, include high-value assets or items that need to be identified throughout their lifetime.
There are multiple methods for directly marking objects, including laser etching, chemical etching, dot peening, and ink jet printing, for example. Each of these methods has specific advantages and disadvantages in terms of durability, cost and ease of reading.
Laser etching may be the most widely used method because it is applicable to many different materials while offering good marking qualities. This technique does not involve the use of inks, nor does it involve tool bits which contact the engraving surface. However, laser etching affects the material being marked, creating a change of the material characteristics through the interaction with a laser beam. By turning the laser on and off, the laser beam draws or etches the machine-readable symbol on the surface of the material. Depending on the laser strength, the surface changes are affected by ablation, engraving, color change, annealing or surface oxidation.
Chemical etching includes masking to limit the affected area. In some situations, chemical etching may be achieved via multiple manufacturing processes to apply the mask, etch the symbol, and remove the mask.
Dot peening, also known as point of percussion technology, includes a series of mechanical percussions done by a machine and a needle called "peen." Impressions or recesses are made at specific locations modifying the depth of the surface which creates differences in the light reflection and diffusion which is needed to identify light and dark elements of the symbol. This technology is generally considered the most durable solution.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the various shapes of recesses obtainable by dot peening. In a top row of FIG. 1, three marking pins 10, 12 and 14 for a dot peen system are shown. The middle row of FIG. 1 provides a schematic top plan view of recesses 22, 24 and 26 generated by the marking pins 10, 12 and 14, respectively. The bottom row of FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of the recesses 22, 24 and 26.
The marking pins 10, 12 and 14 include respective cone-shaped tips 16, 18 and 20 which have opening angles of 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees, respectively. As shown in the middle row of FIG. 1, the marking pin 10 generates the recess 22 which has a diameter D1 and a marking depth or height H1, the marking pin 12 generates the recess 24 which has a diameter D2 and a height H2, and the marking pin 14 generates the recess 26 which has a diameter D3 and a height H3. As shown, D1 is less than D2, which is less than D3. Further, H1 is greater than H2, which is greater than H3. Thus, by selecting the particular shape of the marking pin, the diameter and marking depth may be adjusted to be suitable for a particular application.
As shown in the bottom row of FIG. 1, the tip 16 of the marking pin 10 generates the recess 22 and a raised ring or rim 34 surrounding a valley 40. Similarly, the tip 18 of the marking pin 12 generates the recess 24 and a raised ring or rim 36 surrounding a valley 42, and the tip 20 of the marking pin 14 generates the recess 26 and a raised ring or rim 38 surrounding a valley 44.
Ink jet printing includes projecting ink onto the surface of the items, and producing a pattern of spots constituting the symbol by ink deposit. While this process is not suitable for harsh environments, the advantage of this technology is that it can be used on all types of surfaces and eliminates the need for a paper label.
Yet, the use of imaging readers, especially handheld readers, for reading DPM codes on workpieces has proven to be challenging. Contrast is still often less than desirable. Ambient lighting conditions are variable. Illumination from on-board illuminators or illumination light sources is directed at variable angles. Reflections from ambient light sources and illumination light sources often appear in the field of view of the reader as hot spots, glare, or specular reflections of intense, bright light that saturate the imagers, thereby degrading reading performance.
In addition, aiming the handheld imaging readers at the DPM codes, prior to reading the DPM codes, has proven to be difficult. Requiring an operator to aim the reader at the DPM codes makes the process of locating and decoding the DPM codes faster and easier. Unlike machine-readable codes printed in one color (for example, black) on paper of another color (for example, white), DPM codes are typically difficult for a human operator to even find on the workpieces, which often have complicated, e.g., non-planar, curved, reflective surfaces, to further complicate finding the DPM codes and aiming the reader directly at the DPM codes for reading.

