A signal analyzing and display system includes an input interface for continuously acquiring signals in parallel. A first triggering component samples signals according to predetermined time intervals. A second triggering component samples the input signals according to values of the input signals. A memory stores a reparameterization network. The reparameterization network is arranged to arbitrarily reparameterize the sampled input signals to vowels having RGBxcex1 values and x,y,z coordinates. A third triggering component samples the vowels, and stores the sampled vowels in a display memory. Then, a rendering engine can render the stored vowels on a display device. In addition, the system can include a controller for controlling the acquiring and reparameterizing of the input signals.

This invention relates generally to datascopes, and more particularly, to datascopes that display multiple signals in multiple dimensions.
In a conventional analog real-time oscilloscope, a trigger circuit detects a trigger event of an input signal and enables a display device such as a cathode-ray tube (CRT) to display a waveform of the signal during a sweep interval that follows the trigger event. In other words, the oscilloscope displays the evolving signal over time. Some specialized oscilloscopes may have more than two input channels. However, the display is always restricted to two degrees of freedom, where one dimension is almost always time, and the other voltage.
Some oscilloscopes have an X-Y mode. In this mode, a first input signal is plotted against a second signal. However, such oscilloscopes do not provide for a way to plot signals in higher dimensions, or to reparameterize any of the input data. It is desired to provide a datascope that can deal with a larger number of input signals, and to display those signals in a higher dimension than two. Furthermore, it is desired that one of the dimensions is not necessarily time.
The invention provides a signal analyzing and display system including an input interface for continuously acquiring signals in parallel. A first triggering component samples signals according to predetermined time intervals. A second triggering component samples the input signals according to values of the input signals. A memory stores a reparameterization network.
The reparameterization network is arranged to arbitrarily reparameterize the sampled input signals to vowels having RGBxcex1 values and x,y,z coordinates. A third triggering component samples the vowels, and stores the sampled vowels in a display memory. Then, a rendering engine can render the stored vowels on a display device. In addition, the system can include a controller for controlling the acquiring and reparameterizing of the input signals. A blending function xcex2 can also be included with each voxel. If there is a blending function, then a new voxel value does not overwrite a previously stored value. Instead, the new and old value are blended according to the function xcex2. The function can store the maximum, minimum, or average value of the old and new voxel values, or other derived values. The system can also display a time sequence of volumes, that is, different volume views, over a time interval.

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.


A controlled device (12) sends a signal to a intermediary server (21) at a predetermined time interval, and the intermediary server (21) receives the signal from the controlled device (12) with a private address allocated by a router (11) and changes an operation mode from a passive mode to an active mode. The operation of the controlled device (12) is changed to the passive mode. The intermediary server (21) continuously establishes a communication path with the controlled device (12). The intermediary server (21), which receives control information from a control terminal (41), relays data transmitted via two communication paths, that is, a communication path established with the control terminal (41) and a communication path established with the controlled device (12), to allow the control terminal (41) to control the controlled device (12) operating in the passive mode.

Conventionally, a video signal recorder such as a VCR has been used as a time shift machine that records a broadcast program in advance to allow a viewer to play the recorded program when the view has time to view. A method is also under development for remotely programming a video signal recorder, which is a controlled device, to record a user-requested program, for example, by transmitting an electronic mail to the video signal recorder.
However, even if the video signal recorder, for example, a VCR, can be programmed to record a program remotely, the specified program cannot be recorded satisfactorily if the blank area of recording videotape is insufficient or if the requested recording time overlaps with an already-requested recording time.
Therefore, to remotely program a video signal recorder in the home for recording a program by connecting it to the Internet via a router, the video signal recorder must be programmed for recording via two-way communication, for example, by transmitting the information stored in the video signal recorder, such as existing timer recording information, recording mode, and available recording medium amount, to a terminal.
That is, it is required that an electronic mail describing a control operation be sent to the video signal recorder and that the video signal recorder that receives the electronic mail perform the processing according to the received mail and return the processing result via an electronic mail for use in timer recording.
Such a transmission is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-135858 which describes the following method. A remotely operated device sends information on a controlled apparatus to a terminal. Based on the received information, the terminal generates a control operation instruction signal for the controlled apparatus. The terminal transmits the control operation instruction signal to the remotely operated device to operate the controlled apparatus via the remotely operated device.
However, this method involves cumbersome steps for allocating a recording area for recording a program to be recorded. For example, to select an unnecessary recorded program from already-recorded programs for erasing the area, an electronic mail must be sent and received several times. For example, an electronic mail is first sent to obtain a list of recorded programs, a program to be erased is selected from the list of programs returned by the mail and an electronic mail is sent to erase the area and, after the erasure processing result mail is received, an electronic mail for programming the recorder to record a program is sent. It is difficult to say that this system is a preferable timer recording operation system.
In view of this, a method is devised to directly control a video signal recorder (VCR) via the Internet without using electronic mails. In this case, a home VCR is controlled by connecting it to the Internet via a home gateway. A control system connected to the Internet for operation requires enhanced security for the home gateway to prevent the VCR from being remotely operated via a malicious connection.
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-77274 describes the following. Communication is performed via an access server connected to the Internet. A terminal can connect to the home gateway only when it is successfully authenticated by the access server. The terminal sends a control message to a VCR via the home gateway to control the VCR.
Control information to be given to a controlled device connected to the Internet is transmitted from the terminal as a control message specifying a global IP address. Even when a controlled device in a user's home is connected to the Internet via a path selection device such as a home gateway, the operated device is remotely controlled with the specified global IP (Internet Protocol) address of the device.
Today, IP addresses are allocated as IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) addresses in most cases. Under IPv4 in which a global IP address is managed by 32 bits, only about 4.3 billions of addresses can be defined.
Therefore, global IP addresses are limited and all apparatuses connected to the Internet cannot have global IP addresses. In a standard home, a global IP address that is obtained from a provider is usually shared among a plurality of PCs.
To solve this problem, a method is developed and used in which a router having the NAT (Network Address Translator) function is used to allow personal computers and controlled devices with no global IP addresses to communicate with a server connected to the Internet.
Normally, either a fixed global IP address or a dynamic global IP address that has not a fixed IP address value is allocated to a router. A router allocates a private address to a computer, which is connected to a private network via the router, for controlling the connection in the private network.
In response to a request from a computer in the private network to connect to the Internet, the router replaces the private address of the computer with its own global IP address and transmits the request to the Internet for connection to a desired server.
The response from the server is returned to the global IP address of the router. Next, the router, which receives the returned data, replaces the global IP address of the data with the private address of the computer and transfers the data to the computer connected previously to the server.
As described above, a router transmits a connection request signal, received from a computer connected to a home network in the home, to an apparatus connected to the Internet and transfers data, returned in response to the transmission, to the computer. Therefore, a computer with no global IP address can use the NAT function of a router to communicate with an apparatus connected to the Internet.
This NAT function solves the problem of insufficient global IP addresses and makes Internet communication possible. However, note that communication to and from a computer in a home network via the NAT function can be executed only when the computer starts the communication.
Meanwhile, it is difficult for a computer connected to the Internet to connect to a computer connected to a router having the NAT function because of the limitation of the NAT function. That is, the problem is that a computer connected to the Internet cannot start communication with a computer connected to a router. This problem is the so-called NAT traversal problem. An attempt is made to solve the NAT traversal problem (For example, see "Limit of NAT" in September 2002 issue of NIKKEI BYTE, Nikkei Business Publications, PP. 92-107).
In the mean time, a plurality of controlled devices, each connected to a home LAN (private network) configured using a router having the NAT function and each having a private IP address, can share the global IP address allocated to the router to access the Internet. However, it is difficult for a terminal connected to the Internet to start connection to a controlled device having a private IP address as described above and, even when a router with an extended NAT function is used, the number of connectable apparatuses is limited in many cases.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a method that allows an existing and permanently Internet-connected router to be used and that does not require a special communication language to be used for the router for solving the NAT traversal problem. In addition, even if the HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) server protocol currently used as the standard protocol is used, the method requires only a partial change in the handling of the protocol but not a major change in the software that uses the protocol. In addition, the method allows a control terminal connected to the Internet to start transmitting control information to a controlled device connected to a private network for executing the control operation.
Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a control information transmission method that allows a plurality of controlled devices to connect to a router and, even when a firewall is installed between a controlled apparatus and the Internet, allows an Internet-connected terminal to start two-way communication for control operations. In addition, the present invention aims to configure an intermediary server connected to the Internet for transmission of the control information as well as a controlled device controlled by the terminal.

