An ambulatory infusion device including a pump drive unit, a valve drive unit and a control unit. The pump drive unit includes a pump actuator and a pump driver coupled to a piston of a metering pump unit. The valve drive unit includes a valve actuator and a valve driver coupled to a valve unit for transmitting a valve switching force or torque. The control unit controls a repeated execution of: (a) placing the valve unit in a filling state; (b) displacing the piston in a retraction direction; (c) displacing the piston in an advancing direction by a backlash compensation distance; (d) switching the valve unit from the filling state into a draining state; and (e) further displacing the piston in the advancing direction in a number of incremental steps over an extended time period.

The present disclosure relates to the field of ambulatory infusion devices and ambulatory infusion systems for infusing a liquid drug into a patient's body over an extended time period. A typical field of application is the therapy of Diabetes Mellitus via Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII).
Ambulatory infusion devices are well known in the art, for example in the therapy of Diabetes Mellitus by Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) as well as in pain therapy or cancer therapy, and are available from a number of suppliers, such as Roche Diabetes Care GmbH, Germany, or Medtronic MiniMed Inc., Calif., USA.
According to a classic and well-established design, those ambulatory infusion devices or systems are typically of the syringe-driver type. A number of drawbacks of such devices are known in the art. In particular, they have a limited precision because they involve delivering very small drug amounts, typically in the nanoliter range, out of a drug cartridge having an overall drug volume in the milliliter range. Therefore, additional concepts and architectures have been proposed which use a dedicated dosing unit downstream from the drug reservoir. The dosing unit may comprise, e.g., a micro membrane pump or a micro piston pump, and is adapted to couple to a drug reservoir and is especially designed for precise metering of small volumes. While several designs for such dosing units are known in the art, they are rather complex, most of them are expensive and/or critical with respect to large scale manufacture.
In one example, EP1970677 discloses a system with a miniaturized metering piston pump with a dosing cylinder that is repeatedly coupled to and filled from a larger reservoir, followed by coupling the dosing cylinder to an infusion site and infusing the liquid drug out of the dosing cylinder in incremental steps and over an extended time period. For alternatively coupling the dosing cylinder to the reservoir and the infusion site, a valve system is proposed.
An ambulatory infusion system in accordance with the principles disclosed in EP1970677 has the advantage that the metering is carried out from a comparatively small reservoir (the dosing cylinder) of substantially smaller cross-sectional area as compared to, e. g., a standard syringe driver as explained before. Based on a similar piston displacement precision, a significantly higher dosing accuracy may principally be achieved. Also, the influence of other factors that may reduce the dosing accuracy, e. g. thermal expansion, is significantly reduced. A drawback of this approach, however is the need for regular refilling the dosing cylinder from the drug container. In typical diabetes therapy applications one filling of the dosing cylinder may, in dependence on the patient, nutrition, etc. last for between a day or more and only a number of hours, or even less.
Each refilling of the dosing cylinder, however, involves reversals of the piston displacement direction. A backlash, resulting from generally present play of the pump drive chain (in particular, the reduction gear and spindle drive for the rotatory-to-linear transformation) occurs whenever the driving direction of the pump drive, and, consequently, the displacement direction of the piston, is reversed. The backlash has the effect that, upon reversal of the driving direction, the piston is not displaced in accordance with the drive actuation until the backlash is compensated for. The requirement for repeatedly reversing the driving direction that is inherent to the overall architecture may considerably reduce the high basic accuracy that is in principle achievable and may, in dependence of the overall design, outweigh the advantages.
EP2361646 proposes avoiding the backlash in a dosing unit according to the disclosure of disclosed in EP1970677 by mechanical biasing of the threaded spindle. Similarly, the WO2013030000 discloses a biasing device that ensures biasing independent of the motion direction.


The invention concerns momoclonal antibodies to terbinafine in free base or salt form, immunogenic conjugates suitable for preparing them, hybridoma capable of producing them, and corresponding assay kits. The antibodies can be prepared by administering to an appropriate animal an immunogenic conjugate of a suitable derivative of terbinafine covalently linked to an immonogen, recovering antibody-producing cells sensitized to the conjugate, immortalizing the antibody-producing cells, selecting a resultant immortalized cell line, and recovering the resultant antibodies therefrom. They are indicated for use in particular in the measurement of terbinafine tissue concentration and distribution in bodily fluids or compartments, especially nails.

The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies.
It concerns monoclonal antibodies to terbinafine (Lamisil®), i.e. to (E)-N-(6,6-dimethylhept-2-en-4-ynyl)-N-methyl-1-naphthalene methanamine of formula I
in free form or salt form, particularly hydrochloride salt form,hereinafter briefly named "the antibodies of the invention".
Terbinafine is an antimycotic agent marketed worldwide in both oral and topical formulations, particularly for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin, nail and hair. It is a representative of the allylamine class of synthetic antifungal agents, which is chemically and mechanistically distinct from the other antimycotic drugs used clinically.
One of the advantages of terbinafine resides in its very low immunogenicity. Thus, although it has been on the market for several years, so far no reports have appeared in the literature describing strong immune responses thereto. While this is of clinical benefit, it renders detection of the drug by immunological methods problematic, even when it is coupled to immunogenic protein to enhance immune response.
Further, in view of its widespread use, development of a simple immunoassay procedure allowing easy and speedy detection of terbinafine in body fluids, tissues or compartments of a patient, e.g. serum or nails, would be very desirable. Monitoring e.g. blood or nail levels of terbinafine in patients with particular reference to treatment failure (dermatophytoma) is very desirable for fine tuning of the dosage administered and better understanding of the mode of action so as to maintain the minimum level sufficient for beneficial pharmacological activity in, e.g., onychomycosis. However, there have been no previous reports of monoclonal antibodies which recognize terbinafine, possibly due to inherent difficulties in making such antibodies in view of the low immunogenicity of the drug mentioned above.

Specific monoclonal antibody against terbinafine


According to one general aspect, an apparatus may include a storage memory to store a plurality of key-value pairs. The apparatus may include at least one snapshot counter configured to store an operation number associated with a respective snapshot of the plurality of key-value pairs. The apparatus may include a snapshot data structure configured to identify, for at least one key-value pair, which, if any, snapshot(s) the respective key-value pair is associated with.

A key-value database, or key-value store, is a data storage paradigm designed for storing, retrieving, and managing associative arrays, a data structure more commonly known today as a dictionary or hash table. Key-value databases work in a very different fashion from the better known relational databases (RDB). RDBs pre-define the data structure in the database as a series of tables containing fields with well defined data types. In contrast, key-value systems treat the data as a single opaque collection, which may have different fields for every record. Generally, key-value databases are stored in solid state devices (SSDs) using programming layers (e.g., RocksDB) that are operated by the central processing unit (CPU).
A solid-state drive (SSD) is a solid-state storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently. It is also sometimes called solid-state disk, although SSDs do not have physical disks. Most SSD manufacturers use non-volatile NAND flash memory in the construction of their SSDs because of the lower cost.
Generally, SSDs are notable for the way they read and write data. Often, a block of data stored on a flash memory chip must be electrically erased before new data can be written, or programmed, to the solid-state drive. The SSD write cycle is also known as the program/erase (P/E) cycle.
When an SSD is new, all of the blocks are erased and new, incoming data is directly written to the flash media. Once the SSD has filled all of the free blocks in a section of the flash storage media, it must erase previously programmed blocks to make room for new data to be written. Blocks that contain valid, invalid or unnecessary data are copied to different blocks, freeing the old blocks to be erased. The SSD controller periodically erases the invalidated blocks and returns them into the free block pool.
The background process an SSD uses to clean out the unnecessary blocks and make room for new data is called garbage collection. The garbage collection process is generally invisible to the user, and the programming process is often identified simply as a write cycle, rather than a write/erase or P/E cycle.

Implementing snapshot and other functionality in KVSSD through garbage collection and FTL


A technique includes receiving, by a processor, a security alert that is generated in response to one or more events occurring in a computer system. The technique includes applying, by the processor, machine learning to the security alert to predict a probability that the security alert will be escalated to an incident; and displaying an output on a display to guide processing of the security alert based on the predicted probability.

An enterprise may employ a system of software and services, called a "security information and event management (SIEM) system," for purposes of detecting and responding to security threats that occur with the enterprise's computer system. The SIEM may monitor events (login failures, device communications with external domains, downloading of restricted files, and so forth) of the computer system for purposes of generating corresponding security alerts. A security alert brings a particular event that is consistent with a security threat to the attention of a human security analyst for further analysis. In this manner, a security analyst may evaluate a security alert to determine if the underlying event warrants further investigation, and if so, the security analyst may escalate the security alert to be an "incident." An incident refers to a matter that is associated with one or multiple events that appear to be related to each other. A security analyst may investigate an incident by gathering information about the underlying event or events (gathering information about users, accounts, devices, communications, and so forth) for purposes of determining whether the incident is associated with an actual security threat to the computer system and if so, for purposes of determining remedial actions for the security threat.