Dark field illumination system obtained in a tilted plane


An image data processing machine implementing image processing of image data input with different resolution values in consideration of resolution and qualities of image outputs. A digital reproduction apparatus incorporating the image data processing machine retrieves correction data stored in advance on an objective pixel by a memory block according to pattern code information generated by a pattern recognition mechanism as an address and renders the correction data to be multi-valued. The memory block converts image data from binary to multi-value, in which the process of data conversion is different between a first case of image data output with the same resolution as input data and a second case of image data output with an arbitrary resolution at least twice higher, and which image data are output with a variable power of two in the direction of 2×H times pixel increase with respect to a pixel composition of fully white and fully black pixels of Y-bit multi-valued input binary image data by a multiple density mode image pattern generator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to image data processing machines, and more specifically to an image data processing machine for implementing image processing of input image data with different resolution values in consideration of the resolution and qualities of image outputs and for attaining improvements in image quality through minimal processing steps and at reduced costs.
2. Discussion of the Background
In increasingly versatile image data processing machines such as digital duplication apparatuses and other similar apparatuses, several improvements have been made on image qualities. For example, the improvements in image qualities have been carried out with respect to image data expanded into a bitmap through correcting jaggies (or jagged edges) on contour lines of the images.
Some of the correction processes have been disclosed previously so as to reduce to the utmost the amount of required data that are stored in advance in a memory, and to carry out in a reduced period of time by a microprocessor and other devices through process steps as simple as possible to discriminate pixels to be corrected and determine correction data on the pixels discriminated to be corrected.
The correction processes include the methods that are briefly summarized as follows.
Namely, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications No. 5-207282 and 2000-236446 disclose image data processing carried out by recognizing a line segment feature of a boundary between a black pixel region and a white pixel region in image data expanded into a bitmap, replacing characteristics of the thus recognized line segment feature for respective necessary pixels with plural-bit pattern code information, discriminating whether the pixels are required to be corrected utilizing at least a portion of the pattern code information, and making corrections to the pixels discriminated as required to be corrected according to the code information.
In addition, an image data processing machine configured to implement the above noted image data processing includes a window for extracting data of respective pixels in a predetermined region centering around an objective pixel among image data expanded into a bitmap; a pattern recognition means for generating pattern code information of plural bits for characterizing the line segment feature concerning the objective pixel after recognizing a line segment feature of a boundary between a black pixel region and a white pixel region in the image data based on the data extracted by the window; a discriminant means, utilizing at least a portion of the pattern code information, for discriminating whether the objective pixel is required to be corrected; and a correction data memory for retrieving and afterward outputting correction data stored in advance, according to the pattern code information generated by the pattern recognition means as an address, for pixels discriminated as required to be corrected by the discriminant means.
In addition, the pattern recognition means generates, as the code information for characterizing the line segment feature recognized based on the extracted data, code information including several codes such as a first code for indicating the objective pixel for the pattern recognition as either black or white, a second code for the direction of line segment inclination either upward or downward, a third code for the steepness of the inclination, and a fourth code for the position of the objective pixel with respect to the end pixel of the line segment continuous in the horizontal and vertical direction.
According to such an image data processing method and image data processing machine as described hereinabove, image data processing is carried out by recognizing a line segment feature of the boundary part (for example, a contour line of a character and others) between a black pixel region and a white pixel region in image data expanded into a bitmap, replacing with plural-bit pattern code information for respective necessary pixels, discriminating whether the pixels are required to be corrected utilizing at least a portion of the pattern code information, and making corrections to the pixels discriminated as required to be corrected according to the code information.
In this method, therefore, it becomes unnecessary to generate and store in advance, as a template, all necessary characteristic patterns required to be corrected; and the steps to discriminate pixels required to be corrected and determine correction data for pixels discriminated as required to be corrected are carried out with more ease in a reduced period of time.
In addition, although data smoothing according to different resolutions of input image data has been made previously using each different image correction data, the method of smoothing has required so far a considerable volume of memory for storing image correction data used in the image processing, and the memory volume required for data conversion tends to increase more as data with a lower resolution are converted to data with a higher resolution (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 9-107475).
In those previous methods, therefore, the improvements have been made on image qualities of image data expanded into a bitmap through correcting jaggies on contour lines of the images with the data to be stored being reduced to the utmost and in a reduced period of time. In addition, output images with high quality have been provided based on resolution information on input image by selecting a method of suitably processing the image data at least in the case of no account of different values of resolution.


An LED signal using a novel optical element to control the light distribution of a small LED light source. Light emitted by the LEDs illuminates the optical element. The optical element has a plurality of clusters, shaped along the x-, y- and z-axis to control the light. After the light is distributed, it encounters a second optical surface of the optical element, typically a fresnel surface. The light is controlled by the optical element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to signals, in particular, Light Emitting Diode (LED) Signals. More specifically, the present invention relates to LED signals using a novel optical element to control the light distribution of a small LED light source.
2. Description of the Related Art
LED signals such as LED traffic signals, present numerous advantages over incandescent lamp traffic signals. Use of LEDs provides a power consumption savings and extremely long life compared to incandescent light sources. The long life span of the LED signals leads to improved reliability and lower maintenance costs.
Due to the large number of existing incandescent traffic signals, most LED signals are designed to be retrofit into existing systems originally designed for incandescent lamps. To allow an easy retrofit without requiring significant changes to the preexisting AC power distribution and logic circuits, then LED signal assemblies typically incorporate a power supply to drive the LEDs at a lower, controlled, direct current power level.
Typical LED signals use multiple LEDs to replicate the light output of the incandescent lamp. Multiple LEDs can create a display aspect within which the individual points of light from each LED are discernable. This is undesirable. LED technology is improving. Each generation of LEDs is brighter, requiring fewer LEDs to meet the intensity specification. While fewer LEDs lowers the cost of the signal, it also increases the potential for viewing the LEDs as individual point sources and for having undesirable shadows. To combat this, the present invention utilizes a novel optical element.
Prior art LED traffic signals control the light distribution by using one of three methods: LEDs alone; by combining LEDs with a spreading or distributive cover; and most commonly by collimating the light from the LEDs and then distributing or spreading the collimated light. The spacing and placement of the LEDs is also important to controlling the light in the prior art systems as the optics of prior art systems are dependent on the spacing and placement of the LEDs.
The inventive optical element provides distribution before collimation and is more efficient than prior art methods for LEDs with wide radiation patterns. The signal of the present invention is also more flexible because all the optics are in one part. The light distribution can be changed by changing the optical element. In prior art systems having both a fresnel lens and a distributive cover/shell are used to control the light, changing the light distribution requires changing both the lens and the cover/shell. It is not necessary to also change the shell/cover.

