An apparatus having a dot data preparing device for converting original outline data representative of an outline of a character into dot data indicative of image dots to be formed at picture elements which lie within the character outline, when the character outline is superimposed on a coordinated pixel screen wherein the picture elements are defined by parallel x-axis pixel lines and parallel y-axis pixel lines perpendicular to the x-axis pixel lines. The apparatus includes a device for calculating a coordinate value of a maximal or minimal point of a segment of the character outline in an x-axis or y-axis direction, and an outline moving device for moving the outline such that the coordinate value of the maximal or minimal point has a predetermined positional relationship with the pixel lines. The dot data preparing device prepares the dot data, according to the outline data representative of the outline moved by the outline moving device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to an apparatus for converting outline data representative of the outline of characters such as letters and symbols and other visible representations, into dot data representative of image dots to be reproduced so as to collectively define the visible representations in a matrix of dots. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such a data converting apparatus capable of converting the outline data into dot data such that the outlines of the reproduced characters have smoothed curved portions.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Visible representations or characters such as letters, symbols and numerals represented by character data are printed, displayed or otherwise reproduced according to the character data suitably processed by a computer. In this field of data processing, it is widely practiced to use dot data indicative of whether an image dot is to be formed at each of picture elements which are the smallest part of a picture image and which determine the resolution of the reproduced image. If a batch of dot data representative of all the characters available for reproduction is prepared and stored in a character data memory, the memory should have an extremely large storage capacity. It is therefore desirable to store in the character memory a batch of outline data representative of the outlines of the characters, and convert the outline data into the corresponding dot data by suitable data converting means, when the characters are printed, displayed or otherwise outputted. An example of such data converting means is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-41017.
For converting the outline data into dot data as indicated above, the outline of each character represented by the outline data is superimposed on a coordinated pixel screen in which picture elements are defined by a plurality of pixel lines parallel to the X axis and a plurality of pixel lines parallel to the Y axis perpendicular to the X axis. The outline data is converted into dot data such that bits of the dot data are set to indicate the presence of image dots at the picture elements which are located within the outline of a character on the screen, so as to satisfy a predetermined condition. For instance, image dots are placed at the picture elements whose centers lie within the character outline.
The outline of each character consists of two or more straight or curved segments which represent one or more stroke of the character. However, the number and positions of image dots to be reproduced for a certain stroke of a character according to the dot data prepared by conversion from the outline data may undesirably vary, depending upon the positions of the outline segments defining the character stroke, relative to the pixel screen, i.e., depending upon the position at which the character in question is reproduced. This tendency is high especially for curved strokes of characters (curved segments of the character outlines).
FIG. 6 shows a letter "O" consisting of a stroke whose outline includes an outer loop 46 which consists of four curved segments. These curved segments have maximal and minimal points 11 as viewed in the x-axis and y-axis directions. As shown in the figure, image dots are formed at the picture elements corresponding to the maximal and minimal points 11, while image dots are not formed at the picture elements along the portions of the curved segments which are near the maximal and minimal points 11. This results in discontinuous or rugged external profile of the letter "O", giving an unpleasant appearance of the letter "O" as defined by the image dots formed according to the dot data prepared by conversion from the original outline data. The same phenomenon may occur for an inner loop 47 of the outline of the letter "O", which consists of four curved segments. For example, an image dot may not be formed at the picture element corresponding to each of the maximal and minimal points of the curved segments, while image dots are formed at the neighboring picture elements along the curved segments. The rugged profile of a character is perceived particularly where the width of the character stroke or strokes is relatively small, that is, where the number of the successive image dots which define the character stroke is relatively small. Even for a character having a relatively large stroke width, however, the local presence or absence of image dots at and near the maximal and minimal points of the curved segments of the stroke outline causes an unpleasant appearance of the reproduced character, as if the reproduced character was spotted by dust or dirt at its outline.

Apparatus for converting character outline data into dot data, having means for moving outline segments


The present invention teaches a machine and process that generates music given a set of simple user-specified criteria. The present invention enables music generation wherein a user may specify the duration and tempo of the music to be generated that may then be played or stored for retrieval and use at a later time and does not require the user to be a skilled composer of music. The present invention allows the user to generate music in a very short period of time wherein the music generated by also has beginnings and endings that occur in a manner that is esthetically appropriate. In addition, transitions within the generated music occur in a manner that is esthetically appropriate. Music generated by the present invention also has unique qualities that are desirable to users that use music in their own products or works.

Music is used in a variety of products and works. For example, music is often used in products such as web applications, computer games, and other interactive multimedia products. Music is also often used in other works such as television advertising, radio advertising, commercial films, corporate videos, and other media.
Working with music during the production of products and works that use music can be complicated and time consuming. For example, if the music in use is from a music library, it is of a fixed duration and tempo and therefore requires that the user of the music engage in the time consuming task of editing the music to alter it to fit the requirements of the product or work being produced.
If music is being produced by a composer of music, it is often the case that the producers of the product or work and the composer will engage in several time consuming iterations of producing the music and altering the music before the music fits the requirements of the product or work being produced.
If the music is being produced by a software application, such as those available in the present market that are designed to generate music for use in a product or work, it is often the case that the use of the software application is time consuming, requires extensive musical skill and knowledge, or is limited in it's ability to generate music that meets the requirements of the product or work being produced.
Music generating machines and processes have been invented in the past. Software applications exist that allow skilled composers of music to generate music. The Digital Performer™ software produced by Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. is an example of such software. Also, software applications exist that assist less-skilled composers in generating music. The Soundtrack software produced by Apple™ is an example of such software. Also, software applications exist that allow non-skilled users to generate music. The SmartSound™ Sonicfire™ Pro software produced by SmartSound Software, Inc. is an example of such software and is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,902.
The machines and processes like those noted above have several shortcomings. For example, a user of the machine or process must be a skilled composer of music. This excludes many users who need music but do not have the skills to generate it. A user of the machine or process must spend considerable time to generate the music. This excludes many users who need music but do not have the time required at their disposal. The machine or process is unable to generate music at user specified tempos. The machine or process is unable to generate music that has beginnings, endings, or transitions within the music that are esthetically appropriate.
The present invention is preferable over previous music generating machines or processes for several reasons. The present invention does not require the user to be a skilled composer of music. It allows the user to generate music in a very short period of time. The music generated is of the specified duration if the duration was specified by the user. The generated music is also of the specified tempo if the tempo was specified by the user.
The music generated by the present invention has a musical structure, which is a hierarchy of musical elements. These elements are assembled in a prioritized and sometimes temporally overlapping manner as a function of the user specified criteria. This manner of assembly results in generated music that is composed of sections appropriate for the beginning, middle, and ending of the music, as well as appropriate transitions between those sections. Such appropriate sections define "unique qualities" of the music produced and are referred to as "esthetically appropriate."
Thus, the music generated by the present invention has beginnings and endings, comprised of a hierarchy of unique elements that occur in a manner that is esthetically appropriate. In addition, transitions within and between the generated music elements occur in a manner that is esthetically appropriate as a result of appropriate transitions between those sections.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to teach a machine and process that generates music given a set of simple user-specified criteria.
Another object of the present invention is to enable music generation wherein a user may specify the duration and tempo of the music to be generated that may then be played or stored for retrieval and use at a later time.
It is also an objective of the present invention that the music generated has unique qualities that are desirable to users that use music in their products or works. The generated music should be of the specified duration if the duration was specified by the user. Also, the generated music has esthetic qualities that are desirable to users that use music in their products or works. For example, the generated music has beginnings and endings that occur in a manner that is esthetically appropriate. In addition, transitions within the generated music occur in a manner that is esthetically appropriate.

Machine and process for generating music from user-specified criteria


A system, method and apparatus for incorporating a fiber optic cable into a power cable for an electrical submersible pump is disclosed. The fiber optic components are protected from damage during handling of the cable with pump cable components, such as lead sheaths and jacketing materials. The optical fibers are protected from damage due to corrosive oil well chemicals and gasses, as well as protected from decompression damage.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to power cables and, in particular, to an improved system, method and apparatus for an electrical power transmission cable having an optical fiber cable for an electrical submersible pump or other downhole tools in subterranean applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of electrical tools are used in subterranean applications. For example, electrical submersible pumps (ESP) are used to pump fluids from beneath the earth to the surface. Applications for ESPs and other types of downhole tools include geothermal exploration and development, carbon sequestration operations, and oil and gas wells. Such tools are typically powered by transmission cables that extend a long distance from the surface down into the subterranean borehole where the tool is located.
Power may be transmitted to an ESP by banding a specially constructed, three phase electric power cable to the production tubing. The cable is small in diameter, well protected from mechanical abuse and impervious to deterioration of its physical and electrical properties by the hot, aggressive well environments. Cables are available in a wide range of conductor sizes that permit efficient matching to motor requirements. Such cables can be manufactured in either round or flat configurations, using galvanized steel, stainless steel, or monel armor capable of withstanding the hostile environments of an oil well or water well. Solid or stranded electrical conductor construction may be used.
As described herein, the power cables contain several electrical conductors and, in some applications, also contain a smaller fiber optic cable for communications purposes. However, subterranean environments present extreme operational conditions, including certain types of highly corrosive chemicals and gasses that readily destroy the physical integrity and effectiveness of the fiber optic elements. An improved system, method and apparatus for power transmission cables having optical fiber cables for downhole tools in subterranean applications would be desirable.