Machine learning-based security alert escalation guidance


A circuit arrangement for speech recognition carries out an analysis of a speech signal, extracting characteristic features. The extracted features are represented by spectral feature vectors which are compared with reference feature vectors stored for the speech signal to be recognized. The reference feature vectors are determined during a training phase in which a speech signal is recorded several times. A recognition result essentially depends on a quality of the spectral feature vectors and reference feature vectors. A recognition result essentially depends on a quality of the spectral feature vectors and reference feature vectors. A recursive high-pass filtering is performed in the time domain on the spectral feature vectors. Influences of noise signals on the recognition result are reduced by this and a high degree of speaker independence of the recognition is achieved. As a result, the circuit arrangement for speech recognition may also be used in systems requiring a speaker-independent speech recognition.

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for speech recognition comprising an evaluation circuit for determining spectral feature vectors of time frames of a digital speech signal by means of a spectral analysis, for logarithmizing the spectral feature vectors, and for comparing the logarithimized spectral feature vectors with reference feature vectors.
Speaker-dependent speech recognition devices are used successfully in many fields, for example in systems which recognize spoken text, understand it and convert it into an action (acoustically given commands for the control of appliances), while the speech signal to be recognized is often also transmitted over a telephone line (remote control by telephone).
The book "Automatische Spracheingabe und Sprachausgabe" by K. Sickert, Haar bei Munchen, Verlag Markt und Technik, 1983, pp. 223-230 and 322-326 deals with the construction principle of a speech recognition device in which the speech signal is first analysed in order to extract the information-carrying features. These features are represented by so-called feature vectors which are compared with reference feature vectors in a recognition unit, the reference vectors being determined during a training phase and stored in a reference memory.
The publication "Verfahren fur Freisprechen, Spracherkennung und Sprachcodierung in der SPS51" by W. Armbruster, S. Dobler and P. Mayer, PKI Technische Mitteilungen 1/1990, pp. 35-41 discloses a technical realisation of a speaker-dependent speech recognition device. During an analysis of a digital speech signal in this speech recognition device, the progression in time of this signal in the spectral range is observed and spectral feature vectors are determined which are suitable for the description of the characteristic features of the speech signal. During a learning or training phase, referred to as training hereinafter, each word to be recognized is recorded several times. Each time, spectral feature vectors are determined, from which reference feature vectors specific to a word are generated through averaging. After the training has been concluded, reference feature vectors are available for each word taught, stored in a reference sample memory. During normal operation, the test phase, the spectral feature vectors are determined for a speech signal to be recognized and supplied to a recognition unit in which a comparison with the stored reference feature vectors takes place by means of a method based on dynamic programming.
Problems in achieving a reliable recognition result occur most of all through the superimposition of interference quantities on the speech signal, for example, distortions of the frequency characteristic or quasi-stationary noise signals. Such interference quantities are mainly introduced during the transmission of the signal through a telephone line and/or through background noise during the recording. The recognition results are in addition impaired when the determination of reference feature vectors during training takes place under other recording conditions than does the determination of feature vectors during the test phase. In this case, the recognition unit cannot reliably perform the comparison between feature vectors and reference vectors any more, which results in an increase in the error percentage in the recognition.
In addition, the possibilities of using speech recognition devices are most of all restricted by the fact that the majority of the technical realisations achieved up to now are only suitable for speaker-dependent speech recognition, which implies training by the relevant user. A use of such speaker-dependent speech recognition devices in systems where the spoken texts of frequently changing users are to be recognized and/or answered (for example, fully automated information systems with spoken dialogue) is not very well possible.

Speech recognition using recursive time-domain high-pass filtering of spectral feature vectors


A method for manufacturing a card comprising a transparent window. The window comprises a front side and a back side. The method comprises steps of printing a color picture on the back side of the window and laser engraving the front side of the window. Also provided is a device configured to carry out the above-described method and a card manufactured with the above-described method.

Various methods for manufacturing a card are known.
For example, US 2008/0250954 A1 relates to a data carrier having a substrate and, applied on the substrate, a coating into which, through the action of laser radiation, markings are introduced in the form of patterns, letters, numbers or images. The coating includes a laser-radiation-absorbing layer and a printing layer that is disposed over the absorbing layer and that is at least partially transmissive to the laser radiation. The printed substrate is pressed during or after the imprinting of the at least partially transmissive layer.
For example, US 2008/0191462 A1 relates to a value document, such as a bank note, passport or the like, which has a security paper and a marking produced with the help of a laser, the security paper having at least one partial area with a coating, and the marking extending over the border area between the coating and the security paper.
There is a need to provide a time-saving method for producing a card wherein a picture, for example, a color picture, is provided securely within the card. It is an object of the invention to provide such a method and a device configured to carry out the method.


Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a hearing assistance device with a sensor hub. Various aspects of the present subject matter include a method of using a hearing assistance device. A method includes sensing biometric signals from a wearer of a hearing assistance device using one or more sensor modules included in or on a receiver housing of the hearing assistance device, the receiver housing configured to connect to an end of a cable and configured to be placed in or near an ear canal of the wearer. The method also includes transmitting data indicative of the sensed biometric signals from the one or more sensor modules to a sensor hub in a connector of the cable, and processing the data using the sensor hub.

Examples of hearing assistance devices, also referred to herein as hearing devices or hearing instruments, include both prescriptive devices and non-prescriptive devices. Specific examples of hearing assistance devices include, but are not limited to, hearing aids, headphones, assisted listening devices, and earbuds.
Hearing aids are used to assist patients suffering hearing loss by transmitting amplified sounds to ear canals. In one example, a hearing aid is worn in and/or around a patient's ear. Hearing aids may include processors and electronics that improve the listening experience for a specific wearer or in a specific acoustic environment.
In addition, biometric sensors may be included in or on a hearing instrument to collect physiological data from the wearer. Additional processing is needed to analyze collected physiological data. Generally, hearing aids are small and require extensive design to fit all the necessary electronic components into the hearing aid or attached to the hearing aid.
There is a need in the art for an improved processing system for hearing assistance device applications.

Sensor hub in connector plug or cable for a hearing assistance device


A golf ball having a soft outer surface coating having a hardness less than about HB on the ASTM D3363 scale, or less than about 40 on ASTM D2134 scale. The soft outer surface coating may contain polyurethane, a hydroxyl functional silicone material, or a hydroxyl functional fluoro material. Also, a method for making the golf ball. The golf ball having the soft outer surface coating exhibits a high spin rate over short shots essentially without degrading performance on driver shots, as compared with the performance of the uncoated golf ball.

The present invention relates generally to a golf ball having a soft coating. In particular, the invention relates to a golf ball having a soft surface coating, or outer surface coating, that maintains durability and has a low energy surface.
Golf balls are important sporting goods that have changed with changes in technology. For example, balls were first made of wood, and then by stuffing boiled, softened feathers into a leather sack. The sack typically was painted white, and would tighten upon drying. However, because the feather ball tended to absorb moisture and to split, many balls were required to play a round. Also, these feather balls were expensive as compared with wooden balls.
Both feather and wooden balls were in use until the gutta percha ball was made. The gutta percha ball was relatively inexpensive and easily manufactured. Also, the gutta percha ball was fairly durable, as compared with the feather ball, performed well because the surface could easily be roughened to improve flight characteristics, and so became popular. However, the ball exhibited a tendency to break up in flight.
Golf balls comprising other elastic materials then were developed. For example, a golf ball having a rubber core and an elastic thread wound tightly around the core was developed. The winding was covered with gutta percha at first, but later with balata. However, balata-covered golf balls often are damaged by players who are less skilled at striking the ball. Thus, tougher covers were developed, including in particular covers comprising an ionomer compound (Surlyn® is the trade name for one type of ionomer) or a polyurethane compound.
The surface of one type of modern golf ball typically is hard and durable. This type of golf ball is generally two-piece with a hard cover and a rubber core. In particular, covers comprising an ionomer compound are hard. Other types of golf balls are multilayered with a relatively soft (lower hardness, i.e., less than 65 Shore D) cover and a relatively hard mantle layer. Modern golf balls also often are coated with an abrasion-resistant relatively hard polyurethane surface coating. Such a hard coating typically adds a glossy appearance and durability to the ball. Often, the hardness rating of such material is approximately equivalent to the hardness of a 3H pencil and is greater than 40 on the Sword Rocker hardness scale.
Hard-covered golf balls offer low spin, durability, and other desirable golf ball properties and characteristics. However, hard-covered golf balls are not preferred by skilled players who seek to maintain control and achieve maximum distance on selected shots. Typically, golf balls that are intended to achieve maximum distance on a shot, such as a tee shot or a driver shot, are designed to spin less off the tee. Often, such golf balls preferred by a highly skilled golfer have a multilayer construction with a low hardness cover (less than 65 Shore D) and a higher hardness mantle layer. This construction allows for low spin off the tee but higher spin on shorter iron and wedge shots. The higher spin on short irons and wedge shots allows for better control of the golf ball upon landing. Such landing control is imparted by high spin rate and the ability to control that spin. It is difficult to control the spin of a hard-covered golf ball due to the nature of a hard cover/golf club face interaction (at least in part because a hard cover tends to slip up a club face).
Modern soft golf balls provide spin control and are resistant to abrasion, to cuts when the golf ball is not struck squarely, and to degradation with continuing play. Golf balls having too soft a surface, however, exhibit a tendency to collect dirt and to be difficult to remove from storage, such as the player's pocket.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a high-end golf ball that provides high spin rate and the ability to control that spin essentially without degrading drive performance, yet remains durable. There also exists a need for such a ball that has a surface that does not tend to collect dirt.