Abstract: Optionally, a lens can be placed over each LED to control the light pattern of the LED. The lens has an entry face to direct the light to a total internal reflection surface on the side, which redirects the light to the exit face. The resulting signal is a uniform, efficient signal.


An optical instrument that includes: an objective lens having an outer convex surface, an inner concave surface, a center, a first optical axis, and a bore cut substantially though the center; a set of objective lenses positioned within the bore and along the first optical axis; a first reflective element disposed along the first optical axis, within a first distance from the convex surface and tilted at a first tilt angle, the first reflective element configured to reflect rays incident along the first optical axis onto a second optical axis; and a second reflective element disposed along the second optical axis and within a second distance from the concave surface, wherein the first tilt angle is selected such that the first and the second distances are minimized.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to optical instruments and more particularly, to optical instruments exhibiting at least two optical paths.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Optical instruments that comprise an objective lens with a bore cut substantially through its center are known in the art. The bore is usually used to accommodate optical and other elements that may be used to establish an alternative optical path other than the optical path associated with the objective lens.
FIG. 1 shows an optical instrument enabling two optical paths that share a common optical axis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the existing art. Optical instrument 10 comprises an objective lens 11 and a set of objective lenses 12 located within a bore cut through substantially the center of objective lens 11 such that the elements of set of objective lenses 12 are located substantially along the optical axis of objective lens 11. Rays coming through objective lens 11 pass through diverging lens 14 and converging lens 15 both located along the optical axis of objective lens 11 and configured, in combination, to produce a first image at plane 16.
Optical instrument 10 further comprises a first reflective element 13 located along the optical axis of objective lens 11 and tilted at an angle being approximately 45° such that rays coming through set of objective lenses 12 are folded onto an optical axis that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of objective lens 11. First reflective element 13 may be physically attached, via support elements (not shown) to a housing (not shown) that accommodates the optical elements of optical instrument 10. The support elements are required since set of objective lenses 12 usually extend further into optical instrument 10 beyond objective lens 11.
A second reflective element 17 is positioned along the optical axis of the folded rays and tilted at an angle being approximately 45° such that the folded rays are folded again onto an optical axis that is substantially parallel to the optical axis of objective lens 11. A set of lens 18 is located along the optical axis of the rays folded by second reflective element 17. The lenses of set of lens 18 are configured to create a second image at plane 19.


A hinge structure including a first shaft, a second shaft and a moving component is provided. The first shaft and the second shaft respectively have a guiding portion and a first screw thread and a second screw thread located at the guiding portion. Each of the first screw threads is connected to the corresponding second screw thread. The moving component is respectively coupled to the two guiding portions. When the first shaft and the second shaft rotate with each other through the moving component to switch between a first state and a second state, the moving component is guided by the first screw threads and the second screw threads to move along a direction parallel to the first shaft back and forth.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to a hinge structure. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a bi-axial hinge structure.
2. Description of Related Art
In modern times undergoing a fundamental society transformation with exploding information, portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, smart phones, tablet computers, or the like, which have the advantages of being portable and convenient for users to receive, transmit or process messages at real-time, are becoming indispensable tools in day-to-day life and work of modern people. Taking a notebook computer as an example, users may operate the notebook computer by mainly using the keyboard, touch panel or mouse, however, along with the smart phones or tablet computers are presented to the public, the operating habit of the modern people when using the portable electronic device gradually changes. Namely, the users use the fingers or styluses to touch the touch display screen of the smart phone or tablet computer, so as to command the host to execute corresponding functions. Therefore, currently, the products that the touch display screen is integrated to the notebook computer are produced, providing users operating items to operate the notebook computer via the keyboard, touch panel, mouse or touch display screen.
Generally, when the user wants to operate the notebook computer by only using the touch display screen, the user may make the first body, in which the touch display screen is disposed thereto, a 360 degrees rotation with respect to the second body, so that the back cover of the first body and the base of the second body are propped against each other. Herein in order that the first body and the second body may rotate a 360 degrees rotation, a bi-axial hinge structure is generally used to connect the first body and the second body. In conventional bi-axial hinge structure, in general, a spur gear, a bevel gear or constant pitch is disposed on the two shafts which are parallelly disposed, and a moving component (e.g., a gear or a ball bearing) is respectively coupled to the spur gear, the bevel gear or the constant pitch of the two shafts. As such, the two shafts may be synchronously rotated, achieving a 360 degrees rotation done to the first body and the second body.
Specifically, mostly, magnetic elements are disposed on the first body and the second body, and the magnetism of the magnetic element of the first body and the magnetism of the magnetic element of the second body are different. Accordingly, if the opening angle of the first body with respect to the second body is equal to 0 or 360 degrees, then the first body and the second body may be fixed via the magnetic attractive force between the abovementioned magnetic elements.