An interactive apparatus and method allows the participants to compete in an interactive game based on an event which is occurring in real time. A ticker tape or some other visual display or audio broadcast or the like is shown or broadcast on a device of an interactive apparatus with real time score values indicative of the players' performance in the event. Using the interactive apparatus, the participants select and trade members on the team using a menu displayed or broadcast on the interactive device. The menu provides relevant information regarding the performance of the participant's team, and allows the participant to select and trade members on the participant's team with members listed in a contest roster database while the event is occurring in real time. By allowing the participant to interact in real time, the intellectual challenge and emotional enjoyment of the interactive game are greatly enhanced.

Professional or college sports support a broad range of secondary competitions ranging from predicting the outcome of particular games to predicting the performance of a given player. Contests based upon player performances include the fantasy sports leagues such as fantasy baseball and fantasy football. In the fantasy sports leagues, sometimes called "rotisserie leagues", participants assume the position of an owner of an imaginary team. Prior to the beginning of a professional sport season, the owners conduct a "draft" of professional athletes to fill the roster of their team.
As in the professional sports leagues, the fantasy owners may trade players during the contest. Typically, after the draft, and throughout the season, trades are made between owners of those players not selected in the initial draft. The teams in a fantasy sports league typically accumulate a "won-lost" record by competing head to head against each of the other teams in the league. In a "game" between two teams, the team whose players performed better in the previous week is declared the winner. Typically, each team competes on the cumulative statistics of the drafted players.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,018,736 and 5,263,723 describe an interactive contest system using publication of newspapers and broadcast of events to enable fantasy owners to optimize scores obtained by a team through team member trades. However, the system is not interactive on a real time basis. As interaction with the contest system on a real time basis with the sporting events is characterized as being disadvantageous, the described contest system hence utilizes selection and trading of players based on periodic publication or broadcasts.
Periodic interaction of participants prevents optimization of team roster performance and enjoyment of the interactive system. In the above system, the participants only select and trade members after the event has ended for the day. For example, in a FANTASY NASCAR race, the participant must decide prior to the race whether to select or trade the racer. And then must wait until after the race is over to get the result of the race car driver's performance. If the system distributes scores for the number of other cars Petty passes, the participants must wait until the end of the day as to whether to keep or trade Petty.
On the other hand, if the system were to allow real time interaction, the participant could decide whether or not to keep Petty as he is passing other cars or being passed. If the participant believes that Petty will pass more cars, he or she may decide to keep Petty as a member of the team. If the participant believes that another car driver, such as Steve Andretti, will pass more cars than Petty, the participant can trade Petty for Andretti.
Once the participant has made a decision, he or she can watch the race with excitement as to whether that decision is the right or the wrong one. Further, as the race goes on, the participant can make more trades to optimize the performance of his or her team roster. By allowing a participant to interact in real time while the race is going on, the participant can better maximize the score values for his team, and experience more emotional and intellectual enjoyment compared to what is likely in a periodic interaction. Hence, there is a need for an interactive system allowing real time interaction as the event unfolds.

Interactive system allowing real time participation


Provided is an ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus for measuring movement of an eye to be inspected at higher speed than a conventional one. The ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus for acquiring an image of an eye to be inspected based on return light from the eye to be inspected which is irradiated with measuring light via a scanning unit, includes: a position acquiring unit for acquiring a plurality of positions of characteristic portions in the image of the eye to be inspected based on the return light from the eye to be inspected corresponding respectively to a plurality of scanning lines of the scanning unit in the image of the eye to be inspected; and a measuring unit for measuring movement of the eye to be inspected based on the plurality of positions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus and a measuring method, and more particularly, to an ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus and a control method therefor for measuring movement of an eye to be inspected by using an image of the eye to be inspected.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, as an apparatus for taking an image of an eye to be inspected, there has often been used an ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus which takes an image of the eye to be inspected by scanning the eye to be inspected with measuring light, such as an optical coherence tomography (OCT) capable of acquiring a three-dimensional image, and a confocal scanning laser opthalmoscope (SLO) for acquiring a high resolution moving image. Such an ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus needs some time from start of taking an image until the end thereof, and hence it is vulnerable to the influence of involuntary eye movement, eye movement due to poor fixation, or eye movement due to face movement. Therefore, it is more important to track the eye movement.
As a method of tracking the eye to be inspected, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,891 discloses a tracking method involving radiating a rectangular tracking beam to a target blood vessel on the fundus, and detecting reflection light of the tracking beam by two orthogonal lines on a two-dimensional sensor so as to measure two-dimensional movement of the fundus. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,115 discloses a tracking technology involving radiating a tracking beam that scans a characteristic portion of the fundus in a circular manner, and measuring two-dimensional movement of the fundus based on a phase of the reflection light. However, in the methods in these documents, an additional optical system for tracking is necessary, and eye rotation cannot be detected. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-56069 discloses a technology in which a template image that is a small area image having a feature is extracted from a fundus observation image, and movement of the fundus is measured by pattern matching of searching for a portion that is most similar to the template image.
Here, the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-56069 performs the two-dimensional image processing, and hence it takes time to measure the movement of the eye to be inspected.

Ophthalmologic image pickup apparatus and control method therefor


An intelligent network processor is disclosed that provides a PCI express (PCIe) host bus adapter with firmware selectable hardware capabilities and firmware enabled emulation of capabilities not supported by hardware. Support for Fibre Channel (FC) and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) protocols are provided through the same fabric ports, including multiple port trunking for both protocols. On chip protocol conversion is provided for switching and routing between FC and GbE ports. Switching using the same crossbar module is provided for both FC and GbE protocols. The crossbar module is coupled to directly access external DDR memory so that messages from FC, GbE, and PCIe interfaces may be switched directly to the DDR memory.

INPs are used in computer network systems for providing HBA, router, and switch capabilities for particular protocol networks connected to a host through a host interface. An example of an INP 110 is shown in FIG. 1, which may be formed on a single silicon integrated circuit die packaged inside a ceramic, metal, or plastic housing to form a unitary component. INP 110 includes a shared memory crossbar module 112 which is controlled by a flow identification/scheduler module 114 through a bus 128. The flow identification/scheduler module 114 operates under the control of the Application Processor (APEX) module 116 acting through the bus 130, and maps the passages of crossbar locations inside the shared memory crossbar module 112. The APEX 116 in the example of FIG. 1 contains ten core processors for executing firmware, denoted as processors 118-127.
The shared memory crossbar module 112 is connected to Protocol Coordination Stage (PCS) modules 132 and 134 through buses 136 and 138, respectively. PCS module 132 is connected to and controls the operation of Media Access Controller (MAC) modules 140, 142, 144, and 146. The MAC modules 140, 142, 144, and 146 are identical hardware interfaces capable of each communicating using the FC protocol at 1 Gigabits per second (Gbps) or 2 Gbps speeds. The speed and protocol settings for the for the MAC modules 140, 142, 144, and 146 are controlled by the PCS 132, which operates in response to control signals from a bus (not shown) connecting the PCS 132 to the APEX 116. A parallel 10 Gbit (X Gbit) Medium-Independent Interface (XGMII) port 147 may be provided from the PCS 132, as determined by control signals originating from the APEX 116. The 10 Gb XGMII interface is not coupled to any of the four MAC modules.
In the example of FIG. 1, PCS 134 is connected to MAC modules 148, 150, 152, and 154 in the same way that PCS 132 is connected to MAC modules 140, 142, 144, and 146. The construction of PCS 134 is the same as the construction of PCS 132, but PCS 134 operates independently of the PCS 132. MAC modules 148, 150, 152, and 154 have the same construction as the MAC modules 140, 142, 144, and 146.
A System Packet Interface level 4, phase 2 (SPI4.2) interface module 156 is connected to the shared memory crossbar module 112 through bus 158. The SPI4.2 interface module 156 may be connected to high-speed I/O through external bridges, or to a backplane through a switch-chip fabric, or to other network processors (not shown). Another SPI4.2 interface module 160 is connected to the shared memory crossbar module 112 through bus 162. The SPI4.2 interface module 160 may also be connected to high-speed Input/Output (I/O) through external bridges, or to a backplane through a switch-chip fabric, or to other network processors (not shown).
Each of the MACs 140, 142, 144 and 146 may be coupled to a separate, off-chip SERializer/DESerializer modules (SERDES). The function of the off-chip SERDES is to provide electronic signals in the FC protocol to off-chip transceivers (not shown), which may be optical transceivers for connection to fiber optic cables or electrical transceivers for connection to electrical cables. The MACs 148, 150, 152 and 154 may also be coupled to separate, off-chip SERDES (not shown).
A Double Data Rate (DDR) Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) controller 164 is connected to the scheduler 114 through bus 166. The function of the controller 164 is to control the sending and receiving of data to and from an external DDR memory module (not shown) connected to an external bus 168 of the controller.
A support processor 115 handles certain processing tasks not otherwise covered by the APEX 116, and has an external connection 117. A Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) module 168 has an external connection 170, and is used for boundary scan testing of the hardware contained within INP 110. Serial flash memory 172 has an external connection 174, and is a non-volatile reprogrammable memory which may be loaded through the connection to store firmware for operation of APEX 116 and support processor 115.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of firmware and software structures 210 for use with the INP of FIG. 1 (shown as an INP hardware block in FIG. 2). The structures 210 serve to provide the computer codes for activating the INP hardware block, and for interacting with a host Operating System (OS) software structure (not shown) such as Linux or Microsoft Windows. On-chip firmware 214 may be downloaded into the INP, and are for execution by the APEX module and support processor of FIG. 1. The firmware 214 interacts with the hardware through connection 218.
A Platform Integration Module (PIM) 222 is firmware code for execution by the support processor of FIG. 1, and includes a boot startup and Power On Self Test (POST) module 224, online and offline diagnostic program module 226, configuration and device management module 228, and status and debug log module 230. The PIM 222 may be accessed through the connection 232. The connection 232 is preferably the same as the connection 117 of FIG. 1. This module can be customized for each platform that the INP is integrated with.
The on-chip firmware 214 and PIM 222 may be accessed by an external software operating system through a hardware abstraction layer 234, or may be directly accessed through a connection 236. The layer 234 is a part of a software driver program which also includes an infrastructure services module 238 and a virtualization and basic copy services module 240. The software driver including the layer 234 and modules 238 and 240 is to be executed as a program on an external host computer processor (not shown) under the control of a host operating system software structure (not shown).
The infrastructure services module 238 includes a discovery and initiator driver 248, a statistics driver 250, a FC initiator and target driver 252, and a device management driver 254. The virtualization and basic copy services module 240 includes a virtualization services driver 258 and a basic copy services driver 260.
The PCIe specification entitled "PCI Express™ Base Specification Revision 1.1 Mar. 28, 2005," incorporated by reference herein, available from the web site www.pcisig.org, defines the terms "configuration," "device," "EndPoint" (EP), "function", "lane," "link," and "Root Complex" (RC) as used in connection with PCIe bus designs. Each PCIe device connected to the PCIe bus is given a configuration. A problem with the PCIe standard is that it does not describe a way for a HBA to present multiple PCIe device configurations simultaneously, and to change the PCIe device configurations. In addition, the PCIe standard does not describe a way for a HBA to present emulated PCIe device configurations through the PCIe bus to a host computer using memory apertures in the host memory.
Another industry specification, the Advanced Switching Interconnect Sig (ASI SIG™) specification entitled "Advanced Switching Core Architecture Specification Revision 1.1—Final, November 2004", incorporated herein by reference, is available from the web site www.asi-sig.org, is based on the PCIe architecture, and adds transaction layer capabilities to enable flexible protocol encapsulation, peer-to-peer transfers, dynamic reconfigurations, and multicast. The ASI SIG™ specification describes the use of "apertures" for device configuration. The basic purpose of ASI SIG™ is to create a switching fabric using PCIe links. However, the ASI SIG™ specification does not provide a way for configurations to be changed in an aperture by a HBA, or for device configurations to be emulated in firmware by a HBA.

