A system may be configured to receive information regarding a quality of service (“QoS”) objective for a network. The network may include a group of nodes through which network traffic traverses. Each node, of the group of nodes, may implement one or more queues that indicate an order in which traffic is processed by the node. The system may further identify scheduling information associated with one or more nodes of the network. The queues implemented by the one or more nodes may be based on the identified scheduling information. The system may receive performance information from at least one of the nodes, of the group of nodes; and may generate new scheduling information for at least one node, of the group of nodes, based on the information regarding the QoS objective, the scheduling information associated with the one or more nodes, and the performance information.

Networks, such as cellular telecommunications networks, allow communication between user devices (such as cellular telephones) and other devices (such as servers, other user devices, etc.). Traffic to and/or from user devices may traverse multiple different network devices, such as base stations and/or gateways. These network devices may each employ various different techniques for ensuring quality of service ("QoS") for traffic associated with the user devices. For instance, different vendors of different network devices may implement QoS traffic schedulers differently, which may result in expected network characteristics for the same function to vary greatly.

End-to-end quality of service optimization based on network performance indicators


Oligodeoxynucleoside methylphosphonate neoglycopeptide conjugates and related compounds for tissue specific delivery of biologically stable, nonionic oligodeoxynucleoside analogs into cells.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a delivery system for introducing homogeneous oligonucleoside conjugates that are resistant to biodegradation into cells in a tissue specific manner via ligand directed, receptor mediated, endocytosis pathway.
2. Background Information
The antisense (anticode) or antigene strategy for drug design is based on the sequence-specific inhibition of protein synthesis due to the binding and masking of the target mRNA or genomic DNA, respectively, by the synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (oligo dN) and their analogs (1). Implicit in this strategy is the ability of oligo-dns to cross cellular membranes, thereby gaining access to the cellular compartments containing their intended targets, and to do so in sufficient amounts for binding to those targets to take place. Among the many oligo-dn analogs for application as antisense, non-ionic oligonucleoside methylphosphonates (oligo-MPs) have been extensively studied (2). Oligo-MPs are totally resistant to nuclease degradation (3) and are effective antisense agents with demonstrative in vitro activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (4), vesicular stomatitis virus (5) and human immunodeficiency virus (6), and are able to inhibit the expression of ras p21 (7). For oligo-MPs to exhibit antisense activity, however, they must be present in the extracellular medium in concentrations up to 100 .mu.M (4-7). Achieving and maintaining these concentrations for therapeutic purposes presents a number of difficulties, including expense, potential side effects owing to non-specific binding of the oligo-MP and immunogenicity. These difficulties can be circumvented in two ways:
1) By enhancing transport of the oligo-MP across the membrane of the targeted cell line achieving a locally high concentration of the oligo-MP. PA1 2) By specific delivery to a target cell line only, thereby avoiding toxic side effects to other tissues.
Both strategies serve to greatly reduce the concentration of the oligo-MP needed to produce an antisense effect and to avoid the toxic side effect with tissue specificity.
Delivery of exogenous DNA into the intracellular medium is greatly enhanced by coupling its uptake to receptor-mediated endocytosis. Pioneering work by Wu and Wu (8) showed that foreign genes (8a-c) or oligo-dns (8d), electrostatically complexed to poly-L-lysine linked to asialoorosomucoid, are efficiently and specifically taken into human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2) cells through direct interaction with the asialoglycoprotein receptor. Since this initial study, other examples of receptor-mediated delivery of DNA have appeared including a tetra-antennary galactose neoglycopeptide-poly-L-lysine conjugate (9), a trigalactosylated bisacridine conjugate (10), folate conjugates (11), an antibody conjugate (12), transferrin conjugate (13) and 6-phosphomannosylated protein linked to an antisense oligo-dns via a disulfide bond (14). Recently, the tri-antennary N-acetylgalactosamine neoglycopeptide, YEE(ah-GalNAc).sub.3 (15), conjugated to human serum albumin which was in turn linked to poly-L-lysine was shown to effectively deliver DNA into Hep G2 cells (16). While improved, these methods of delivery have several disadvantages: (1) by virtue of the structural heterogeneity of the starting materials (e.g. most often poly-L-lysine or bovine serum albumin) and the synthetic strategies employed, glycoconjugates derived from these materials are functionally equivalent, but structurally heterogeneous, therefore, their physical and biological properties would be difficult to fully define; (2) polycationic compounds (e.g. poly-L-lysine and cationic lipids) are toxic at concentrations employed for the delivery of DNA and oligo-dns in vitro and presumably in vivo; (3) the ratio of oligo-dN or DNA to cationic conjugate must be empirically determined in each case.
A number of synthesis products have been described for the delivery of oligo dN which are heterogeneous mixtures of conjugates. Bonfils et al., for example, describe formation of conjugates between 6-phosphomannosylated protein and oligonucleosides which, because the modification of the protein and the formation of the disulfide link are not regiochemically controlled, yields a mixture of functionally related but structurally different molecules.
Several studies have described intracellular delivery of oligodeoxynucleotides or DNA which contain biodegradable phosphodiester internucleotide linkages. Because of this, they may have relatively short half lives within the cell and efficacy is consequently reduced. For example, an all phosphodiester 16-mer, d(T).sub.16, was extensively degraded after only two hours in the cell. This disadvantage with oligo-dNs and DNA is well recognized in the antisense community. The present invention enables the delivery of biologically stable oligo-MPs, other oligodeoxynucleotide analogs (see Table 1) and other biostable pro-drugs using the delivery strategy described herein. Thus, a further reduction in the concentration of the antisense agent can be realized as a consequence of its biostability.
Merwin et al. describe the synthesis of conjugates using neoglycopeptide YEE(ah-GalNAc).sub.3. Their delivery system is heterogeneous and contains poly-L-lysine, which serves to electrostatically bind DNA to the conjugate. The disadvantages of this delivery strategy are: its structural heterogeneity; potential toxicity due to its polycationic charge; and difficulties in formulation due to the need to empirically determine the ratio of cationic carrier to oligo-dn or DNA for optimum delivery. The delivery strategy of the present invention obviates all these difficulties because it is chemically defined and structurally homogeneous and it is intended to deliver biologically stable antisense agents and other biostable pro-drugs.
Thus, conjugates available heretofor for delivering oligo dN and oligo dN analogs to their intracellular targets suffer from the disadvantage of being heterogeneous and/or rapidly biodegradable, with the consequences that the most efficacious compounds may be delivered in a dilute form to the target along with extraneous compounds which may be ineffective and/or harmful.

Ligands to enhance cellular uptake of biomolecules


Methods are described for predicting parts procurement requirements for products over a plurality of time periods, with certain of the parts being common to a plurality of products. The actual demand for the products is unknown, but the method assures that a specified service level is met for all products and minimizes expected excess part inventories. The methods are provided with inputs which, among others, includes lists of parts for each product, prices for the parts, and demand forecasts for each product in each time period, each forecast in the form of a mean and standard deviation. The description of the problem includes an objective function of minimizing expected excess inventory while satisfying the constraint that a specified service level be achieved. The problem is transformed into an unconstrained problem through the use of a Lagrange multiplier. The solution is achieved by performing a one parametric search on the value of the multiplier. The solution may achieve higher service levels than specified. Additional methods are described for improving the procurement decisions to more closely meet the service requirement.