The connector for a card has a housing for accommodating a card provided with terminal members, and connecting terminals mounted in the housing and contacting the terminal members of the card. Here, at least one of the connecting terminals has a base portion provided along a rear edge of the housing, at least some of the base portion is embedded in a bottom wall portion of the housing, and a contact member forming a hoop along with the base portion. The contact member has a pair of spring portions connected to the base portion, a joining portion joining the pair of spring portions, and a contact portion connected to the leading end of the joining portion for contacting the terminal members of the card.

The Present Disclosure relates, generally, to a connector for a card.
Conventional electronic devices typically include card connectors to allow various types of memory cards to be used. An example of such a conventional electronic device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-146289, the content of which is incorporated in its entirety herein.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional connector for a card. In this drawing, 811 is the metal frame of the card connector, which has a bottom plate portion 811b, and which accommodates a memory card (not shown). The electrode pads (not shown) of a memory card, such as a SIM card, are exposed on the bottom.
A plurality of first terminal holding portions 811c and second terminal holding portions 811d are formed in the bottom plate portion 811b, and metal first terminals 851 and second terminals 861 are held in each first terminal holding portion 811c and second terminal holding portion 811d. In the example shown, the first terminals 851 and second terminals 861 are arranged in two rows to accommodate the arrangement of electrodes in a SIM card.
The first terminal 851 includes a rectangular frame portion 851a open in the center, a cantilevered contact member 851b having a base end connected to the inner edge of the short side of the rectangular frame portion 81a and extending into the opening, and a tail portion 851d extending outward from the outer edge of the short side of the rectangular frame portion 851a. The second terminal 861 includes a rectangular frame portion 861a open in the center, a cantilevered contact member 861b having a base end connected to the inner edge of the short side of the rectangular frame portion 861a and extending into the opening, and a tail portion 861d extending outward from the outer edge of the short side of the rectangular frame portion 861a.
The first terminal 851 and the second terminal 861 are secured to the bottom plate portion 811b by bonding the frame portions 851a, 861a, coated with an insulating film, to the first terminal holding portion 811c and second terminal holding portion 811d using an insulating adhesive. Also, the first terminal 851 and the second terminal 861 are connected electrically to the conductive traces of the circuit board (not shown) by soldering the tail portions 851d, 861d to the connection pads on the surface of the circuit board. The frame 811 is then secured to the surface of the circuit board by soldering the tail portions 851d, 861d to connection pads.
When a memory card is loaded into the frame 811, the electrode pads exposed on the bottom face of the memory card come into electrical contact with the contact members 851b, 861b of the first terminal 851 and the second terminal 861. Because the cantilevered contact members 851b, 861b are elastically deformed, and the resulting spring action presses them against the electrode pads, contact with the electrode pads can be reliably maintained.
Conventional card connectors, unfortunately, are difficult to use because cards such as memory cards can be difficult to insert and eject. Card connectors with push/push card guiding mechanisms have been introduced in which the card is pushed in when it is loaded and pushed in when removed in order to make it easier for a user to load or remove a card with one hand.
Further, electronic devices and cards become smaller and more compact with each passing year, meaning the area of the card surface occupied by electrode pads increases, and the leeway to arrange the electrode pads a certain way decreases. For example, a SIM card is a card with two rows of electrode pads, and the electrode pads in the front row and back row are arranged near the front and rear edges of the card. Because a card is pushed into the insertion slot of a card connector with a push/push card guiding mechanism, the leading end of the contact members of the terminals corresponding to the electrode pads arranged near the rear edge of the card has to be arranged near the insertion slot at the rear end of the card connector.
When the terminals are mounted to place the leading end portion as close as possible to the insertion slot and to extend the spring-loaded cantilevered contact member upwards at an angle from the interior of the card connector towards the insertion slot, the contact members of the terminals may buckle. When the terminals are mounted to extend cantilevered contact members upward at an angle from the insertion slot of the card connector towards the inside, the contact members do not buckle. However, when the length of the contact members is reduced in this configuration to move the contact portions at the leading end of the contact members closer to the insertion slot, the length of the spring is reduced and contact between the leading end and electrode pads of the card becomes less reliable.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Conductive terminal having a peripheral open portion between a frame member and a contact member


Communication equipment, arranged between a terminal device and a server, includes: a detector configured to detect transmitted data that is transmitted to the terminal device and non-transmitted data that is not transmitted to the terminal device, from service data transmitted from the server to the terminal device through the communication equipment; a first calculator configured to calculate a first cost of transmitting the non-transmitted data to the terminal device; a second calculator configured to calculate a second cost of transmitting, to the terminal device, a difference image between an image corresponding to the service data and an image corresponding to the transmitted data; and a transmission scheme decision unit configured to transmit the non-transmitted data to the terminal device when the second cost is greater than the first cost and transmit the difference image to the terminal device when the second cost is smaller than the first cost.

Communication systems are speeded up in recent years, and terminal devices for using services provided from Web servers are widely available. Examples of the high-speed communication systems in practical use include LTE (Long Term Evolution), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and public wireless LAN. Terminal devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are also widely used. As a result, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is in widespread use.
An example of a related technique includes a thin client system that secures high operability while ensuring the security. In the thin client system, a program operated on a thin client may be selected according to the network quality between the thin client and a thin client server (for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2012-99091).
Other related techniques are described, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications No. 2001-211443, No. 2009-271576, and No. 2010-182176.
Some applications provided by Web services are executed a terminal device, instead of Web servers. For example, terminal devices execute Java Applet (registered trademark) and Java Script (registered trademark). Therefore, if the performance of the CPU of a terminal device is low for example, or if the memory capacity of the terminal device is small, the terminal device may not be able to execute the applications at a desired response.
This problem may be solved by providing gateway equipment between the Web server and the terminal device, for example. In this case, the gateway equipment executes the applications to generate images to be displayed on the terminal device and transmits the image data to the terminal device. However, such a system configuration may lead to insufficient resources in the gateway equipment when a large number of terminal devices exist under the gateway equipment. When the resources of the gateway equipment become insufficient, the process slows down, or the process cannot be executed. As a result, the response of service is reduced in each terminal device. For example, the time from the request of a service by a user to the display of a screen image corresponding to the service increases.

Dynamically adjusting delivery of content between terminal device and server


The invention relates to an optical component (10), comprising a first spherical reflector (12) and a second spherical reflector (14), which is arranged in order to reflect a light beam several times between the first reflector (12) and the second reflector (14) and which spans an interior together with the first spherical reflector (12), wherein a coupling-in device is provided, which comprises a coupling-in reflector element (16) arranged within the interior, said coupling-in reflector element being arranged in order to reflect a light beam (24) to be coupled in onto the first spherical reflector (12).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical component with (a) a first spherical reflector and (b) a second spherical reflector which is arranged in order to reflect a light beam, particularly a laser beam, several times between the first reflector and the second reflector. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a measuring procedure.
2. Background Description
Components of this sort are described in DE 1 199 401 and are used, for example, as multiple reflection cells in tuneable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. This sort of multiple reflection cells are also known as Herriott cells, in which a light beam, particularly a laser beam, is coupled in through a small hole in one of the two reflectors and coupled out again through the hole.
A disadvantage with known optical components of this sort is the great effort needed for alignment. It is also a disadvantage that measuring equipment which contains known multiple reflection cells has a long structure, whereas a compact construction is preferable.
A unit for variable frequency conversions is described in DE 198 14 199 A1 which comprises a ring resonator and a refractive element with which the length of the resonator can be set. Units of this type cannot be used in cavity ring down spectroscopy, as the refractive elements cause an additional absorption.