Control information transmission method, intermediary server, and controlled device


In various embodiments, a method for tracking objects includes receiving an internal identifier associated with an object. A first key or external identifier for a tag is associated with the internal identifier. A second external identifier is generated and the second external identifier is then written to the tag. The second external identifier is associated with the internal identifier associated with the object.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) applications. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to techniques for tracking objects using key rotation.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method which relies on the storing and remotely retrieving of data using devices, such as RFID tags or transponders. RFID tags or transponders are also known as proximity, proxy, or contactless cards, because data from an RFID tag can be retrieved without physical contact. Generally, a device, such as an RFID reader, uses radio waves to remotely retrieve a unique identifier stored using the RFID tag when the RFID tag is within proximity of the RFID reader. RFID tags can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification by the RFID reader. RFID readers can be placed on doorways, in train cars, over freeways, mounted on vehicles, and also can be embodied in mobile handheld devices.
RFID technologies have been traditionally implemented in different ways by different manufacturers, although global standards are being developed. Thus, computer applications using RFID are also typically hard-coded to specific RFID devices sold by the same manufacture. One problem with this arrangement is that these computer applications have traditionally been limited to using only the sensor data retrieved from the vendor supplied RFID readers.
Moreover, in order to provide automated shipping and receiving, real-time inventory, automated shipping and received, and real-time security, other types of RFID sensor devices, such as environment sensors (e.g., temperature and humidity sensors), location sensors (e.g., Global Positioning System or GPS devices), and notification devices, may be required. Accordingly, with the addition of each sensor device, a specific application may be required to access the sensor data from the sensor device. This vendor lock-in leads to having too many non-integrated applications, creates unnecessary complexity, and also increases costs associated with the management and deployment of RFID technologies.
One solution is to embed the sensor device with the RFID tag. For example, one cold chain solution provides an RFID tag embedded with a temperature sensor. Cold chain refers to a temperature-controlled supply chain. An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of storage and distribution activities which maintain a given temperature range. A reader can read both the identifier of the RFID as well as the temperature from the embedded sensor.
However, by embedding sensors with RFID tags, the cost, and complexity associated with each RFID tag increase. Furthermore, computer applications configured to read the sensor data are still tied directly to specific RFID readers. Thus, the only items for which sensor data can be used from those applications are still those that can be tagged and directly sensed using the specific vendor supplied RFID readers.
Accordingly, what is desired are improved methods and apparatus for solving the problems discussed above, while reducing the drawbacks discussed above.


Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is configured for use in the vascular system and has utility in the introduction and removal of balloon counterpulsation catheters. The access route is through the femoral arteries and the iliac arteries into the aorta, where an intra-aortic balloon pump catheter is positioned to provide cardiac support. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration during advancement to the arteries into the aorta. The distal end of the sheath is subsequently expanded using a radial dilatation device.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to medical devices for percutaneously accessing body lumens and, more particularly, to methods and devices for accessing the cardiovascular system. In one application, the invention relates to methods and devices for introducing and removing large balloon catheters and instruments, particularly intra-aortic balloon pumps, into and from a patient.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide variety of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures involves the introduction of a device into the vasculature through a percutaneous incision at an access site. Such regions of the vasculature, preferred for access, include both the arteries and veins, typically at peripheral locations in the body. Typical access sites include the femoral arteries, and the iliac arteries. A percutaneous technique commonly known for such vascular access is the Seldinger technique. The Seldinger technique involves using a hollow needle to puncture the skin and gain access to the selected artery or vein. A guidewire is next placed through the hollow needle into the selected region of vasculature. The guidewire may be advanced to a target location in the vasculature, often more than 100 cm away from the access site. The needle is removed and a tapered dilator with a sheath and a central lumen in the dilator is advanced over the guidewire into the vasculature. The dilator is next removed and a guide catheter is advanced through the sheath over the guidewire. The guide catheter can be advanced all the way, or part way, to the target site. The guide catheter, following, or without, removal of the guidewire can be used for directing therapeutic or diagnostic catheters to regions of the vasculature and central circulation, including external and internal structures of the heart. A general objective of access systems, which have been developed for this purpose, is to minimize the cross-sectional area of the access lumen, while maximizing the available space for the diagnostic or therapeutic catheter placement therethrough. These procedures are especially suited for coronary angioplasty, stent placement, cerebrovascular coil placement, diagnostic cardiac catheterization, cardiac assist, and the like.
One type of cardiac assist procedure involves placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) within the descending aorta of a patient and performing counterpulsation within the central circulation. The IABP procedure was originally developed by Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz in the late 1960s for use on surgical patients with the goal of improving coronary perfusion. Today, the procedure involves the steps of inserting a hollow needle, with a hemostasis valve affixed to its proximal end, into the femoral or iliac artery of a patient via a percutaneous puncture. A guidewire is next inserted through the hemostasis valve and the central lumen of the needle into the femoral or iliac artery. The guidewire is routed, under fluoroscopic control, cranially toward the heart until it reaches the aortic arch. The hollow needle is removed from the patient leaving the guidewire in place. A sheath, including a tapered tip central obturator or dilator having a hemostasis valve at its proximal end and further including a central guidewire lumen is routed over the guidewire, through the skin puncture, through the wall of the artery, and into the central lumen of the artery. The central obturator or dilator is removed. An intra-aortic balloon pump catheter is next inserted through the hemostasis valve, through the sheath, and into the artery where it is next advanced to the target site in the thoracic descending aorta. The IABP is operated to support, or augment, the patient's circulation until adequate cardiac function can be restored to allow weaning and removal of the IABP. Indications for IABP use include failure to remove from cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, acute myocardial infarct, and support during high-risk interventional procedures such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), percutaneous heart valve placement, and coronary stent placement. The IABP is connected, at its proximal end, to a pumping and control console. An IABP pumps blood by alternate inflation and deflation within the aorta, using helium gas as the balloon inflation media, while being timed with the opening and closing of the patient's aortic valve so as to provide for optimal circulatory augmentation. Timing of the IABP cycle is generally triggered according to the patient's electrocardiogram, their blood pressure, a pacemaker (if present), or by a pre-set timer. An IABP can achieve as much as a 40% improvement in cardiac output with accompanying reductions in left ventricular stroke work and myocardial oxygen consumption. The IABP can be left in place for periods of hours to more than 2 weeks to allow restoration of natural cardiac function. The IABP can be removed from the patient by first deflating the balloon and then withdrawing the IABP until it is removed from the patient. The sheath is next removed and hemostasis is established using standard techniques for a vessel puncture wound.
Issues can arise, however, when the IABP is removed from the patient. Following deflation, the collapsed balloon, typically fabricated from a thin layer of inelastic polyethylene, may form a plurality of wings, or flattened, radially outwardly projecting structures that are relatively hard and sharp and may not fold neatly against the catheter shaft. Such balloon wings have been reported to cause disruption of vessel plaque during removal or pullback through the aorta, iliac and femoral arteries. This is especially problematic in very sick patients with significant vascular disease that involves plaque, mural thrombus, aneurysms, and other pathologies. The disruption of a region of plaque or thrombus can cause emboli to break free from the vessel wall, float downstream, and lodge within the lumen of smaller distal vessels, blocking blood flow, and resulting in ischemia and possibly tissue necrosis.
Suggested further reading related to the use of intra-aortic balloon pumps includes P. J. Overwalder: "Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) Counterpulsation", The Internet Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 1999, Volume 2 Number 2 and "Counterpulsation: Historical Background, Technical Improvements, Hemodynamic and Metabolic Effects", Cardiology, Volume 84, 1994, pp. 156-167.
It is desirable to protect the arteries, including the femoral and iliac arteries, from the IABP during removal. A need remains, therefore, for improved access technology, which allows a large diameter balloon catheter to be percutaneously or surgically introduced, endovascularly advanced to the descending aorta, pumped for a period of hours, days, or weeks, and then be removed without causing further injury or complications to the patient.

Expandable intra-aortic balloon pump sheath


The present invention comprises apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for providing, accessing and editing content intended for publication or dissemination. A client-server architecture is provided in the preferred embodiments which provides User Types (Internal Users and External Users) with various Content Types and Content Subtypes through various dissemination channels. The User Types provide, access and edit the Content Types. In the preferred embodiments, the Internal User User Type provides almost all the Content Types, with limited contributions by External User User Types. User Types comprise Content Providers, Content Reviewers, Editors, Approvers, and possibly others.