Many of today's complex products require relatively short factory assembly times, but incorporate parts whose manufacture and acquisition require long lead times. Where the demand for a product is known, the manufacturing operation can be planned so that its parts are procured and arrive at the manufacturing facility at optimum times. By contrast, where parts are acquired according to forecasts, but assembly of the product is delayed until an order is received, solution to the parts procurement planning problem becomes more complex.
Some of the complexities are as follows. First, product forecasts (in which products the parts are to be incorporated) are to a great extent, educated guesses which are often expressed in probability terms, i.e. a mean value and a standard deviation. Second, parts to be incorporated in various products may be common to a plurality of products or usable with only one product. Third, consideration must be given to a "service" level to be achieved. service is defined as the probability that all product demands are met at least a specified percentage of the time. Fourth, inventory levels must be considered and, preferably, minimized so as to conserve required capital.
As above stated, a manufacturing system which requires a short assembly time but long component procurement lead times is often operated on an "assemble to order" basis. Examples of such manufacturing facilities are found in electronic assembly and test plants and in final "box" assembly plants. In printed circuit card assembly plants, the time to complete assembly and test is typically a week or two, while the time for procuring integrated circuits which are mounted on the cards is typically two to three months or more. In "box" assembly plants, assembly and test is typically on the order of several days, while some of the high technology subassemblies, such as disk drives, may have lead times of months or more.
Such manufacturing facilities are often operated in "just-in-time" or in a pull-driven manner. Such methods reduce the level of finished goods inventory required to respond to market demands. The critical factor in making such approaches successful is the ready availability of all parts that make up the product. Clearly, because of procurement lead times, it is not possible to obtain the parts when the demand for the product is actually known. Thus, procurement decisions have to be made long in advance. As a result, such procurement decisions are made based upon product forecasts.
The prior art contains a number of references which efficiently handle manufacturing and procurement scheduling where product demands are deterministically known. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,238 to Carlson, Jr. et al., a materials requirement planning method is described which is dependent upon prestored information relating to the demand and inventory of all product grades. The system enables the number of common components to be determined and adjusts the inventory to meet projected demands. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,663 to Bye, actual and planned customer orders are employed to control manufacture of end item products and components. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,206 to Natarajan, a cost analysis system employs an inventory model to evaluate work-in-process and assess cost impacts resulting from engineering change requests. Similar teachings can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,488 to Filley and 4,924,385 to Dote.
As above indicated, an objective in "assemble to order" environments is the minimization of investment in parts while assuring a required level of service across the products, even in an environment of uncertain product demand. Achievement of this objective is beyond the capabilities of current materials requirement planning systems, since such systems treat demand deterministically. Ad hoc procedures to deal with the problem using materials requirement planning systems usually result in excessive parts inventory.
The prior art has attempted to deal with such uncertain demand environments but has only done so with respect to simple product structures and/or part procurements limited to a single time period. Baker et al. in "The Effect of Commonality on Safety Stock, a Simple Inventory Model", Management Science, Vol. 32, Number 8, August 1986, considers two products whose demands are uniformly distributed, each product having a unique component and a common component, all having the same price and being used once in each product. Baker et al. show that the introduction of commonality reduces the total inventory required to meet a specified service level and to provide an optimal solution. Beyond two products and uniform distributions, however, the Baker et al. method is not applicable.
Gerchak et al. extended the Baker et al. work in "Component Commonality With Service Level Requirements", Management Science, Vol. 34, Number 6, June 1988. Gerchak et al. consider arbitrary numbers of products, however all have only one unique component and share one common component. Only a single time period is considered. No method is given for solving this expanded problem as well as for a more complex problem where pluralities of parts are distributed among pluralities of products, some parts being common to a plurality of such products.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved method for parts procurement in an "assemble-to-order" environment.
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved procurement method which accommodates unknown random product requirements.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved parts procurement method which assures that a specified service level is achieved while maintaining a minimum excess parts inventory.

Methods for parts procurement quantity determination where demand is uncertain for the product in which the parts are used

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating a maneuver indication for an intersection having a turn-lane connector which is consistent with what a driver sees and expects. According to one aspect of the invention, it provides a method for providing maneuver indications to a driver for an intersection having a turn-lane connector which includes the steps of (a) determining when the intersection includes a turn-lane connector, (b) determining whether it is appropriate to collapse the turn lane into the main portion of the intersection for the purposes of generating a maneuver indication, (c) collapsing the turn lane into the intersection when it is appropriate, (d) generating a maneuver indication for the collapsed intersection, and (e) outputting the maneuver indication to the user in time so that the driver may use the turn-lane connector if desired.

The present invention relates generally to vehicle navigation systems. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for generating maneuvers for an intersection having a turn-lane connector.
A conventional vehicle navigation system generates route and direction information to a driver. To provide the route information, the conventional vehicle navigation system includes a route generator, or equivalent, which reviews a map database and calculates a route based on a provided source and destination. To provide direction information, the conventional vehicle navigation system also includes a maneuver (or direction) processor, or equivalent, which monitors the vehicle's location with respect to the generated route and provides maneuver indications to the driver, as appropriate, directing the driver to the desired destination.
The operation of a conventional maneuver processor is described in the following. When the generated route includes a turn at the intersection of two roads, for example, the maneuver processor provides a turn indication to the driver as the vehicle approaches the intersection according to the general direction of the turn (e.g., left or right) and the angle between the entry road and the exit road as represented in the map database. For example, where the general direction of the turn is "right" and the angle between the entry street and the exit street is approximately 90 degrees, the maneuver processor provides a simple "right turn" indication to the driver. Where, on the other hand, the angle between the entry and exit roads is much greater than (or less than) 90 degrees, the maneuver processor provides a "slight right turn" ("hard right turn") or "keep right" ("sharp right") maneuver indication instead. The maneuver processor also provides the name of the exit road to facilitate the correct execution of the maneuver.
The maneuver indication provided to the driver may be in various forms, including, but not limited to, a pre-recorded voice prompt, a visual icon provided on a display device, highlighted text provided on a display, or some combination of the above. The maneuver processor also includes means for ensuring that the maneuver indication is provided to the driver sufficiently in advance of when the maneuver is required.
When the generated route includes navigating through an intersection that is relatively complex as compared to the simple example described above, the driver requires a maneuver indication which is unambiguous, which suggest to the driver how the maneuver is to be executed, and which is consistent with what the driver observes at the intersection. Accordingly, the conventional maneuver processor is adapted to provide a maneuver indication that reflects as closely as possible the actual arrangement of roads at an intersection. This requirement is typically satisfied by providing a maneuver indication which corresponds in angle or shape with the maneuver to be performed by the driver. In some embodiments, this capability is manifest by providing a maneuver indication which includes highlighted portions of a map. In other embodiments, the maneuver indication includes one or more displayed icons which closely approximate the turn angles of the maneuver.
Occasionally, the capability of the conventional maneuver processor to provide a maneuver indication that closely reflects the actual arrangement of roads at the intersection causes it to provide a maneuver indication that includes unnecessary or redundant information, or that is inconsistent with what the driver actually sees as he/she approaches the intersection. An example of this is depicted in FIGS. 1(a) and (b).
FIG. 1(a) is a representation of an intersection 10 comprising cross-streets, 12 and 14, depicted as N/S street 12, and E/W street 14, respectively. Intersection 10 also includes a turn-lane 16 that connects the northbound traffic on N/S street 12 to the eastbound traffic of E/W street 14. The intersection 10 is represented in the map database as shown in FIG. 1(b), including a road 12' corresponding to N/S street 12, a road 14' corresponding to E/W street 14, and a connector 16' corresponding to turn lane 16. In this case, the conventional maneuver processor operating in the manner described above generates a double maneuver indication for a right turn through the intersection as shown in the figure. That is, the maneuver processor generates a "slight right" indication 18, or its equivalent, for the maneuver from road 12' onto connector 16', followed immediately by a second "slight right" indication 20, or its equivalent, for the maneuver from connector 16' onto road 14'.
When the distance between the entry of turn lane 16 and the junction of cross-streets 12 and 14 is relatively short, the driver approaching intersection 10 from the south only sees the junction of E/W street 14 with N/S street 12, and does not see the turn lane 16. So, when the double maneuver indication is provided in advance of the intersection, the driver is confused by the maneuver indications which do not match the driver's perspective. The driver's confusion is exacerbated by the fact that the turn lane 16 usually has no road name (i.e., the first "slight right" maneuver indication provides no exit road name for the driver). Therefore, it would be preferable in this case for the maneuver processor to provide a simple "right turn" indication to the driver indicating a maneuver from N/S street 12 onto E/W street 14 regardless of whether or not the driver uses the turn lane.
Another case where the conventional maneuver processor provides a maneuver indication including unnecessary or redundant information, or that is inconsistent with what the driver actually sees upon approaching the intersection is depicted in FIGS. 2(a) and (b). FIG. 2(a) is a representation of a three-way "T" intersection 22 comprising N/S street 24 and abutting street 26. As shown in the figure, N/S street 24 includes a median 28 and a turn lane 30 for allowing access to abutting street 26 from the northbound portion of N/S street 24. The intersection 22 is represented in the map database as shown in FIG. 2(b), which includes a road 24' corresponding to the northbound portion of N/S street 24, a road 24" corresponding to the southbound portion of N/S street 24, a road 26' corresponding to abutting road 26, and a connector 30' corresponding to turn lane 30. In this case, the conventional maneuver processor generates a double maneuver indication for a left turn from N/S Street 24 onto abutting street 26 as shown in the figure. That is, the maneuver processor generates a "slight left" indication 32, or its equivalent, for the maneuver from road 24' onto connector 30', followed immediately by a second "slight left" indication 34, or its equivalent, for the maneuver from connector 30' onto road 26'. As can now be appreciated by the reader, the double maneuver indication is potentially confusing to the driver. Therefore, it would be preferable in this case for the maneuver processor to provide a simple "left turn" indication to the driver indicating a maneuver from the northbound lane of N/S Street onto abutting street 26.
Another case where the conventional maneuver processor provides a maneuver indication which includes unnecessary or redundant information, or which does not conform with what the driver actually sees is depicted in FIGS. 3(a) and (b). FIG. 3(a) is a representation of an intersection 36 including N/S street 38, east street 40, and west street 42. N/S street includes a median 44. The intersection 36 is represented in the map database as shown in FIG. 3(b) which includes a road 38' corresponding to the northbound portion of N/S street 38, a road 38" corresponding to the southbound portion of N/S Street 38, a road 40' corresponding to east street 40 which abuts road 38' and which connects road 38' to road 38", and a road 42' corresponding to west street 42 which abuts road 38". In this case, the conventional maneuver processor provides a double maneuver indication for a left turn from the northbound portion of N/S street 38 as shown in the figure. That is, the conventional maneuver processor provides a "left turn" indication 46, or its equivalent, for the maneuver from road 38' to a connecting portion of road 40', followed immediately by a "straight" indication 48, or its equivalent, to indicate the passage from the connecting portion of road 40' onto road 42'. As can now be appreciated by the reader, the double maneuver indication includes information which is redundant and unnecessary. (A similar problem occurs when, as shown by the dashed-line, the conventional maneuver processor provides a double maneuver indication for a U-turn from the northbound portion of N/S street 38 i.e., road 38'! onto the southbound portion of N/S street 38 i.e., road 38"!.) It would be preferable in this case for the maneuver processor to provide a simple "left turn" (or "U-turn") indication to the driver indicating a maneuver from the northbound portion of N/S street 38 onto West street 42.
FIGS. 4(a) and (b), depict yet another case where the conventional maneuver processor provides a maneuver indication which includes unnecessary or redundant information, or which does not conform with what the driver actually observes at the intersection. FIG. 4(a) is a representation of street 50 wherein the northbound portion of the street 52 is separated from the southbound portion of the street 54 by a median 56. The street 50 is represented in the map database as shown in FIG. 4(b), which includes a road 52' corresponding the northbound portion of the street 52, a road 54' corresponding to the southbound portion of the street 54, and a connector 58 between them representing a U-turn lane. In this case, the conventional maneuver processor generates a double maneuver indication for a U-turn as shown in the figure. That is, the conventional maneuver processor provides a "left turn" indication 60, or its equivalent, for the maneuver from road 52' onto connector 58, followed immediately by another "left turn" indication 62, or its equivalent, for the maneuver from connector 58 onto road 54'. Here, as the reader can appreciate, it would be preferable in this case for the maneuver processor to provide a simple "U turn" indication, or its equivalent.