System and method for virtualizing PCIe devices

Emulex Design & Manufacturing Corporation


The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing products such as laminates or thermal moldings. The apparatus includes a first member, a flexible sheet, and a cord and channel arrangement to mount the flexible sheet to the first member to form an enclosed chamber. Valve structure is provided in airflow communication with the enclosed chamber. The apparatus may be used as a vacuum frame apparatus wherein the enclosed chamber receives product for exposure to a vacuum environment. Heat may be applied to facilitate manufacturing. External force may be provided to the product through external mechanical structure or an external pressure greater than atmospheric pressure external of the enclosed chamber. In another embodiment, the apparatus may be used as a membrane press wherein the product is outside the enclosed chamber and the enclosed chamber is pressurized to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure such that the flexible sheet, sometimes heated, is pressed against the product. Sometimes a vacuum assist may be provided to draw the flexible sheet toward the product.

Various manufacturing processes are known which require a vacuum environment (pressures less than atmospheric pressure). Vacuum environments are useful in manufacturing printed circuit boards with multiple layers adhesively attached to one another. The vacuum environment facilitates removal of air, or air and moisture, from between the layers.
Vacuum environments are also useful in manufacturing laminate structures of composite materials, such as for use in manufacturing aircraft. Glass laminate structures also may be assembled in a vacuum environment. Thermal molding, where a polymeric layer is heated and shaped around a mold, may also be performed in a vacuum environment.
In manufacturing the above products and other products, it is often important to provide an appropriate vacuum environment to facilitate removal of air, or air and moisture, between the layers of material in the product to be manufactured. Heat and/or external force may be applied to facilitate manufacture.
Apparatus are known for creating a vacuum environment. One example of a known vacuum apparatus includes an arrangement with a flexible top sheet and a flexible bottom sheet adhesively bonded together with caulk. A product for exposure to the vacuum environment is placed between the top and bottom sheets prior to completely closing the arrangement with the caulk. A valve permits withdrawal of air, or air and moisture, from the enclosed chamber between top and bottom sheets. Vacuum arrangements of this type are sometimes referred to as "turkey bags".
Various problems exist with the above vacuum arrangement. One problem is that the arrangement is not reusable. Further, setup prior to forming the vacuum environment is often difficult and time consuming since the top sheet and the bottom sheet must be adhesively caulked together. Sometimes caulk particles are drawn into the valve during use, causing problems with the vacuum supply. Another problem with the arrangement is that stacking of multiple arrangements for simultaneous manufacture is difficult, or impossible, due to the location of the valve through one of the flexible sheets, and a lack of rigidity of the structure. Sometimes the flexible sheets are very thin and are subject to being easily punctured.
Another example of a known vacuum apparatus includes an arrangement with a metal top plate and a metal bottom plate. A seal arrangement, including at least one flexible seal, is positioned between the top and bottom plates to form an enclosed chamber. A product to be exposed to the vacuum environment is placed within the enclosed chamber between the top and bottom plates and the seal arrangement. A valve is provided to withdraw air, or air and moisture, from the enclosed chamber. Vacuum arrangements of this type are sometimes referred to as "vacuum frame assemblies".
Since the second type of vacuum arrangement includes rigid top and bottom plates, neither structure can conform to a non-parallel surface on the product. If an external compressive force is to be applied to the exterior of the top and bottom plates to facilitate manufacturing through mechanical assistance, the height of the seal arrangement is critical relative to the size of product. In addition, the flexible seals must be replaced after a period of time due to fatigue, since typical usage produces significant deformation of the seal structure.
In the art of manufacturing processes involving vacuum environments, cost of materials comprising the vacuum apparatus is important. Ease of setup and time to setup the vacuum apparatus are also important concerns. Reliability, such as the ability to consistently permit formation of the proper vacuum environment, and the ability to reduce waste of products processed with the vacuum apparatus, are further concerns. In addition, reducing the amount of disposable elements comprising the vacuum arrangements is important.
The above-noted prior art vacuum apparatus have inadequately, or not at all, addressed the concerns noted above. A need exists in the art for apparatus and methods which address the above concerns.
Other manufacturing processes are known which require movement of a flexible sheet against a product, such as in the case of a membrane press apparatus. In a membrane press apparatus, the product to be manufactured is outside an enclosed chamber formed between a first rigid member and a flexible sheet. The enclosed chamber is pressurized to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure such that the flexible sheet, sometimes heated, is pressed against the product. Sometimes a vacuum assist may be provided to draw the flexible sheet toward the product. Such an arrangement is useful to manufacture wood laminates, for example, an oak laminate over a chip board.
In a membrane press apparatus, prior to pressurizing the enclosed chamber to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, a vacuum is sometimes applied in the enclosed chamber to draw the flexible sheet toward the first member. By heating the first member and drawing the flexible sheet toward the first member, this facilitates more rapid heating of the flexible sheet, and also moves the flexible sheet away from the product. To seal between the flexible sheet and the first member, a solid seal member is provided. A mechanical fastener grips the flexible sheet to attach the sheet to the first member. A seal is formed between the seal member and the flexible sheet through appropriate tension in the flexible sheet and/or pressing the first member and flexible sheet against a rigid work surface.
This type of membrane press arrangement is subject to problems due to the need for the extra mechanical fastener which must properly grip the flexible sheet. Also, the flexible sheet is sometimes subject to failure due to rubbing or chafing of the flexible sheet around sharp corners of the first member. It is clear that a need exists in the art for an apparatus and method which addresses these concerns.


A rotary hammer includes a housing, a tool holder mounted on a front portion of the housing, and a motor mounted in the housing. The motor includes an armature shaft arranged substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the tool holder and including toothing. A hammer mechanism is driven by the motor to generate impacts on a tool being held by the tool holder. The hammer mechanism includes a first intermediate shaft adjacent and substantially parallel to the armature shaft facing away from the tool holder. A rotation drive mechanism is driven by the motor to rotatingly drive a tool being held by the tool holder. The rotation drive mechanism includes a second intermediate shaft adjacent and substantially parallel to the armature shaft facing the tool holder. The toothing of the armature shaft meshes with corresponding toothing on at least one of the first intermediate shaft and the second intermediate shaft. A chain drive couples the first intermediate shaft to the second intermediate shaft so that the first and second intermediate shafts are driven together by the armature shaft.

In a known rotary hammer (as described in DE 42 02 767 C2), an intermediate gear wheel is provided for coupling of both intermediate shafts which intermediate gear wheel is arranged coaxially to the armature shaft and rotatably mounted by means of a bearing which bearing is mounted in the housing of the rotary hammer. By means of this intermediate gear wheel the first intermediate shaft which is rotatably driven by the armature shaft in operation of the rotary hammer, is coupled with the second intermediate shaft. In this arrangement rotation of the intermediate shaft causes a certain undesired heating due to friction, and requires relatively precise machining of the intermediate gear wheel and the gear wheels or toothing of the intermediate shafts cooperating with the intermediate gear wheel.