An electronic device can include an NVM array, wherein portions of word lines are formed within trenches. Insulating features are formed over heavily doped regions within the substrate. In one embodiment, charge storage stacks and a control gate electrode layer can be formed and substantially fill the trench. The insulating features help to reduce capacitive coupling between the heavily doped regions and the control gate electrode layer. In a particular embodiment, the insulating features are recessed from a top surface of a layer outside the trenches. The control gate electrode layer can form a substantially continuous electrical path along the lengths of the word lines. This particular embodiment substantially eliminates the formation of stringers or other residual etching artifacts from the control gate electrode layer within the array. A process can be performed to form the electronic device.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present invention relates to virtual ground memory arrays (VGAs), and more particularly, to VGAs with enhanced separation between source/drain and word line.
2. Description of the Related Art
Virtual ground memory arrays (VGAs) are particularly useful because they are very high density with their preferred usage being in non-volatile memories. VGAs do not require field isolation but require control of both the source and drain of the memory transistors that serve as memory elements. The VGA type memory is widely applicable to the various types of non-volatile memories, such as read-only memories ("ROMs"), programmable read-only memories ("PROMs"), one-time programmable read-only memories ("OTPROMs"), flash, electrically programmable read-only memories ("EPROMs"), and electrically erasable and programmable read-only memories ("EEPROMs"). The VGA is also applicable to different storage mediums such as floating gate and nitride. One characteristic of VGAs is that the word line, which functions as the gate of the transistors for a given row of memory transistors, passes over the sources and drains. Although this is useful in achieving the high density of memory elements of VGAs, this also increases the capacitance between the word line (gate) and the drain. This is also sometimes called the Miller capacitance. The gate/drain capacitance, however, is preferably low.
One of the techniques in the past to reduce the gate/drain capacitance has been to grow an oxide layer over the sources and drains to provide increased separation between the gate and drain, thereby reducing gate/drain capacitance. While this is an effective approach for reducing the capacitance, it also introduces additional difficulties. The oxide growth has the effect of lowering the source/drains below the top surface of the silicon because the oxidation process involves using the substrate silicon in forming the oxide. This in turn causes what is known as a bird's beak similar to that found in local oxidation of silicon ("LOCOS") type isolation. The bird's beak has the effect of increasing the gate dielectric thickness at the edge of the gate where the sources and drains are. This is difficult to control and alters the operation of the memory transistor. Another problem with the oxide growth approach is that the temperature and time for performing this growth causes additional diffusion of the source/drain regions. Also this bird's beak has not changed much as the processing and lithography technology has improved to make transistors smaller. Thus the deleterious effect of the bird's beak actually gets more significant as the technology has improved and the transistors get smaller.
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the invention.

Electronic device including an array and process for forming the same


A pointing device having a moveable puck that moves in a predetermined field of motion by applying a lateral force thereto is disclosed. A first linear spring is attached to the puck, the first spring applying a first force to the puck at each location in the field of motion. A second linear spring is also attached to the puck, the second spring applying a second force to the puck at each location in the field of motion. The first and second springs return the puck to a predetermined location in the field of motion when the lateral force is not applied to the puck. The first linear spring is folded around a bending point and attached to a portion of the pointing device that is stationary with respect to the puck.

To simplify the following discussion, the present invention will be explained in terms of a pointing device for use on a computer; however, the present invention may be utilized with a wide range of data processing systems including hand held computers, cell phones, video games, and the like. Modem computer operating systems and graphics programs require a pointing device for controlling the position of a cursor on the computer display. For desktop PCs, the most successful pointing device is the "mouse". A mouse is a hand held object that is moved over a flat surface near the keyboard to control the motion of a cursor on the computer display. The direction and distance over which the mouse is moved determines the direction and distance the cursor moves on the display. A conventional mouse provides a rigid object that a user can move with great precision. For a desktop computer, the mouse provides a satisfactory solution to the pointing problem. On the occasion when the workspace is not large enough to provide a path over which the mouse can move and accommodate the desired cursor movement on the display, the user simply picks up the mouse and recenters the mouse in the workspace. Hence, the mouse can provide an almost limitless range of motion.
While the mouse has provided a satisfactory solution to the pointing device problem in the desktop PC market, a similarly successful device is not available for portable and hand-held computers. These computers are often used in environments that lack a sufficiently large flat surface near the keyboard over which a mouse can be moved. Hence, some other form of pointing device is needed when these computers are used in such environments.
A pointing device for use in these environments must solve the problem of moving a cursor quickly and accurately. In addition, the device must operate in an intuitive fashion that a novice user can comprehend without extensive instruction. Further, the pointing device must operate in a limited workspace and fit within the form factor of the computer or hand held device. Finally, the usual constraints of low cost, low power consumption and high reliability must also be met.
In previously filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/722,698, filed Nov. 24, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a pointing device that meets these requirements is described. The pointing device utilizes a puck that moves in a defined field of motion when a user applies pressure to the puck via the user's finger. When the user releases the puck, a set of springs returns the puck to its centered position within the field of motion. The position of the puck and the pressure on the puck are determined by electrodes in the device. The position information is used to position a cursor on the display screen. Software on the attached device translates the motion of the puck during the time the user's finger is pressing on the puck into the appropriate cursor motion on the device's display. When the user releases the puck, the coupling between the puck and the cursor position is broken by the software, and hence, the cursor does not move backwards while the puck is being recentered.
While the device taught in the above-described patent application provides significant advantages over the dominant prior art solutions to the pointing device problem in the laptop marketplace, there are a number of areas in which improvements would be useful. In particular, it would also be advantageous to provide embodiments in which the ratio of the field of motion to the overall dimensions of the pointing device is as close to unity as possible.

Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A method can include in a first phase of a sensing operation, controlling at least a first switch to energize a sensor inductance; in a second phase of the sensing operation that follows the first phase, controlling at least a second switch to couple the sensor inductance to a first modulator capacitance to induce a first fly-back current from the sensor inductance, the first fly-back current generating a first modulator voltage at the first modulator capacitance, and in response to the first modulator voltage, controlling at least a third switch to generate a balance current that flows in an opposite direction to the fly-back current at the first modulator node. The first and second phases can be repeated to generate a first modulator voltage at the first modulator capacitance. the modulator voltage can be converted into a digital value representing the sensor inductance. Related devices and systems are also disclosed.

Inductive sensors enjoy use in a wide variety of applications. Because inductive sensors rely on electromagnetic induction, they can be preferred for use in more demanding environments, including industrial applications.
FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a conventional inductive sensing system 2551. System 2551 can include a balanced Maxwell-Wien bridge having fixed resistances R1 and R3, reference capacitance C2 in parallel with reference resistance R2, and a sensor inductance LX in series with a sense resistance Rix. Nodes A and B of the Maxwell-Wien bridge can be connected to inputs of a differential amplifier. Reference capacitance C2 and reference resistance R2 are usually sets of resistors and capacitors that can be programmed to particular values with digital codes. The Maxwell-Wien bridge can be driven with an alternating current voltage generator (Gen), usually with a sine wave. An output of a differential amplifier can be applied to a zero voltage detector and phase detector, from which a count can be generated.
A sensing process can rely on seeking to maintain the Maxwell-Wien bridge in a balanced state. In a balanced state, a voltage between nodes A and B is zero, and following formulas are true:
            L      x        =                  R        1            ·              R        3            ·              C        2                        Rl      x        =                            R          3                          R          2                    ·              R        1                                L        x                    R        lx              =                  R        2            ·              C        2
Sensing with a Maxwell-Wien bridge depends on Knowing the resistance and capacitance values. Further, a measurement accuracy and stability depend on the quality of the capacitance and resistance sets.
Maxwell-Wien bridge sensing is a commonly used in conventional inductive sensing devices.
FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of another inductive sensing system 2651. System 2651 can create an oscillator with a sensed inductance and use a resulting frequency Fout to derive a value for the inductance. The oscillator is formed with sensor inductance L1, capacitances C1 and C2 and a current limiting resistor R1. Such components are formed "off chip", with a driver, counter, timer and clock generator being part of an integrated circuit (IC) device. A sensor inductance can include a coil resistance RI and parasitic capacitance Ci. Over an Nsample period time, a counter can count a number Fout signal clock pulses. The inductance-to-code transfer function for an ideal system 2651 can be given by:
  Rawcounts  =                    1                  2          ·          π                    ·                                    2            C                    ·                                                  N          sample                          F          clk                    ·              1                              L            1                              As shown, an output code Rawcounts is inversely proportional to a square root of the inductance L1, capacitances C1, C2 and the frequency Fclk.
A drawback to system 2651 can be limited sensing resolution, as sensing is dependent on Fclk. Further, Fout is limited by printed circuit board (PCB) inductor self-resonance frequency and FIMO values. Conversion sensitivity is lower than sensor sensitivity due to the square root dependency in the transfer function. As shown below, changes in Fout frequency are proportionally less than changes in sensor inductance:
            δ                                              f        osc              =          1      -                        1                      1            -                                          Δ                                                                                L                  s                                                            L                s                                                                    if                                                        Δ                                                                          L            s                                    L          s                      =          0.1                                              (                  10                    %                )                        δ                                              f        osc              =                  -        5.4                  %      In a system 2651, initial Fout tolerance can be high, due to the tolerances of L1, C1 and C2. For example, a PCB inductor tolerance is typically no better than +−15% and a typical capacitor tolerance is +−10%. In addition, Fout depends on sensor capacitance, especially in high resolution cases. Still further, an impedance of the Driver can impact Fout frequency. The need to address these various features can make the ability to implement multi-sensor scanning difficult. Due to the various tank oscillator components needed per sensor, multi-sensor scanning systems can have a high component count. As a result, an approach like that of system 2651 can be inflexible, and not satisfactory for some applications.
It would be desirable to arrive at some way of implementing sensing inductance with an integrated circuit device that does not suffer from the drawbacks of other approaches, like those noted above.