Generating a maneuver at the intersection through a turn lane


A user of a client device that executes a remote application is authenticated by first receiving an HTTP or HTTPS request to authenticate the user from the remote application. The user is prompted for authentication information, and authentication information is obtained by communicating with a hardware device in electronic communication with the client device. The user's authorization to use the remote application is then verified using a computer processor and using the authentication information.

Remote or externally hosted applications, such as web-based applications, may be deployed and executed on local client devices via the use of web browsers or other local client software. Frequently, a user of the client device is required to authenticate himself or herself before using the remote application in accordance with the security policy of the organization, company, or network of which the user is a member, the security policy of the remote application provider, or other security policy. This authentication may include supplying a username and password, interacting with a biometric scanner or a fingerprint reader, and/or authentication in some other manner. Authentication is particularly stringent for applications involving the exchange of sensitive or confidential information.
In conventional systems, the remote application typically collects authentication information. In the case of a username/password process, the remote application may, for example, present a dialog box prompting the user for this information and verify the received username and password against a secure list. In the case of device-based authentication (e.g., a fingerprint reader), the remote application includes software to interact with and operate the device (to, e.g., activate it, receive the scanned user fingerprint data, and either verify the received fingerprint data against known fingerprint data or transmit it to an authentication server). Often, for security reasons, the software used to interact with the hardware device is a browser plug-in.
Security policies may vary greatly depending on the nature of the application and the policies of an organization; some may require only a username/password, while others require the use of hardware authentication devices. This variation, in addition to the complexity in interfacing with different makes, models, and types of hardware authentication devices, places a burden on developers of remote applications to create the necessary authentication software. Furthermore, because the interface software is usually in the form of a browser plug-in (or similar construct), the software may further vary across different web-browser types or versions
The difficulty in designing and maintaining these plug-ins may create operability problems, bugs, or security holes in the use of the remote application on the local client, in particular when the remote application attempts to control a local resource in order to, for example, facilitate user authentication. A need therefore exists for a simpler and more secure method for managing secure access to remote applications when the remote application interacts with local resources.


Systems and methods are provided for estimating a reconstruction cost for a building as well as for a designated area within a building. Reconstruction pricing data based on builder-supplied full reconstruction-cost data are stored in a database from which the data is accessed by geographic location, building-category and building-area type. The accessed data are used to produce the reconstruction cost estimate.

Building owners often prefer to minimize their risks of loss due to fire and other hazards by obtaining insurance to indemnify them against the cost of reconstructing the insured property. From the perspective of the insurer, the ability to accurately estimate building reconstruction costs is essential for setting an appropriate premium for such a policy.
Unfortunately, existing methods for estimating reconstruction costs are complex and often inaccurate. The traditional method for estimating reconstruction cost attempts to calculate the total cost of labor and materials necessary to reconstruct an existing property, and then adds an assumed contractor profit margin. But to be accurate this method requires a large amount of information and requires that a substantial number of assumptions be made which are not likely to be especially accurate, particularly as the prices for labor, materials and contracting services vary with market conditions.
Attempts have been made to simplify the methodology for estimating construction costs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,564 to Horie proposes a construction cost estimating system in which a database of completed construction projects is maintained with cost data for each project and other data for sorting the projects for relevance to a particular proposed new project. Essentially, Horie attempts to select a subset of the most relevant projects (a "small mother group") and then derive an overall cost per unit area of the new project by weighting the costs per unit area of the projects in the small mother group according to their presumed relevance.
This technique, however, is subject to substantial inaccuracy due to the effects of its simplifying assumptions. For example, it is not valid to assume that a single cost per unit area may be estimated accurately for a given construction project, since each project usually involves the construction of a number of different types of structures and areas with widely different per-unit-area costs of construction. Moreover, there are a great many cost influences that will vary from project to project, thus making it impractical to assess the relevance of any given project to another.
The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of existing methods and proposals to provide highly accurate and reliable systems and methodologies for estimating the reconstruction cost of an existing building.