System, method and apparatus for power transmission cable with optical fiber for downhole tool in subterranean applications


An assembly having a substrate and at least one component fastened thereon by sintering using a sintering agent, in particular sintering paste. The sintering agent is situated in a recess of the substrate that accommodates at least some areas of the component. A method for producing an assembly having a substrate and at least one component fastened thereon by sintering using a sintering agent, in particular sintering paste. The sintering agent is brought into a recess of the substrate that accommodates at least some areas of the component.

In prior assemblies, during production, the sintering agent is first applied onto the planar substrate. Subsequently, the component is applied onto the sintering agent, or is pressed into the sintering agent; here, adequate pre-fixing of the component is not ensured due to insufficient adhesive properties. The sintering process itself requires application of pressure in order to ensure sufficient contact of the colloids contained in the sintering agent with one another, as well as with the substrate and the component. The pressure is realized using a soft silicone plunger having component-specific impressions. Using the plunger, the assembly made up of the substrate, the sintering agent, and the component is oriented to one another and fixed for the sintering process. The impression of the plunger enables an isostatic/quasi-isostatic application of pressure to the component. However, due to the poor adhesive properties of the sintering paste it is possible for the component to slide out of its provided position before or during the introduction of the pressure force, and/or for a portion of the sintering agent to be squeezed out from the location to be joined and to adhere to the plunger, causing an increased reject rate and carrying off of sintering agent on the plunger.


A method and apparatus of driving a liquid crystal display device is disclosed in the present invention. The liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines crossing the data lines, a plurality of first liquid crystal cells on a first side of the data lines, a plurality of second liquid crystal cells on a second side of the data lines, a first switching part in each of the first liquid crystal cells and controlled by the ith gate line and the (i+2)th gate line (wherein i is a natural number), and a second switching part in each of the second liquid crystal cells and controlled by the ith gate line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus of driving a liquid crystal display device. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for reducing the number of data lines and the number of data driver IC's.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display device controls light transmittance of liquid crystals by using an electric field to display a picture. To this end, the liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a pixel matrix and a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display panel. The driving circuit drives the pixel matrix so that picture information can be displayed on the display panel.
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a related art liquid crystal display device.
Referring to FIG. 1, the related art liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel 2, a data driver 4 driving a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLm of the liquid crystal display panel 2, a gate driver 6 driving a plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLn of the liquid crystal display panel.
The liquid crystal display panel 2 further includes a thin film transistor TFT formed at each intersection of the gate lines GL1 to GLn and the data line DL1 to DLm, and liquid crystal cells connected to the thin film transistors and arranged in a matrix form.
The gate driver 6 sequentially applies gate signals to the gate lines GL1 to GLn in accordance with control signals from a timing controller (not shown). The data driver 4 converts data R, G, and B supplied from the timing controller into video signals as analog signals, and applies the video signals of one horizontal line portion to the data lines DL1 to DLm for each horizontal period when the gate signals are applied to the gate lines GL1 to GLn.
The thin film transistor TFT applies data from the data lines DL1 to DLm to the liquid crystal cells in response to the gate signals from the gate lines GL1 to GLn. The liquid crystal cell is composed of a pixel electrode connected to the TFT and a common electrode facing into each other with the liquid crystal therebetween, thus it can be expressed equivalent to a liquid crystal capacitor Clc. Such a liquid crystal cell includes a storage capacitor (not shown) connected to the previous gate line in order to sustain the data voltage charged in the liquid crystal capacitor Clc until the next data voltage is charged.
In this way, the liquid crystal cells of the related art liquid crystal display panel are located at intersections of the gate lines GL1 to GLn and the data lines DL1 to DLm, respectively. Thus, there are vertical lines formed as many as the data lines DL1 to DLm (i.e., m vertical lines). In other words, the liquid crystal cells are arranged in a matrix to form m vertical lines and n horizontal lines.
As can be seen here, the m data lines DL1 to DLm are required for driving the liquid crystal cells of the m horizontal lines. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage in that the processing time and fabricating cost are not efficient because a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLm are formed for driving the liquid crystal display panel 2 in the related art. Further, there is a problem in that the fabricating cost becomes high because a number of data driver IC's are required in the data driver 4 for driving each of the m data lines DL1 to DLm.

Method and apparatus of driving liquid crystal display device


A bias fabric is provided in that it is in the form of a cloth of length (L) and of finite width (l), being constructed by interlaced yarns (2, 3) extending in respective directions (D and d) that are oblique relative to the length (L), and each of which presents no knotting. The invention is applicable to engineering fabrics based on flat yarns.