Providing, editing and accessing content is a challenging task because multiple authors, reviewers, editors, readers and others need to have their efforts coordinated among multiple article items. For example, each author may need to access and re-access his or her own content, reviewers and editors may need to contact the author or each other once the author is finished with his or her content, readers and others may need to be able to access the content quickly, etc.
Providing, editing and accessing content is even more challenging in a networked computer environment because of the complexity imposed by the environment. For example, each person needing to provide, edit or access the content may use different systems in different ways to accomplish their task, one person may not be able to reach another because of network incompatibilities or difficulties, the content must be monitored to ensure it is proceeding through any editing process properly, etc.
Some systems do exist that may accomplish at least some of these tasks. The systems that may exist, however, may not accomplish them as efficiently as desirable and may not provide any ability to provide, edit or access content quickly. That is, commercial publication systems operate on a relatively static schedule, for example, a monthly, weekly or daily schedule. However, if the ability to constantly and rapidly publish content to a number of outlets, e.g., a web site, email, instant messaging, etc., is desired, existing systems may be simply overwhelmed.
Moreover, existing systems may be tailored for industry professionals, that is for professional authors, editors, etc. Therefore the systems may require some specialized ability or training for the particular system. However, a casual user may be baffled by these systems, and so may need a system that is simple and convenient to use.
Besides the above mentioned challenges, content provision, editing or accessing may need to meet other challenges in specialized environments. For example, one of those specialized environments is the financial industry, which requires certain controls on content. For example, content generated by a financial institution usually must be reviewed carefully for compliance with various security laws before being approved for dissemination. Yet the compliance or approval process cannot interfere with the publication process because of the need for speed—a financial institution must provide timely information to its customers.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for providing, editing and accessing content.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for providing, editing and accessing content in a networked environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for conveniently providing, editing and accessing content in a networked environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for timely providing, editing and accessing content in a networked environment.

Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for construction and maintaining a calendaring interface


A method for determining a physical and/or chemical, temperature dependent, process variable of process automation technology utilizing a resistance thermometer (RPt1000), wherein the resistance thermometer (RPt1000) is installed in an electrical circuit, comprising the steps of: measuring a first voltage (U1) across at least a first precision resistor (R1); measuring a second voltage (U2) across at least a second precision resistor (R2); measuring a third voltage (U3) across at least a third precision resistor (R3), wherein cyclically or continuously a constant electrical current (I) is sent through the at least first precision resistor (R1), the at least second precision resistor (R2) or the at least third precision resistor (R3); determining temperature coefficients (a, b, c) characteristic for the electrical circuit by means of the first voltage (U1), the second voltage (U2) and the third voltage (U3); sending the constant electrical current (I) through the resistance thermometer (RPt1000) and measuring a voltage (U) across the resistance thermometer (RPt1000); and determining the temperature (T) by means of the temperature coefficients (a, b, c) and the measured voltage (U). An electrical circuit and a sensor of process automation technology, especially a conductivity sensor, comprising such an electrical circuit are also discussed.

Pure metals exhibit greater resistance changes than alloys and have a relatively constant temperature coefficient of electrical resistance. For precise measurements of temperature by means of a resistance thermometer, one uses noble metals, most often, platinum or nickel, since especially these show little aging, and since thermometers thereof can be manufactured with narrow tolerances. Temperature sensitive sensors can also be manufactured of a ceramic (sintered metal oxides) or a semiconductor material (silicon), whereby higher temperature coefficients than with metals and therewith also higher sensitivities can be achieved, however, with lesser precision and temperature dependence on the temperature coefficient.
A Pt1000 resistor is a resistor of a pure metal, most often, platinum. The Pt1000 resistor has a nominal resistance R0 of 1000 Ω at a temperature T of 0° C. Alternatively, known in the state of the art are Pt100 and Pt500 resistors, wherein these have nominal resistances R0 of 100 Ω, respectively 500 Ω, at a temperature T of 0° C. The standard (IEC 60751:2008) represents the characteristic curve for a Pt1000-platinum resistor with the formula (true for 0-850° C.):R(T)=R0(1+αT+βT2),wherein R(T) is the temperature dependent resistance, and α as well as β0 represent known, standardized and fixed values.
For resistance measurement, a constant electrical current must flow through the resistor. The applied voltage is an easily measurable signal proportional to the resistance—and therewith to the temperature to be measured. Disadvantageous is that the value of the constant electrical current through the Pt1000 must be known.
The resistance is thus read-out via an electrical circuit, which comprises, for example, an analog to digital converter, amplifier, electrical current source, etc.
A problem in the case of determining a process variable is drift. The terminology, drift, refer to a relatively slow change of a value. Drift is, most often, undesirable. Especially to be taken into consideration is drift in the case of calibrating a sensor (e.g. in establishing a zero-point). The terminology, temperature drift, refers to the unintended change of a physical or chemical variable due to change of (ambient) temperature. Also, physical and chemical properties can change over the lifetime of the system and have an influence on the measuring.
While the temperature behavior of the resistance thermometer might be known, the measurement circuit (thus analog to digital converter, amplifier, electrical current source, etc.) can, in given cases, exhibit a quite different temperature behavior. Also, the temperature behavior of the resistance thermometer can, in fact, vary (e.g. due to self-warming). It is, consequently, desirable to know the temperature behavior of the total circuit exactly, especially when temperature represents a secondary variable, in order to measure a primary variable, such as pH-value, conductivity, etc., and these primary variables are temperature dependent. Generally, parameters, which are used in process automation, are highly temperature dependent.

Method for determining a physical and/or chemical, temperature dependent, process variable


This disclosure is directed towards a tool to manipulate items within a truck bed comprising an armature of suitable length coupled to a manipulating tool head. The head comprises; first and second planar plates suitably coupled together to comprise an elongated, substantially L-shaped configuration, and a receptacle integrated proximate to a center portion of the second planar plate. The receptacle is configured to receive an end of the armature. The head further comprises a hooking element extending from the rear edge of the second planar plate, substantially parallel to the first planar plate and normal to the second planar plate. The head also comprises reinforcement rib members integrated at a backside of the first and/or second planar plates. Various embodiments may comprise an armature having an ergonomic handle as well as telescopic elements, and the first and/or second planar plates may be textured.

Truck users and owners have long appreciated the benefits of such vehicles for their ability to transport various items within a truck bed. The truck bed provides a greater ability to transport numerous, bulky, heavy, and/or large volume items more so then enclosed compartment vehicles. In exchange for such benefit, a down side of truck beds is that manipulating items within the truck bed can be difficult and cumbersome. For example, items towards the cab end of a truck bed are often out of reach and a user must climb into the truck bed to retrieve or manipulate the item. Alternately, a user may attempt to move and lift items from along side of the truck bed, but this can be cumbersome and difficult as well, as the user must reach over the truck bed sidewall. Even in such instances where a user climbs into or reaches into the truck bed to manipulate items, the user often pulls on an edge or corner of an item creating a moment force that merely spins the item rather then moving the item as desired.
What is needed yet absent from the prior art is a tool to manipulate items within a truck bed that; effectively reaches from the tailgate end of a truck bed to a far end of a truck bed close to the truck cab; is structurally sound so as to manipulate items without bending or breaking the tool when manipulating heavy items; and minimizes creating moment forces when using the tool. In addition to the above, a tool that comprises an integrated hooking feature to hook items provides an even greater benefit for a user.

Tool to manipulate items within a truck bed


The disclosure details methods and gas mixtures which are useful for washing nitrogen out of the body and mitochondria following acute cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) or myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and allow the reuptake of oxygen into mitochondria of ischemic tissues following re-flow, thereby reducing the severity of reperfusion damage and cell death.

There has been voluminous research conducted on the biochemistry of injury and disease conditions. Conversely, there has been little or no research directed at possible adverse reactions to inhaled atmospheric gases. Specifically, outside of its known potential for adverse reactions in deep sea diving, no knowledge has been developed about any undesirable reactions to inhaled nitrogen. Based on the research of the inventor, VanDeripe, Toxicology Methods 11:107-126 (2001), it becomes clear that gases other than oxygen can enter and fill mitochondria, and since these gases are not usable for oxidative metabolism, they might be expected to interfere with the production of ATP and therein compromise mitochondrial membrane integrity. Whereas this phenomenon might be expected with volatile anesthetics, what is discovered in this invention is the very real potential danger from constantly inhaled atmospheric nitrogen gas in selected injury and disease conditions. To counter these adverse effects, the instant invention proposes the use of total body nitrogen washout methodology which involves the inhalation of nitrogen-free gas mixtures composed of oxygen and helium: see VanDeripe, Medical Hypotheses 62: 294-6 (2004). Disclosures of the use of helium and oxygen on the treatment of strokes and heart attacks include U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,332 (Garrett), U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,103 (Hood et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,749 (Kumar et al.), but they clearly involve different parameters and mechanisms of action. Garrett anecdotally notes anti-arrhythmic activity for helium-oxygen mixtures in acute myocardial infarction, but without further discussion or explanation. Conversely, Wade, et al. report an absence of anti-arrhythmic activity in patients with spontaneous premature ventricular beats; see Undersea Biomed. Res. 6:313-8 (1979). Piffare, et al. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surg. 60:648-52 (1970) noted short term ant-arrhythmic activity for inhaled oxygen-helium mixtures in an animal model of permanent coronary artery dissection, but highly effective mixtures also contained air (nitrogen). Like Pifarre, Hood and Kumar also allow the admixture of air and or nitrogen to the inhaled gases, contrary to the nitrogen-free gas mixtures of this invention. Kumar, et al. use helium oxygen gas mixtures in hypothermia technology to decrease the metabolism of the entire body. Conversely, the object of this invention is to increase the metabolism in ischemic mitochondria of the myocardium. An experimental study employing the technology of this invention has been reported in a rat stroke model: see Pan, et al. Exp. Neurol. 205: 587-90 (2007).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of use of gas mixtures to achieve nitrogen washout from the body and mitochondria of the heart