Methods and systems for estimating building reconstruction costs


A row decoder in a flash memory comprises a first switch to selectively couple a word line to a first voltage terminal, and a second switch to selectively couple the word line to a second voltage terminal. The row decoder also comprises a third switch to selectively couple the word line to a third voltage terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a flash memory device and an erase method thereof, and more particularly, to a row decoder in a flash memory and an erase method of the flash memory cell using the same.
2. Background of the Related Art
As the degree of integration in the flash memory device is increased, it is required that the thickness of an insulating film having a structure on which an ONO insulating film being a dielectric film between a floating gate and a control gate, i.e., an oxide film, a silicon nitride film and an oxide film are sequentially stacked be reduced. Meanwhile, as more faster erase speed is required, it is also required that an application voltage during an erasing operation be more high.
FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of the flash memory cell.
Referring to FIG. 1, the flash memory cell includes a source region 104 formed in a semiconductor substrate 100, and a drain region 102 formed with a channel region (not shown) intervened between the source region 104 and the drain region 102. A floating gate 108 is formed over the channel region with a tunnel oxide film 106 intervened between them. Further, a control gate 112 is formed over the floating gate 108 with a dielectric film 110 intervened between them. An erasing operation of the flash memory cell is performed by discharging charges (electrons) from the floating gate 108 to the semiconductor substrate 100 by means of F-N (Fowler-Nordheim) tunneling. A common erase method includes applying a negative high voltage (for example, −8V) to the control gate 112 and applying an adequate voltage (for example, +8V) to the semiconductor substrate 100. At this time, the drain region 102 is kept to be high impedance or floated in order to maximize the effect of erasing. A strong electric field is formed between the control gate 112 and the semiconductor substrate 100 by the above method. Due to this, F-N tunneling is generated so that the charges (electrons) within the floating gate 108 are discharged toward the semiconductor substrate 100.
As described above, conventionally, during the erasing operation, the potential difference between the control gate 112 and the semiconductor substrate 100 or source/drain 104/102 becomes about 16V since −8V is applied to the control gate 112 and +8V is applied to the semiconductor substrate 100. This potential difference is distributed by the floating gate 108, so that the voltage applied between the control gate, 112 and the floating gate 108 proportional to the capacitance ratio of the device is about 8V. As the breakdown voltage of the dielectric film 110 between the two gates 112 and 108 becomes 14V, the insulating strength of the ONO insulating film 110 can sufficiently cope with the potential difference organized upon erasing.
As shown in FIG. 2, however, if the floating gate 108 is connected to a contact 1114 (see 'A' in FIG. 2), it represents a characteristic of a trans-conductance cell (low Gm Cell) in which current flowing with the voltage of the floating gate 108 and the voltage applied to the drain 102 became equipotential is very low. The yield loss of this cell is improved by a column that was prepared in advance upon designing, i.e., a repair scheme (see FIG. 3) replaced by a redundancy cell. However, as the voltage applied upon erasing is simultaneously applied to a failed cell and a repaired cell, the voltage applied between the control gate 112 and the floating gate 108 thus becomes about 15.5V, as shown in FIG. 2. This is more than the insulating strength of the ONO insulating film and a fail is thus caused during the cycling. In other words, upon erasing, the source 104 and the drain 102 are floated, −8V is applied to the control gate 112 and +8V is applied to the semiconductor substrate 100. At this time, as the semiconductor substrate 100 is a P type and the drain 102 is an N type, a forward bias is applied between the semiconductor substrate 100 and the drain 102, which serves as a P-N diode. Accordingly, the result is that a voltage of about 7.5V is applied to the drain 102 considering voltage drop of the P-N diode. Therefore, when the floating gate 108 is connected to the contact 114, as the voltage of the floating gate 108 and the voltage applied to the drain 102 are the same voltage, the floating gate 108 has a voltage of 7.5V. Also, the result is that a voltage of about 15.5V is applied to the dielectric film 110 between the floating gate 108 and the control gate 112. Due to the above, an insulating break phenomenon may happen.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Row decoder in flash memory and erase method of flash memory cell using the same


The present application provides a monitoring method and device for a mobile target, a monitoring system and mobile robot. The present application through the technical solution that acquiring multiple-frame images captured by an image acquisition device under an moving state of a robot in a monitored region, selecting at least two-frame images with an overlapped region from the multiple-frame images, performing comparison between the selected images by image compensation method or feature matching method, and outputting monitoring information containing a mobile target which moves relative to a static target based on the result of comparison, wherein the position of the mobile target has an attribute of indefinite change, the mobile target in the monitored region can be recognized precisely during movement of the mobile robot, and monitoring information about the mobile target can be generated to prompt correspondingly, thereby safety of the monitored region can be effectively ensured.

Nowadays, the world has entered a critical period of reform and development as well as social transformations. Unprecedented social changes, such as profound changes of economic systems, rapid transformations of social structures, accelerated adjustment of benefit patterns, rapid changes of views and values, and great increase in floating populations, have brought tremendous vitality to social development of the world, meanwhile, various security risks have also emerged, and a dramatic change in public security has also put enormous pressure on social security.
In order to ensure security of home environments, many people now consider to install an anti-theft system in their home, and the existing manners for anti-theft mainly include protection by means of persons and protection by means of objects (for example, anti-theft doors, iron barriers, etc.). Under some conditions, the following security ways are also used at home: installing an infrared ray anti-theft alarming device, installing electromagnetic password lock or installing monitoring camera at home. The above anti-theft manners are fixed and obvious, these monitoring devices cannot accurately detect moving targets which illegally invade, and those who break in illegally may easily evade monitoring of these anti-theft devices, therefore, reliable, effective and flexible security cannot be provided.

Monitoring method and device for mobile target, monitoring system and mobile robot

ANKOBOT (SHENZHEN) SMART TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

ANKOBOT (SHANGHAI) SMART TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.


A random number generator, a random number generating circuit, and a random number generating method are provided. The random number generating circuit includes the random number generator and executes the random number generating method. The random number generator includes a shift register having N storage elements and a combinational logic circuit. The N storage elements receive a random seed in a static state and repetitively perform a bit shift operation in a plurality of clock cycles. The combinational logic circuit generates an output sequence based on the random seed and a random bitstream received from an external source.

Random numbers are useful for a variety of purposes. For example, the random number is used in generating a one-time password (OTP) to prevent from being attacked. The randomness is very important because otherwise, it would be easy to predict future OTPs by observing previous ones. In addition, the random number sequence is widely used in cryptographic applications, which are essential for new communication technologies such as 5G and IoT. For the use of communication technologies, the speed of generating the random number sequence is concerned. As thus described, randomness and speed are the two important concerns while designing the random number generator.

Random number generator, random number generating circuit, and random number generating method


A switching device providing highly-reliable, frictionless, adjustment-free operation is described. Comprised of a comparatively small number of moving parts, the various aspects of the invention offer compact, cost-effective, reliable alternatives to their complex electromagnetic and costly solid-state counterparts. The main parts of the invention rely upon the principles of magnetic attraction and repulsion for the switching of a plurality of electrical contacts contained within the switching device. The flexibility inherent in the design of the invention permits the switching device to be configured in a variety of aspects, including the failsafe and latching designs described herein.

This invention relates to magnetic switches and related devices used in electrical and electronic applications, and especially to highly-reliable magnetic devices used in RF or DC circuits.
Switching devices; e.g., switches and programmable attenuators, which use electromagnetic actuating structures, typically require a number of related mechanical assemblies, including plungers, armatures, springs and rockers, to switch signals among a plurality of electrical contacts. These mechanical parts are subject to friction and resulting wear, often requiring adjustment to maintain proper alignment and interaction among key parts. Because of these characteristics, switches and related devices which rely on numerous associated mechanical parts also tend to be less reliable than their all-electronic, or solid-state, counterparts. The large quantity of mechanical parts often associated with these drivers requires labor-intensive, and, hence, costly assembly operations. In addition, these same mechanical parts tend to limit life-cycle performance. Adverse susceptibilities to temperature extremes and vibration further restrict their application and usefulness. Solid-state switches, while addressing some of these concerns, lack the power-handling and isolation characteristics of electromagnetic switches which still make them the switch of choice, in spite of all the limitations outlined above, in many applications.
With the advent of the era of personal communications, the wireless communications market demands a compact, cost-effective, reliable switching device design capable of handling both DC and RF signals without compromise of key performance parameters. Similarly, military and space applications demand switches and related devices characterized by high performance as well as high reliability, in compact, reasonably-priced packages.