A substantially endotoxin-free ApoA or ApoE is produced by recombinant DNA technique, suitably in E. coli. Medicaments and methods for treatment of atherosclerosis or cardiovascular diseases employ ApoA or ApoE purified by a process comprising contacting a first aqueous solution comprising ApoA or ApoE and endotoxins with a matrix comprising an immobilized compound with an end group comprising two or three nitrogen atoms bonded to a carbon atom for attaching the endotoxins to the matrix, and subsequently treating the matrix comprising the immobilized compound with a second aqueous solution comprising a surfactant for releasing the ApoA or ApoE while the endotoxins remain attached to the matrix. Alternatively, the ApoA or ApoE is purified by a process comprising contacting the first aqueous solution comprising ApoA or ApoE and endotoxins with an anion-exchange matrix for attaching the ApoA and ApoE to the matrix, treating the anion-exchange matrix with a second aqueous solution comprising a compound comprising two or three nitrogen atoms bonded to a carbon atom for releasing the endotoxins while the ApoA or ApoE remains attached to the matrix, and then releasing the ApoA or ApoE from the matrix.

The dear correlation between elevated levels of serum cholesterol and the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) has been repeatedly confirmed, based on epidemiological and longitudinal studies. The definition, however, of complex mechanisms of cholesterol transport in plasma, has allowed the recognition of a selective function of circulating lipoproteins in determining the risk for CHD.
There are, in fact, four major circulating lipoproteins: chylomicrons (CM), very low density (VLDL), low density (LDL) and high density (HDL) lipoproteins. Of these, HDL is directly involved in the removal of cholesterol from peripheral tissues, carrying it back either to the liver or to other lipoproteins, by a mechanism known as "reverse cholesterol transport" (RCT).
The "protective" role of HDL has been confirmed in a number of studies. Recent-studies directed to the protective mechanism(s) of HDL have been focused on apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), the major component of HDL. High plasma levels of ApoA-I are associated with a reduced risk of CHD and presence of coronary lesions.
Plasma ApoA-I is a single polypeptide chain of 243 amino adds, whose primary sequence is known (Brewer et al. (1978) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 80: 623-630). ApoA-I is synthesized as a 267 amino acid precursor in the cell. The major structural requirement of the ApoA-I molecule is believed to be the presence of repeat units of 11 or 22 amino acids, presumed to exist in amphipathic helical conformation (Segrest et al. FEBS Lett. (1974) 38: 247-253). This structure allows for the main biological activities of ApoA-I, i.e. lipid binding and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activation.
The apolipoprotein A-IMilano (ApoA-IM) is the first described molecular variant of human ApoA-I (Francescini et al. (1980) J. Clin. Invest. 66: 892-900). It is characterized by the substitution of Arg 173 with Cys 173 (Weisgraber et al. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258: 2508-2513). The mutant apolipoprotein is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait and 8 generations of carriers have been identified (Gualandri et al. (1984) Am. J. Hum. Genet. 37: 1083-1097). The status of a ApoA-IM carrier individual is characterized by a remarkable reduction in HDL-cholesterol level. In spite of this, the affected subjects do not apparently show any increased risk of arterial disease. Indeed, by examination of the genealogical tree it appears that these subjects may be "protected" from atherosclerosis.
The mechanism of the possible protective effect of ApoA-IM in the carriers seems to be linked to a modification in the structure of the mutant apolipoprotein, with the loss of one alpha-helix and an increased exposure of hydrophobic residues (Francheschini et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260: 1632-1635). The loss of the tight structure of the multiple alpha-helices leads to an increased flexibility of the molecule, which associates more readily with lipids, compared to normal ApoA-I.
Another very specific feature of the ApoA-IM, is its capacity to form dimers with itself and complexes with ApoA-II, in both cases because of the presence of the Cys residue.
To make possible production of sufficient quantities of ApoA-I in general, and more specifically ApoA-IM, use is made of recombinant DNA techniques, e.g in E. coli. Thus, recombinant preparation and use of ApoA-IM, monomers as well as dimers, are disclosed in patent specifications WO-A-88/03166 assigned to Farmitalia Carlo Erba (FICE), WO-A-90/12879 assigned to Sirtori et al, as well as WO-A-93/12143 and WO-A-94/13819 both assigned to Pharmacia AB (formerly Kabi Pharmacia AB).
Use of e.g. E. coli as medium introduces certain drawbacks. Thus, endotoxins or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are high molecular complexes associated with the outer membrane (cell wall) of gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli, Proteus and Salmonella. Endotoxins consist of two main parts, a lipid moiety called lipid A which is embedded in the outer membrane and a polysaccharide (O-antigen) which protrudes into the environment. Lipid A is the region which elicit the toxic effect of the endotoxins, a prerequisite being the presence of the entire lipid A moiety. The polysaccharide is made up of a O-specific chain and a core. The O-specific chain projects from the core and is the outermost part of the endotoxin. The core works as a linkage between lipid A and the O-specific chain.
It is known that endotoxins must be released from the bacterial surface to cause toxic effects. This happens when the bacteria multiply, at lysis and during stress. In aqueous solutions, free endotoxins form aggregates, micelles and vesicles, with a molecular weight of about 5 kDa up to >10.sup.3 kDa.
It is known from the literature that several proteins form complexes with endotoxins. Particularly strong complexes are formed with HDL and apolipoproteins (Emancipator et al. (1992) Infect. Immun. 60: 596-601). According to Ulevitch et al. (1981) J. Clin. Invest. 67: 827-837, formation of a complex between HDL and endotoxins involve a two step mechanism, as follows: EQU Endotoxins.sub.(aggregated) .fwdarw.Endotoxins.sub.(disaggregated)(1) EQU Endotoxins.sub.(disaggregated) +HDL.fwdarw.Endotoxins-HDL (2)
This behavior has been confirmed e.g. by Munford et al (1981) Infect. Immun. 34: 835-843. There are indications suggesting that lipid A is the main factor in the complex and that the interaction involves both ionic and hydrophobic forces (Freudenberg et al. (1979) Nat. Toxins, Proc. Int. Symp. Anim., Plant Microb. Toxins., 6th, 349-354).
As already stated above, strong complexes are formed between endotoxins and HDL in general and particularly with apolipoproteins. This mechanism has been used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,318 assigned to the Rogosin Institute. U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,318 thus relates to HDL associated apolipoprotein containing reconstituted particles, and use thereof in removing lipid soluble materials, including endotoxins, from cells, body fluids, and the like. More particularly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,318 relates to a method for treating a subject for endotoxin-caused toxidty, by administering to the subject a reconstituted particle containing ApoA-I or ApoA-II, with or without cholesterol. Here, naturally, the aim is to create and maintain indefinitely the strongest possible complex, to avoid release of the endotoxins in the subject.
The complexes, strong in themselves, can be further strengthened e.g. by the presence of certain chemical compounds. Thus, deoxycholate is known to disaggregate endotoxins according to formula (1) above (Munford et al., see above and Emancipator et al., see above). The deoxycholate, then increases the binding of endotoxins to HDL according to formula (2). The result is a complex of endotoxins and HDL, which is very difficult to separate.
General methods for reducing or eliminating the effect of endotoxins are known previously. Thus, EP-A-494848 assigned to Pharmacia discloses methods for inhibiting endotoxin induced effects. A first embodiment relates to infusing a medicament containing arginine or arginine derivatives for treatment of an endotoxin induced effect, e.g. fever. A second embodiment relates to a method for removing endotoxins from water or aqueous solutions by filtering the water or aqueous solution through a bed containing immobilized arginine or an arginine derivative. To illustrate the second embodiment, tests were carried out with endotoxins from E. coli on columns containing Arginine SEPHAROSE.RTM. from Pharmacia Biotech of Uppsala, Sweden. The interaction is, however, weak and therefore much easier to separate into protein and endotoxins than would be the case with the strong complexes between apolipoproteins and endotoxins.
Anion-exchange chromatography is frequently used in the elimination of endotoxins from solutions containing proteins such as urokinase, interferon, asparaginase and albumin (Sharma (1986) Biotech. Applied Biochem. 8: 5-22). However, the interaction between the proteins and endotoxins is much weaker than the complexes formed between apolipoproteins and endotoxins.
EP-A-333474 to Mitsui Toatsu relates to a process for removing endotoxins from proteins by contacting an endotoxin-contaminated aqueous solution containing the protein with a protein adsorbent, washing the adsorbent with a solution containing an amino compound, and subsequently eluting the protein from the adsorbent. The only exemplified proteins are tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), human serum albumin and inter-.alpha.-trypsin inhibitor. Examples of protein adsorbents are affinity, adsorption, hydrophobic and metal chelate chromatography gels.
Polymyxin B sulfate is an antibiotic polypeptide which has the ability to prevent the toxic effects of endotoxin by interaction with the lipid A moiety. Karplus and coworkers (Karplus et al. (1987) J. Immuno. Methods 105: 211-220) have used this knowledge for adsorbing endotoxins on Polymyxin SEPHAROSE.RTM. 4B, sold by Pharmacia AB of Uppsala, Sweden. Polymyxin is, however, in itself biologically active and therefore not suitable for removing endotoxin from solutions for intravenous injection (H. Matsumae et al. (1990) Biotechn. Biochem. 12: 129-140).
PROSEP.RTM. Remtox sold by Bioprocessing Ltd. of Great Britain, is a matrix prepared for specific removal of endotoxins from low and high molecular weight substances, such as antibiotics, vitamins, enzymes, antibodies and blood products. The gel consists of a low molecular weight, non-protein, non-carbohydrate synthetic ligand.
Charged filters are capable of removing endotoxins and other negatively charged molecules from different solutions. For example, Pall of United Kingdom offers POSIDYNE.TM. filters, consisting of a hydrophilic nylon 66 filter medium containing quaternary ammonium groups throughout the membrane structure. The retention capacity of the filter is independent of the temperature and is optimal at a pH of 5-8 and at a low flow rate.
There are presently several methods known for reducing or eliminating the influence of endotoxins in protein solutions generally. There is, however, no existing method to overcome the strong interaction between endotoxins and ApoA or ApoE. The present invention is intended to solve this problem.