The present invention relates to the technical field of weaving, and more particularly it relates to the field of fabric intended for industrial use.
Although such a technical field appears to be the most preferable, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in other fields, and does not exclude furnishing fabrics or clothing fabrics, for example.
In the preferred field, it is known that the disposition of fibers in a fabric has great influence on the performance of the fabric both in terms of strength in one or more preferred directions, and of suitability for fitting closely over surface shape, particularly when such fabrics are used as reinforcement when making a composite material in association with a matrix, e.g. of resin.
Such abilities are recognized and sought out in order to obtain structural engineering parts of more or less complicated shape by means other than conventional machining, embossing, or stamping which are difficult, lengthy, and expensive to perform, and sometimes also difficult to carry out when the material that is to be used, although of suitable strength, constitutes an insurmountable obstacle because of its mass.
At present, the technique of manufacturing composite material parts is particularly suitable for making engineering parts of more or less complex shape that need to present both light weight and good strength.
Merely as an indication, this applies to hulls, floats, rocket fairings, shrouds for drive units, etc.
Once an attempt is made to comply with the constraints required by such a manufacturing technique, it is clear that optimizing structural characteristics necessarily involves ensuring that the reinforcement constituted by the fabric extends in the proper direction(s) so that the fibers can take up the stresses which will subsequently be imposed on the resulting part in or along the appropriate direction.
Similarly, it is necessary to be able to satisfy the requirement for fitting closely to the shape of the part that is to be obtained, which shape is generally represented by a positive or negative mold on or in which the composite material is to be placed so as to reproduce accurately the shape of the pattern.
This ability to fit closely to the shape of the pattern is generally referred to in the art as xe2x80x9cdrapabilityxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9clayabilityxe2x80x9d, which is a quality that an engineering fabric must be capable of presenting in association with the preceding requirements.
All of these reasons mean that as a general rule attempts are made to use a fabric whose individual yarns are not interlaced or crossed in conventional manner whereby some of the yarns, generally referred to as xe2x80x9cwarpxe2x80x9d yarns, extend lengthwise relative to the woven cloth while others, generally referred to as xe2x80x9cweftxe2x80x9d yarns, extend crosswise, i.e. across the width of said cloth.
In practice it is often desirable to be able to have fabrics in which individual yarns extend on the bias relative to the above two fundamental directions, with such bias, although generally xc2x145xc2x0 bias, naturally being capable of being subjected to angular variations that facilitate angular spreading of one of the categories of yarns.
In order to satisfy such a requirement using traditional textile manufacturing techniques, proposals have been made to cut individual strips of fabric at an oblique orientation, e.g. at an angle of 45xc2x0, out from a piece of cloth woven in conventional manner. Each strip can then be referred to as a xe2x80x9cbiasxe2x80x9d fabric suitable for being oriented in such a manner that some of its component yarns are placed parallel to certain stresses to which the final part will be subjected.
Such a method is penalizing in several ways.
Firstly, it is clear that the individual strips of bias fabric produced in this way are of finite length, at best equal to the diagonal of a square corresponding to the width of the woven cloth when the orientation used is xc2x145xc2x0. This gives rise to a large fraction of scrap which is very penalizing on the cost price of bias fabric, in particular if the fiber constituting the yarns is expensive to produce.
Another drawback comes from the fact that it is then necessary to place such cutout strips of bias fabric side by side in order to cover a large area, and more particularly a long length. If a uniform structure is to be obtained, the question which then arises is clearly that of making connections between adjacent edges, where such connections must be made in such a manner as to present the same laying, draping characteristics, and also the same strength as that of the fabric. It must be understood that the proposals which have been made for this purpose do not enable the requirement to be satisfied when the composite material for use as reinforcement can or must be formed as a single layer of engineering fabric embedded in a resin matrix. The only way in which adjacent strips can then be connected is to superpose, at least locally, a plurality of layers of bias fabric to form a kind of sandwich at the adjacent edges, thereby significantly increasing the cost price of the final part and giving it dimensional characteristics and strength characteristics that are locally heterogeneous.
Various other propositions have been made in the prior art in attempts to answer the problem as posed above.
Mention can be made of the method of obtaining bias from a unidirectional fabric made up of warp yarns that are small in number relative to the weft yarns.
Such a technique consists in causing the traditional woven cloth to pass between presser rollers beyond which the cloth is taken up by a take-up roller whose axis is inclined at a given angle relative to the direction of the presser rollers.
In order to ensure that the expected results can be obtained durably, it will be understood that it is necessary to make use of fixing or bonding means in the portion lying between the presser rollers and the take-up roller, e.g. means acting where the yarns cross in order to fix the yarns in the newly-imparted orientation. Whatever the means used, such a requirement leads to the bias fabric having significant stiffness so that it is no longer capable of satisfying the requirement of being easy to drape or to lay.
Furthermore, the method used for fixing generally implies adding a bonding material whose presence can have a harmful effect on subsequent behavior of the fabric where it bonds with the matrix of the composite.
Finally, biasing such a conventional fabric necessarily reduces the width of the piece of cloth as initially produced.
Furthermore, such a method gives rise to a fabric in which only one yarn direction is on the bias, which is not exactly the intended object.
Another proposal in the prior art consists in making a fabric with conventional weft yarns and warp yarns but which is produced in the form of a continuous tubular sheath. The principle then consists in cutting such a sheath along a helical path, e.g. oriented at 45xc2x0, so that a woven sheath is obtained which, once opened and laid out flat, has its yarns oriented on the bias. Such a sheath can be produced using a conventional loom or a circular loom.
That technique can be considered as constituting an advance over the preceding technique, but it nevertheless suffers from certain drawbacks.
These include the reworking operation constituted by cutting out helically, which operation must be performed accurately in order to obtain rectilinear selvages. For this purpose, it is necessary to implement means for holding and cutting out both the tubular sheath and the separated portions thereof, which represent a non-negligible industrial cost.
Another drawback relates to the feed means used for feeding the weft yarns, both with a conventional loom and with a circular loom.
As a general rule, such yarns are fed either from spools or previously-prepared bobbins possessing limited winding capacity which means that they must be changed periodically, with the need to be able to reestablish yarn continuity by butt-joining, knotting, bonding, or other technical means. Such operations are penalizing on production, increase cost price, and require the presence, in the resulting cloth, of means for bonding or knotting yarns, which cannot be considered as providing the final fabric with characteristics that are uniform in terms of thickness, flexibility, and strength.
Unfortunately, the need to replace spools or bobbins occurs relatively frequently, given that they are of a capacity that generally makes it possible to produce only relatively short lengths of cloth on a continuous basis without bonding yarn.
Furthermore, using a conventional loom gives rise to an additional problem which is that which stems from unwinding yarn from a bobbin that does not rotate about its own axis. This inevitably gives rise to the yarn being twisted. Such a technique is thus completely unsuitable when the fabric needs to be made from flat yarns, whether such yarns are single-strand or multifilament. Such a weaving method using flat yarns subjected to twisting destroys not only the uniform nature of the resulting fabric in terms of thickness, but also in terms of strength and in ability to be draped or laid.
Proposals have also been in the prior art to make use of a similar method to obtain bias fabric. It consists in using an open braiding machine which does indeed make it possible to obtain a strip in which the interlaced yarns are oriented on the bias relative to the direction in which the strip is produced.
Conventionally, an open braiding machine has yarn feed provided from spools which rotate on their own axes, such that in this case also the same problems arise concerning changing yarn.
Furthermore, in general and as a practical manner, an open braiding machine is incapable of providing cloth of a width that is sufficiently broad to provide a positive solution to requirements for bias fabric, in particular in engineering applications.
Thus, there is still a need to be able to obtain bias fabric that can be produced continuously while avoiding all of the defects and drawbacks that arise using the technical solutions that are presently known.
A specific object of the invention is to produce such fabric in the form of a sheet of uniform thickness, appearance, and technical characteristics so as to be suitable for use in various fields of application that require good ability to be draped or laid so as to fit over a reference surface or pattern.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for obtaining a bias fabric that can be obtained at a production rate that is relatively high, and at a manufacturing cost that is advantageous, and that can be made equally well using single-strand or single-filament yarns or multifilament yarns of regular, uniform, and/or heterogeneous shape, and even from optionally single-strand yarns or roving that is naturally flat or that has been shaped to become flat, which characteristic needs to be preserved in the structure of the resulting bias fabric.
To achieve the above objects, the bias fabric of the invention is characterized in that it is in the form of a cloth of length (L) and of finite width (l), being constituted by interlaced yarns extending in respective directions that are oblique relative to the length (L), and each of which presents no knotting, even for a cloth of indefinite length (L).
The invention also provides a method of continuously manufacturing a bias fabric of above type, such a method being characterized in that it consists in:
warping a sheet of yarns parallel to a direction (x-xxe2x80x2) by causing them to be taken in charge by first and second transfer means occupying mutually parallel directions (y-yxe2x80x2) at an angle (xcex1) with the direction (x-xxe2x80x2);
progressively building up said sheet by placing the yarns successively along a sheet set-up edge;
moving said yarns by the first and second transfer means through one step in the oblique transverse direction from the set-up edge towards an opposite xe2x80x9ctake-upxe2x80x9d edge;
causing the yarn occupying the take-up edge additionally to be taken in charge by a third transfer means situated at a distance from and parallel to the first transfer means in order to act substantially on the middle portion of said yarn;
opening the sheet to form two half-sheets so as to define a sheet close to the first and the third transfer means;
cutting the set-up yarn brought substantially over the take-up edge substantially in the middle portion thereof;
leaving in place that portion of said yarn that is held by the inlet of the third transfer means and by the outlet of the first transfer means to constitute a yarn of the future cloth;
taking the segment of said yarn that is situated between the third and the second transfer means and inserting it into the shed along a direction perpendicular to the direction (x-xxe2x80x2) from the take-up edge towards the set-up edge so as to constitute a yarn of the future cloth; and
proceeding in the same manner in succession with each yarn brought to the take-up edge while also placing a new yarn along the set-up edge and progressively building up an interlace of yarn segments taken in charge by the first and third transfer means and progressing along the direction (xcex1) that is oblique relative to the direction (x-xxe2x80x2).
Finally, the invention also provides a loom for producing a fabric of the above type, the loom being characterized in that it comprises:
a section for warping a sheet of yarns that are set up in succession parallel to one another from a sheet set-up edge;
first and second handling and transverse transfer means extending obliquely relative to said yarns towards a xe2x80x9ctake-upxe2x80x9d edge of the sheet, said means extending parallel to each other along a direction (xcex1) that is oblique relative to the direction of the yarns, said oblique direction defining the direction in which the cloth is produced;
third means set up at a distance from and parallel to the second means and driven in the same direction as the first two means so as to take in charge the substantially middle portion of the yarn of the sheet that occupies the take-up edge;
a section for opening and closing the sheet to form two half-sheets so as to define a shed upstream from the first and second handling means in the cloth production direction;
means serving firstly to cut the yarn of the sheet that occupies the take-up edge at a point upstream from the third handling means, and secondly to leave a portion of yarn for constituting one of the yarns of the cloth in place between the first and third handling means, while also taking hold of the segment of yarn extending between the cut and the second handling means and inserting it into the open shed; and
means for beating each inserted yarn segment and causing it to be taken in charge by the first and third means which guide the resulting bias fabric.
Various other characteristics can be seen in the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings which show embodiments of the invention as non-limiting examples.