In a method of controlling downlink transmission timing at a radio network controller (RNC) in a communication system, a relative window is determined. The relative window represents a time difference between an arrival time of a data frame at the RNC from a core network, and a target transmission time for transmitting the data frame from the RNC to a Node-B. Boundary thresholds that adjoin the relative window are set, and a target arrival time that a data frame is to be received at the RNC is compared to the thresholds. The RNC may send a request to advance or retard sending of the data frame to the core network, depending on whether target arrival time of the data frame is outside one of the thresholds. A data frame received within the relative window is transmitted from the RNC to a Node-B.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to controlling downlink transmission timing in communication systems.
2. Description of Related Art
An expanded effort is underway to support the evolution of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standard, which describes a network infrastructure implementing a next generation Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) air interface technology. A UMTS typically includes a radio access network, referred to as a UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN). The UTRAN may interface with a variety of separate core networks (CN). The core networks in turn may communicate with other external networks (ISDN/PSDN, etc.) to pass information to and from a plurality of wireless users, or user equipments (UEs), that are served by radio network controllers (RNCs) and base transceiver stations (BTSs, also referred to as Node Bs), within the UTRAN, for example.
One set of issues being addressed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a body which drafts technical specifications for the UMTS standard and other cellular technologies, includes UTRAN synchronization issues. The 3GPP technical specifications have attempted to address each of these issues. One of these issues is called time alignment handling. In the UMTS standard, time alignment handling is used to control downlink transmission timing at the CN nodes, in order to minimize buffer delay in a serving RNC (SRNC), which is an RNC serving one or more Node Bs. A time alignment handling procedure is controlled by the SRNC.
Although the current time alignment handling procedure for UMTS provides a procedure to control variable delay jitter conditions so as to provide a continuous information stream from the CN through the radio link to a UE, algorithms for triggering timing control and for controlling buffer capacity are not specified. Additionally, there is no mechanism in the time alignment handling procedure for controlling when a downlink transmission is to be transmitted.

Method of controlling downlink transmission timing in communication systems


A method of manufacturing a seal assembly for a surgical access assembly includes forming a seal assembly having a monolithic construction. The seal assembly includes a support member, seal sections connected to the support member, bridges disposed between adjacent seal sections and interconnecting the adjacent seal sections, and a plurality of standoffs extending from each seal section. The method also includes placing the seal assembly into a treatment bath, cutting the bridges, and folding the seal assembly.

Minimally invasive surgical procedures, including endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, permit surgery to be performed on organs, tissues, and vessels far removed from an opening within the tissue. In laparoscopic procedures, a working space must be created at the desired surgical site. An insufflation fluid, typically CO2, is introduced into the abdomen of a patient to create an inflated state called a pneumoperitoneum. Surgical access assemblies are utilized to allow the introduction of surgical instrumentation and endoscopes (or other visualization tools) into the abdominal cavity to perform one or more surgical tasks. These surgical access assemblies maintain the pressure for the pneumoperitoneum, as they have one or more seals that adapt to the surgical instrumentation. Typically, a "zero-seal" in the surgical access assembly seals the surgical access assembly in the absence of a surgical instrument in the surgical access assembly, and an instrument seal seals around a surgical instrument that has been inserted through the surgical access assembly.
The breadth of surgical instrumentation on the market today requires a robust seal capable of accommodating and adjusting to multiple sizes of surgical instrumentation and withstanding multiple insertions of the surgical instrumentation therethrough. Some surgical instrumentation can include sharp edges that can tear or otherwise damage seals and/or some seals (e.g., seals having a solid inner diameter) suffer from higher insertion forces and are less durable against certain surgical instrumentation (e.g., the seals can rip during insertion, causing leakage or disengagement of the seal into the abdominal cavity of the patient). Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a surgical access assembly with improved seal durability, and a method of easily and consistently manufacturing the same.

Seal assembly for a surgical access assembly and method of manufacturing the same


A production environment monitoring system notes when problems or issues arise in a computer-based production environment. A noted problem or issue can trigger an escalation policy that calls for notifying an individual identified in the escalation policy to ask the individual to resolve or mitigate the problem or issue. The notification sent to the individual identified in the escalation policy also includes information about one or more individuals that are knowledgeable about the problem or issue that triggered the escalation policy and that may be able to provide assistance in resolving or mitigating the problem or issue.

The present application discloses technology which is used to help a business keep a computer based production environment operating efficiently and with good performance. The "production environment" could be any of many different things. In some instances, the production environment could be a networked system of computer servers that are used to run an online retailing operation. In another instance, the production environment could be a computer system used to generate computer software applications. In still other embodiments, the production environment could be a computer controlled manufacturing system. Virtually any sort of production environment that relies upon computers, computer software and/or computer networks could benefit from the systems and methods disclosed in this application.
Many software applications that monitor a computer-based production environment are configured such that when the software application detects a problem or issue in a production environment, the software application sends a notification to an appropriate system administrator or technician to alert them as to the problem or issue. The notified administrator or technician can then attempt to resolve or mitigate the problem or issue. The process that results in the software application notifying a system administrator or technician of a problem or issue is generally referred to as an "escalation policy." Detecting the problem or issue triggers the escalation policy.
In some instances, a single event that is indicative of a problem or issue in a production environment can trigger the activation of multiple escalation policies, each of which calls for notification of a different individual. When this occurs, often two or more individuals end up trying to solve the same basic problem. Depending on how the system is configured, each alerted individual may be unaware that other individuals have been contacted, and that other individuals are also trying to solve the same problem. At a minimum, this can result in duplication of effort. Even worse, activity on the part of a first individual trying to solve the problem may interfere with activity of a second individual who is also trying to solve the problem.
In addition, when an escalation policy is triggered, the escalation policy is typically designed to send an alert notification to a specific client, system administrator and/or technician. Unfortunately, the notified individual may not have the experience or knowledge necessary to address the problem that triggered the escalation policy. In those instances, the notified individual can seek help from other individuals that are more knowledgeable about the problem or issue that triggered the escalation policy. However, it is often difficult for the notified individual to easily locate another person who is knowledgeable about the problem or issue that triggered the escalation policy.
T

Systems and methods for escalation policy activation


A connecting pin for an electronic circuit board electrically connects a lead of a component to be surface-mounted to the electronic circuit board to a coating layer on an inner wall of a through-hole of the electronic circuit board. The connecting pin includes a cylindrical body formed of an electrically conductive metal, which is inserted into the through-hole of the electronic circuit board. The lead of the component is press-fitted, and inner surface of the cylindrical body is provided with a plurality of small protrusions deformable when contacting protrusions of the press-fitted lead.

Generally, in electronic circuit boards such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and a press-fit connector has been widely used for connecting terminals.
The press-fit connector connects connector leads into through-holes of the electronic circuit board by press-fitting. Here, the through-hole is formed on the electronic circuit board, and an inner wall of the hole is coated with a conductive metal material so as to form a conductive hole.
Soldering defects may occur generally in the case where the number of leads is high and a distance between leads is narrow, such that, the press-fit connector having the leads which are fixedly connected into through-holes, respectively, is used.
The press-fit connector has the advantages of having a simple connection process, causing no thermal damage on the PCBs and the device parts, requiring no soldering bridge, and consuming less energy because there is no soldering process with respect to leads.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing how a press-fit connector is connected to an electronic circuit board such as a PCB. Reference numeral 11 denotes a connector housing and reference numeral 12 denotes a connector lead for the connection with an electronic circuit board 20.
Further, reference numeral 21 denotes a plastic substrate of the electronic circuit board 20, and reference numeral 22 denotes a circuit pattern of the electronic circuit board 20.
As shown in the figure, the connector lead 12 is provided with a wedge portion 13 whose diameter is larger than an inner diameter of a through-hole 24 so that the connector lead 12 is fixedly press-fitted into the through-hole 24 of the circuit board 20 by the connection of the wedge portion 13 with the through-hole 24.
However, the related art has problems in that a coating layer 23 on the inner wall of the through-hole 24 in the circuit board 20 is subjected to damage because of a press-fitting action of the lead 12, and therefore, due to such a risk of the coating layer being damaged, the fastening force cannot be regulated to a specified level or more, resulting in the fastening force becoming weaker.
Particularly, when a press-fitting connector is adapted to a high-voltage specification of an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle, there may be a problem of heating due to degradation of the fastening force.

Connecting pin for electronic circuit boards


Systems and methods for backing up data. A backup operation can identify blocks that have changed since a most recent backup operation. The blocks that have changed since the most recent backup operation are compared with the blocks that are being used. Only the blocks that are both used and have changed are backed up. This can reduce the size of the backup be excluding blocks that may have changed but are no longer used.