A radiation device is for the radiation of human skin, preferably the face of a user, in particular at least with radiation in the red light range, with a source of radiation and a filtering device for filtering the radiation emitted by the source of radiation. The filtering device is configured in such a way that the radiation device emits radiation in a wavelength range from 280 to 400 nm and beyond that radiation in a wavelength range of 600 to 700 nm, and that the radiation device emits at least zonally radiation in a wavelength range of a visible color shade of the visible light spectrum and filters further radiation of the visible light spectrum.

It is known that certain cells in the human skin can be stimulated to produce more collagen and elastin as well as enzymes that are mainly responsible for the structure of the skin. This is achieved by using skincare devices with light waves and/or radiation in the range from 550 to 700 nm. In this process, the blood vessels in the skin are stimulated, leading to an oxygenation as well as better detoxification. Hydration increases and the skin's ability to retain moisture improves. Increasing cell activities, improved natural cell repair, as well as cell regeneration lead to a healthier skin appearance.
Facial tanners are known from prior art, which absorb 90-100% of the UV-C radiation in a wavelength range from 100 to 280 nm and which transmit UV radiation in the UV-A range and UV-B range (UV-B range from 280 to 320 nm and UV-A range from 320 to 400 nm). To achieve the aforementioned advantages of radiation in the red light range (in the wavelength range from 600 to 700 nm) in addition to the tanning of the user's face, it is known to arrange LED lamps near and/or on the radiation device which emit in particular radiation with a wavelength of 630 nm. This way, the creation of collagen and elastin can be stimulated in the skin in addition to the desired tanning result.
The additional application of the LEDs to provide radiation in the red light range, however, is associated with a host of disadvantages. The mounting and/or the installation of the LED lights is not only time-consuming but costly as well and/or associated with high installation costs, in particular with regard to the adaptation to the geometry in and/or on the device as well as in the production. Furthermore, the required energy consumption of the entire radiation device including the red light LEDs increases drastically. In addition, users perceive the visible, particularly the very monochrome, radiation component of the LED lights as bothersome. The radiation intensity and/or radiation output of the LEDs cannot be coupled with the intensity of the radiation of the radiation device, so a time-consuming adaptation of the LEDs emitting the radiation in the red light range must be performed. The decrease and/or reduction of the intensity and/or the output of the LEDs and the radiation device that occurs over time is not coupled either, so the lacking adaptation of the LED lights to the radiation device increases over the duration of the use.

Radiation apparatus for the radiation of human skin


An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, an image development mechanism, and a toner container holder. The toner container has a longitudinal length with first and second longitudinal ends, is driven for rotation to move the toner. The image development mechanism develops an electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner container holder includes a base plate onto which the toner container is inserted in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container. The toner container holder further includes first and second supporters. The first and second supporters are mounted in traversal edge sides of the base plate and support the first and second longitudinal ends of the toner container, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for image forming and image developing, and more particularly to an apparatus for image forming and image developing which have an improvement of a toner container holding mechanism.
2. Discussion of the Background
Generally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, a printing machine, and so on forms an image in a specific procedure of an electrophotographic method. That is, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrying member such as a photosensitive drum and is subsequently developed with toner into a visual toner image. After that, the toner image is transferred and fixed onto a recording sheet. Thereby, an image is produced.
To develop an image, a development agent including the toner is used. There are two types of development agent: a one-component development agent having a main component of toner particles and a two-component development agent having two main components of toner particles and carrier particles. For both of the development agents, toner particles are contained in a toner container and are supplied in response to an amount of toner particles consumed in image forming.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary toner container 10 which is configured to contain toner particles. The toner container 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes an opening 10a and a spiral groove lob. The opening 10a is formed at an outer end of a thin neck projected from the toner container 10, from which the toner particles are discharged. The spiral groove lob is formed inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the toner container across one end to the other end of the toner container.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary supporting mechanism 20 which includes a drive motor unit 21, a base plate 22, and a cap member 23. The drive motor unit 21 supports one end of the toner container 10 and drives it to rotate. When the toner container 10 is rotated, the toner particles container inside the toner container 10 are moved along the spiral groove in a rotational axis of the toner container 10. The base plate 22 and the cap member 23 are integrated in a single component. The base plate 22 includes a pair of rollers 22a for rotatably supporting the toner container 10 from below. The cap member 23 includes a closure 23a and a lock lever 23b. The closure 23a closes the opening 10a when the toner container 10 is set to a position in the supporting mechanism 20 such that one end of the toner container 10, having the opening 10a, is securely inserted to the cap member 23 after being placed on the base plate 22 and pushed towards the cap member 23. After that, the drive motor unit 21 is turned to a predetermined position to hold the other end of the toner container 10. After the toner container 10 is set to such a position, the lock lever 23b is turned to a lock position so that the toner container 10 is securely held by the supporting mechanism 20.
The cap member 23 includes a connecting member (not sown) which connects, through the closure 23a, the inside of the toner container 10 and a development mechanism of an image forming apparatus and transfers the toner particles in the toner container 10 to the development mechanism.
In the above-described mechanism, it is often not easy to cause the opening 10a to precisely meet its counter part of the closure 23a by pushing the toner container 10 from the other end thereof. In addition, it is also often caused that a vibration is generated at the end of the toner container 10 having the opening 10a due to a rotational torque given to the other end by the drive motor unit 21. Such a vibration may cause a problem in which the toner container 10 comes off from the closure 23a.

Apparatus for image forming and image developing with an improvement of toner container holding


A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, first and second conductors, a passivation material, and a passivation sidewall block. The first and second conductors are on the substrate. The passivation material is between the first and second conductors. The passivation sidewall block is on sidewalls of the first and second conductors and the passivation material.

Along with the increasing demand for the miniaturization and also performance in the semiconductor manufacturing, conductors fabricated onto a semiconductor substrate are of higher and higher density, giving rise to narrowing of the space, or the valley, between conductors.
Generally, a passivation material is applied over the conductors and the valleys between conductors. However, the narrowed valley adds difficulty to filling the valley with the passivation material, which usually affects the applying of the subsequent photoresist and thus the process of lithography. The spacing and insulation between the conductors on the semiconductor structure is becoming a pivotal issue in the semiconductor manufacture.

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.


An optical substrate includes an exit face through which a light entered from an incident face is emitted, a lens forming region provided on the exit face and in which a plurality of microlenses are formed, and a non-lens forming region provided in an area other than the lens forming region on the exit face and surrounded by the microlenses. The microlenses diffuse and emit the light entered through the exit face. The non-lens forming region is used to identify a predetermined direction of the substrate.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an optical substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, a planar lighting device and an electrooptical device.
2. Related Art
A liquid crystal display device, which is a kind of electrooptical device, typically has a backlight which is a planar lighting device illuminating a plane and provided on the back side of a liquid crystal panel. So called edge-light type backlights are widely used for the liquid crystal display devices since it is possible to make the device thinner with the edge type backlight. In the edge type backlight, light that entered around a side face of the liquid crystal panel is led to the back side of the liquid crystal panel (to the lighting device side) and illuminates the panel.
JP-A-2002-298626 is an example of related art. The edge-light type backlight typically has a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) and a light guide plate in which the light emitted from the light source is internally reflected and led to the side face of the lighting device (an exit face). Furthermore, the backlight has a diffusing sheet provided on the light exit side of the light guide plate and a reflecting sheet provided on a side (a reflect face) which is the opposite side of the light exit side of the light guide plate in order to equalize and to increase the brightness of the light coming out from the light guide plate.
Light emitted from the light source enters into the light guide plate. The entered light is refracted and reflected between the exit face and the reflect face (or the reflecting sheet), then led to the substantially whole face of the exit face. Light led to the exit face enters the diffusing sheet, is diffused by optical elements (for example, microlenses) formed on the diffusing sheet, and then exits to the lighting device side. In this way, unevenness in the brightness, such as bright points and bright lines in the light guide plate is diffused, and light emitted from the light source can evenly illuminate the liquid crystal panel.
However, the above-described backlight has many members and components (for example, the above mentioned diffusing sheet, the light guide plate, the reflecting sheet and the like) in order to increase the brightness and to equalize the unevenness in the brightness of the illumination. This could be a problem because it reduces the productivity of the backlight. Such problem can be solved by providing the optical elements (for example, microlenses) formed on the diffusing sheet to the light guide plate. In other words, the diffusing sheet can be omitted by providing the light diffusing property directly on the light guide plate. In this way, the number of the members used for the back light can be decreased and it is possible to prevent the productivity of the backlight from being reduced.
Meanwhile, positional orientations of the members in the above-described backlight are decided based on the position of the light source so that it takes time to assemble and the productivity could be reduced. If a mark (for example, an alignment mark) showing an orientation to provide a member is formed on the light guide plate, the assembling process would become easier and the productivity of the backlight would not be reduced. For this reason, forming a part showing the layout orientation of the member such as the alignment mark on the light guide plate has been requested.
However, where it is attempted to form the alignment mark and the like on the light guide plate having the microlens, the microlens could be damaged during the formation process of the alignment mark. In addition, the cost and the number of steps in the process would be increased in order to form the alignment mark. This could reduce the productivity of the light guide plate and the productivity of the backlight could not be improved.