Bias-bound fabric, method for making same and weaving machine for continuously making such a fabric


A managed device obtains an individual certificate with an ID of the managed device when the managed device is in a direct-managed state and determines that the certificate set as the certifying information for communicating with a managing device is a common certificate without an ID of the managed device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a managed device, a management system, a method for controlling a managed device, and a medium containing a program to control a managed device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A managed device connects multiple electronic apparatuses, each having its own communication function such as a client function or a server function, via a communication line, and various management systems can be built using such managed devices.
In building a management system, it is important to confirm when communicating whether a communication counterpart is appropriate, or whether information being transmitted has not been tampered with. Moreover, especially when communicating over the Internet, as information often passes through computers that are unrelated before reaching the communication destination, when transmitting secret information, there is also a demand for making sure that the contents are not viewed secretly. A protocol such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), for example, as a communication protocol to respond to such a demand is being developed and widely used. Using this protocol to communicate combines public key encrypting methods and common-key encrypting methods for authenticating the communication counterpart as well as preventing tampering and tapping by encrypting information. Moreover, even at the communication destination side, a communication originating apparatus that requests communications is authenticated.
Technologies related to authentication using such SSL and public key encrypting are described in Patent Document 1, JP2002-353959A, and Patent Document 2, JP2002-251492A.
Now, a communication procedure for mutually authenticating according to this SSL is described focusing on the authentication process portion. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processes executed in each apparatus when communication apparatuses A and B mutually authenticate according to the SSL, along with information used for the process.
As illustrated in FIG. 28, when mutually authenticating according to the SSL, there is a need to first have a root key certificate, a private key, and a public key certificate stored in both of the communication apparatuses. This private key is a private key issued to each apparatus by a CA (Certificate Authority), while the public key certificate is one such that the public key corresponding to the private key is appended with a digital signature by the CA so as to be set as a digital certificate. Moreover, the root key certificate is one such that a root key corresponding to a root private key used in the digital signature is appended with a digital signature so as to be set as a digital certificate.
FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B illustrate these relationships.
As illustrated in FIG. 29A, a public key A is configured from a main body of the key for decrypting text encrypted using a private key A, and property information that includes such information as the issuer (CA) of the public key and validity. Then, to indicate that the main body of the key and the property information are not tampered with, a hash value obtained by hashing the public key A is encrypted using a root private key so as to be applied to a client common key as a digital signature. Moreover, at that time, information identifying the root private key used in the digital signature is added as signature key information to the bibliographical information of the public key A. Then, the public key certificate having this digital signature applied is a pubic-key certificate A.
When using this public-key certificate A for authenticating, the digital signature contained therein is decrypted using a main body of a root key being a public key corresponding to the root-private key. It is understood when this decrypting is performed successfully that the digital signature is certainly applied by the communication apparatus. Moreover, it is understood that when the hash value obtained by hashing the public key A portion and a hash value obtained by decrypting matches that the key itself is also neither damaged nor tampered with. Furthermore, it is understood that when it is possible to successfully decrypt the received data using this public key A that the data is transmitted from the owner of the private key A.
Now, while it is necessary to store in advance a root key for performing authentication, as illustrated in FIG. 29B, this root key is stored as a root key certificate having applied a digital signature by the communication apparatus. This root key certificate is in a self signature format enabled to decrypt the digital signature with a public key contained therein. Then, when using the root key, the main body of the key contained in the root key certificate is used to decrypt the digital signature so as to compare with the hash value obtained by hashing the root key. When there is a match, it is possible to confirm that the root key is not corrupted, for instance.
Now the flowcharts in FIG. 28 (FIGS. 28A, 28B) are described. It is noted that in this diagram, an arrow between the two flow charts represents transferring of data such that the transmitting side performs a transferring process at a step from which the arrow originates, while the receiving side, once the information is received, performs a process of a step to which the arrow points. Moreover, when a process of each of the steps is not successfully completed, at that time a response of having failed authentication is returned so as to suspend the process. The same holds when a response of having failed authentication is received from the counterpart, or upon time out of the process.
Now, with a communication apparatus A requesting communications with a communication apparatus B, when performing this request, the CPU of the communication apparatus A executes a required control program and starts a process of the flowchart illustrated on the left-hand side of FIG. 28A. Then, in step S311, a request for connection is transmitted to the communication apparatus B.
On the other hand, the CPU of the communication apparatus B, once receiving this request for connection, executes a required control program and starts a process of the flowchart illustrated on the right-hand side of FIG. 28A. Then, in step S321 a first random number is generated for encrypting using a private key B. Then, in step S322, the encrypted first random number and a public key certificate B are transmitted to the communication apparatus A.
At the communication apparatus A side, when receiving this information, in step S312 the validity of the public key certificate B is confirmed using a root key certificate.
Then once confirmed, in step S313 the first random number is decrypted using a public key B contained in the received public key certificate B. When the decrypting here is successful, that confirms that the first random number is certainly received from a subject to which the public key certificate is issued. Then, when the confirming as described above is successful, information indicating success of authentication is transmitted to the communication apparatus B.
Moreover, at the communication apparatus B side, upon receiving this information, in step S323, transmission of a public key certificate for authentication is requested from (request sent to) the communication apparatus A.
Then, at the communication apparatus A, based on the above request for transmission, in step S314, a second random number and a common key seed are generated. A common key seed may be generated based on data transacted in previous communications, for example. Then, in step S315 the second random number is encrypted using a private key A, the common key seed is encrypted using the public key B, and in step S316 these are transmitted with a public key certificate A to the communication apparatus B side. Encrypting the common key seed is performed for the purpose of making sure that the random number is not known to apparatuses other than the communications counterpart.
Then, in the next step S317, a common key for use in encrypting subsequent communications is generated from the common key seed generated in step S314.
At the communication apparatus B side, when receiving the noted information, in step S324 the validity of the public key certificate A is confirmed using the root key certificate. Then once confirmed, in step S325, the second random number is decrypted using a public key A contained in the public key certificate A received. When the decrypting here is successful, that confirms that the second random number is certainly received from a subject to which the public key certificate A is issued.
Subsequently, in step S326 the common-key seed is decrypted using a private key B. It can be said that, in the process thus far, the first through the third common key seeds common to the communication apparatus A side and the communication apparatus B side are shared. Then, at least the common key seed does not become known to apparatuses other than the communication apparatus A having generated the number and the communication apparatus B having the private key B. Once the process described thus far succeeds, also at the communication apparatus B side in step S327 a common key for use in encrypting subsequent communications is generated from the common key seed obtained by decrypting.
Then, once the process of step S317 at the communication apparatus A side and the process of step S327 at the communication apparatus B side are terminated, success of authentication and an encrypting method for use in subsequent communications are mutually confirmed for terminating the process regarding authentication assuming that the generated common key is used to conduct the subsequent communications using the encrypting method confirmed as described above. It is noted that the confirming as described above includes a response from the communication apparatus B that authentication has succeeded. The process as described above enables mutually establishing communications so as to subsequently use the common key generated in step S317 or step S327 and to encrypt data according to the common key encrypting method for conducting communications.
Performing such a process as described above enables securely sharing a common key upon the communication apparatus A and communication apparatus B mutually authenticating their counterparts, and establishing a path for communicating securely.
It is noted that in the process as described above, it is not mandatory to encrypt the second random number with the private key A and to transmit the public key certificate A to the communication apparatus B. In this way, the process of steps S323 and S324 at the communication apparatus B side is not required. In this way, while it is not possible for the communication apparatus B to authenticate the communication apparatus A, this process is sufficient when it suffices for the communication apparatus A to only authenticate the communication apparatus B. Then in this case, it is necessary to have only the root key certificate stored in the communication apparatus A so that neither the private key A nor the public key certificate A are needed. Moreover, it is not necessary to have the root key certificate stored in the communication apparatus B.

Managed device, management system, method for controlling a managed device and medium


The present invention provides in a computing system including an email system connected to an email network using the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) protocol, a method for specifying alternate email recipients comprising:                specification of alternate recipients by the sender of an email message to be used in case the mail system can not deliver the message to the original recipient,        delivery of the message to the specified alternate recipients by the email system in case it is unable to deliver to the original recipient.