Inductive sensing methods, devices and systems


Various systems, servers, methods, media, programs, and devices for providing a notification of a live event in an application to a braille display are provided. Content information of the application is transmitted to the braille display and displayed in a first display area of the braille display. The notification is transmitted to the braille display and displayed in a second display area of the braille display in response to detecting the live event for notifying a user of the braille display of the live event. The notification is transmitted independently of the content information without interrupting transmission of the content information.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of braille displays, and, in particular, to braille displays for displaying content of interactive applications.
2. Background Information
Computers have become a fixture in nearly all aspects of society. They serve an important role in business and are a vital source of both information and entertainment. An individual with a physical or visual impairment may use a braille display to read and interpret content displayed on a computer screen by a computer.
A typical braille display comprises a row of braille cells for displaying the content displayed on the computer screen. Each of the braille cells generally represents a single character. In this regard, a typical braille display is optimally configured for displaying content which is presented on a command line interface, which merely consists of text and characters. The command line interface is easily mapped to the braille display.
Modern computers, however, provide rich and dynamic graphical user interfaces, which are not as easily mapped to the braille display. As a result, new and improved braille displays are desired.

Notifications and live updates for braille displays


A method for manufacturing a printed product comprises provision (210) of a matrix comprising a matrix surface having a plurality of recesses. A first curable compound is applied (212) to the matrix surface to fill the recesses with the compound. The matrix surface and the filled recesses are covered (220) by a pickup layer of a second curable compound. The matrix is brought (230) in contact with the substrate surface and the first curable compound and the second curable compound are cured (232). The matrix surface is separated (234) from the substrate surface, leaving the pickup layer and the first curable compound on the substrate surface. The pickup layer and the first curable compound are thus transferred (240) together from the matrix surface onto a substrate surface of a substrate sheet. The first curable compound forms printed product micro features at the pickup layer covering the substrate surface.

Optical arrangements giving rise to a synthetic three-dimensional image or an image that changes its appearance at different angles have been used in many applications. Besides purely esthetical uses, such arrangements have been used e.g. as security labels on bank-notes or other valuable documents, identification documents etc. or as brand protection. The synthetic three-dimensional images have also been used for providing better geometrical understanding of complex shapes in e.g. two-dimensional information documents.
Synthetic image devices are based on the interaction between an array of focusing elements and micro image portions. In some prior art "synthetic images" are also referred to as "integral images" or "moiré images", since the experienced image is composed of a number of parts interpreted together as an integral unit. The relative geometrical relation gives rise to different optical effects, from different levels of 3D to images that move or change its appearance e.g. dependent on the viewing angle. The focusing elements and the micro image portions are typically provided by printing on an essentially transparent polymer film.
One approach for manufacturing a synthetic image device is disclosed in the published International patent application WO 2011/102800 A1. Here a roll-to-roll process is achieved by the interaction of a matrix roll with a substrate. The matrix roll comprises recesses that are filled with a curable compound. The curable compound is transferred onto the substrate during a rolling contact between the matrix roll and the substrate. Typically, in order to facilitate the adhesion of the curable compound to the substrate, the surface of the substrate is pre-treated, e.g. provided with a surface layer. A good adherence between that surface layer and the curable compound in the matrix roll assists in removing the curable compound from the recesses when the rolling contact ends.
An image object in many applications of an optical arrangement that provides a synthetic integral can be coloured to obtain a black and white image, a greyscale image or a coloured image, or simply to provide proper optical properties. This colouring may typically be obtained by filling the recesses in the matrix roll with ink. This operation is a challenge, in particular in large-scale production using for example the above mentioned roll-to-roll arrangement, since the embossed cavities, ranging from μm-sized cavities to cm-sized cavities, should all be equally filled without leaving residual ink on intermediate surfaces.
When the ink is transferred to the substrate sheet, the ink may be spread outside the area defined by the recesses. This is particularly cumbersome if the substrate is provided with a surface layer for improving the adhesion properties. The contact between the substrate and the matrix roll is typically quite intense, at least at a micro level, and the contact force causes the surface layer to shear between the substrate and the matrix roll. This increases the risk for dragging ink out along from the recesses.
One way to mitigate such effects is to pre-cure the ink before it comes into contact with the surface layer of the substrate. The larger the printing speed is, the higher level of pre-curing is needed to counteract any shearing action of the surface layer. However, pre-curing of the ink within the recesses makes it in general more difficult to release the ink from the recesses and the risk that the ink becomes stuck in the matrix recesses thereby increases. These releasing problems also typically increase with increasing printing speed. If the ink is cured too much before the contact with the surface layer is established, any cross-linking between the surface layer and the ink will also be reduced, reducing the adhering effect of the surface layer.
In other words, in prior art manufacturing approaches there might be ink-spreading problems when they are used in high-speed manufacturing.

Method for manufacturing of printed product micro features and arrangement for continuous production of such a product


An apparatus for driving display panel and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) thereof are provided. The (M+L)-bit digital data provided by the timing controller is converted into N-channel analog output voltages to control and drive the display panel. The number of the analog voltage lines and the number of the selection switches of the (M+L)-bit DAC in the apparatus for driving display panel can be greatly reduced according to the present invention. Compared to the conventional technology, the chip area of the apparatus for driving display panel is reduced and the cost is thus minimized.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a digital-to-analog converter. More particularly, the present invention relates to a digital-to-analog converter which can greatly reduce the layout area of analog voltage lines.
2. Description of Related Art
The apparatus for driving a display panel, e.g. an liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, is used for controlling and driving display panel according to the digital input data output by a timing controller. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional N-channel, (M+L)-bit driving apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, a shift register 101, a first line latch 102, a second line latch 103, a level shifter 104, an (M+L)-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 105, a reference voltage source 107, and an N-channel output buffer 106 are included.
The clock signal CLK and the first control signal CT1 are used for activating the shift register 101, and the second control signal CT2 is used for controlling the second line latch 103. When the first control signal CT1 goes to a high level, the shift register 101 gradually shifts the received first control signal CT1 based on the clock signal CLK to output (N/3) latch signals of different phases to the first line latch 102. The first line latch 102 receives and latches the (M+L)-bit red, green, and blue (RGB) digital input data streams Din1, Din2, and Din3 based on the latch signals output by the shift register 101. When the digital input data streams of the entire line have been latched to the first line latch 102, the second control signal CT2 goes to a high level, accordingly, the data latched in the first line latch 102 is transmitted and latched to the second line latch 103. The level shifter 104 converts the digital data latched in the second line latch 103 into data of higher voltage level so as to accurately drive the digital-to-analog conversion unit 105. The digital-to-analog conversion unit 105 produces the corresponding analog output data based on the digital latch data output by the level shifter 104 and the analog voltage provided by the reference voltage source 107. The output buffer 106 is used for enhancing the driving capability to the output load and bringing the output to an expected analog voltage level. Then, the clock signal CLK and the first control signal CT1 become high level again, the data in the first line latch 102 is updated and latched. The above operations will be executed repeatedly.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional (M+L)-bit digital-to-analog conversion unit 105. Referring to FIG. 2, the digital-to-analog conversion unit 105 includes DACs 201-1, 201-2 . . . 201-N. The reference voltage source 107 provides 2M+L analog voltages Y(1), Y(2) . . . Y(2M+L) of different levels to the digital-to-analog conversion unit 105 through 2M+L analog voltage lines. The 2M+L analog voltage lines pass through the digital-to-analog conversion unit 105 to transmit the 2M+L analog voltages Y(1) to Y(2M+L) of different levels to each of the DACs 201-1 to 201-N. Each of the DACs 201-1 to 201-N respectively selects one of the analog voltages Y(1) to Y(2M+L) provided by the reference voltage source 107 based on the corresponding digital data output by the level shifter 104, and transmits the selected voltage level to the display panel through the output buffer 106.
The disadvantage of the conventional display panel driving apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is that the analog voltage lines in the digital-to-analog conversion unit 105 take a lot of chip area, in particular, the higher the resolution, the larger the area taken by the analog voltage lines. For example, if (M+L) is 8-bit, then 28 (i.e. 256) analog voltage lines are required in the digital-to-analog conversion unit 105. If (M+L) is 10-bit (to increase the resolution), then 210 (i.e. 1024) analog voltage lines are required in the digital-to-analog conversion unit 105. Accordingly, the chip area thereof will be very large and the manufacturing cost of the apparatus for driving display panel will be increased considerably.