Optical substrate, manufacturing method thereof, planar lighting device and electrooptical device


Embodiments include systems and methods for determining a 6D pose estimate associated with an image of a physical 3D object captured in a video stream. An initial 6D pose estimate is inferred and then further iteratively refined. The video stream may be frozen to allow the user to tap or touch a display to indicate a location of the user-input keypoints. The resulting 6D pose estimate is used to assist in replacing or superimposing the physical 3D object with digital or virtual content in an augmented reality (AR) frame.

Devices such as smartphones and tablets are increasingly capable of supporting augmented reality (AR). These devices may capture images and/or video and, depending upon the particulars of a given AR implementation, the captured images or video may be processed using various algorithms to detect features in the video, such as planes, surfaces, faces, and other recognizable shapes. An AR tutorial is one example of an AR implementation, in which the experience is focused around a given physical 3D object that may be replaced by digital or virtual content. Examples of AR tutorials may include but are not limited to, virtual try-on of apparel for humans, or a virtual training material around a motor engine.

Determining 6D pose estimates for augmented reality (AR) sessions


The present invention provides materials and methods which may be used to evaluate one or more different probes and select probes that are optimized for sensitivity and specificity for a particular target. In particularly preferred embodiments, the methods and compositions of the invention can be used to evaluate polynucleotide probes having different nucleotide sequences. The methods and compositions thereby allow a user to select a polynucleotide probe, e.g., having a particular nucleotide sequence, that is optimized for sensitivity and/or for specificity for a particular target polynucleotide molecule. In particularly preferred embodiments, the methods and compositions can be used to evaluate a plurality of probes simultaneously, such as on a microarray.

Within the past decade, several technologies have made it possible to monitor the expression level of a large number of genetic transcripts at any one time (see, e.g., Schena et al., 1995, Science 270:467-470; Lockhart et al., 1996, Nature Biotechnology 14:1675-1680; Blanchard et al., 1996, Nature Biotechnology 14:1649; Ashby et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,588, issued Oct. 29, 1996). For example, techniques are known for preparing microarrays of cDNA transcripts (see, e.g., DeRisi et al., 1996, Nature Genetics 14:457-460; Shalon et al., 1996, Genome Res. 6:689-645; and Schena et al., 1995, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93:10539-11286). Alternatively, high-density arrays containing thousand of oligonucleotides complementary to defined sequences, at defined locations on a surface using photolithographic techniques for synthesis in situ are described, e.g., Fodor et al., 1991, Science 251:767-773; Pease et al., 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91:5022-5026; Lockhart et al., 1996, Nature Biotechnology 14:1675; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,578,832; 5,556,752; and 5,510,270). Methods for generating arrays using inkjet technology for oligonucleotide synthesis are also known in the art (see, e.g., Blanchard, International Patent Publication WO 98/41531, published Sep. 24, 1998; Blanchard et al., 1996, Biosensors and Bioelectronics 11:687-690; Blanchard, 1998, in Synthetic DNA Arrays in Genetic Engineering, Vol. 20, J. K. Setlow, Ed., Plenum Press, New York at pages 111-123).
Applications of this technology include, for example, identification of genes which are up regulated or down regulated in various physiological states, particularly diseased states. Additional exemplary uses for transcript arrays include the analyses of members of signaling pathways, and the identification of targets for various drugs. See, e.g., Friend and Hartwell, International Publication No. WO 98/38329 (published Sep. 3, 1998); Stoughton, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/099,722 (filed Jun. 19, 1998); Stoughton and Friend, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/074,983 (filed May 8, 1998); Friend and Stoughton, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/084,742 (filed May 8, 1998), 60/090,004 (filed Jun. 19, 1998), and 60/090,046 (filed Jun. 19, 1998).
Oligonucleotide sequences are particularly useful as probes on microarrays and in other applications that involve nucleic acid hybridization. The oligonucleotides can be custom synthesized, by techniques known in the art (see, e.g., Froehler et al., 1986, Nucleic Acid Res. 14:5399-5407; McBride et al., 1983, Tetrahedron Lett. 24:246-248), with any desired DNA sequence. Further, oligonucleotides are small enough that their thermodynamic properties (e.g., their free binding energies to complementary and/or partially complementary sequences) can be at least partially predicted. However, because of their small size, oligonucleotide probes frequently correspond to genomic sequences that are non-unique and, as a result, may hybridize to more than one polynucleotide sequence in a sample. For example, a particular oligonucleotide probe may not only hybridize to a particular mRNA transcript of interest in a sample, but may also hybridize to other homologs, analogs, splice variants or even marginally related sequence of that transcript that are also, often times in greater abundances, in a sample. As a result of such "cross-hybridization," many oligonucleotide probes can result in false positive measurement, reflecting a lack of specificity. Conversely, an oligonucleotide probe may also hybridize to a target polynucleotide sequence of interest more weakly than predicted, e.g., from predicted hybridization binding energies. Such probes can result in false negative hybridization measurements, reflecting a lack of sensitivity.
As a result of these limitations, current microarrays require a plurality of probe pairs, which are both matched to and intentionally mismatched to a target sequence, in order to empirically distinguish signal arising from a target polynucleotide sequence of interest (e.g., a particular mRNA sequence of interest) from signal arising from cross-hybridization with other polynucleotide sequences. Currently, in situ synthesized microarray chips require more than 20 oligonucleotide probe pairs per gene or gene region reported (Lockhart et al., supra). However, unless a large number of probes is employed, such a match-mismatch scheme can only screen out cross-hybridization from distantly related sequences. In particular, the ability of such a match-mismatch scheme to distinguish between true hybridization and cross-hybridization to closely related sequences (e.g., closely related homologs and splice variants) is typically limited or even very poor. Furthermore, the "reporting density" (i.e., the number of genes detected per unit of surface area) for a microarray is limited, e.g., by the density with which polynucleotide probes may be laid down as well as by the number of polynucleotide probes required per gene. The number of polynucleotide probes that may be laid down on a microarray chip is therefore limited by the technology used to produce the microarray. Photolithographic techniques discussed above for producing oligonucleotide microarrays having a high spatial density of probes are expensive to synthesize and therefore require a large capital investment. Oligonucleotide microarrays produced using the above discussed inkjet technology methods are, by contrast, much cheaper and faster to produce both per chip design and per chip. Thus, such microarrays are generally preferred for detecting genetic transcripts in cells. However, microarray chips produced by such inkjet technology have a limited probe density that is only a fraction of the probe density of chips produced by photolithography methods. Thus, because microarrays currently known in the art must use a number of redundant probes (e.g., 20) and have limited probe density, the number of genetic transcripts that may be effectively detected on a single microarray chip is limited to about 10,000 gene transcripts using expensive, photolithographic arrays, and only about 750 to 2,500 gene transcripts using less expensive, inkjet arrays.
There exists, therefore, a need for methods which identify particular oligonucleotide sequences that may be used as both sensitive and specific probes for target polynucleotide sequences. In particular, there is a need for methods that can identify particular sequences that hybridize to a particular sequence of interest, such as the sequence of a particular gene or gene transcript, with little or no cross-hybridization to other polynucleotide sequences in a sample. There is also a need for methods to design nucleic acid arrays which have less require fewer polynucleotide probe sequences to detect individual genes of interest, and which therefore contain polynucleotide probe sequences to detect more genes of interest than do microarrays that a currently available in the art.
Discussion or citation of a reference herein shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is prior art to the present invention.