Purified APO A and APO E compounds and methods for using them


A system, apparatus, and method for facilitating location-based triggering of actions, applications, services, and the like on wireless devices, for locations that may be subsequently visited by the mobile device user. Wireless service area identifiers are received at the wireless device, where selected ones can be stored as points of interest on the wireless device. Actions are correlated with the stored points of interest, where this correlation is also stored on the wireless device. An action associated with a particular stored point of interest is invoked when the wireless device enters a wireless service area corresponding to the particular stored point of interest.

Where mobile telephones were perhaps viewed by many as a luxury when first introduced into the marketplace, they are today viewed by our society as very important, convenient, and useful tools. A great number of people now carry their mobile devices with them wherever they go. This popularity of wireless communication has spawned a multitude of new wireless systems, devices, protocols, etc. Consumer demand for advanced wireless functions and capabilities has also fueled a wide range of technological advances in the utility and capabilities of wireless devices. Wireless/mobile devices not only allow voice communication, but also facilitate messaging, multimedia communications, e-mail, Internet browsing, and access to a wide range of wireless applications and services.
However, some applications or services that might be available for use on a mobile device may be of little value, until the user is placed in a particular context or location in which such applications and/or services may be very useful. This has led to a concept generally referred to as location-based services. Generally, existing location-based services have been directed to a situation where a person who is unfamiliar with his/her present surroundings can obtain location information from the wireless network, and then browse for certain information or services in that location. For example, a tourist may be in an unfamiliar city, and may be looking for the nearest one of her favorite franchise restaurants. With her consent, the network can measure her current location. Once her location information has been obtained at the network, she can be notified of her location by the network, thereby allowing her to search/browse for services around that location. Alternatively, after the network has determined the user's location, a network-resident program may be initiated to find services or information in that location. However, such an approach is complex and difficult to scale to large numbers of users and network traffic for frequent location determinations.
Another approach is to measure the position of the user with the assistance of the cellular network (e.g., Enhanced Observed Time Difference; EOTD), or with totally handset-based methods such as Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Network-assisted methods would require that the terminal requests location data frequently, causing a great burden to the location infrastructure. Similarly, the use of GPS would undesirably increase the handset power consumption for these frequent location updates.
Further, these systems are directed to situations where the user is unfamiliar with his/her surroundings. However, it is more often the case that mobile terminal users are in a location in which they are familiar, and in fact they may frequent such locations on a regular basis. The prior art methods do not address this situation, and instead address the situation where the mobile terminal users need help because they are unfamiliar with their current surroundings. There is a need to provide location-based service and application triggering for users who may return to a location, without imposing heavy burdens on the network infrastructure. The present invention fulfills these and other needs, and offers other advantages over the prior art.

System and method for initiating location-dependent applications on mobile devices


A developing device includes a frame, a developing roller, a blade unit, and a first seal member. A blade unit extends in an axial direction of the developing roller and in contact with the peripheral surface thereof. The first seal member is configured to seal a boundary between the frame and the axial end portions of the developing roller. The frame has a fixing portion to which end portions of the blade is fixed. The fixing portion has a support surface having an outer edge and an inner edge in the axial direction. The outer edge is positioned outward of an inner edge of the first seal member in the axial direction, and the inner edge of the support surface is positioned inward of the inner edge of the first seal member in the axial direction.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-203298 discloses a developing device including a cartridge frame for accommodating therein developing agent, a developing roller, a seal having a side seal member for sealing an axial end portion of the developing roller, and a blade unit having a layer thickness regulation blade for regulating a thickness of a layer of the developing agent carried on a peripheral surface of the developing roller.
The cartridge frame has a support surface formed with a fixing hole for fixing a longitudinal end portion of the blade unit by a thread threadingly engaged with the fixing hole. The support surface is positioned outward of an inner edge of the side seal member in the longitudinal direction of the blade unit. That is, the support surface is positioned outward of the blade unit in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Developing device for preventing toner leakage


The present invention related generally novel mammalian apoptosis-inducing factors, polynucleotides encoding such factors and methods related thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to novel mammalian apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) polypeptides, DNAs encoding for the AIF polypeptides, and uses thereof.
2. Related Technology
Apoptosis is essential for the maintenance of tissue size and cell number homeostasis of multi-cellular organisms, and apoptotic abnormalities are thought to play an important role in the development of various neoplastic diseases as well as a number of neurodegenerative diseases.
Mitochondria play a key role in the regulation of apoptosis. A variety of key events in apoptosis involve mitochondria, including the release of caspase activators (such as cytochrome c), changes in electron transport, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (thus allowing several proteins found within the mitochondrial intermembrane space to be liberated through the outer mitochondrial membrane, thereby participating in the apoptotic degradation phase), altered cellular oxidation-reduction, and which involves the of pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family of proteins. The different signals that converge on mitochondria to trigger or inhibit these events and their downstream effects delineate several major pathways in physiological cell death.
Because apoptosis and its regulation plays a critical role in the maintenance of cellular and tissue homeostasis, there exists a need to develop material and methods for either inducing or inhibiting apoptosis as well as to provide systems for screening for additional candidate substances that either induce or inhibit apoptosis.