SMTP is a widely used and deployed protocol for E-mail over the internet. Though it has been very effective for mails, various extensions have been requested by Internet users and many have been suggested and implemented. too.
The current SMTP protocol uses the following keywords for simple mailing:    HELO to introduce yourself (helo <hostame>)    MAIL to specify the sender (MAIL FROM: <sender> [<parameters>])    RCPT to specify the recipients (RCPT TO: <recipient> [<parameters>]).    DATA to specify the message (ending with a dot in a single line)    (In MAIL and RCPT, parameters are ESMTP extensions)
The other keywords used are:
RSET to reset the system, NOOP for no operation, QUIT for exiting from SMT program, VRFY to verify an address (probably from an address book), EXPN (expand a name/mailing list etc), VERB for verbose mode, ETRN to run the queue.
To replace the MAIL command, three new commands have been defined:    SEND: This sends the mail directly to the users terminal.    SOML: This sends the mail to the users terminal and sends a mail if the user is not logged on.    SAML: This performs the function of both SEND and MAIL commands.
The SMTP protocol requires that an SMTP server provide notification of delivery failure, if it determines that a message cannot be delivered to one or more recipients. It comes to the sender of the mail as a normal Internet message containing an explanation of the error and the header of the failed message (or the full message). Usually this will contain the recipient it could not send the message to and the routing path. This requires sufficient information to be stored and returned to the sender. This is mentioned in the current protocols as DSN (Delivery Status Notification). This can be specified in the parameters of MAIL and RCPT commands as mentioned earlier.
For example    MAIL FROM: <sender> [RET={FULL|HDRS}][ENVID=<envid>]    RCPT TO: <recipient> [NOTIFY={NEVER,SUCCESS,FAILURE,DELAY}][ORCPT=<recipient>]where RET is whether to return the full message or only headers, ENVID is the Sender's "envelope identifier" for tracking, NOTIFY is when to send the notification and ORCPT is the original recipient.The Problem
The FAILURE on delivering mail is a nuisance for internet users. There can be numerous reasons for this. Undelivered messages cite various reasons like Mailbox full, or Relaying denied. Many times recipient mail servers reject mails from unauthorised domains or reject mails whose size exceeds a specified value. In other cases, people close their accounts or are removed by administrators (for example when an employee retires). Very frequently the servers themselves are down and the mails get returned. Sometimes the email address gets changed or the sender writes a wrong address. An example would be the change of id for a particular user.
Another problem is when people are out of office, they are unable to see their messages. This problem is partially alleviated using WAP. This enables people to access their mails while they are travelling or not in office through mobile phones and laptops. However, it still does not deal with the problem of returned mails. Also, not many people would be using this as it would be costly for them to do so. In many countries people do not even carry laptops or mobile phones, so the implementation of WAP is not feasible or would at least take some time to be helpful.
Lotus Notes mail system and maybe some others give the facility of forward i.e. forward all mails to a particular address when they put a Out of office notification. However, this also only partially solves the problem and is not effective when the server itself refuses the mail or the server is down or the email address is itself wrong.
As mentioned earlier, extensions have been made to the SMTP protocol in the past, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,327 describes an extension to preserve per message and per recipient properties. However, none of these extensions till date addresses the problem of non-delivery of messages.
The object and summary of the invention:
The object of this invention is to obviate the above drawbacks and specify alternate email recipients.
To achieve the said objectives this invention provides a computing system including an email system connected to an email network using the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) protocol characterized in that the said system includes:                means for the sender to specify alternate recipients of an email message to be used in case the mail system can not deliver the message to the original recipient,        means for said email system to deliver the message to the specified alternate recipients in case it is unable to deliver to the original recipient.
The said means for the sender to specify the alternate recipient is by addition of ARCPT (Alternate Recipient) parameter in said SMTP protocol.
The means for delivering the message to the specified alternate recipients is an extension to the SMTP server to include automatic forwarding of the message to the alternate recipients in case of inability to deliver to original recipients.
The said means for specifying the alternate recipient using the said ARCPT parameter can also be used by the recipient or the system administrator of the recipient server to forward emails to another address and alternate recipient on the recipient server shall hold priority over the one already in the email specified by the sender.
The above system further comprises:                means for the sender to specify notification by said email system of the successful delivery to the alternate recipients on failure to deliver to original recipient,        means for said email system to notify the sender based on the non-delivery of the message to the alternate recipients.
The said means for the sender to specify the notification is by addition of ALTERNATE keyword to the NOTIFY parameter.
The said means for the said email system to notify the sender is an extension of the SMTP server to include sending of an email message to the sender in case of non-delivery of the message to the alternate recipients.
The above system further includes:                ARCPT keyword for specifying alternate recipients,        ALTERNATE keyword in the NOTIFY parameter, for specifying notification in case of delivery to alternate recipients.
The present invention further provides in a computing system including an email system connected to an email network using the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) protocol, a method for specifying alternate email recipients comprising:                specification of alternate recipients by the sender of an email message to be used in case the mail system can not deliver the message to the original recipient,        delivery of the message to the specified alternate recipients by the email system in case it is unable to deliver to the original recipient.
The specification of the alternate recipient is by ARCPT (Alternate Recipient) parameter in said SMTP protocol.
The delivery of the message to the specified alternate recipients is an extension to the SMTP server to include automatic forwarding of the message to the alternate recipients in case of inability to deliver to original recipients.
The specification of the alternate recipient using the said ARCPT parameter can also be provided by the recipient or the system administrator of the recipient server to forward emails to another address and alternate recipient on the recipient server shall hold priority over the one already in the email specified by the sender.
The above method further comprises:                specification by the sender of notification by said email system of the successful delivery to the alternate recipients on failure to deliver to original recipient,        notification to the sender by the email system based on the non-delivery of the message to the alternate recipients.
The specification of the notification is by addition of ALTERNATE keyword to the NOTIFY parameter.
The said notification to the sender is by an extension of the SMTP server to in, dude sending of an email message to the sender in case of non-delivery of the message to the alternate recipients.
The said method further includes:                ARCPT keyword for specifying alternate recipients,        ALTERNATE keyword in the NOTIFY parameter, for specifying notification in case of delivery to alternate recipients.
The instant invention further provides a computer program product comprising computer readable program code stored on computer readable storage medium embodied therein for causing a computer to send email to alternate email recipients in case of inability to deliver to original recipient comprising                computer readable program code means configured for enabling the sender to specify alternate recipients of an email message to be used in case the mail system can not deliver the message to the original recipient,        computer readable program code means configured for causing the said email system to deliver the message to the specified alternate recipients in case it is unable to deliver to the original recipient.
The said computer readable program code means configured for specifying the alternate recipient is by addition of ARCPT (Alternate Recipient) parameter in said SMTP protocol.
The computer readable program code means configured for delivering the message to the specified alternate recipients is an extension to the SMTP server to include automatic forwarding of the message to the alternate recipients in case of not delivering to original recipients.
The computer readable program code means configured for enabling the recipient or system administrator of the recipient server to specify an alternate email address using ARCPT parameter to forward emails to another address with the alternate recipient on the recipient server holding priority over the one already in the email specified by the sender.
The above computer program product further comprises:                computer readable program code means configured for enabling the sender to specify notification by said email system of the successful delivery to the alternate recipients on failure to deliver to original recipient,        computer readable program code means configured for causing said email system notify the sender based on the non-delivery of the message to the alternate recipients.
The said computer readable program code means configured for specifying the notification is by addition of ALTERNATE keyword to the NOTIFY parameter.
The said computer readable program code means configured for notify the sender is an extension of the SMTP server to include sending of an email message to the sender in case of non-delivery of the message to the alternate recipients.
The said computer readable program code means further includes:                ARCPT keyword for specifying alternate recipients,        ALTERNATE keyword in the NOTIFY parameter, for specifying notification in case of delivery to alternate recipients.

SMTP extension for email delivery failure

Abstract: The instant invention also provides a system and computer program product for carrying out the above method.

International Business Machines Corporation


Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of CD71. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding CD71. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of CD71 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of CD71 are provided.