Computing systems have become an integral part of life. Businesses and individuals use computer systems and devices, and these computing systems and devices connect over various networks. The data stored or used by those computing systems is usually very important. A business may be able to survive the loss of hardware. However, that same business may not be able to survive a loss of data. In addition, the amount of data used or maintained by an entity or even an individual continually increases over time.
As a result, protecting data is now a fundamental consideration for businesses and individuals or other entities. Data protection systems protect data in various ways. Primarily, data protection systems protect data by making a backup of the data. If a failure or incident occurs in the primary system that affects data, the affected data can be recovered from the backups.
It can be appreciated, however, that backups can require significant storage space for various reasons. For example, the amount of data that is backed up typically grows as new data is generated. In another example, existing data may be changed or modified over time and there may be a desire to maintain a backup of the data at is presently exists as well as a backup of the data as it existed in the past. Some entities may want to have redundant backups of their data. In each of these examples, the storage requirements for backups can be significant and can grow over time. As a result, systems and methods are needed to reduce the storage space required to store backups.

Minimizing a footprint of incremental backups


A combination article encircling band and coupon or ticket wherein the band is formed by overlapping and contacting spaced adhesive areas formed on opposite surfaces of a strip of material and the coupon or ticket is severable along a line of weakness in the strip material from the band. The combination may be use for advertising and promoting purposes such that information indicia on the band may be related to information indicia on the coupon or ticket.

1. Field of the Invention
This application is directed to disposable bands that are used to encircle and bind stacked, rolled or closely assembled items or articles and more particularly to such bands that include a separable portion that may function as a bonus coupon, ticket or the like for promotional advertising and the like.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Paper and plastic bands are used to bind many products such as stacks of currency, cards, paper and the like to maintain the items in an orderly arrangement in overlaying relationship with one another. In other areas, bands are used to retain articles in rolled, folded or assembled configurations, such as bands used to retain napkins in rolled configurations prior to use by patrons. The bands are initially formed of paper or plastic strips having co-adhesive areas applied at opposite ends and on opposite sides of faces of strips of material such that when the strips are formed or wrapped about an object, such as a rolled napkin, the co-adhesive areas contact with one another to retain the strips in continuous bands. Such continuous bands retain the objects in pre-determined configurations until the bands are severed, such as by tearing.
In many instances, the paper or plastic bands may also be used for advertising purposes. Generally, printed indicia may be applied to an outer face of the strips before the strips are wrapped about and adhered to form continuous bands.
Because such paper and plastic bands may be formed economically from flat stock, they offer an inexpensive but highly reliable way of binding objects until the objects are to be put to use.

Article encircling band with removable coupon or ticket


The present invention is directed to a composition containing: at least one cross-linked copolymers of acrylic acid and a hydrophobic co-monomer; at least one neutralized polyacrylic acid; at least one silicone acrylate; oil; water; and at least one sunscreen active, wherein the composition is initially clear in appearance and remains clear in appearance upon application onto wet skin.

Conventional sunscreen products generally take the form of ultraviolet (UV)-filter compounds and/or particulate UV-screening compounds (collectively, "sunscreen actives") that are solublized, emulsified, or dispersed in a vehicle, which is topically applied to the skin. The sunscreen actives, typically through the aid of polymers and other ingredients included in the vehicle, form a thin, protective, and often water-resistant layer on the skin.
While certain products are successful at providing a durable protective barrier when applied to dry skin, such is not typically the result when applied to skin that is damp with sweat or has residual water thereon. In fact, when applied to wet skin, the tendency of conventional sunscreen products is to dilute the sunscreen actives, smear, and form an incomplete film, often one that flakes or peels off the skin, and/or takes on a pasty, white appearance. The end result is unattractive, and renders the skin with poor protection from the sun's rays.
Others have contemplated a solution to this problem by using a water-in-oil emulsifier to "self-emulsify," presumably in the presence of residual water present on the skin. However, the applicants have recognized that severe aesthetic and performance problems still exist in most all "wet skin" sunscreen products. Accordingly, the applicants have now identified a novel sunscreen composition that is suitable for use on wet skin and resists the tendency to whiten in the presence of residual water.

Clear sunscreen composition for application onto wet or dry skin


A bottle includes a base, neck that defines an aperture, and a body. The bottle has at least one indent in the body that projects into an interior of the bottle and extends around at least part of a circumference of the body. This at least one indent is configured to agitate a substance contained in the bottle. For example, the bottle may contain a powder, such as protein powder, and the at least one indent helps mix the powder with a liquid. In an example, two indents are used in the bottle.

The sports nutrition market is worth billions of dollars per year and is projected to grow as interest among consumers increases. Protein powders make up a majority of this market. Whereas sports nutrition was previously of interest mainly to elite athletes or bodybuilders, more average consumers, including casual exercisers and amateur athletes, are paying attention to sports nutrition. More consumers are becoming interested in protein for reasons such as muscle mass growth or maintenance, recovery from exercise, bone health, skin health, nail health, hair health, feeling full or sated after or between meals, or providing low-calorie energy without caffeine.
Protein powder is generally sold in large tubs. These tubs are inconvenient to transport or dispense. Consumers generally bring a small amount of protein powder with them to, for example, the gym. Consumers then mix the protein powder with, for example, water or milk on-site. It can be cumbersome to bring a hag or container of protein powder with you because of the risk of spillage in, for example, a gym bag with clothes and shoes for exercising. It also can be difficult to transfer the protein powder from the bag or container into a bottle without spilling because of the narrow opening on the top of the bottle. Any spillage or other loss of protein powder can affect the nutritional value, consistency, or health benefits of the resulting mixture.
Some consumers use a reusable bottle to transport and/or mix protein powder. However, these reusable bottles for mixing protein powder have many drawbacks. Reusable bottles for mixing protein powder are typically difficult to clean due to complex interiors or agitator(s). If such a reusable bottle is not fully cleaned, then it begins to smell and may become unusable. The agitator, which can be a blender ball, may become lost, which renders the reusable bottle useless. Other reusable bottles may become damaged due to high or low temperatures, such as cracking if stored in a vehicle parked outside during winter months or deformation caused by a dishwashing machine. Consumers may need to purchase new reusable bottles on a periodic basis due to cleanliness issues, lost agitators, or other damage.
To avoid bringing protein powder and/or a reusable bottle, pre-mixed protein shakes are available. However, these pre-mixed protein shakes are perishable, require refrigeration, are more expensive than the protein powder alone, may use lower-quality powder than is sold to consumers in large tubs, and typically contain large amounts of sodium. The need for refrigeration makes transport or storage difficult for consumers. The amount of sodium in a pre-mixed protein shake can be a health concern for certain consumers. The consistency of pre-mixed protein shakes is constant, and this consistency is not universally appealing to consumers.
Whether a consumer mixes protein powder in a reusable bottle specifically marketed for mixing protein powder or in a regular disposable bottle (e.g., a disposable water bottle), the mixing may be incomplete or insufficient. For example, an insufficiently mixed protein shake may be grainy or gritty. Clumps of protein powder also may remain in the mixture. These clumps of protein powder are unappetizing to the consumer and may not be consumed, leading to wasted product.
Therefore, what is needed is a disposable bottle capable of mixing a powder and liquid and, more particularly, for mixing protein powder.

Bottle capable of mixing powders and liquids


A method for modeling an image for multiple tasks includes providing an image with n image features, providing an indicator matrix which has m non-zero components corresponding to m selected features selected from the n image features, constructing a model of the image using the in selected features for each specific labeling task. There is a variable for a specific task to be performed on the image and a variable for a plurality of tasks to be performed on the image.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to computer aided diagnosis of disease, and more particularly to a system and method for sparse collaborative computer aided diagnosis.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems have moved from the sole realm of academic publications, to robust commercial systems that are used by physicians in their clinical practice. In many CAD applications, the goal is to detect potentially malignant tumors and lesions in medical images. It is well recognized that CAD systems decrease detection and recognition errors as a second reader and reduce mistakes related to misinterpretation.
CAD systems typically focus on the diagnosis of a single isolated disease using images taken only for the specific disease. This approach neglects certain aspects of typical diagnosis procedures where physicians examine primary symptoms and tests of the disease in conjunction with other related information, such as symptoms of clinically-related conditions, patient history of other diseases and medical knowledge of highly correlated diseases.
The collaborative learning problem may be cast as a multi-task learning, a collaborative filtering or a collaborative prediction problem, depending on an application. Multi-task learning is able to capture the dependencies among tasks when several related learning problems are available. It is important to define task relatedness among tasks. A common hidden structure for all related tasks is assumed. One way to capture the task relatedness is through hierarchical Bayesian models. From the hierarchical Bayesian viewpoint, multi-task learning is essentially trying to learn a good prior over all tasks to capture task dependencies.
To tackle a CAD task, experimental features may be used to describe the potential cancerous structures or abnormal structures. This introduces irrelevant features or redundant features to the detection or classification problems. Feature selection has been an indispensable and challenging problem in this domain. Moreover, multiple tasks may be given that are related from the physical and medical perspectives are given with a limited sample size for each. Further, acquisition of medical data is expensive and time-consuming. For example, in the nodule and GGO detection tasks, often only around 100 patients are available.
Therefore, a need exists for a system and method of collaborative computer diagnosis including selecting significant features that are relevant to multiple tasks.