Methods for determining the specificity and sensitivity of oligonucleo tides for hybridization

Abstract: Probes evaluated according to the methods of the invention can be selected for and used to detect a variety molecules, including a variety of polynucleotides, such as genomic polynucleotides (e.g., genomic DNA) and genomic transcripts (e.g., mRNAs or cDNA sequences derived from there) as well as gene copy numbers of specific transcripts, single nucleotide polymorphisms, etc.


A document control and audit apparatus to monitor, control and audit documents printed by a non-impact printer for detecting missing pages, duplicate pages, and double or multiple pages. The document control and audit apparatus ensures that the proper number and sequence of pages or forms are included in a printed report or document and maintains detailed information of the contents of the individual documents, thereby providing a real time record or account and final record of the activities which occurred during the printing process. The document control and audit apparatus includes a video camera and a number of optical sensors for sensing the location and position of the pages as the pages pass through the document control and audit apparatus.

Any number of businesses regularly send printed information to their clients or customers. Recently, the introduction of the non-impact printer has allowed for easier production of these documents. The non-impact printer introduced the concept of producing documents which can be personalized to the individual customer or client. This not only improved the visual appeal of the document being sent to the customer, but also improved the accuracy of the information which the document contains. The non-impact electronic printer creates documents which look as if they are created for each individual customer or client.
Because the non-impact printer has provided for flexibility in printing, numerous applications have arisen. These applications include multiple-page letters, billing statement, dividend notices, and checks, including payroll, accounts payables, and monthly disability payments. In all of these cases, one general feature is a degree of personalization which is applied to all of the documents. Consequently, because of the attractiveness of the non-impact printer in producing custom documents, a second industry began to develop which is called post-finishing.
Post-finishing is the process which is applied to the output from the non-impact printer Depending on the application, a number of procedures, or applications are performed on each individual document For instance, these procedures can include collating, which is collecting a number of printed pages in a set; stapling, which is binding the set of printed pages within a document together; gluing, which would be used to form a personalized envelope, a self-mailer, or a bound set; folding, preparing the printed output pages for insertion into an envelope or other container; and slitting, which is a means to obtain two or more forms from a single printed sheet. Any one or all of these procedures may be required to produce the desired final product.
Today, the user of the non-impact printer creating these documents achieves substantial savings and increased productivity by combining the printing operations and the post-finishing operations. This process requires that the post-finishing equipment be connected serially or more commonly referred to as in-line with the printing devices. Before any of these post-finishing processes can be started however, the printed output taken from the non-impact printer must be correct.
One of the more popular uses for the non-impact printer is in the direct-mail industry. With non-impact printing, a high degree of personalization is obtained thereby creating a substantial marketing tool. As the typical direct mail package or document is made up of a number of individually personalized pieces or pages, each one of these individualized pages needs to be accurate in not only its content but in the number of pages contained within the package itself Each individual page of the entire document is usually a pre-printed form. These pre-printed pages are then sent through the non-impact printer to add additional information which is specifically directed toward the individual customer.
The introduction of the non-impact printer has also improved documents produced by major credit card companies, banks and other industries which rely on individualized information sent on a regular basis to their customers. It is particularly important to these individuals that the information contained within the package contains the proper number of pages designated to be included in the document. In particular, credit card companies and banks produce enormous numbers of documents, each document containing information concerning the personal balance of individual accounts.
The banking industry and insurance industry is a major user of the non-impact printer to produce information that is sent on a monthly basis to an individual customer who has an account with the bank. The information sent to the individual client contains a number of pages which can include information concerning check numbers, amounts of checks, and to whom the check is made out. In these situations, it is critical that the document sent does not contain duplicate pages, missing pages, or double pages.
The development of magnetic toner allowed the non-impact printer to be used in the production of checks. Major companies began printing their payroll and accounts payable checks on these electronic printing systems. In these applications, the problems of doubles, duplicates, missing pages and unprinted pages, becomes catastrophic. A missing check is an employee not paid or a payment not made. A double is a payment and blank check. A duplicate is the same as making a double payment. The potential for fraudulent use of the non-impact printing of checks is an auditor's nightmare.
With the introduction of the non-impact printer, as many copies of a single page can be created as needed with the same and typically superior print quality While the non-impact printer resolved many of the problems that were inherent in other printers, including impact printers, the non-impact printer still has a few problems. These problems are inherent to the non-impact printer and the cut sheet non-impact printer.
These problems can include the occasional missing page usually produced by operator error, the duplicate page which appears to be a difficult problem to solve in the non-impact printer, the piggy-back page or double which is caused by feeding two forms at the same time, and a page which has no printing printed on it, the unprinted page.
With the types of applications mentioned previously, for which the non-impact printer is used today, specifically, check statements and other legally sensitive documents, these problems have a greater impact than when they occur in direct-mail advertising. For example, a missing page from a bank statement or a telephone bill causes concern to the customer about the balance of his account or the amount of his bill. A duplicate page or a blank page causes similar problems Not only do these problems create anxiety for a customer, they are also an embarassment to the producer of the individual documents.

Apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling printed sheet items for post-finishing


A rating system, method and computer program product are provided. A message is identified, after which it is determined whether the message is concatenated. The message is then rated based on the determination.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard supports concatenated short message service (SMS) messages. Mobile devices supporting concatenated SMS have the ability to send a "long" SMS message (e.g. with a size more than 140 bytes, etc.) as multiple SMS messages, with an indication that such messages are a part of a concatenated SMS message. Mobile devices that receive the messages have the ability to combine the messages, and present them as a single message to the user.
Such technology is enabled by the use of Transfer protocol User Data Header (TP-UDH) technology. TP-UDH allows the use of binary data in a normal SMS, prior to the text itself. The binary data consumes part of the limit (e.g. 140 bytes, etc.) of the SMS message. It should be noted that a single message in English can include 160 characters, whereas a message of 307 characters may be broken into 3 messages, since part of the message text length is used for the header information. At an application level, an SMS message is manipulated in the form of a Transport Protocol Data Unit (TPDU). The TPDU is a sequence of parameters containing information including whether it is a component of a concatenated message.
Recently, most mobile devices are configured to support concatenated SMS messages. While this capability is very useful as it extends the limit on the information that can be exchanged using the SMS protocol, SMS messages are currently rated by occurrence, without any consideration of the fact that they are part of a concatenated SMS. In other words, each SMS message is unconditionally billed separately. For example, if a concatenated SMS message is divided into 3 messages, a user is billed for 3 separate messages.
Unfortunately, one ramification of the foregoing is that, in the case of prepaid subscribers, for example, a decision as to whether an SMS message can be delivered or not is based on individual messages. Thus, it is possible that only a part of a long SMS will be delivered, if a prepaid balance is not sufficient for all of the components of the message.
There is thus a need for overcoming these and/or other problems associated with the prior art.

System, method, and computer program product for short message service (SMS) rating


A connecting assembly for horizontal boards and wall boards of a cabinet. Each of the horizontal boards and wall boards is formed with clamping channels along lateral sides. The connecting assembly comprises upper T-blocks, lateral T-blocks, inner cross-blocks and L-shaped corner blocks each of which is formed by a vertical slat and at least one horizontal slat. One edge of the vertical slat is formed with shallow or deep dovetail notches at equal intervals. The dovetail notches have reversely inclined faces which are interlaced, or have inclined faces. The horizontal slat has corresponding dovetail tenons spaced from each other by a distance equal to or double that of the dovetail notches.

The present invention relates to a connecting assembly for horizontal boards and wall boards of a cabinet. The connecting assembly includes unified connecting members which can be easily and quickly assembled in a working site to form the cabinet.
In a conventional knockdown cabinet, the wooden horizontal boards and wall boards are directly formed with tenons and mortises for engaging with each other so as to form a rigid cabinet. When manufacturing the cabinet boards with the tenons and mortises, in the case that the board material has too large area and too long length, a larger working table will be needed. As a result, it is difficult to work on the board material and the working efficiency is low.
In addition, in a humid place, after a period of use, the board material is subject to deformation so that the tenons and mortises often cannot snugly engaged with each other. Also, it is laborious to drill the mortise and it is quite difficult to plane the bottom of the mortise.
Moreover, the assembly of the cabinet is completed in the factory. The product has considerably large volume. Therefore, it is difficult to transfer and move the cabinet into a room.