Apparatus for driving display panel and digital-to-analog converter thereof


A tool includes a locator having a center aligned with a rotor axis when disposed over the valve. The locator has a first dimension approximately perpendicular with the rotor axis. A wall of the locator forms a volume to allow an adjustor to be disposed therein. The adjustor fits within the wall and has a magnet having a magnetic axis to unlock the rotor. An adjustable outer wall has a first position dimension permitting the adjustor to rotate about the center of the locator and aligning the magnetic axis with the center. The adjustable outer wall has a second position dimension less than the first dimension and the first position dimension. The adjustor can move lateral, rotational, and orbital in the locator misaligning the magnetic axis with the center. Misaligning the magnetic and rotor axes unlocks the rotors and the magnet maintains the unlocked state even when the axes are misaligned.

Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition caused by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. Hydrocephalus, which can affect infants, children and adults, arises when the normal drainage of CSF in the brain is blocked in some way. Such blockage can be caused by a number of factors, including, for example, genetic predisposition, intraventricular or intracranial hemorrhage, infections such as meningitis, or head trauma. Blockage of the flow of CSF consequently creates an imbalance between the rate at which CSF is produced by the ventricular system and the rate at which CSF is absorbed into the bloodstream. This imbalance increases pressure on the brain and causes the ventricles to enlarge. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can result in serious medical conditions, including subdural hematoma, compression of the brain tissue, and impaired blood flow.
Hydrocephalus is most often treated by surgically inserting a shunt system to divert the flow of CSF from the ventricle to another area of the body, such as the right atrium, the peritoneum, or other locations in the body where CSF can be absorbed as part of the circulatory system. Various shunt systems have been developed for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Typically, shunt systems include a ventricular catheter, a shunt valve and a drainage catheter. At one end of the shunt system, the ventricular catheter can have a first end that is inserted through a hole in the skull of a patient, such that the first end resides within the ventricle of a patient, and a second end of the ventricular catheter that is typically coupled to the inlet portion of the shunt valve. The first end of the ventricular catheter can contain multiple holes or pores to allow CSF to enter the shunt system. At the other end of the shunt system, the drainage catheter has a first end that is attached to the outlet portion of the shunt valve and a second end that is configured to allow CSF to exit the shunt system for reabsorption into the bloodstream. Typically, the shunt valve is palpatable by the physician through the patient's skin after implantation.
Shunt valves, which can have a variety of configurations, can be designed to allow adjustment of their fluid drainage characteristics after implantation. It is generally preferred to enable external adjustment of the pressure threshold to avoid invasive surgical procedures each time an adjustment is required. In some shunt systems, the shunt valve contains a magnetized rotor to control the pressure threshold of the valve. Physicians can then use an external adjustment mechanism, such as a magnetic programmer containing a powerful magnet, to adjust the pressure threshold of the shunt valve. One issue with magnetically programmable valves is a potential for unintentionally adjusting the valve by the misapplication of an external magnetic field. Unintentional adjustment of the valve could lead to either the overdrainage or underdrainage of CSF, which can result in dangerous conditions, such as subdural hematoma. For example, the direction of physical approach to the valve by a magnetic programmer, or an inappropriate initial rotational orientation of a magnetic programmer with respect to the valve, has the potential to inadvertently change a setting of the valve.
It is also important to be able to externally read or verify the setting of the valve. With some adjustable valves, x-ray images are used to determine the current setting of the valve, before and after adjustment. With other adjustable valves, the orientation of the rotor in the valve can be read magnetically, using a magnetic compass-like device positioned above the valve, outside the skin of the patient.
Although tools and methods exist for adjusting CSF shunt valve settings, as do other tools and methods for reading a valve setting, some are difficult to get the magnetic axis of the adjustment tool to align with the magnetic axis of the rotor of the valve. If the axes are not aligned, the rotor cannot be set in the adjusting position. Unfortunately, there is no way for the user to determine if the valve's rotors are in the adjusting position. Thus, the user believes that the valve's rotors are in the adjusting position, makes the adjustment, and then on checking the setting, finds that the adjustment was not made. The user may repeat this process numerous times, each time attempting to align the axes to then find the adjustment was not made.
Thus, a need exists for a magnetically programmable valve systems having reduced probability of unintentional adjustment, as well as a tool and method that allows for ease of aligning the magnetic and rotor axes necessary to allow adjustment of an implantable valve's settings.

Dynamic adjustment tool for programming an implantable valve


A machine learning system passively monitors sensor data from the living space of a patient. The sensor data may include audio data. Audio features are generated. A trained machine learning model is used to detect a change in condition. In some implementations, the machine learning model is trained in a learning phase based on training data that includes questionnaires completed by caregivers and identified audio features.

The health of senior citizens changes over time. In some cases, hospitalization and critical care can be avoided if a change in a health-related condition is detected early.
Research has shown, for example, that daily manual reporting of changes in condition with a standardized diagnostic questionnaire can aid in early detection of problems such as foot injuries in diabetes. In this approach, a caregiver typically answers a standardized set of questions at the end of each shift. The questionnaire has a standardized set of questions and answers that correspond to health conditions. Early detection means, for example, that patients can sometimes be seen and treated by a nurse rather than with a hospitalization later in time. (See, e.g., K. M. Dean, L. A. Hatfield, A. B. Jena, D. Christman, M. Flair, K. Kator, G. Nudd, and D. C. Grabowski, "Preliminary Data On A Care Coordination Program For Home Care Recipients," Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, v. 64, no. 9, September 2016, 1900-1903). This approach works well but can be difficult to maintain over time for a variety of reasons.
Consider, for example, some of the practical problems in implementing daily diagnostic questionnaires in a reproducible manner in an assisted care living situation. In assisted care living situations, a patient (typically a senior) may be assigned a caregiver who stops by a patient's home a certain number of times per week. Caregiver turnover can be high, which can result in new caregivers having to come up to speed on a variety of different procedures. Caregiver turnover also makes it more difficult for caregivers to spot changes in conditions over previous visits. For example, if Bob takes care of a senior for 4 months, then at the end of 4 months he is able to easily answer questions in a questionnaire about changes in appetite of the senior compared with previous visits. But if there is turnover and Sue takes over the caregiving, then in Sue's first few visits she may find it difficult to determine if the senior had a change in appetite and may also be unfamiliar regarding how to answer the questionnaire.
Questionnaires can also become overly repetitive, which means that over the course of months or years a caregiver may become bored and not apply sufficient attention to detail in filling out a standardized questionnaire.
Another problem is that the caregiver is typically not present the entire day. For example, in some assisted living situations, a caregiver may be present with the senior for a certain number of hours each day and a certain number of days per week. For example, suppose a caregiver takes care of a senior for three hours in the morning. After the caregiver has left for the day, the senior could experience a change in condition that might not be detected until the next visit by the caregiver. But some senior citizens can have changes in condition, such as falls, when a caregiver is not present.

Automatic change in condition monitoring by passive sensor monitoring and machine learning