Sparse collaborative computer aided diagnosis


Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a pierce fitting or member for penetrating a container to access the interior of the container. The pierce fitting is configured to cut a flap through the surface of the container. In one embodiment, a device for penetrating a container to access an interior of the container comprises a pierce member including an external surface and an internal surface forming a hollow interior extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has a slanted surface with a pierce leading edge on a first side between the external surface and the internal surface. The external surface expands outwardly in a region proximal of the distal end in a direction toward the proximal end except on a second side opposite from the first side.

The present invention relates generally to dispensing apparatus and methods and, more particularly, to a device and a method for penetrating a container to access the interior of the container for dispensing the content therein.
Dispensing apparatus dispense flowable materials such as beverages and condiments from sources that are provided in the form of bags, jugs, containers, or the like. A bag typically requires a box for support or a hook for hanging. In some cases, it is beneficial to use a more rigid container than a bag so as to eliminate the need for a support box or a hook. Different fittings are needed for coupling a flow line to different containers to pump the materials from the containers. It is desirable to provide a fitting that is easy and quick to use, and is cost effective to manufacture.


An arrangement for improved debugging processes, systems, and articles of manufacture employing screen pattern recognition functionalities linked in the context of a debugger environment. In one embodiment, screen scraper functionalities are used in the context of a debugger environment.

The present invention relates generally to locating errors in computer programs and, more particularly, to debugging processes, systems and articles of manufacture employing screen pattern recognition functionalities linked in the context of a debugger environment.
Software bugs generally cause unexpected results during the execution of a computer program and are normally attributable to coding errors. Debugging is performed for locating, correcting or bypassing the located bugs in a computer program code. In this regard, debugging programs are routinely run by the programmer for determining the presence of such bugs; especially during creation of the program. A conventional operation performed by a debugger application is the establishment of breakpoint modes. In a breakpoint mode, operation of the software program is halted, whereby a programmer can step through successive lines of code usually commencing at the breakpoint for conducting analyses into the causes of bugs for purposes of correcting them.
A programmer who uses known debug technology to determine where a problem or bug is occurring, should have some knowledge of the program to know where the problem is occurring in order to know where to start the debugging process. However, that may not be the case and if programmers do not have this knowledge, they often find themselves stepping through the program at a fairly high level looking for a call that produces the undesired effect. Thereafter, the programmer reproduces the problem, but now can set a debug breakpoint before the call that produced the problem on the previous run. After hitting the new breakpoint, the programmer can step into the second call and then step through the routine, stepping over calls until the undesired effect occurs again. At this point, the process is repeated until the programmer can locate the source of the problem for effecting the desired changes. It will be appreciated that the foregoing process is highly repetitive and, therefore, relatively time consuming especially when considering complex programs. Moreover, in conventional debugging if execution of the program is halted for every hit of a breakpoint, the amount of time spent debugging increases for relatively large programs wherein the hit may occur thousands of times before the problem manifests itself.
Without the ability to relatively quickly debug programs, especially complex programs in a manner that quickly navigates to points of interest as well as obviates the excessive halting of the program at repetitive breakpoints unrelated to breakpoints of interest, the true potential of debugging is not entirely realized.

Method, system, and article of manufacture for debugging utilizing screen pattern recognition and breakpoints

International Business Machines Corporation


N-5-protected 2,5-diamino-4,6-dichloropyrimidines of general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an alkoxy group or a trifluorometyl group, are valuable intermediate products for the production of pharmaceutical agents with antiviral properties. The above-mentioned compounds are produced by cyclization of an N protected amino malonic acid ester with guanidine in the presence of an alkali alcoholate and then chlorination of the resulting N-5-protected 4,6-dihydroxy-2,5-diaminopyrimidine.

1. Field Of The Invention
The invention relates to N-5-protected 2,5-diamino-4,6-dichloropyrimidines of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R is an alkoxy group or a trifluoromethyl group, as well as a process for their production. These compounds form valuable intermediate products for the production of antiviral nucleotide derivatives--see PCT Published Application WO 91/01310.
2. Background Art
Various syntheses for the production of 2,5-diamino-4,6-dichloropyrimidines are known. Thus, Legraverend et al. in "Synthesis", (1990), pages 587 to 589, reports that an amino malonic acid ethyl ester can be cyclized with guanidine in the presence of sodium alcoholate to 4,6-dihydroxy-2,5-diaminopyrimidine with a yield of 64 percent. The dihydroxypyrimidine is then reacted to the desired dichloropyrimidine with phosphorus oxychloride/phosphorus(V)-chloride in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt under drastic reaction conditions with a yield of 32 percent.
Legraverend et al. indicates that the chlorination with phosphorus oxychloride takes place unsuccessfully. But the necessity of additional reagents such as phosphorus(V)chloride, of quaternary ammonium salts or of drastic reaction conditions and the thus achievable modest yields, is an obvious drawback of this synthesis. A sudden improvement of the synthesis was disclosed in PCT Application W091/01310. The chlorination step of 4,6-dihydoxy-2,5-diaminopyridine to the desired 4,6-dichloro derivative is performed in PCT Application W091/01310 with phosphorus oxychloride alone as the chlorination agent in the presence of a quaternary ammonium chloride or a hydrochloride of a tertiary amine. The yields were able to be increased to 50 to 60 percent. But the use of substantial amounts of ammonium salts or amino salts, that result as salt load and have to be fed to a waste disposal still constitute a considerable drawback.

N-5-protected 2,5-diamino-4,6-dichloropyrimidines and process for their production


The present invention aims to solve problems in the analysis of amplified nucleic acids, i.e., cost, workability, and contamination and pollution of samples. In the present invention, a sample containing a nucleic acid and a reagent for detecting the nucleic acid are mixed in a closed system. In this regard, the nucleic acid is amplified in the same closed system, and then mixed with the detecting reagent without opening the system. In order to carry out this method, for example, a device that includes the detecting reagent shielded by a coating material or the like is used.

In clinical genetic testing of biological samples such as tissue, blood, saliva, and urine, and in gene analyses of food products and plants, methods for amplifying a nucleic acid, such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method and LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) method, are used to efficiently analyze the target nucleic acid. These methods are effective in detecting a small amount of target. However, after amplification, the resulting solution containing a nucleic acid needs to be collected and transferred to another operation for detection, requiring opening of the reaction container, which may lead to splashing of the sample containing a nucleic acid outside the container, and also lead to false positive results due to contamination with another reaction mixture. In addition, the detection of an amplified nucleic acid requires special devices and mature testing techniques. This is why the testing is not commonly performed in sampling sites such as clinical practice and bedside. As it stands now, the testing is only carried out in clinical laboratories and specialized research institutions.
A most commonly used method for detecting an amplified nucleic acid includes separating a solution with an amplified nucleic acid using agarose electrophoresis, followed by staining with a fluorescent intercalator and observation of a specific fluorescence (Non Patent Literature 1). The fluorescence detection, however, requires expensive compounds such as a primer or an intercalator and expensive apparatus such as excitation apparatus (e.g. UV illumination device) or gel imaging apparatus. Also, the electrophoresis of an amplified nucleic acid requires a prolonged phoresis process.
Of the methods for amplifying a nucleic acid, LAMP method is advantageous in that the reaction does not require temperature cycling and proceeds at a constant temperature, and that it provides a larger amount of amplified nucleic acid than PCR method does. In particular, known methods for detecting an amplified nucleic acid obtained by LAMP method, without using fluorescence, include: a method of detection of white turbidity which is based on the formation of an insoluble magnesium salt of pyrophosphoric acid that is a by-product of the reaction; and a method of detection of changes in magnesium concentration of the reaction mixture in the presence of a metallofluorescent indicator (Patent Literature 1, Non Patent Literature 2). In fact, these detection methods, however, still require devices such as a turbidimeter or a UV illumination device because it is impossible to visually identify the amplification with absolute accuracy.
Several attempts have been made to solve the disadvantages described above. For example, a device capable of carrying out amplification and detection of a nucleic acid in a single container has been reported (Patent Literature 2). This device, however, uses an expensive labeled primer and requires complex procedures including separately adding a detecting reagent. Also reported is a device in which a dried nucleic acid amplification reagent is preliminarily added to a container to enable simple operations as well as amplification of a nucleic acid in a closed system (Patent Literature 3). However, since the reaction container needs to be opened for detection, the operations through the completion of the detection are unable to be performed in the same closed system.