Connecting assembly for horizontal boards and wall boards of a cabinet


Disclosed is a large round bale wrapped with a protective covering for permitting it to be stored outside. The covering is constructed of one or more layers of semi-permeable material. It is possible for an additional layer to be added to a region of the baler to be placed on the ground during storage, this additional layer resulting in the covering becoming essentially non-permeable in the region of the additional layer. A baler for applying the covering to a bale is disclosed together with a device for placing a visual marker on the bale so as to aid a person handling a discharged bale in knowing where the region covered with the additional layer of material is located so that this region may be manipulated into ground contact for storage.

One widespread method of storing forage crops is to package them in large cylindrical bales. Much of the appeal of this practice comes from the bales' inherent ability to shed rainfall and other elements. Contrary to widely held perceptions however, losses due to weather exposure on round bales are quite high. In research trials carried out in the eastern United States, large round bales stored outside without protection for six months or more were commonly found to experience dry matter losses of 30 percent or greater.
Numerous solutions to reduce these storage losses have been proposed, with various degrees of success. These solutions include wrapping the circumference of a bale with twine or plastic net or film material, covering the top of the bale with plastic "caps", or the complete envelopment of the bale in plastic film. None of these methods work to reliably prevent crop loss in dry hay baling, but the complete envelopment process has shown to be successful in baling high moisture hay or silage.
Concerning crop loss in dry hay baling, absorption of rainfall and/or wicking of soil moisture creates most losses due to spoilage, mold, etc. Losses from complete or circumferential solid film wrapping results from internal moisture trying to escape from the relatively dry hay, then condensing as it hits the plastic. This condensed moisture results in exterior portions of the bale remaining damp for extended periods of time, causing spoilage in these outer layers. Such spoilage has been shown to be similar to unprotected bales in some studies.
The problem to be solved then is to provide a protective covering for a bale which effectively prevents crop loss from the environment while being cost effective.


A stable matrix emulsion concentrate of a biocide, e.g. 3-iodopropynyl-2-butyl carbamate (IPBC) and/or a triazole fungicide, and stable aqueous and/or organic solvent formulations thereof, i.e. dilutable in water and/or an organic solvent are provided, which are particularly useful for treating wood products to provide protection against microorganisms and insects.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to biocidal compositions, and, more particularly, to IPBC (3-iodopropynyl)-2-butyl carbamate and/or triazole fungicide, containing compositions in the form of a stable microemulsion concentrate and an aqueous or organic dilution composition suitable for treating wood products to protect them against attack by fungus and other diseases.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Biocides are essential components of cosmetic formulations and paint compositions. However, for treating wood products no current formulations of biocides, e.g. IPBC or propiconazole (a triazole) are available because the biocide separates from aqueous dilution solutions (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,522).
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a stable matrix emulsion concentrate in which the biocide is dissolved at high loadings, and which remains stable when diluted in a suitable organic solvent, and also is dilutable with water to form a stable aqueous microemulsion without separation at room temperature for an extended period of time. The resultant product is an aqueous microemulsion composition suitable for wood treatment in which the biocides therein provide effective protection for wood against microorganisms and insects.

Stable matrix emulsion concentrates and stable aqueous and/or organic solvent compositions containing biocides


A comprehensive cybersecurity platform includes a cybersecurity intelligence hub, a cybersecurity sensor and one or more endpoints communicatively coupled to the cybersecurity sensor, where the platform allows for efficient scaling, analysis, and detection of malware and/or malicious activity. An endpoint includes a local data store and an agent that monitors for one or more types of events being performed on the endpoint, and performs deduplication within the local data store to identify “distinct” events. The agent provides the collected metadata of distinct events to the cybersecurity sensor which also performs deduplication within a local data store. The cybersecurity sensor sends all distinct events and/or file objects to a cybersecurity intelligence hub for analysis. The cybersecurity intelligence hub is coupled to a data management and analytics engine (DMAE) that analyzes the event and/or object using multiple services to render a verdict (e.g., benign or malicious) and issues an alert.

Cybersecurity attacks have become a pervasive problem for organizations as many networked devices and other resources have been subjected to attack and compromised. A cyber-attack constitutes a threat to security arising out of stored or in-transit data which, for example, may involve the infiltration of any type of content, such as software for example, onto a network device with the intent to perpetrate malicious or criminal activity or even a nation-state attack (i.e., "malware").
Over the years, companies have deployed many different approaches directed to network-based, malware protection services. One conventional approach involves the placement of malware detection devices throughout an enterprise network (or subnetwork), including the installation of cybersecurity agents (hereinafter, "agents"). Operating within an endpoint, an agent is responsible for monitoring and locally storing selected events. Herein, the "event" includes a task or activity that is conducted by a software component running on the endpoint and, in some situations, the activity may be undesired or unexpected indicating a cyber-attack is being attempted, such as a file being written to disk, a process being executed or created, or an attempted network connection.
A tremendous amount of information would be available to cybersecurity analysts in their attempts to identify cyber-attacks by collecting and analyzing the monitored events occurring at each endpoint (i.e., physical or virtual device). While the vast amount of information may seem valuable from a cybersecurity analysis perspective, conventional cybersecurity deployment schemes for analyzing monitored events, especially for a network environment having thousands or even hundreds of thousands of endpoints, are incapable of being effectively (or efficiently) scaled to handle this large quantity of information. One reason for this scaling problem is due, at least in part, to reliance on agents in accurately identifying "malicious" objects (and/or events), especially when the agents feature performance constraints (e.g., limited processing power and/or analysis time) and given their results are extremely noisy (i.e., produce large numbers of false positives).

Method and system for efficient cybersecurity analysis of endpoint events


A machine-implemented method for processing touch elements of an application of a device is provided. The method includes receiving application data associated with the application, the application data providing for the touch elements, each of the touch elements comprising an activation area configured to receive a user input and to trigger at least one function of the application upon receiving the user input. The method further includes determining, from the application data, that plural ones of the touch elements are for display in a group in the application; and classifying, in response to the determining, each of the touch elements of the group into two or more categories based on the application function of the touch element. The method further includes defining a size of the activation area for at least one of the touch elements based on the classification.

A user device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop, may utilize a touch sensitive user interface, such as a touch-sensitive screen, to receive user input. The user input may comprise gestures or touch. The device may be configured to launch and run one or more applications or software.
One or more of the applications may include a user interface configured to operate with the touch-sensitive screen. The user interface may include touch elements that are displayed to the user and configured to perform an application function based on user input.

Touch interpretation for displayed elements


An example operation may include one or more of receiving a request associated with a key-value pair stored in a database, determining whether a state of the key-value pair has changed since a most recently received request, and in response to a determination that the state of the key-value pair has changed, generating a data block that includes a changed state of the key-value pair and adding the generated data block to a hash-linked chain of data blocks.

Blockchain systems store data on an immutable ledger, provide distributed and decentralized access to the immutable ledger through non-trusting participants, establish consensus requirements for agreement between the non-trusting participants such that no one entity can change the immutable ledger without agreement from others, invoke smart contracts, and the like. A blockchain is typically formed by a network of participants which agree to add a block (with data stored therein) to the immutable ledger. Before being added, the block is linked to a previous block on the immutable ledger thereby forming a chain. This immutable and incorruptible nature of blockchain makes it safe from falsified information and hacks. The decentralized nature also gives it the unique quality of being trustless, in that parties do not need to establish trust before they can transact safely.
Meanwhile, a key-value store (also referred to as a key-value database) is a type of non-relational database that uses a simple key-value method to store data. Within the key-value store, data is stored as a collection of key-value pairs where the key serves as a unique identifier. Both the keys and the values can be various types of data items or combination of data items, ranging from simple objects to complex compound objects. Typically, the key-value store keeps only a current value (most recent state) of a key-value pair.

Key-value store with blockchain properties

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and/or system of adjusting light output intensity of a display system includes providing a display system that provides information to a user. Dilation of a pupil of the user is monitored (e.g., using an imaging device) and adjustment of the light output intensity of the display system is performed as a function of the monitored dilation of the pupil of the user. Yet further, for example, such adjustment of light output intensity may also be performed as a function of the monitored ambient light intensity in addition to the monitored dilation of the pupil of the user.