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique


The present invention provides a new use of DP IV-inhibitors. The compounds of the present invention, and their corresponding pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt forms, are useful in treating conditions mediated by DP IV or DP IV-like enzymes, such as immune, autoimmune or central nervous system disorder selected from the group consisting of strokes, tumors, ischemia, Parkinson's disease and migraines. In a more preferred embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) is a serine protease which cleaves N-terminal dipeptides from a peptide chain containing, preferably, a proline residue in the penultimate position. Although the biological role of DP IV in mammalian systems has not been completely established, it is believed to play an important role in neuropeptide metabolism, T-cell activation, attachment of cancer cells to the endothelium and the entry of HIV into lymphoid cells.
Likewise, it has been discovered that DP IV is responsible for inactivating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide also known as gastric-inhibitory peptide (GIP). Since GLP-1 is a major stimulator of pancreatic insulin secretion and has direct beneficial effects on glucose disposal, in WO 97/40832 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,661 inhibition of DP IV and DP IV-like enzyme activity was shown to represent an attractive approach for treating non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
The present invention provides a new use of DP IV-inhibitors for the treatment of conditions mediated by inhibition of DP IV and DP IV-like enzymes, in particular the treatment of neuronal disorders and immune disorders including multiple sclerosis, and pharmaceutical compositions e.g. useful in inhibiting DP IV and DP IV-like enzymes and a method of inhibiting said enzyme activity.
This invention relates to a method of treatment, in particular to a method for the treatment of central nervous disorders, immune and autoimmune disorders, especially multiple sclerosis and to compositions for use in such method. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) is a post-proline (to a lesser extent post-alanine, post-serine or post-glycine) cleaving serine protease found in various tissues of the body including kidney, liver, and intestine.
It is known that DP IV-Inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus (International Patent Application, Publication Number WO 99/61431, Pederson R A et al, Diabetes. 1998 August; 47(8):1253-8 and Pauly R P et al, Metabolism 1999 March; 48(3):385-9). In particular WO 99/61431 discloses DP IV-Inhibitors comprising an amino acid residue and a thiazolidine or pyrrolidine group, and salts thereof, especially L-threo-isoleucyl thiazolidine, L-allo-isoleucyl thiazolidine, L-threo-isoleucyl pyrrolidine, L-allo-isoleucyl thiazolidine, L-allo-isoleucyl pyrrolidine, and salts thereof.
The term DP IV-like enzymes relates to structurally and/or functionally DP IV/CD26-related enzyme proteins (Sedo & Malik, Dipeptidyl peptidase IV-like molecules: homologous proteins or homologous activities? Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 2001, 36506: 1-10). In essence, this small group of enzymes has evolved during evolution to release H-Xaa-Pro-Dipeptides and H-Xaa-Ala-Dipeptides from N-terminus of oligo- or polypeptides. They show the common feature, that they accomotate in the Pro-position also Al, Ser, Thr and other amino acids with small hydrophobic side-chains as, Gly or Val. The hydrolytic efficacy is ranked Pro>Ala>>Ser, Thr>>Gly, Val. Same proteins have been only available in such small quantities, that only the post-Pro or post-Ala cleavage could be established. While the proteins: DP IV, DP II, FAPα (Seprase), DP 6, DP 8 and DP 9 are structurally related and show a high sequence homology of, attraction is an extraordinary functional DP IV-like enzyme, characterized by a similar activity and inhibitory pattern.
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26) has to be shown an activation marker for T, B, and NK cells (Schön, E., Demuth, H. U., Barth, A., and Ansorge, S. (1984) Biochem. J. 223, 255-258, Bühling, F, Junker, U, Reinhold, D, Neubert, K, Jäger, L, and Ansorge, S. Functional role of CD26 on human B lymphocytes. Immunol. Lett. 45, 47-51. 1995; Ansorge, S., Schön, E., and Kunz, D. Membrane-bound peptidases of lymphocytes: functional implications. Biomed. Biochim. Acta 50, 799-807. 1991; Schön, E., Eichmann, E., Grunow, R, Jahn, S., Kiessig, S. T., Volk, H, and Ansorge, S. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV in human T lymphocytes. An approach to the role of membrane peptidases in the immune system. Biomed. Biochim. Acta 45, 1523-1528. 1986.). Surface expression of CD26 is up regulated after mitogenic, anti-CD3 or IL-2 stimulation of T cells, S. aureus protein stimulation of B cells and IL-2 stimulation of NK cells (Reinhold, D, Bank, U., Bühling, F, Träger, M, Born, I., Faust, J., Neubert, K., and Ansorge, S. Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV, CD26) induces secretion of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in stimulated mouse splenocytes and thymocytes. Immunol. Lett. 58, 29-35. 1997).
Stimulation of human T cells by pokeweed mitogen results in a significant increase of IL-2, IFN-γ, and DP IV mRNA expression. The changes observed in cytokine mRNA expression are dose-dependently suppressed by a specific inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (Arndt, M., Lendeckel, U., Spiess, A, Faust, J., Neubert, K., Reinhold, D, and Ansorge, S. Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DP IV/CD26) mRNA Expression in PWM-Stimulated T-cells Is Suppressed by SpecificDP IV Inhibition, an Effect Mediated by TGF-β1. Biochem Biophys. Res Commun. 274, 410-414. 2000.). This effect seems to be mediated by TGF-β1.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a presumed autoimmune pathogenesis involving autoantigen-specific CD4+ T cells and cytokines (Rohowsky-Kochan, C, Molinaro, D, and Cook, S D. Cytokine secretion profile of myelin basic protein-specific T cells in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis 6, 69-77. 2001.). Myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific, CD4+ T cell clones (TCC) derived from patients with multiple sclerosis express high levels of DP IV/CD26. Specific inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV results in a dose-dependent suppression of DNA synthesis and IFN-γ, IL-4, and TNF-α production of the antigen-stimulated TCC (Reinhold, D, Hemmer, B, and Gran, B. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26): role in T cell activation and autoimmune disease. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 477, 155-160. 2000.).
Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV suppress activation of human MBP-specific CD4+ T cell clones (Reinhold, D, Hemmer, B, Gran, B, Born, I., Faust, J., Neubert, K., McFarland, H F, Martin, R, and Ansorge, S. Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26 suppress activation of human MBP-specific CD4+ T cell clones. J Neuroimmun 87(1-2), 203-209. 1998.).
The degeneration underlying MS results from degradation of the myelin sheath, an electrically insulating fatty layer that surrounds nerve fibers and permits the rapid conduction of electrical signals. This loss of myelin can seriously impair the ability of neurons to conduct an electrical signal effectively. Symptoms will depend on where in the central nervous system (CNS) the myelin loss occurs and, thus, which nerve pathways become impaired.
The disease appears to be autoimmune in nature, i.e., the body's own immune system is responsible for the damage. The principal target of the autoimmune reaction appears to be Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), although other MS antigens have been proposed. In the early stages of the disease, a type of CNS cell called an oligodendrocyte can repair this damage and replace the lost myelin. However, these cells can also be destroyed in MS and so sufferers may lose the ability to repair the damage over time, which allows the disease to progress.
The mechanism of disease progression appears complex and several components of the immune system have been linked to the disease. While the underlying tissue damage appears to result predominantly from a T cell mediated response, antibodies against MS antigens are often present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and at active lesions. Antibodies are not normally present in the CSF and some disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB), a protective membrane around the CNS, must also occur to allow antibodies, T cells and macrophages to enter the CSF. This change in the permeability of the BBB appears to be one of the defining events in the development of MS.
Activated macrophages secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and interferon-γ, leading to the production of destructive enzymes and free radicals. In addition to the complex nature of the immune response itself, the disease can also affect a number of targets. As well as the myelin sheath, other cells such as astrocytes and microglia can be attacked, forming discreet regions of damage known as plaques or lesions. The lesions are also known as scleroses (hence the name) and can occur in both the brain and the spinal cord. The sites of the lesions tend to be near blood vessels and are commonly found on the optic nerve, cerebellum, periventricular regions and spinal cord.
The initial mechanism for the onset of disease remains largely unknown and the number of active lesions at any given time is actually quite low. The heterogeneous nature of the disease and the number of clinical subtypes that this creates suggest that MS is probably a series of related conditions rather than one disease.
DP IV-inhibitors were investigated in the EAE mouse, an animal model for MS (A. Steinbrecher, D. Reinhold, L. Quigley, A. Gado, N. Tresser, L. Izikson, I Born, J. Faust, K. Neubert, R. Martin, S. Ansorge, and S. Brocke. Targeting dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26) suppresses autoimmune encephalomyelitis and up-regulates TGF-beta 1 secretion in vivo. J Immunol 166 (3):2041-2048, 2001; A. Steinbrecher, D. Reinhold, L. Quigley, A. Gado, N. Tresser, L. Izikson, I Born, J. Faust, K. Neubert, R. Martin, S. Ansorge, and S. Brocke. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV in inflammatory CNS disease. Adv Exp Med Biol 477:145-153, 2000.)
Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV exert anxiolytic-like action when administered centrally (icv) in rats. Chronic treatment with the antidepressant Imipramine has recently been demonstrated to reduce the severity of acute MPB-induce EAE in female Lewis rats (Stephan, M., Straub R. H., Breivik T., Pabst, R. and Hörsten, S. v. Postnatal maternal deprivation aggravates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in adult Lewis rats: reversal by chronic imipramine treatment. Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. in press (2002)).
Several studies have underlined the importance of the relationship between stressful life events, psychological distress, and clinical exacerbation of multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. Stress modulates the course of EAE in rats (Dimitrijevic, M., Laban, O., Hörsten, S. v., Markovic, B. M. & Jankovic, B. D. (1994). Neonatal sound stress and development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Lewis and DA rats. Int J Neurosci, 78, 135-43; Laban, O., Dimitrijevic, M., Hörsten, S. v., Markovic, B. M. & Jankovic, B. D. (1995). Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in adult DA rats subjected to neonatal handling or gentling. Brain Res, 676, 133-40.). Stress protection is currently not considered as a treatment option for MS.
Further examples of low molecular weight dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors are agents such as tetrahydroisoquinolin-3-carboxamide derivatives, N-substituted 2-cyanopyroles and -pyrrolidines, N-(N′-substituted glycyl)-2-cyanopyrrolidines, N-(substituted glycyl)-thiazolidines, N-(substituted glycyl)-4-cyanothiazolidines, amino-acyl-borono-prolyl-inhibitors and cyclopropyl-fused pyrrolidines. Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,011,155; 6,107,317; 6,110,949; 6,124,305; 6,172,081; WO 99/61431, WO 99/67278, WO 99/67279, DE 198 34 591, WO 97/40832, DE 196 16 486 C 2, WO 98/19998, WO 00/07617, WO 99/38501, WO 99/46272, WO 99/38501, WO 01/68603, WO 01/40180, WO 01/81337, WO 01/81304, WO 01/55105, WO 02/02560 and WO 02/14271, the teachings of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Use of dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors in the treatment of multiple sclerosis


A method for implementing a control function via a sensor having a touch sensitive control input surface. The method includes detecting a contact with the touch sensitive control input surface, determining a pressure value corresponding to the contact, and initiating a control function from a set of possible control functions based at least in part on the pressure value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a sensor and, in particular, to a system and method for implementing a control function via a sensor having a touch sensitive control input surface.
2. Background Art
In general, a scroll sensor is a sensor designed to convert the touch of an operator (i.e., user) into an input for an electronic device. Typically, scroll sensors are planar devices having the shape of a strip or a ring and may be implemented on the front face of a corresponding electronic device. Conventional scroll sensors are generally activated by touching and/or sliding an operator digit (e.g., finger) or an implement (e.g., stylus) on the surface of the sensor. The scrolling action may be linear, rotational, or along a more complex path.
Electronic devices that benefit from the utility of scroll sensors include, for example, cell phones, personal media players, portable gaming devices, computers, and cameras. Typically, the corresponding device has a display with a graphical user interface that may give feedback during scrolling actions. For example, the act of changing the volume on a music player might be indicated on a display by a moving bar whose length is proportional to volume.
An example of a portable electronic device with a single linear scroll sensor is the iRiver H10 mp3 player. Touching the sensor and moving or, in the alternative, touching the sensor at one end and holding accomplishes various actions such as song selection, volume control, etc.
An example of a portable electronic device with a rotary scroll sensor is the apple iPod. Touching the sensor and scrolling accomplishes various actions such as changing volume. The size of the change is generally proportional to the angular travel of the touch.
Conventional sensors implemented in connection with such electronic devices are not pressure sensitive. The present invention may add to the utility of sensors, such as the scroll sensor described above, by utilizing the added dimension of pressure.
A method of constructing a pressure sensitive resistive linear scroll sensor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,702 (assigned to Interlink Electronics Inc. and incorporated by reference in its entirety) which shows two orthogonal sensors layered to form a two dimensional touch pad.
A method of making a ring-shaped scroll sensor is described in U.S. provisional application No. 60/572,155 filed May 18, 2004 (incorporated by reference in its entirety), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/129,805 filed May 16, 2005 (incorporated by reference in its entirety), now U.S. Pat. No. 7,310,089.