A system for sensing at least one characteristic parameter of a tyre fitted to a vehicle includes a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit is combined with the tyre and includes a device for sensing the at least one characteristic parameter, a device for transmitting a signal out of the tyre that relates to the at least one characteristic parameter, and a device for generating electrical energy. The fixed unit is combined with the vehicle and includes a device for receiving signals from the movable unit. The electrical energy generating device is capable of supplying electrical energy to the sensing device and to the transmitting device. The electrical energy generating device includes a capacitor that charges itself with electrical energy in response to mechanical stresses applied to the tyre. The movable unit and a vehicle wheel are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for monitoring characteristic parameters of a tyre fitted to a vehicle.
In particular, the present invention relates to the possibility of sensing characteristic parameters, such as for example pressure, temperature and accelerations, inside a tyre using a sensor placed inside the tyre itself.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wheel is the connection between the vehicle and the road; it performs the function of providing pneumatic suspension for the vehicle and its load and providing, through the tyre, satisfactory behaviour on the road. The suspension of the vehicle is provided by the volume of compressed air contained inside the wheel.
A tyre comprises an internally hollow toroidal structure formed by a plurality of components, in the first place a textile or metallic carcass ply, the edges of which are attached to at least one pair of annular reinforcing cores known as bead wires, which are circumferentially inextensible and are inserted in two beads each defined along an internal circumferential edge of the carcass in order to anchor the tyre to the corresponding supporting rim.
The carcass ply includes a supporting structure that runs axially from one bead to the other to form a toroidal structure comprising a plurality of textile or metallic cords embedded in a layer of elastomeric material. In tyres of the so-called "radial" type, the abovementioned cords essentially lie in planes containing the axis of rotation of the tyre.
Forming a ring around this carcass are an annular superstructure known as the belt structure, normally made up of one or more strips of rubberized fabric wound on top of each other to define a so-called "belt pack", and a tread band of elastomeric material wrapped around the belt pack and moulded with a relief design for rolling contact of the tyre with the road. Two elastomeric side walls are also placed on the carcass, in axially opposite lateral positions, each extending radially outwards from the outer edge of the corresponding bead.
In tyres of the so-called "tubeless" type, i.e. those that require no inner tube when in use, the inside surface of the carcass is normally covered with a so-called "liner", which is one or more layers of elastomeric material impermeable to air. Lastly, the carcass can include other known components, i.e. edges, shims and fillers depending on the particular design of tyre.
A pneumatic vehicle wheel comprises a tyre defining a toroidal cavity and mounted on a corresponding rim, which has a bottom surface provided with a central well and two bead seats against which the tyre beads come into abutment and which are each axially defined between an extreme radial surface (shoulder) in an axially external position and an opposing, axially internal, annular projection which locks the bead on the corresponding seat.
In a "tubeless" tyre, the compressed air is contained between the tyre and the supporting rim. The liner on the inside surface of the tyre keeps the air at pressure inside the tyre. This tyre is inflated through an inflation valve which is usually positioned on the drop centre of said rim.
A tyre of this type is described for example in Patent Application EP928680.
Another way of maintaining the suspension capacity of the tyre is to use an inner tube inserted between the tyre and the rim and inflated with compressed air which is injected into the tube through an inflation valve projecting out through the wheel.
The inner tube, inserted between the tyre and rim, comprises a tubular body expandable to give toric shape. It is generally made of elastomeric material and inflates through an inflation valve.
The inflation valve of the inner tube usually includes a base for attachment to the inner tube and a cylindrical envelope (shank) fixed to the base and containing the mechanism that has to be activated for inflation and deflation operations.
An incorrectly inflated tyre reduces the efficiency of the vehicle: in particular, it causes increased fuel consumption, poorer handling and greater tyre wear, to cite only a few of the most serious drawbacks.
It is therefore of the greatest importance to be able to continually monitor the pressure in the tyres of the vehicle. Also, if it is wished to check the behaviour of a moving tyre, other parameters can be monitored, such as, for example, the accelerations and deformations that take place within a tyre.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,092 discloses a system for monitoring the pressure in a tyre comprising a pressure sensing unit and a unit for transmitting an encoded signal to the vehicle on which the tyre is fitted. The transmitting unit may be mounted inside or outside of the tyre. The transfer of this coded signal takes place by inductive coupling between the transmission unit and a fixed antenna. A battery powers this transmission unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,787 discloses a method for monitoring the conditions of a vehicle tyre, e.g. the pressure and temperature of the air in the tyre. The method uses a programmable self-powered device mounted on the inside surface of the tyre or inserted in the wall of the rim on which said tyre is mounted. The device comprises a power source that can be made active or inactive using a switching device, a sensor for monitoring said information, an integrated circuit, an amplifier and an antenna. A transmitter-receiver located on the vehicle or in a remote position interrogates the programmable self-powered device, which answers with a radio-frequency signal containing the required information. The programmable self-powered device is activated by said remote transmitter/receiver which instructs the switching device to make the power source active.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,683 discloses a tyre monitoring device in which a module for monitoring information about the state of the tyre is inserted in the tyre itself and attached to the inside surface of the tyre by a fixing mechanism. This fixing mechanism comprises a fixed part attached to the surface of the tyre carcass, and another part attached to said module. Said first and second parts together keep said module in contact with the inside surface of the tyre carcass. One application of the monitoring system is to measure the tyre pressure. The measurement is transmitted to the outside by radiofrequency signal.
Patent application WO 9929524 discloses a tyre pressure sensor encapsulated in elastomeric material and attached in the toroidal zone of the tyre, preferably in the vicinity of the equatorial plane of said tyre. The sensor is attached to the inner surface of the tyre by an adhesive or is attached by the curing of the elastomeric material during manufacture of the tyre.

Movable unit and system for sensing at least one characteristic parameter of a tyre


A water diversion system includes a hydraulic chute and a chute screen assembly in the hydraulic chute having a wedge wire screen. The water diversion system also includes at least one collection chamber located below the screen configured to collect filtered diversion water which has passed through the screen. The hydraulic chute includes a base, a crest, a sloped accelerator, and an abrupt drop with an adjustable lip, which forms a hydraulic formation in a downstream pool. The hydraulic chute can also include sloped sidewalls, which constrict the flow of water and form fish passage zones. In addition, the chute screen assembly can include a modular panel configured to facilitate construction, maintenance and replacement of the wedge wire screen.

Water diversions are utilized to divert water from rivers and streams to generate hydropower. Water diversions are also utilized to divert water for agricultural, industrial and municipal water uses. One component of a typical water diversion is a low-head dam or weir. The dam creates a pool where water can be reliably withdrawn through an intake. While these dams can be effective for their intended purposes, they are well known for creating hazards for fish and recreational river users, such as "boaters" and "river runners".
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional screened water diversion system 10 for diverting water on a river 12. The screened water diversion system 10 includes a low head dam 14 which forms a relatively large upstream pool 16 and a downstream pool 18 in the river 12. The screened water diversion system 10 also includes a hydraulic gate 20 which channels water to a turbine (not shown) or other water-using system, and a trash rack 26 which prevents debris from entering the diverted flow.
One potential hazard for recreational rivers users produced by the low head dam 14 is illustrated in FIG. 2. In particular, the water flow 22 over the low head dam 14 forms a reversed water flow 24 in the downstream pool 12, which can trap recreational rivers users and their watercraft. The hydraulic gate 20, the trash rack 26 and various appurtenances of the screened water diversion system 10 also produce potential hazards for recreational rivers users. These prior art structures also create conditions which: 1.) negatively impact fish habitat and passage; 2.) are expensive to build and maintain; 3.) raise the upstream water surface elevation (due to the low head dam 14), which can adversely affect the floodplain and worsen flooding; 4.) impact the ability of the river to transport sediments; and 5.) require removal of sediments from the upstream pool.
Referring to FIG. 3, another hazardous screened water diversion system is illustrated. In particular, the screened water diversion system can also include a screen assembly 28 associated with the hydraulic gate 20. The screen assembly 28 removes filtered diverted water flow 30 from debris laden flow in the river or channel. A bypass water flow 32 carries the debris, and fish as well, back into the water flow 22 on the river 12. As shown in FIG. 3A, the screen assembly 28 includes a tilted wedge wire screen 29 having backing bars 40, and wedge wire elements 34 attached to the backing bars 40. The tilted wedge wire screen 29 is also known in the art as a COANDA screen. U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,462 to Finch et al.
As shown in FIG. 3, the screen assembly 29 is oriented such that the tilted wedge wire screen 29 (FIG. 3A) has a steep back slope in the flow of water 22. As shown in FIG. 3A, the wedge wire elements 34 are spaced to form openings 36 for water flow 38 through the tilted wedge wire screen 29, which travels along the profile of the wedge wire elements 34. As also shown in FIG. 3A, the wedge wire elements 34 are oriented at an angle "a" relative to the water flow 22, which produces a shearing action which forces a diverted flow 30 (FIG. 3) through the tilted wedge wire screen 29. The tilted wedge wire screen 28 (FIG. 3) relies on a high "sweeping" velocity of the flow of water 22 across the tilted wedge wire screen 28 to keep the openings 36 (FIG. 3A) free of debris.
In addition to being hazardous to recreational river users and to fish, the tilted wedge wire screen 29 (FIG. 3A) requires a large amount of drop "hd" (FIG. 3) and creates the negative conditions outlined above. The large amount of drop "hd" also inhibits upstream fish passage and requires additional fish passage structures if upstream fish passage is required. Furthermore the tilted wedge wire screen 29 (FIG. 3A) is prone to drying up, which has a further negative impact on fish. The tilted wedge wire screen 29 (FIG. 3A) is negatively affected by high tailwater, which slows down the sweeping velocity of the water flow 22, allowing debris to accumulate in the openings 36 (FIG. 3A). A high tailwater in the downstream pool 18 (FIG. 3) can also cause a hydraulic jump to occur on the tilted wedge wire screen 29 (FIG. 3A) further plugging the tilted wedge wire screen 29 and decreasing diversion capacity. Still further, the tilted wedge wire screen 29 is usually placed close to or exposed to cold air such that frazzle ice can form and plug the openings 36 (FIG. 3A).
A variety of other water diversion systems have been constructed which include flat screens of various types with slow-velocity bypass water flow over the screens (sweeping velocities) so that the screens tend to plug or cannot be utilized if debris is present. Other water diversion systems screens are located so that they are not heavily influenced by debris or the water surface elevation in the downstream pool. These could include water diversion systems that have screens elevated far enough above the invert of a river or channel or in a river or channel which has a narrower range of water flows, or in a case where the minimum rate or water flow in the river or channel is much greater than the maximum rate of divert water flow.
In view of the shortcomings of conventional prior art water diversion systems, there is a need in the art for improved systems with components which are less hazardous to recreational river users and fish, which reduce impacts to the floodplain and the natural river morphology, and which pass sediment and debris. In addition, there is a need in the art for water diversion systems that are inexpensive to build and maintain, and which function efficiently over a wide range of environmental conditions.
However, the foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith, are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

Water diversion system and method having hydraulic chute, screen assembly and wedge wire screen


A quantum limit catalyst. The instant quantum limit catalyst is comprised of atomic aggregations whose dimensions correspond to the quantum limit. In the quantum limit, the atomic aggregations acquire structural configurations and electronic interactions not attainable in the macroscopic limit. The structural configurations possible in the quantum limit correspond to atomic aggregations having bond lengths, bond angles, topologies and coordination environments that differ from those found in the macroscopic limit. The electronic interactions possible in the quantum limit originate from wavefunction overlap and tunneling between atoms and lead to modifications in the magnitude and/or spatial distribution of electron density at catalytic sites to provide improved catalytic properties. Representative quantum limit catalysts include quantum scale atomic aggregations of metal atoms. Examples including catalysts derived from Fe, Mg, V and Co are disclosed. Catalytic properties are exemplified in the context of hydrogen storage.