The present invention relates generally to display systems and methods relating thereto. More particularly, the present invention pertains to adjustment of to display system intensity.
Various types of display systems are available which provide information to a user. For example, computer screens, direct ocular projection systems, heads up displays, vehicle dashboard displays, instrument panels, night-sight scopes, range finders, sighting scopes, etc. In many circumstances, as information (e.g., images) are viewed by individuals using the display system (e.g., on a screen or projected directly into the eye), the intensity or brightness of the information (e.g., images) should be adjusted to an individual's needs. For example, such needs may include looking for more detail in a washed-out image or protecting an individual's eyes from damage caused by too much light.
Further, for example, in a direct ocular projection display system, light beams are scanned to the retina of a user. It is therefore important to prevent damage to the eyes from an over intense scanned beam.
Still further, for example, an individual may be using a night-sight scope or other display in an otherwise dark environment. If the intensity of the display or light output to the individual's eyes of the night-sight scope is too high, then when the individual is no longer using the night-sight scope and attempts to visualize their darker surroundings, the individual is presented with difficulty adjusting from the bright light output of the night-sight scope to the darker surroundings. In other words, the individual may become "night blind" in critical situations, such as when in combat. Such night blindness may also occur in situations such as when an individual is driving an automobile or other vehicle.
In many circumstances, the intensity or brightness of such display systems is controlled by a static setting or predefined settings. Such static setting or predefined settings do not necessarily provide the intensity or brightness necessary for adapting to an individual's particular needs.
In addition, generally, in order to change the intensity or brightness of a display system, an individual is required to physically respond and change a setting to adjust intensity. For example, an individual may be required to flip a switch, turn a dial, move one or more actuators, etc. Such need to physically respond when adjusting intensity or brightness of a display system may waste valuable time in time critical situations. For example, such time critical situations may occur when an individual's eyes are in danger of being damaged by a high light output, or when in a combat situation.

Display system intensity adjustment based on pupil dilation


A microcomputer has an output port and an input port. A plurality of switches are provided between and matrix-connected to respective bits of the output port and respective bits of the input port. The microcomputer renders all of the bits of the output port in an output state, and in this state, checks whether an output of the output port is obtained at one of the bits of the input port. When an output of the output port is obtained at one of the bits of the input port, data indicating a manipulated one of the plurality of switches is acquired by rendering, in order, the bits of the output port in an output state, and then the process of acquiring data indicating a manipulated switch is again executed after a lapse of a predetermined amount of time. The acquired data is made effective if a first acquired data and a second acquired data are identical.

The present invention relates to a key input circuit.
For example, an audio signal processing system of a one-box type audio apparatus can be constructed as shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 corresponds to one channel of a stereo system. Audio signals from a CD player, a tuner, a tape deck, etc. are supplied, via input terminals 1A-1N, to a function switch 2, where a desired audio signal is selected.
The selected audio signal is supplied to a surround circuit 3, where it is subjected to a process of correcting or altering a reproduction sound field, such as a surround process. An output signal of the surround circuit 3 is subjected to a frequency characteristic adjustment in a tone circuit 4, and a resulting signal is supplied to a speaker 7 via an attenuator circuit 5 for volume adjustment and a power amplifier 6.
A control means, i.e., a microcomputer 8 for system control is connected to the circuits 3-5. Various manipulation keys 9 are connected to. the microcomputer 8. The characteristics of the circuit 3-5 are controlled or altered in accordance with manipulations of the keys 9, whereby a desired reproduction sound field is obtained.
Each key 9 is constituted of a non-lock type push switch. The number of switches depends on the number of adjustment items of the circuits 3-5 and other factors, and tens of switches may be provided in some cases. It is not appropriate to simply connect such a large number of switches to the microcomputer 8.
Therefore, the switches that constitute the keys 9 are connected, in matrix form, to an output port and an input port of the microcomputer 8, and dynamic scanning is performed to judge which of the keys 9 has been pushed.
Alternatively, the switches that constitute the keys 9 are connected to voltage sources, for instance, a voltage divider circuit. When a certain key 9 is pushed, a DC voltage is output whose magnitude is different for each key 9. After being A/D-converted, the output DC voltage is input to the microcomputer 8, which then judges which of the keys 9 has been pushed.
However, in the former case of using dynamic scanning, scan pulses may be mixed, as noise, into an audio signal line. They are easily mixed into an audio signal line particularly in the vicinity of high-impedance circuits such as the attenuator circuit 5. If scan-pulses are mixed into an audio signal line, as a matter of course the sound quality is deteriorated.
Further, since scan pulses are formed consecutively during a key input waiting period, scan pulses mixed into an audio signal line causes the speaker 7 to produce a continuous sound like an oscillation sound. Thus, reproduction sound causes an uncomfortable feeling.
A commonly employed countermeasure against the above-mentioned type of noise is a method of preventing scan pulses from mixing into an audio signal line by using a shield plate. However, this method increases the cost of the system. In addition, there may occur a case in which a sufficient shielding effect is not obtained, depending on the layout of parts and circuits on a printed wiring board and the arrangement of wiring patterns.
On the other hand, in the latter case of using A/D conversion, although there occurs no noise mixing, the use of an A/D converter results in a cost increase. Further, since the microcomputer 8 is required to incorporate an A/D converter, the degree of freedom in selecting a microcomputer is low.


An in-situ doped n-type silicon layer is provided by a low temperature, low pressure chemical vapor deposition process employing a germanium-containing gas in combination with the n-type dopant containing gas to thereby enhance the in-situ incorporation of the n-type dopant into the silicon layer as an electronically active dopant. Also provided are a silicon layer including a P-N junction wherein the layer contains an n-type dopant and germanium, and devices such as transistors incorporating an in-situ n-doped silicon layer.

The current desire in the electronics industry to provide high performance integrated circuitry of reduced dimensions has created a tendency to employ lower processing temperatures. For instance, the dimensions of device layers deposited by silicon epitaxy at the more typical temperatures employed, for instance, temperatures greater than about 1000.degree. C., are fixed at values greater than the diffusion length of dopants out of the substrate onto which the silicon is deposited. For instance, such dimensions are typically on the order of a micron or more. However, the production of thin epitaxial films of silicon having abrupt and arbitrary dopant profiles is vital in device and circuit fabrication, and particularly in applications such as scaled-down bipolar and CMOS VLSI circuits and processes.
Various attempts at achieving lower processing temperatures were not especially successful because of a number of problems that need to be overcome before reduced temperatures such as those below about 800.degree. C. could be used. For instance, at such reduced temperatures, the number of epitaxial defects can increase markedly. Also, at such relatively low temperatures, dopant atoms do not have sufficient mobility to find electrically active substitutional sites in the silicon lattice.
However, various ones of these problems have been overcome and the ability to employ relatively low temperatures of 800.degree. C. and less has been realized by employing ultrahigh vacuum as disclosed for instance by Meyerson, "Low-Temperature Silicon Epitaxy By Ultrahigh Vacuum/Chemical Vapor Deposition", Applied Physics Letters 48 (12), pp. 797-799, Mar. 24, 1986, Meyerson, et al., "Low Temperature Silicon Epitaxy By Hot Wall Ultrahigh Vacuum/Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition Techniques: Surface Optimization", Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 133, No. 6, June 1986 and Srinivasan, et al., "Current Status of Reduced Temperature Silicon Epitaxy By Chemical Vapor Deposition", Electrochemical Society, Soft Bound Proceeding Series, Penington, N.J., 1985.
In addition, a particularly effective process employing low temperature and low pressure chemical vapor deposition of epitaxial silicon is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 906,854 filed Sep. 12, 1986 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 342,630 filed Apr. 9, 1989, disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Although this process is especially effective for producing quality epitaxial silicon layers, such could still stand improvement with respect to the amount and uniformity of the in-situ n-type dopants provided. In particular, the deposition of in-situ doped n-type epitaxial silicon films is especially difficult at the lower processing temperatures of about 800.degree. C. and less. This difficulty arises from the failure of the n-type dopants such as phosphorous and arsenic to bond substitutionally into the silicon lattice.
Moreover, additional complications arise from the time varying nature of phosphorous incorporation, where the quantity of phosphorous bound into the film in any coordination is a strong function of deposition time. This effect can be seen in FIG. 1, where a constant flow of phosphine into a 550.degree. C. ultrahigh vacuum/chemical vapor deposition reactor results in a continually increasing phosphorous content in the film. Furthermore, electrical analysis of these layers shows that the phosphorous is electrically inactive and therefore ineffective as a n-dopant.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved technique for low temperature deposition of in-situ n-doped silicon.
It is another object of this invention to provide enhanced n-type doping in a silicon film deposited by ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHVCVD).
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved low temperature technique for fabricating silicon devices containing at least one pn junction.
It is another object of this invention to provide structures including a silicon layer therein which are n-doped as deposited, without the need for additional steps such as annealing to make the dopants electrically active.
It is another object of this invention to provide improved silicon products containing n-type doping, by the methods of this invention.
It is another object of this invention to provide an UHVCVD process that allows in-situ n-type doping of deposited silicon films, over a wide range of doping levels.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a method for and device having abrupt n-type doping profiles.

Method of dopant enhancement in an epitaxial silicon layer by using germanium

International Business Machines Corporation