System and method for implementing a control function via a sensor having a touch sensitive control input surface


A light source device includes an optical fiber; a beam light source configured to coaxially combine laser beams of different peak wavelengths to generate and emit a wavelength-combined beam; and an optical coupling device configured to allow the wavelength-combined beam emitted from the beam light source to be incident on the optical fiber. The optical coupling device includes a first cylindrical lens configured to focus the wavelength-combined beam in a first plane and having a first focal length, a second cylindrical lens configured to focus the wavelength-combined beam in a second plane and having a second focal length, and a third cylindrical lens having a third focal length greater than the first focal length and configured to focus the wavelength-combined beam in the first plane to be incident on the first cylindrical lens.

The present application relates to a light source device, a direct diode laser system, and an optical coupling device.
High-power and high-radiance laser beams are used for performing processing such as cutting, punching, or marking for various kinds of materials, or welding a metal material. Some of the carbon dioxide gas laser apparatuses and YAG solid laser apparatuses that have been used for such laser processing are being replaced by fiber laser apparatuses, which have a high efficiency of energy conversion. Laser diodes (hereinafter simply referred to as LD) are used as pumping light sources of fiber lasers.
According to increase in output of LDs in the recent years, techniques using LDs as light sources of a laser beam directly irradiating a material to process the material, instead of using LDs as pumping light sources, have been developed. Such techniques are referred to as "direct diode laser (DDL) technology".
U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,062 describes an example of a light source device configured to combine a plurality of laser beams of respectively different wavelengths, which have been emitted from a plurality of LDs, to increase the optical output power. Coaxially combining a plurality of laser beams of respective wavelengths, referred to as "wavelength beam combining (WBC)" or "spectral beam combining (SBC)", may be used in enhancing the optical output power and radiance of a DDL system or the like, for example.

Light source device, direct diode laser system, and optical coupling device


In one embodiment, the present invention includes introducing a precursor containing hydrocarbon substituents and optionally a second conventional or hydrocarbon-containing precursor into a vapor deposition apparatus; and forming a dielectric layer having the hydrocarbon substituents on a substrate within the vapor deposition apparatus from the precursor(s). In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the hydrocarbon substituents may be later removed from the dielectric layer to reduce density thereof.

The present invention relates to forming layers on a substrate and more particularly to forming a dielectric layer using a hydrocarbon-containing material.
Semiconductor devices typically include metal layers that are insulated from each other by dielectric layers. It is desirable that these dielectric layers which are made of an insulative material have a relatively low dielectric constant. While such dielectric layers may be made of various materials, silicon dioxide is one material used, however it has a higher dielectric constant than is desired for forming advanced semiconductor devices. One material used to provide a low dielectric constant (Keff) is a carbon doped oxide (CDO). Typically, CDO films are formed using a vapor deposition process. It is desirable however, to obtain a dielectric layer having a lower Keff than possible using conventional vapor deposition processing and precursor materials.
Certain materials used as dielectric films may be instead formed using a spin-on process. While such spin-on materials may have a relatively low Keff, they typically have poor mechanical strength and may suffer from structural integrity problems during subsequent processing. Thus there is a need for a dielectric layer that has reliable mechanical strength for subsequent processing and a relatively low dielectric constant upon device completion.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Forming a dielectric layer using a hydrocarbon-containing precursor


A circuit board coupled with jacks and conformed to Category 6 standard has conductors to connect IDC contacts and jack pins to reduce cross-talk and improve return-loss. The improvements are targeted on the pair 1 and 3 conductors of circuit conductors, and include forming capacitors by main conductors connecting to the IDC and jack on two sides of the circuit board, extending pair 1 and 3 conductor ends in the vicinity of IDC junctures to form a TR (or TT,RR) conductor layout, and extending pair 1 and 3 conductor ends in the vicinity of jack junctures to form a TT or RR conductor layout (or TT for IDC end, or RR for jack end) to generate induction effect, thereby to form the circuit board coupled with jacks that has circuit conductors laid on two sides thereof and conforms to Category 6 communication standard.

The invention relates to a circuit design for patch panels and particularly a circuit design for a dual-side circuit board coupled with jacks and Insulation Displacement Connectors (IDCs) to conform to Category 6 (Cat.6) communication standard.
In order to respond the growing applications of high speed networks post-Ethernet 100 MHz networks, working groups in Telecommunications Industry Associations (TIA) of U.S.A. has developed and announced an Enhanced Cat. 6 standard based on the wiring system of Category 5 (Cat. 5) 100 MHZ (titled: TSB-67). The Cat. 6 standard expands from 100 MHZ of Cat. 5 to 250 MHZ. In 1998 IEEE made a request to TIA and ISO on new wiring system specifications, performance requirements must be at least 25% more than the accumulated power fading cross-talk ratio (ACR). Hence test frequency for Cat. 6 performance has even reached 350 MHZ. The major difference between the Cat. 6 standard and the Cat. 5 standard is that Cat. 6 standard has improved performance in cross talk interference and return loss. In the new generation of full duplex high speed network applications, improved performance on return loss is very important. Cross talk is a critical factor for implementing wide band applications. Although 00 MHZ is still the mainstream of the present network installations, Cat. 6 standard is a more desirable protocol to meet future requirements.
The standard set forth above is not only targeted on high speed communication cables, in order to maintain same high speed transmission performance in the high speed communication networks, the peripheral devices related to the high speed communication cables also should have matching designs, especially telecommunication connection elements such as RJ-45 type plug and jack. The RJ-45 connectors (including plug and jack) used in high speed communication networks generally are 8P8C type. 8P means eight positions, and 8C means eight gold plated contacts. However, in practical applications, only two pairs of lines are used. Other two pairs of lines may be used for other devices such as telephones and facsimile machines. There are two types of connector specifications according to EIA/TIA definitions, i.e. EIA/TIA-568A and EIA/TIA-568B. EIA/TIA-568A is obsolete now. EIA/TIA-568B is continuously being used. Its pin positions 1-8 are arranged sequentially and are connected respectively with four pairs of twisted communication lines (such as Unshielded Twisted Pair or Shielded Twisted Pair). The pin positions are respectively marked by T (Tip terminal) and R (Ring terminal) according to different current directions. The general standard communication cable lines have four twisted pairs twisted in pairs and marked by different colors. The colors of the cable lines are blue/white-blue, orange/white-orange, green/white-green, and brown/white-brown.
In the circuits of these communication connecting devices, to include capacitors or induction effect to reduce cross-talk and improve return-loss is a well-known technique. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,089 to Rainal, entitled: xe2x80x9cLow-crosstalk modular electrical connector assemblyxe2x80x9d, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,752 to John Siemon et al, entitled: xe2x80x9cElectrically Balanced Connector Assemblyxe2x80x9d disclose circuit structures that have circuit conductors laid on the circuit board surface equivalent to capacitors or inductors. They mainly deploy selected circuit conductors on the surface of two sides of the circuit board to form capacitors, or lay circuit conductors adjacent to each other at a selected interval on the surface of the same side of the circuit board to generate induction effect. While they can reduce cross-talk and improve return-loss to some degree, they still cannot meet the critical requirements of Cat. 6 standard.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a circuit board conforming to Cat. 6 standard to improve cross-talk and return-loss of jacks mounted to the circuit board.
Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit board that has a simple circuit design and particularly a circuit board coupled with jacks and IDCs.
The circuit board coupled with jacks according to the invention mainly is targeted on the improvement of the pair 1 conductors and pair 3 conductors of the jack and IDC. The improvements include: the main conductors between the jack and IDC are laid respectively on two sides of the circuit board and have enlarged areas such that a capacitor structure is formed between the pair 1 conductors and the pair 3 conductors. In the vicinity of the juncture of the IDC and main conductor, the ends of the pair 1 and pair 3 conductors are extended and lengthened to allow the pair 1 and pair 3 conductors forming a TR (or TT, RR) layout related to each other, and in the vicinity of the juncture of the jack and main conductor, the ends of the pair 1 and pair 3 conductors are extended and lengthened to allow the pair 1 and pair 3 conductors forming a TT or RR (or TT or RR for the IDC end, and TR for the jack end) layout, thereby to generate induction effect. By means of the balanced effect resulting from multiple levels of capacitance and inductance, cross-talk interference can be reduced to meet the requirements of Cat. 6 standard.
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.


Reinforced moulds for a casting machine include a wall for containing a cast article, the wall including a lip region. The lip region includes a reinforcing element cast internally in the lip region. The reinforcing element provides enhanced resistance to tensile tearing and cracking of the moulds. Methods of making and using the reinforced moulds also are provided.