Nucleic acid detection method, and device and kit for use in same


A fish hook disengaging device is disclosed comprising a handle, a first shank portion extending from the handle, a loop member to contact the hook, a second shank portion extending from the loop member back in the direction of the handle, and a gripping member on the end of the second shank portion and adjacent the handle, whereby the user can grasp the handle and the gripping member with one hand during the hook disengaging operation.

The invention relates generally to devices used to remove or extract fish hooks from fish. More particularly, the device relates to such devices which comprise a loop on the end of a handled shank, the loop adapted to be placed around the fishing line and slid down to contact the hook and fish, thereby allowing the fish hook to be disengaging by rotating the fish.
Various devices have been developed to aid the fisherman in removal of a fish hook from a caught fish. The devices enable the fisherman to remove the hook without having to grasp the fish itself. This is preferable when the fish is to be released back into the water, as even minimal contact can be harmful to the fish, and is particularly useful in situations where a potentially dangerous fish such as a catfish or toadfish is caught and must be taken off the line without contacting the spines or teeth.
The basic concept of using a looped metal rod to disengage fish hooks is well known, as illustrated by Ford in U.S. Pat. No. 2,289,767. Ford discloses a device formed from a metal rod, with one end being bent upon itself to form a handle and the other end having a short portion turned back to form a hook or loop. To remove a fish without touching it, the looped end is slipped down the line to contact the fish. The fisherman holds the handle in one hand and grasps the fishing line in the other, separating them to produce a relatively horizontal alignment of the device and the line. The fish is then rotated about the horizontal axis, the motion causing the fish to be disengaged from the hook, whereupon it flies free with minimal damage and no direct contact.
Several improvements to this device have been developed, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,021 to Nunley and U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,957 to Bourquin , deceased et al. Nunley positions beads on the shaft down in the loop portion, the beads being used to guide the line and hook. Bourquin teaches a particularly angled bend to form the loop and adds a barb on the free end of the loop to prevent the line from slipping out before it is pulled taught.
While the above devices are all effective, they all suffer from the same problem. Because the hook is extracted by rotating the fish about a horizontal axis formed by pulling the line and device in opposite directions, tension forces are high along the horizontal axis and along the perpendicular rotational axis. This means that the forces combine to pull against the loop, such that over time and particularly when heavy fish are encountered the loop portion of the device will be pulled open. The user must then rebend the loop to its proper shape, which results in a weaker loop, and eventually the loop will break or become too weak to maintain the proper shape.
To prevent this problem, the invention improves on the design and construction of the standard devices by extending the end of the loop back down the shank to the handle and adding a hook, trigger or circle which can be gripped by one or more fingers of the user. In this manner, the loop cannot be bent out of shape during the rotation of the fish to remove the hook. This construction gives the user more control against the torque effects as well, especially when used with large fish, to prevent the device from twisting in the user's hand.


The present subject matter relates energy management systems and methodologies wherein control over local appliances is implemented to control stress on a local transformer to which a plurality of user locations may be connected. Some of the user locations are provided with home energy management (HEM) devices that control operation of certain appliance at their location based in part on constraints associated with the local transformer. The HEMs may negotiate among themselves how to meet the constraints of the local transformer and, in certain circumstances, take into consideration estimates of usage at user locations connected to the local transformer but that do not have their own HEM.

Certain utility companies are experiencing stains on their distribution systems as well as shortage in electrical generating capacity due to increasing customer demand for electricity. For example, the advent of plug-in electric vehicles is bringing with it increased demand. In certain situations, utility companies are becoming more concerned not only with their ability to meet their customers' demand for electricity during peak demand hours but also the additional stress that is being placed on their equipment, most notably local transformers that they will have to endure such stress.
Increasing electrical generating capacity to meet the shortfall can be difficult due to increasing fuel prices. As a result, utility companies can be forced to buy electricity to meet their customers' demands. If peak demand hours can be reduced, then utility companies and their customers can realize a potential cost savings, and the peak load that the utility companies have to accommodate can also be lessened. But simply increasing supply may not fully address the additional stress placed on local equipment including local transformers.
Certain energy management systems include features for deactivating power consuming devices during the on-peak hours. Such energy management systems can determine when variable electricity-pricing schemes go into effect via schedules published by utility companies and inputted by customers or via signals sent by utility companies, e.g., over a wireless network or through a phone network, directly to the energy management systems. However, inputting schedules manually can be tedious and time consuming. Similarly, energy management systems relying upon utility company input to function properly can function improperly if the utility company fails to deliver the schedules as expected. Alternative energy management plans provide systems and methods with time of use (TOU) and/or demand response management systems (DRMS) energy programs.
There is a need to provide a system that can automatically operate power consuming devices in order to reduce consumer's electric bills and also to reduce the load on generating plants and local equipment including local transformers during peak hours. Active and real time communication of energy costs of appliances to the consumer may enable informed choices of operating the power consuming functions of the appliance but in many instances consumers may not be present to make necessary usage adjustments or may simply ignore provided information.
In view of these and other issues, there is a need to provide an improved system that can enable automatic control of power consuming devices during a DRMS event, and thus, provide opportunity for utility companies to better meet the needs of their customers while limiting stress placed on their own equipment.

PWM based energy management with local distributed transformer constraints


A system adjusts audio levels so as to maintain a constant perceived audio level at a user's location. The system includes a sensor (110) and an audio device (120). The sensor (110) receives a first audio signal, receives at least one data packet (1000) comprising a second audio signal, determines whether a difference between an average volume level of the first audio signal and the second audio signal exceeds a threshold value, generates a response data packet (1200) including a volume adjustment command when the difference between the average volume level of the first audio signal and the second audio signal exceeds the threshold value, and transmits the response data packet (1200). An audio device (120) transmits the first audio signal, transmits the at least one data packet (1000) to the sensor (110), receives the response data packet (1200), and adjusts an audio level based on the response data packet (1200).

Listening to radio and television broadcasts, whether they are music, news, or discussion-based programming, consumes a large amount of time of the average individual. As people's lives become busier, there is more of a tendency for multi-tasking. It is quite common for an individual to perform one or more tasks while watching television or listening to the radio. These tasks may involve the individual moving from one location to another (e.g., from the living room to the kitchen). As a result, the individual may be forced to constantly adjust the audio level of the radio or television in order to maintain a comfortable listening level.
For example, suppose that a person is listening to a radio or stereo that is playing from a fixed location, such as the living room. As the listener moves throughout the house, the perceived volume at the listener's location does not remain constant but varies based on the listener's distance from the audio source. It would be impractical to constantly go back to the radio or stereo system to manually adjust the volume to retain a relatively constant volume as perceived by the listener as he or she moves throughout the house.
As another example, suppose that an automobile driver is listening to the car radio while driving. The noise level inside the car is constantly changing. For example, most drivers find that they have to adjust the volume of the radio to different levels as the car changes from highway to city driving speeds. As a result, the automobile radio listener is repeatedly required to manually adjust the volume of the radio to keep it at a perceived constant volume.
Suppose, as a further example, that a telephone with hands-free speaker operation is being used by a consumer in the kitchen of a house. As the consumer moves away from the telephone and moves about the kitchen, it may become difficult to hear the caller out of the telephone's speaker due to either the distance from the telephone or the noise in the kitchen, or both.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system and method that will allow the perceived volume of an audio source to remain at a constant level irrespective of a listener's location.

Systems and methods for automatically adjusting the volume of an audio source