Iron is one of several minerals required by animals as a dietary supplement. At the biochemical level, iron is complexed with and required for the normal functioning of a number of essential proteins, including hemoglobin, myoglobin, peroxidases, catalases, cytochromes, and cytochrome oxidases. Thus, among the important functions that iron/protein complexes serve are oxygen transport, detoxification, and cellular energy production in the form of ATP.
Due to the critical roles that these iron-containing proteins serve, all higher organisms express proteins responsible for the uptake, transport, and storage of iron. Upon its uptake in the small intestine, iron immediately combines with the ubiquitous serum protein transferrin, the primary vehicle by which iron is transported throughout the body. The uptake of circulating iron-transferrin complexes into cells is mediated by CD71, the transferrin receptor. Once inside the cell, iron is dissociated from transferrin and is then incorporated into newly synthesized iron-containing proteins or, if present in excess, is stored in the liver by binding with apoferritin to form the iron storage protein complex known as ferritin.
Because iron is required by the cytochrome oxidase enzyme complex to produce cellular ATP, a constant supply of iron/transferrin complexes has been determined to be an essential factor for the growth of most cultured cells (Trowbridge, Prog. Allergy, 1988, 45, 121-146). In order for cells to uptake and utilize this extracellular source of iron, the expression of functional CD71 is required. Evidence for this comes from the finding in a number of cell lines that the level of cell surface CD71 is directly correlated to proliferation rate (Neckers, Pathobiology, 1991, 59, 11-18). Further, stimulation of quiescent T- and B-lymphocytes in response to mitogens or antigen exposure has been reported to be transferrin-dependent as well (Neckers, Pathobiology, 1991, 59, 11-18). Finally, exposure of cells to anti-CD71 antibodies has been found to cause cytostasis and eventually cell death (Trowbridge, Prog. Allergy, 1988, 45, 121-146).
The requirement of both iron/transferrin complexes and CD71 for cell proliferation has led to the idea that inhibition of iron utilization could represent a novel strategy for the treatment of cancer. In support of this notion, in vitro studies have demonstrated inhibition of tumor cell growth using chelating agents that extract iron from transferrin, monoclonal antibodies that block CD71 function and gallium nitrate, a compound which blocks the dissociation of iron from transferrin within cells (Kemp, Histol. Histopathol., 1997, 12, 291-296; Trowbridge, Prog. Allergy, 1988, 45, 121-146). Studies with tumor xenografts in mice indicate that anti-tumor effects can be achieved by iron deprivation under in vivo conditions as well. For example, administration of anti-CD71 antibodies alone or in combination with the iron chelator deferoxamine has shown anti-tumor activity against lymphoid tumor growth (Kemp, Histol. Histopathol., 1997, 12, 291-296) and T-cell leukemia (White et al., Cancer Res., 1990, 50, 6295-6301). Similarly, blockage of iron utilization with gallium nitrate has displayed anti-tumor effects against both hematopoietic and solid tumors (Kemp, Histol. Histopathol., 1997, 12, 291-296).
Antisense mediated inhibition of CD71 has been utilized as a tool to investigate non-CD71 mechanisms of iron uptake into cells. Thus, Sasaki et al. disclosed an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide targeted to the transcriptional start site of CD71 mRNA (Sasaki et al., Am. J. Hematol., 1993, 42, 74-80). This oligodeoxynucleotide was reported to have a minimal effect on CD71 protein expression. Also, in that study, an expression vector containing a CD71 gene in antisense orientation downstream from the cytomegalovirus promoter was found to result in approximately 50% reduction of cell surface CD71 expression when stably expressed in transformant hepatoma cell lines.
To date, strategies aimed at inhibiting CD71 function under in vivo conditions have involved the use of various monoclonal antibodies. However, it has been reported that repeated treatment with anti-CD71 antibodies results in the outgrowth of resistant tumor cells due to the development of mutations in CD71 which alter the epitope recognized by the antibodies (Lesley and Schulte, Mol. Cell. Biol., 1984, 4, 1675-1681). There remains a long felt need for additional agents capable of effectively inhibiting CD71 function.


The invention provides a method for arranging the inking for a pressrun in a rotary printing machine. The rotary printing machine has an inking mechanism and a dampening mechanism. The ink quantity transmitted by an ink ductor is adjusted by zone via ink zone ductor blades. When the dampening mechanism is switched off, the run-up curve of the inking mechanism is initially adjusted at an average surface coverage over the entire surface, so that a constant ink density corresponding to the average surface coverage results on the printing stock for all printing speeds. The run-up curve of the dampening mechanism is adjusted subsequently, wherein the ink zone ductor blades are in different positions which correspond to various surface coverage values of a printing subject customarily printed by the printing machine. The adjustment is effected in such a way that the ink zones with average surface coverage deliver a constant ink density to the printing stock for all printing speeds. The surface coverage in ink zones not having the average surface coverage is measured at different printing speeds. A measurement for the readjustment of the ink zone measuring devices is obtained from the deviation of the measured surface coverage from the reference surface coverage. For each of the surface coverage values, characteristics lines are obtained for the readjustment of the ink zone measuring devices which is dependent on the printing speed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for adjusting the inking for a pressrun for a planographic printing process in a rotary printing machine with a dampening mechanism and an inking mechanism. The invention further relates to adjusting the amount of ink to be transferred by an ink ductor on a per zone basis in response to ink zone measuring devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
A prior art method for adjusting the ink supply is disclosed in German reference DE 41 28 537 C2. The prior art method adjusts the ink supply during the proofing phase in a printing machine. In this method, the ink quantity supply is controlled in a first step during proofing such that an inverse ink profile is generated which is in an opposite phase with the desired pressrun ink profile. In a second step of the prior art method, the ink quantity supply is controlled such that it corresponds to the desired pressrun ink profile.
Another prior art method for adjusting the ink supply is disclosed in German reference DE 196 151 56.2. In this prior art method for setting the ink metering devices during the proofing phase, ink zone measuring devices are adjusted during the filling process to a filling gap having the same width over the entire breadth of the ink ductor to achieve the ink coat profile desired for the pressrun condition as quickly as possible. A basic saturation of the inking mechanism with printing ink is achieved quickly in this way. Subsequently, the ink zone measuring devices are brought briefly into a transition position which diverges in a pronounced manner from the final filling gap position compared to the setting for the pressrun ink profile; the gap width required for the pressrun ink profile is only adjusted subsequently. In both of these prior art methods, the steps of adjusting do not adequately account for changes in web speed.

Method for adjusting the inking for a pressrun in a rotary printing machine


The invention is a method for detecting and measuring T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires from mammalian lymphocytes. The method is based on the use of the multiple sets of unique primers to amplify 22 regions of the TCR Vβ region and thereby detect clonal expansions related to antigen stimulation of the immune system. Kits containing sets of primers and specialized analytical statistical software for use in determining clonal expansion in humans and mice are disclosed. The reliability, efficiency and short assay time in using the method is well suited to monitoring immune response to vaccination and therapeutic treatments for immune disorders.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for rapid detection and measurement of clonality of TCR repertoires of mammalian T-cell lymphocytes. The method relies on subsets of unique primers that quantitatively determine the extent of clonal expansions of TCR VβT-cell repertoires.
2. Description of Background Art
T lymphocytes are the primary mediators of cellular immunity in humans and animals. A hallmark of the immune system is its ability to recognize the extensive collection of antigens to which an organism is exposed during its lifetime. T lymphocytes play a central role in graft-versus host disease, where the immune system of a host attacks (reject) implanted tissue from a foreign host, in autoimmune disorders, in hypersensitivity, in degenerative nervous system diseases, and many other conditions occupying an essential role in immune responses to infectious agents (e.g., viruses and bacteria) and in the body's natural defenses against neoplastic diseases.
A T-cell immune response is characterized by one or more particular T-cell(s) recognizing a particular antigen, secreting growth-promoting cytokines, and undergoing a monoclonal (or oligoclonal) expansion to provide additional T-cells to recognize and eliminate the foreign antigen (J Exp. Med 179: 609-618 1991). The T-cell receptors (TCRs) are predictive, in the sense that appropriate receptors exist prior to encountering antigen. TCRs are encoded by multiple gene segments that rearrange during T-cell development and generate most of the antigen receptor diversity. TCRs are composed of α-chain and a β-chain. The human TCR β-chain gene complex includes at least 57 variable (V) gene segments, 2 diversity gene segments, 13 joining gene segments, and 2 consistent gene segments which group into 24 TCR Vβ gene families (Immunology Today 16: 176-181, 1995).
T-cells recognize antigen by major histocompatiblity complex (MHC) molecules through their T-cell receptors (Int Immunol, 3: 853-864). The hypervariable region of TCR Vβ repertoire is encoded by variable (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) genes within the complementary-determining region 3 (CDR) (J Immunol, 49: 149-154, 1999). Therefore, changes in CDR3 size, sequence, and diversity can be used to detect the course of T-cell responses to different antigens. Measurement of the extent of diversity within the TCR repertoire has been applied as a surrogate marker for the integrity of the T-cell immunity (J. Immunol. 148: 1230-1239, 1992).
Molecular analysis of TCR repertoire diversity (clonality) within CDR3 region can serve as a tool to study various diseases related to immune-mediated disorders including tumors, autoimmune diseases, immunization of vaccine and bone marrow, transplantation. Determination of TCR repertoire clonality within CDR3 region has also served as a monitoring tool in tracking curative effects of antiviral or anti-tumor treatments. For example, determination of the change in TCR repertoire clonality has been used to monitor T-cell immune reconstitution in HIV-infected individual following antiviral therapy. HIV infection leads to severe disruption of the TCR repertoire including clonal expansion or clonal exhaustion. It has been demonstrated that the perturbed TCR repertoires can be normalized following a successful therapy (J Infect Dis. Feb. 1:1 87(3):385-97, 2003).
Changes in TCR clonalities following antiviral therapy can be used as an intermediate marker for T-cell immune reconstitution. More importantly, TCR repertoire clonotypes may be used as a diagnostic tool, analogous to serological markers. Following the identification of tumor-specific antigens that are recognized on human tumors by T-cells, small clinical trials of therapeutic vaccination have been carried out using these antigens, mostly in metastatic melanoma patients (J Immunol. June 15; 158(12):5902-13, 1997).
The determination of immunodominant clonotypes represents a novel approach in the study of immune-mediated diseases, such as aplastic anemia (AA), some forms of myelodysplasia (MDS) anti-leukemic immune surveillance, graft-versus-leukemia effects and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (Bone Marrow Transplant Dec 30(12) 915-23, 2002). Furthermore, TCR repertoire clonality determination holds promise for applications in vaccine design and detecting T-cell immune responses after immunization and in understanding how clonality repertoires may play protective role in modulating intracellular infections or cancer.
Deficiencies in the Art
Currently, cellular immune responses are determined by measuring cytokine secretion or using assays such as ELISpot. These methods typically lack sensitivity, do not truly and directly monitor changes in TCR clonality, and/or are very complicated and impractical. A sensitive, simple and reliable method to detect and monitor the change of TCR V beta clonality is desirable.