1. Field of the Technology
The present disclosure relates generally to the casting of metal alloys, and more specifically to the continuous casting of metallic materials such as, for example, pig iron, ferroalloys, slag, and other materials into shapes for later use as feedstock or alloying elements for use in foundry and iron and steel making operations or like metallurgical processes.
2. Description of the Background of the Technology
Heretofore, moulds used on pig iron, ferroalloy, nickel matte, slag, and ingot casting machines have been made of various compositions of cast gray iron or steel. Cast irons with carbon in flake graphite form have been found to be the most successful in terms of mould life. Typical compositions are referred to by their tensile strength, e.g. Class 40 gray iron has a tensile strength of 40,000 pounds per square inch, and Class 20 gray iron has tensile strength of 20,000 pounds per square inch.
Unfortunately, the higher strength cast irons have poorer heat-transfer properties than the lower strength compositions. Since cracking is the primary cause of failure of moulds on casting machines, it would be expected that the higher strength types would be more resistant to early failure. Unfortunately, this has not been the case, since the higher strength iron compositions do not effectively conduct the heat from the molten metal through the mould body, and can suffer local pitting and erosion in the area where the metal stream impacts the moulds. In the case of use with high temperature ferroalloys, the moulds erode severely at the metal impingement point.
The lower strength compositions do an excellent job of conducting heat, but their lower physical strength makes them prone to early failure from cracking.
It can, therefore, be appreciated that a significant advantage can be obtained by a method for manufacturing moulds of lower physical strength that are reinforced to provide resistance to cracking and subsequent breakage.

Device and method to improve the life of casting machine moulds


An image display device includes a light source, a flat display panel for forming an image in units of picture elements by using an incident light generated from the light source, and at least one double refraction plate for dividing the picture elements of the image formed by the flat display panel into duplication picture elements and shifting them to other positions independent of the original picture elements. The double refraction plate uses an amplitude division method to divide and shift the picture elements to a distance of 3/2P.sub.x, wherein P.sub.x is pitch between adjacent picture elements as displayed. An arrangement of two double refraction plates in sequence and an arrangement of three double refraction plates in sequence may be used to increase the picture elements four and eight times in number, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image display device and, more particularly, to a projection type image display device which is designed to enhance the quality of image by using the image division and shift method.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In general, flat panels, especially projection type image display devices with a liquid crystal display panel are implemented by real and virtual image techniques.
The real image technique is a method of displaying a real image by using an optical system as shown in FIG. 1. The optical system comprises a liquid crystal display panel 11, an eyepiece lens 12, and a screen 13. The liquid crystal panel 11 is positioned out of the focal distance f of the eyepiece lens 12 to display the real image projected on the screen 13.
The virtual image technique is a method of displaying a virtual image on a screen. FIG. 2 is a schematic of an optical instrument of the projection type image display device using a general virtual image technique. The optical instrument comprises an eyepiece 14, a liquid crystal display panel 15, and a screen 16. Unlike the real image technique, the liquid crystal panel 15 is positioned within the focal distance f of the eyepiece lens 14 to project the virtual image through the liquid crystal display panel 15 and display it on the screen 16.
The image of the liquid crystal display panel is projected on the screen in either case.
The type of the liquid crystal display panel is classified by the pattern of an array of picture elements; delta and stripe type patterns.
In the delta type pattern, as shown in FIG. 3, RGB color filters are horizontally arranged in sequence. The picture elements of one color in a horizontal line are horizontally moved by three halves the picture element in the adjacent horizontal lines.
Similarly, RGB color filters are horizontally arranged in sequence in the stripe type pattern, as shown in FIG. 4. But, the picture elements of one color in a horizontal line are located at the same vertical position in the adjacent horizontal lines.
Beside the liquid crystal display panel, flat panels to project an image include PDP, FED, and DMD panels. For all the flat panels, the image is projected in a larger size on the screen.
The flat panel comprises an opening section that allows a ray to pass therethrough, and opaque zones. The opaque zones are unavoidably formed from the circuits for energizing each picture element and other structural constructions constituting the panel.
For example, when an image by red, green and blue picture elements is enlarged and projected, a part of the image is not displayed on the screen due to the opaque zones between the picture elements.
FIG. 5 shows the intervals formed by the opaque zones 20 between the red, green and blue picture elements 17, 18 and 19 on the screen, where the opaque zones 20 on the screen are caused by those between the three picture elements on the liquid crystal display panel.
The picture elements are recognized as they are separated with the opaque zones unless they are observed at a good distance from the screen. If the picture elements that constitute an image are recognized in the case that they are not observed at a good distance from the screen, the image formed appears unnatural and rough. The intervals formed by the opaque zones are shown as a mosaic pattern in the image on the screen, which deteriorates the quality of image.
Since the light generated from the light source is screened by the opaque zones, there may be a loss of the quantity of light passing through the light path.
To eliminate the deterioration of the quality of image due to the opaque zones, as shown in FIG. 5, the picture elements 17, 18 and 19 are divided into two parts: original picture elements 17, 18 and 19 and duplication picture elements 17a, 18a and 19a and the duplication picture elements are shifted to such a distance that the opaque zones are eliminated with them. Both images by the original and shifted duplication picture elements are simultaneously displayed on the screen.
A plurality of images duplicated are shifted in different directions and to a distance shorter than the cycle P.sub.x of the picture element so as to eliminate the opaque zones. The cycle P.sub.x of the picture element is the distance between adjacent two picture elements and the horizontal pitch of the picture element on a liquid crystal display panel.
The key point of this is that the picture element (image) is duplicated into a plurality of picture elements (images) and the images by the original and duplication picture elements are projected onto the screen, thus eliminating the opaque zones to prevent the deterioration of the quality of image.
A wavefront division method is used to divide the wave of light propagating from the image on the LCD panel into a plurality of duplication images. FIG. 6 is a schematic of a projection type image display device using a flat plate in accordance with an example of the prior art, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,967. FIG. 7 is a schematic of a projection type image display device using a polyhedral prism in accordance with another example of the prior art, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,968. In the above mentioned examples, an optical unit is provided near the iris of the projection optical system, to divide the image into a plurality of images to a designated distance less than the cycle of the picture element.
Referring to FIG. 6, the projection type image display device using a flat plate comprises a light source 21, a liquid crystal display panel 22, an iris 23, a polyhedral flat plate 24, a projecting lens 25, and a screen 26. The liquid crystal display panel 22 produces an image to be projected onto the screen 26. The light containing image information is incident on the polyhedral flat panel 24 via the iris 23. The light on the polyhedral flat panel 24 is divided into a plurality of images, being projected onto the screen 26 through the projecting lens 25. Thus formed duplication image is shown in FIG. 5.
As shown in FIG. 7, the incident light is however scattered at border lines (edges) 24a, 24b and 24c of the polyhedral flat plate 24. Thus the quality of image is deteriorated irrespective of the elimination of the opaque zones by the projection type image display device in FIG. 6.
Since the polyhedral flat plate 24 must be inserted before the iris of the projection optical system, the installation of the projecting lens and image projection display system is limited by the configuration of the projection optical system. The polyhedral flat plate 24 to attain an accurate quantity of division and shift is also hard to manufacture.
Referring to FIG. 8, the conventional projection type image display device using a polyhedral prism comprises a light source 30, a liquid crystal display panel 31, an iris 32, a projecting lens 33, a polyhedral prism 34, and a screen 35. The liquid crystal display panel 31 produces an image to be projected onto the screen 35. The light containing the image information is incident upon the polyhedral prism 34 via the iris 32 and projecting lens 33. The light on the polyhedral prism 34 is divided into an original image by the original picture elements and a duplication image by the duplication picture elements, and projected onto the screen 26. Thus formed duplication image is shown in FIG. 5.
In a similar manner as illustrated in FIG. 7, the incident light is divided and shifted by a plurality of faces of the polyhedral prism 34 to generate an original image and a duplication image 27b. The projection type display device using a polyhedral prism as shown in FIG. 8 also has the same problems with the projection type display device using a polyhedral flat plate in FIG. 6.
Further another example of the prior art to eliminate the opaque zones is disclosed in JP Publication No. 8-43764, dividing the picture elements into the duplication picture elements and projecting the image by the original picture elements and the duplication image shifted onto a screen. The duplication image is shifted to a distance as large as the opaque zones in one picture element that is only enough not to overlap the adjacent two picture elements. As described in FIG. 9, the duplication image 36a is shifted to a distance of maximum 1/2P.sub.x, that is, a half the cycle of the picture element.
Opaque zones due to another picture element of a different color cannot be removed at all. Referring to FIG. 9, when only R picture element is used, or the quantity of light is concentrated only R picture element, G and B picture elements serve as opaque zones, with respect to the R picture element. Due to the opaque zones, the image displayed is unnatural and the opaque zones appear in the image as a mosaic pattern. This problem pertaining the opaque zones is to unavoidable in the above mentioned examples disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,967 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,968.
To eliminate the opaque zones, a micro lens array sheet (U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,942) or a grating sheet is suggested for further another example. Each of micro lens must be arranged exactly corresponding to each picture element on a liquid crystal display panel. The deterioration of the quality of image is not avoidable because of a scattering of light at the border portions of the micro lens. For the grating sheet, unwanted scattering of light occurs at the edge of the grating plate and a moire appears in the image due to the interference between the grating plate and LCD panel. The image formed by the conventional liquid crystal display panel must be observed at a distance from the screen, which requires sufficient space for watching the screen.


A method for securing sensitive information, includes storing patient information in a secured form in an external device that is carried by a patient. A user terminal obtains a first signature generated using a first secret key inside a first identification medium, where the first secret key is associated with a first healthcare person. Moreover, the user terminal communicates a write request that includes at least the first signature to the external device. The external device receives the write request from the user terminal when the user terminal is within a proximal communication range of the external device. Furthermore, the external device verifies at least the first signature received in the write request. The user terminal writes first information to the external device, based on verification of at least the first signature. A system for securing sensitive information is also provided.