The world is facing an impending energy crisis as the consumption of fossil fuels increases. The dimensions of the crisis include scarcity of fossil fuels as supplies become depleted, escalating costs, confrontations over supplies, pollution and global warming. As more societies modernize in the near future, the magnitude of the crisis will only multiply. It has never been more clear that the world needs to develop and implement new sources of energy.
The most ubiquitous element in the universe, hydrogen, offers unprecedented opportunities for reducing the world's dependence on fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a virtually inexhaustible fuel source and is available from a variety of raw materials including coal, natural gas and hydrocarbons in general, inorganic hydrides and water. Water electrolysis, a method in which water is split into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, is one attractive method for producing hydrogen. The energy required to effect electrolysis may be obtained from non-fossil fuel sources such as solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy or nuclear energy. In addition to being plentiful and widely available throughout the world, hydrogen is also a clean fuel source. Combustion of hydrogen with oxygen to provide energy produces only water as a by-product and avoids the undesired generation of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Hydrogen truly is a green energy source.
Having identified hydrogen as a readily available fuel source with desirable combustion properties, realization of a hydrogen based fuel economy requires the development of an infrastructure for making hydrogen accessible to the public. A key element of this infrastructure is a safe and reliable means for storing and delivering hydrogen. The storage of hydrogen in the solid state is the preferred method for storing hydrogen because it avoids the high pressures required for gas phase storage of hydrogen and the low temperatures required for liquid phase storage of hydrogen. The solid state storage of hydrogen is most effectively realized through hydrogen storage alloy materials. A hydrogen storage alloy is a solid state material that is capable of reversibly storing hydrogen, typically in the form of atomic hydrogen.
A conventional hydrogen storage alloy is a metal or metal alloy that includes catalytic sites and hydrogen storage sites. Storage of hydrogen is accomplished through the conversion of hydrogen gas to atomic hydrogen at catalytic sties followed by the binding or retention of hydrogen at hydrogen storage sites. In the hydrogen storage process, a hydrogen storage alloy is exposed to hydrogen gas, which adsorbs onto, diffuses into or otherwise interacts with the hydrogen storage alloy to reach the catalytic sites that convert it to atomic hydrogen. The atomic hydrogen subsequently migrates to a hydrogen storage site, where it is stably retained until the release process is initiated. The release of hydrogen is accomplished by adding thermal energy to the hydrogen storage alloy to free atomic hydrogen from hydrogen storage sites and induce migration of atomic hydrogen to catalytic sites that subsequently effect recombination of atomic hydrogen to form hydrogen gas, which then desorbs, diffuses or otherwise vacates the alloy to provide hydrogen fuel.
An important objective in hydrogen storage is the development of hydrogen storage alloys that are capable of storing large amounts of hydrogen in small volumes with rapid uptake and release of hydrogen. The realization of high hydrogen storage density and rapid kinetics for the storage and release processes requires careful consideration of the chemical and physical factors that contribute to the mechanisms that underlie the hydrogen storage and release processes. The kinetics of the hydrogen storage and release processes are promoted through the presence of a high number of catalytic sites having sufficient activity in a hydrogen storage alloy as well as through the existence of a sufficiently porous surrounding structural matrix to support the catalytic sites. A porous support matrix is desirable because it facilitates access of hydrogen gas to and from the catalytic sites during storage and release, respectively. A porous support matrix is also desirable because it promotes migration of atomic hydrogen to and from hydrogen storage sites during storage and release, respectively.
High hydrogen storage density is promoted through the presence of a high number of hydrogen storage sites that provide sufficient stabilizing interactions to bind or otherwise retain atomic hydrogen. Strong stabilizing interactions, however, precariously compete with the requirements for rapid release kinetics and release at reasonable temperatures. Although the strong binding of hydrogen is conducive to high hydrogen storage density, strongly bound hydrogen is difficult to liberate and is therefore detrimental to the objective of achieving rapid release kinetics. Strongly bound hydrogen can be released at reasonable rates only at high, and oftentimes inconvenient or impractical, temperatures.
Conventional hydrogen storage alloys are metals or metal alloys. Originally, metals or metal alloys prepared by equilibrium melting and cooling methods were used as hydrogen storage alloys. Equilibrium hydrogen storage alloys have structural and bonding properties that are dictated by thermodynamic considerations. Typically, equilibrium hydrogen storage alloys are densely packed with low porosity, a low number of catalytic sites and strongly binding hydrogen storage sites. The dense packing and low porosity are consequences of the metal-metal bonding that is characteristic of metals and metal alloys. With the exception of a thin metal oxide layer at the surface, the metal atoms of metals and metal alloys are exclusively bonded to other metal atoms to form an extended metal-metal bonding scheme that provides a material with closely spaced metal atoms and with strong electronic interactions between metal atoms. The close proximity of metal atoms leads to low porosity as well as to a high electron density between metal atoms that contributes to the typically high stabilization or binding of atomic hydrogen at hydrogen storage sites. The number of catalytic sites is also low because catalysis is primarily a surface phenomenon that occurs at surface irregularities such as dislocation sites, crystal steps, impurities etc. Since these surface irregularities occur unintentionally in equilibrium hydrogen storage alloys, the number of catalytic sites is low and the overall catalytic efficiency is unnecessarily low.
The low porosity, high hydrogen binding energy and low concentration of catalytic sites limits the range of application of conventional hydrogen storage alloys. Since conventional hydrogen storage alloys present a trade-off between the two principal desired characteristics (high hydrogen storage density and rapid kinetics), products and applications of hydrogen storage materials have typically focused on optimizing one of the principle characteristics at the expense of the other. Current hydrogen storage alloys are incapable of providing the high hydrogen storage densities and rapid kinetics at reasonable temperatures required for a wide range of practical applications, including storage and delivery of hydrogen as a fuel for automobiles and other vehicles. The needs of this and other applications requires the development of new hydrogen storage materials based on new and non-conventional chemical and physical paradigms.

Quantum limit catalysts and hydrogen storage materials


Light-emitting devices, and related components, systems and methods are disclosed. A light-emitting device can include a multi-layer stack of materials that includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. During use of the light-emitting device, light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via a surface of the first layer. The surface of the first layer can have a dielectric function that varies spatially as a pattern and at least about 45% of a total amount of light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device emerges via the surface of the light-emitting device.

A light emitting diode (LED) often can provide light in a more efficient manner than an incandescent light source and/or a fluorescent light source. The relatively high power efficiency associated with LEDs has created an interest in using LEDs to displace conventional light sources in a variety of lighting applications. For example, in some instances LEDs are being used as traffic lights and to illuminate cell phone keypads and displays.
Typically, an LED is formed of multiple layers, with at least some of the layers being formed of different materials. In general, the materials and thicknesses selected for the layers determine the wavelength(s) of light emitted by the LED. In addition, the chemical composition of the layers can be selected to try to isolate injected electrical charge carriers into regions (commonly referred to as quantum wells) for relatively efficient conversion to optical power. Generally, the layers on one side of the junction where a quantum well is grown are doped with donor atoms that result in high electron concentration (such layers are commonly referred to as n-type layers), and the layers on the opposite side are doped with acceptor atoms that result in a relatively high hole concentration (such layers are commonly referred to as p-type layers).
A common approach to preparing an LED is as follows. The layers of material are prepared in the form of a wafer. Typically, the layers are formed using an epitaxial deposition technique, such as metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), with the initially deposited layer being formed on a growth substrate. The layers are then exposed to various etching and metallization techniques to form contacts for electrical current injection, and the wafer is subsequently sectioned into individual LED chips. Usually, the LED chips are packaged.
During use, electrical energy is usually injected into an LED and then converted into electromagnetic radiation (light), some of which is extracted from the LED.