Method for detection and quantification of T-cell receptor Vβ  repertoire


A node for providing a file service to a mobile terminal, the node comprises mobile terminal interface, and a file system for a plurality of users, each user having a user folder. The node is configured, in response to receiving a request for file access from a mobile terminal, to identify a user folder, to determine whether the file managing system manages the user folder and, in dependence upon whether the file managing system manages the user folder, to retrieve an entry point for the user folder and to transmit the entry point to the mobile terminal.

Next Generation Networks (NGNs) allow operators to incorporate voice, video and data services into customised service bundles. Thus, a need arises to provide mobile users with the facility to organise and share files. A need also arises to allow mobile users to access services through local and global networks, regardless of access environment, location and operator.
Existing wireless telecommunication networks allow subscribers to make and receive voice calls using their terminals via a wireless network other than one with which they are registered (usually referred to as a "visited network" and a "home network" respectively). This service is known as "roaming".
Much effort has been directed to providing fast, seamless voice roaming. However, little attention has been paid to the problem of how to allow mobile users to access and share files easily and conveniently. In most cases, mobile users access files located in their home network by accessing a portal via an Internet connection.
The present invention seeks to provide a node for providing a file service to a mobile terminal.

Node for providing a file service to a mobile terminal


A method and article for delivery of skin care agents. Freeze-dried liposomes are used to encapsulate agents for delivery to specific cells in the skin. The applicable agents include perfumes, moisturizers, vitamins and therapeutic compounds as well as others. The agents are encapsulated in liposomes specifically selected to carry the agents to the target cells thereby increasing effectiveness and efficiency and minimizing systemic absorption. The liposomes are at least partially freeze-dried to improve shelf-life and improve delivery to the skin. After freeze-drying, the liposomes are deposited on or in a fabric-like pad. The liposomes are rehydrated either immediately prior to application to the skin or on the skin using natural moisture or a hydrating solution. An applicator is also provided to secure and hold the impregnated pad during use. The applicator may provide steam or vapor to rehydrate the liposomes during application.

The present invention pertains to the delivery of beneficial agents to skin cells using liposomes in a delivery system. Particularly, the invention involves a system in which skin care compounds are encapsulated in a freeze dried liposome.
The ability of liposomes to encapsulate, carry, and deliver agents to specified cells within the human body is well known. However, little has been done to integrate liposome encapsulated agents into practical skin care procedures and methods. What is needed is a system which combines the beneficial properties of liposomes in practical skin care processes and products.

Freeze-dried liposome delivery system for application of skin treatment agents


A method for removing MPEG-2 chroma upconversion artifacts in a video stream includes detecting a presence of artifacts in an incorrectly upsampled MPEG-2 video stream and removing the presence of artifacts resulting in an artifact free video stream.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the processing of video images, and more particularly to techniques for deinterlacing video images.
2. Description of the Related Art
MPEG-2 makes use of a chroma-to-luma sampling relationship known as 4:2:0, in which two color-difference signals are sampled at one half the rate of luma in both the vertical and horizontal directions. An MPEG-2 decoder typically produces an output signal in the 4:2:2 format in which the color signals are sampled at one half the luma rate in only the horizontal direction. The MPEG decoder must therefore upsample the 4:2:0 encoded data in the vertical direction to produce the desired 4:2:2 output. In addition, MPEG-2 video sequences may be encoded as either a progressive or interlaced image sequence. A problem occurs when an image actually encoded as progressive is decoded as interlaced for the purposes of the chroma upsampling. In this case, the chroma samples are incorrectly upconverted and positioned relative to the corresponding luma samples, resulting in artifacts in areas of vertical color transitions.
MPEG-2 compression is in common use in today's digital video systems. Since MPEG-2 is a digital video compression method, the video signal must be digitally sampled prior to being compressed. The sampled digital video signal is composed of three components: a luminance (aka, 'luma') signal which contains brightness information but no color, and two color or chrominance (aka, 'chroma') signals which are a scaled version of the difference between red and luma and between blue and luma (aka, 'R—Y' or 'Cr', and 'B—Y' or 'Cb', respectively). Inherent in the MPEG-2 encoding is a relationship between the sampling rates and the relative spatial positioning of these luma and chroma samples.
While the MPEG-2 standard supports a variety of signal formats and resolutions, the common type in use today for standard definition video signals uses a luma/chroma sampling relationship known as 4:2:0. This standard dictates that the two chroma signals are sampled at half the rate of the luma signal in both the vertical and horizontal directions—i.e., each of the two chroma signals has one quarter the bandwidth of the luma signal. A chroma sample is spatially positioned halfway between a pair of luma samples in the vertical direction, and may be either halfway between a pair of luma samples in the horizontal direction or may be coincident with one of the two luma samples. It is only the vertical relationship which is at issue here.
Even though MPEG-2 video data is in the 4:2:0 format, most MPEG-2 decoders produce a digital video output which is in the 4:2:2 format. With 4:2:2, the chroma data is sampled at half the luma rate in only the horizontal direction. There is one of each type of chroma sample—Cr and Cb—for each luma sample in the vertical direction. Because of this difference in the input and output sampling rates for chroma, an MPEG-2 decoder must 'upconvert' or 'upsample' the chroma signals vertically to produce an output in the 4:2:2 format. Various techniques can be used for this upconversion process, and range from simple replication of one chroma sample over two luma samples, to linear interpolation, to more sophisticated sample rate conversion using digital FIR filters.
One other key aspect of MPEG-2 is that the compressed video can be in either progressive or interlaced format. Although the vast majority of MPEG-2 decoders output video in the interlaced format, the original video signal could have been compressed in either of the progressive or interlaced formats, depending on the source's characteristics. Control flags within the MPEG-2 data stream indicate which format was used for each video frame. It is important to note that if a given video signal has been compressed in one format, it must also be decoded in that same format or there can be problems with the positioning of decoded luma and chroma samples relative to each other.
FIG. 1 illustrates what can happen when a video frame of the prior art encoded as progressive is treated as interlaced. The leftmost column 10 indicates a single column of video samples (the horizontal dimension is ignored for the purposes of this discussion) which has been encoded as progressive. For each pair of luma samples 20, represented by the open circles and numbered from zero at the top of the column in increasing order towards the bottom of the column, there is a single chroma sample 30 (note that only one chroma sample 30 per luma pair 20 is shown—there is actually a pair of chroma samples, Cr and Cb) located halfway between the luma pair 20. The chroma samples have been designated with letters, starting with 'A' and progressing vertically downwards.
The second column 50 indicates the luma/chroma relationship for images encoded as interlaced. Note that the chroma samples for an interlaced image are not spatially located at equidistant from the luma samples as the chroma samples for a progressive image. The actual chroma samples from the progressive image are derived from an even/odd line pair, not an even/even or odd/odd line pair as for an interlaced image. Even worse, when the chroma samples are vertically upsampled to form the 4:2:2 output, half of the original chroma samples are missing from each of the two fields and the upconversion is performed twice on only half the data. This results in a distortion of the image. This distortion is especially apparent when the interlaced output fields of the MPEG-2 decoder are combined back into the original progressive image by an interlaced-to-progressive video format converter.
The effects of this distortion are shown in the remaining columns in FIG. 1. The third column 60 indicates what takes place when simple sample replication is used to perform the vertical chroma upconversion. The left set of upconverted values 70 are the correct ones based on the original progressive encoding. The right set of upconverted values 80 are those derived from improperly interpreting the video frame as interlaced. Note that the ordering of the 'interlaced' chroma upconverted samples actually reverses direction every few samples, resulting in a periodic retrograde sequence. This reversal can result in visible artifacts in the region of vertical chroma transitions such as the border between two objects of different colors. These artifacts somewhat resemble interlace motion artifacts, which is reasonable since they stem from an interlaced scan ordering. The fourth column 90 indicates the same relationship, but assumes that linear interpolation has been used for the upconversion process instead of sample replication. Again, the ordering of the 'interlaced' upconverted chroma samples indicates the periodic retrograde sequence which results in visible artifacts.
Accordingly, what is needed is a method and system that detects and repairs video image distortion caused by incorrect decoding of MPEG-2 images.