Generally, higher level of controls and security measures are required to manage sensitive information as compared to non-sensitive information. The sensitive information refers to privileged information that needs to be protected from unauthorized access to safeguard the privacy or security of an individual or organization. An example of the sensitive information is health or medical information. Typically, the medical information is maintained in the form of physical documents, such as hand-written prescriptions, X-ray reports, MRI scans, and so forth. However, such physical documents may get damaged over a period of time and thus the medical information is susceptible to loss. Therefore, to overcome drawbacks associated with the physical documents, nowadays the medical information is stored as electronic data in order to ensure that the information is available to healthcare personnel whenever needed to be able to provide proper medical care to a patient. Notably, the electronically stored medical information of a patient is considered sensitive information that needs to be safeguarded from unauthorized access and editing. The safeguarding of the electronic medical information is paramount to ensure that the sensitive information is protected from the threat of theft and privacy breaches.
Currently, there are many technical problems associated with storing and processing of the sensitive information, such as the sensitive medical information. The processing of sensitive information is technically challenging because of the laws, regulations and other principles that demands to meet requirements of security of such sensitive information. Moreover, in addition to security, availability of the sensitive information is also a primary requirement for practical real-world applications. For example, in provisioning of medical care, patient information must be available all the time. However, under certain circumstances, the availability as well as security of the patient information may not be achieved concurrently using conventional systems and methods. For example, sensitive information may be stored in server systems, and a network connectivity to such server system may be temporality unavailable or there may be issues in the network connectivity causing interruptions in patient care, which is not desirable. Further, an unauthorized access of such sensitive information in such critical circumstances may result in sacrifice of patient safety or overlook strict security requirements, which is not desirable.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with the conventional systems and methods that process sensitive information.

Method and system for securing sensitive information


A secondary cooling apparatus capable of gradually cooling cast thin pieces and a cast apparatus that uses it are provided. A comb tooth-shaped device is arranged inside a vessel of the secondary cooling apparatus; the cast thin pieces are piled on the comb tooth-shaped device; and crushed small pieces are placed thereon. After the cast thin pieces and the crushed small pieces are gradually cooled, the cast thin pieces are crushed by a pressing device. The crushed small pieces are rapidly cooled by being in contact with a surface of a bottom wall and side faces of cooling teeth. Nd-rich phases or R-rich phases can be annealed by the gradual cooling, and after the crushed small pieces are rapidly cooled to its oxidation temperature or below, the crushed small pieces can be taken out to the air atmosphere.

The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus and cooling method for cast thin pieces in a strip casting method as a method for producing a raw material alloy for a neodymium-iron-boron based sintered magnet. More particularly, the invention relates to the cooling apparatus and the cooling method in which a value of cooling velocity in a high temperature region can be changed.

Secondary cooling apparatus and casting apparatus


A passive flow modulation device according to an embodiment includes: a pressure sensitive main valve controlling a flow of a cooling fluid from a first area to a second area through an orifice; and a temperature sensitive pilot valve coupled to the pressure sensitive main valve, the temperature sensitive pilot valve configured to open at a predetermined temperature in the first area, causing a pressurization of the pressure sensitive main valve, wherein the pressurization of the pressure sensitive main valve actuates the pressure sensitive main valve to an open position, allowing the cooling fluid to flow from the first area to the second area through the orifice.

Turbines are widely used in a variety of aviation, industrial, and power generation applications to perform work. Such turbines generally include alternating stages of peripherally mounted stator vanes and rotating blades. The stator vanes may be attached to a stationary component such as a casing that surrounds the turbine, and the rotating blades may be attached to a rotor located along an axial centerline of the turbine. A compressed working fluid, such as steam, combustion gases, or air, flows along a gas path through the turbine to produce work. The stator vanes accelerate and direct the compressed working fluid onto a subsequent stage of rotating blades to impart motion to the rotating blades, thus turning the rotor and performing work.
Various components (e.g., blades, nozzles, shrouds, etc.) and areas (e.g., wheelspaces between stator and rotor) of turbines are typically cooled in some fashion to remove heat transferred by the hot gas path. A gas such as compressed air from an upstream compressor may be supplied through at least one cooling circuit including one or more cooling passages to cool the turbine.

Passive flow modulation of cooling flow into a cavity


A system and method for modulating the frequency of electromagnetic radiation utilizes a frozen shockwave in a photonic band gap structure. The structure provides a discontinuity in lattice constant that functions as a shockwave, and that does not shift its position within the structure. In addition the modulation device or structure includes an acoustic pulse generator, such as a piezoelectric transducer coupled to one end of the photonic band gap structure. The acoustic pulse generator may be driven to produce a periodic pulse in the photonic band gap structure. The frozen shockwave, a defect or discontinuity in the photonic band gap structure, is used to hold incoming electromagnetic radiation in place. The acoustic pulse passing through the photonic band gap structure Doppler shifts the frequency of the radiation. The frequency-shifted radiation is then ejected out of the frozen shockwave portion of the photonic band gap structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is in the field of photonic crystals and devices for modulating the frequency of electromagnetic rations.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is a difficult technical problem to create a device that will shift the frequency of electromagnetic radiation with a significant continuous dynamic range. One prior attempt to address the problem has been to use lasers with nonlinear crystals to generate higher harmonics. However, the generated frequencies are at discrete harmonic steps, rather than having a continuous range.
Another attempt to approach the problem has been to use Doppler shifting of frequencies. This produces a continuous shifting of frequencies up or down, but only allows for a limited range of frequency shift. In addition, Doppler shifting does not discriminate in its frequency shifting—all frequencies are shifted by the same amount.
A third way to shift electromagnetic frequency has been to use cavity tuning to shift frequency. However, cavity tuning may be expensive, and in any event produces only a limited amount of frequency shift.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,809,856, to Reed et al., describes a method of modulating frequency of electromagnetic radiation by inputting the radiation into a photonic crystal with a shockwave propagating therethrough. However, the method of propagating a shockwave through a photonic crystal usually destroys the crystal, rendering the method suitable for one-time use only. In addition, the propagating shockwave creates undesirable noise in the radiation output by the photonic crystal.
From the foregoing it may be seen that there is room for improvement in the field of frequency modulation.

Frequency modulation structure and method utilizing frozen shockwave


A remote service testing system comprising a service analyzer within an access network, a first enterprise network having a first plurality of nodes, and a first network extension coupled to the first enterprise network and the service analyzer. The service analyzer accesses the first enterprise network over the first network extension and performs test functions on the first plurality of nodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to packet networks, and in particular, to a remote service testing system for monitoring the performance of packet networks.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Current packet networks support multiple types of communication services, such as voice, video, and data service. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling is an example of a voice service that is growing rapidly in popularity. As communication services have advanced, the problems associated with providing such services over packet networks have expanded. For example, VoIP service is notoriously unreliable due to the distributed nature of packet networks. Another problem involves the difficulty of analyzing service performance across a modern distributed packet network.
One prior art solution for analyzing service performance requires placing a local probe on a network to monitor the activities of various nodes on the network. Packet sniffers are an example of a local probe used to monitor a network. Probes can be used to isolate network elements and investigate their real-time behavior. Unfortunately, a local access point for the probe is required because most routers and firewalls would otherwise block the probe from monitoring network activity.
FIG. 1 illustrates communication network 100 in an example of the prior art. Communication network 100 includes customer network 110, service provider network 120, and Internet 130. Customer network 110 includes VoIP enabled phones 101 and 102, and digital cross connect 103. Digital cross connect includes protocol analyzer 104. Service provider 120 includes router 121. Protocol analyzer 104 is an example of a local probe utilized to analyze whether or not elements of customer network 110 are operating correctly in accordance with communication protocols.
Service provider network 120 is an access network that provides access and service to elements of customer network 110. Digital cross connect 103 connects elements of customer network 110 to service provider network 121. Service provider network then provides access to Internet 130. In this example, service provider network 120 provides VoIP calling services to customer network 110. Callers place VoIP calls from phones 101 and 102. Digital cross connect 101 sends communications for the calls to service provider network 120. The calls are then routed over the Internet 130 to their respective destinations.
At times, users placing calls from phones 101 and 102 experience service problems. As illustrated by FIG. 1, a prior art solution is to place a local probe, protocol analyzer 104, on digital cross connect 103. Probe 104 can monitor the communications to and from phones 101 and 102. Additionally the probe can monitor the processes of digital cross connect 103. The cause of any service problems can be detected with the local probe.
This solution presents several problems for those concerned with network performance. For instance, a local probe is limited in the amount of data it can process. Furthermore, a local probe is unable to investigate packets on other networks other than the subject network. A local probe is also unable to correlate performance problems on other networks with problems on the subject network. In fact, local probes are often inaccessible from outside the network, thereby preventing outside monitoring capabilities and services, and are detectable by illegitimate sniffers and scanners.
Further problematically, if a probe is administered by a third party, such as a security firm or the service provider, the probe is often times inaccessible to the third party because it is located behind the customer's network firewalls and routers. Thus, the security firm, at best, is only able to periodically update the configuration of the probe. The local nature of probes in the prior art also prevents the probe from providing continual updates to the third party outside of the network. Third party security firms are prevented from fully analyzing the behavior of network elements. Instead, they are relegated to viewing sparse updates periodically transmitted from the local probes. Local probes also often times require inefficient and time consuming manual installation and operation.