Detection and repair of MPEG-2 chroma upconversion artifacts


A device (1) for protecting an electrical installation from overvoltages, having at least one protection component (2) and disconnection means (3) capable of changing from a closed configuration to an open configuration, as well as signaling means (5) capable of indicating the configuration of the disconnection means (3). The disconnection means (3) and the signaling means (5) respectively comprise a mobile disconnection element (4) and a mobile signaling element (12) arranged such that, when going from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the mobile disconnection element (4) moves in a rotational movement according to a first trajectory and cooperates with the mobile signaling element (12) to drive the mobile signaling element in rotation along a second trajectory different from the first trajectory.

It is well known to use protection devices capable of protecting electrical or electronic apparatuses from overvoltages that may result, for example, from lightning.
These protection devices usually comprise one or more overvoltage protection components, such as, for example, a varistor or a spark gap. In general, such protection components have two terminals enabling the protection components to connect to the installation to be protected. When the protection components are exposed to voltages above a predetermined threshold, the protection components conduct the default current to the ground while limiting the overvoltage to a value compatible with the capacity of the installation and equipment connected to the protection components. Such components and devices are generally designated by the term "surge protectors" or "lightning arrestors".
In the event of a failure, in particular, at the end of their lifetime, protection components may be subject to significant heating that can cause serious damage to the installation and present risks to the user, for example, by starting a fire.
This is why overvoltage protection devices are generally provided with thermal disconnection means. These thermal disconnection means are intended to isolate the protection component from the electrical installation to be protected in the case of excessive heating of the protection component. The separation of the defective protection component from the installation to which the protection component was connected results in a suppression of the electrical power supply causing the heating and prevents the appearance or limits the harmful consequences of an excessive increase in temperature.
Generally, the thermal disconnection means include an element sensitive to the heat released by the protection component, such as a fusible solder, which, in normal operation, holds a conductor disconnection element, such as a metal spring leaf, in contact with one of the terminals of the protection component. The disconnection element is prestressed toward an open position in which the disconnection element is separated from the terminal so that, when the heat-sensitive element releases the disconnection element under the effect of significant heating of the protection component, the disconnection element moves and opens the circuit.
When the thermal disconnection means are activated, the thermal disconnection means isolate the protection component from the electrical installation to be protected, so that the protection component is incapable of conducting default currents and no longer performs the function of protecting the electrical installation.
This is why it is necessary to warn the user of any activation of the thermal disconnection means, so that the user can replace the defective device in order to continue protecting the installation.
To this end, it is known to integrate, in overvoltage protection devices, signaling means that indicate the state of the disconnection means associated with the protection components.
In particular, it is known to use visual signaling means that display, when the thermal disconnection means are activated, a warning light, such as a red-coloured surface, opposite a window located on the visible surface of a casing in which the protection component is mounted. Thus, when the user examines the electrical panel including the protection devices, the user will immediately know the state of the devices and can perform replacement operations, if necessary.
In particular, it is known to join the disconnection means using a flexible spring leaf, a signaling slider translatably mounted with respect to one of the surfaces of the casing containing the protection component, the slider being located at least partially on the path of the free end of the spring leaf when the spring leaf bends. Thus, when the protection component is disconnected, the free end of the spring leaf can interfere with the slider to exert a stress on the slider and propel the slider in translation along a trajectory substantially tangential to the spring leaf.
While these devices are generally satisfactory, the devices of the prior art can have notable disadvantages.
Indeed, the implementation of such sliders requires the production of parts with a complex shape, small size and with strict tolerances, in particular, to guide the elements in movement. Such parts are, by nature, difficult to produce and to assemble, which tends to increase the costs of production of devices equipped with them.
In addition, the devices of the prior art sometimes have reliability problems with regard to the disconnection, due to the resistance on the signaling slider opposing the opening of the disconnection means. Indeed, the slider is subjected to frictional forces that resist the movement of the slider, and the slider can even be jammed by seizing or sticking at the level of the casing, which has the effect of impeding, slowing or even prematurely blocking the movement of the disconnection leaf. Thus, in the case of a severe failure of the signaling means, the signaling means are capable of preventing the effective disconnection of a defective component, consequently, leading to dangerous heating or even short-circuiting of the installation.
In addition, the kinematic connection between the disconnection leaf and the signaling slider of the devices of the prior art is often achieved by a linear joint where an edge or a small surface element of the disconnection leaf comes into contact with a small surface element of the slider. The small area of the connection puts the connection at risk for an unexpected dislocation, in particular, when the device is subjected to vibrations or shocks, and such a dislocation would lead to a rupture in the connection and random or erroneous signaling that does not reflect the real state of the device. In addition, the fineness of such a connection makes the connection particularly sensitive to dimensional variations in the production of the constituent elements, making it necessary to maintain restrictive provisions during production and/or assembly.

Overvoltage protection device with simplified display system and corresponding production method


In an automatically shiftable countershaft transmission, particularly for motor vehicles, the shift travels between the engagement points are established and the shift force may be varied as a function of gear step and dynamic load over the engagement travel. Depending on the functional phase, a lower force is provided during the synchronization phase, a higher force is provided during the shift-through phase and a lower force is provided during the dog-in phase.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatically shiftable countershaft transmission for motor vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to varying the shift force as a function of the gear step and the dynamic load (Ldyn) over the engagement travel (WE) in such a way that, depending on the functional phase, a lower force is provided during the synchronization phase, a higher force is provided during the shift-through phase, and a lower force is provided during the dog-in phase.
2. Description of the Related Art
British patent specification 1 281 106 discloses an automatically shiftable countershaft transmission, particularly for motor vehicles. The transmission casing houses a plurality of gearwheel pairs which are constantly in mesh with one another and can be selectively connected to their respective shafts by means of dog clutches. The dog clutches are actuated by means of electronically controlled hydraulic servo devices in order to effect automatic gear shifts as a function of the operating parameters of the driving engine and of the motor vehicle. All necessary components such as hydraulic pumps, actuating cylinders and the like are included in a constructional unit which can be attached to the transmission casing.
This transmission has the inherent disadvantage of only using dog clutches to shift into the individual gear steps. An accelerating and retarding unit must be provided on the countershaft and must be further controlled in dependence on speed sensors. The dog clutch elements which are to be brought into engagement with one another must therefor be synchronized before the engagement of the gear steps can take place.
In the periodical "Automobil-Revue" No. 16 of Apr. 15, 1993, "Auf den Spuren von Senna, Prost & Co. (In the footsteps of Senna, Prost & Co.)" there is a report of an automatically shiftable countershaft transmission, particularly for motor vehicles. A plurality of gearwheel pairs which are constantly in mesh with one another are disposed in a transmission casing and can be brought into engagement with one another through synchronizing devices. The actuation of these synchronizing devices takes place through an electronic control module by means of a cam control unit. No detail is provided as to the arrangement of the servo device.
In the periodical "Automobil-Revue" No. 12 of 17.03.1994 "Schalten wie in Formel 1 (Change gear as it's done in Formula 1)" there is a report about automatically shiftable countershaft transmissions in which it is stated in general terms that an electronic control module actuates the pneumatic servo device so that gear shifting is undertaken with deliberate care for the synchronizing devices. No detail is provided as to the manner in which this sensitive actuation is effected.
It is desirable to provide an automatically shiftable countershaft transmission, particularly for motor vehicles, which is based on a mass production manual transmission which can be converted to an automatically shiftable countershaft transmission which does not place undue demand on the synchronizing devices within the transmission.

Countershaft automatic gearbox, in particular an automatic gearbox for motor vehicles


A cooking apparatus (10) is disclosed which comprises a double-shelled housing (12) with top cover (14), side walls (16) and a front plate (20) which is in the form of an arch to provide a storage space (22) underneath. A food vapours condensation chamber is located between the inner and outer shells of the housing (12) and the outer shells of the housing (12) are exposed to atmosphere so that they cool by radiation and convection. The cooking apparatus (10) further includes a fryer unit (18) which is located within an opening (24) in the front plate (20). The fryer unit (18) comprises a casing and a rotary cylindrical drum (26). The drum is devoid of an axle and is mounted by seals which bear on the periphery the drum. A plurality of parallel diametrically extending passages (30) pass through the drum (26). One end of each passage (30) is extended by a spout (32) for receiving food to be fried while the other end of each passage (30) cooperates with a basket which can then swing down into hot oil for cooking.

Chip fryers are known which include baskets into which the chips are placed, the baskets then being dipped into the hot oil. In one construction the baskets form part of a structure which can be rotated between a cooking position and a filling/emptying position.
The present invention provides an improved food fryer of the type described in the preceding paragraph.