An image processing apparatus which can always accurately extract, from a photographed image, an optimum feature quantity to be used for image processing is provided. In the apparatus, a limitation unit limits a predetermined area to extract the feature quantity in a lung area of an image (lung image obtained by radiographing). For example, as the predetermined area, the limitation unit limits an area obtained by dividing the lung area in a predetermined ratio, an area extending from ¼ to ½ from a head side of a maximum-length vertical axis of the lung area, or an area within a predetermined-length range from the upside of the lung area. An extraction unit extracts a feature quantity (maximum pixel value) from the predetermined area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image processing apparatus, system and method which are used in an apparatus and a system for extracting a feature quantity from an image obtained by radiographing (e.g., X-ray photographing), and performing gradation conversion processing for the photographed image on the basis of the feature quantity. The present invention also relates to a storage medium which computer-readably stores a program of processing steps to execute the above image processing method.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, by the advancement of a digital technology, for example, an image photographed by X-ray photographing is digitized, the obtained digital image is subjected to image processing, and the processed image is displayed on a monitor or output onto an X-ray diagnosis film.
As the above image processing, there is gradation conversion processing which converts the photographed image to have a density value easy to be observed on an output destination such as a monitor screen, the film or the like.
In the gradation conversion processing, for example, when an image photographed by X-ray photographing a lung area is output onto the X-ray diagnosis film, a histogram of all pixels constituting the photographed image is first formed, and the formed histogram is analyzed. Next, a pixel value at a point of a certain part (e.g., an upper 5% point) of the histogram is extracted as a feature quantity of the photographed image. Then conversion of a density value (i.e. gradation conversion) is performed such that the extracted pixel value (the feature quantity) becomes a certain density value (a density of 1.9 or so) on the film.
However, in such a conventional image processing method as described above, especially, the following problems are enumerated.
First, to perform the image processing to the photographed image of the lung area, conventionally the value of the point of the certain part (e.g., the upper 5% point) is extracted as the feature quantity from the histogram of the entire photographed image. This feature quantity is always extracted from the point of the certain part such as the upper 5% point or the like, irrespective of a state of a subject (e.g., a constitution of the subject) on the photographed image. Thus, even if the gradation conversion is performed based on such the feature quantity, a density distribution of the image after converting the gradation might vary according to the kind of the photographed target image. Therefore, when diagnosis is performed by using such the image which is obtained after converting the gradation and of which density distribution varies, there is some fear that a diagnosis mistake is invited. This is the serious problem.
Further, a necessary area and an unnecessary area (a transparent area or a transmission area) exist in the image photographed by the X-ray photographing. In the necessary area, the X-ray which permeated a subject hits a sensor surface, while in the unnecessary area, the X-ray directly and strongly hits the sensor surface. Incidentally, the feature quantity used for the image processing is conventionally extracted from the histogram of the entire photographed image. Namely, the feature quantity used for the image processing is extracted from information of the entire photographed image including information of the unnecessary area (the transparent area). Therefore, a desired feature quantity can not be extracted, whereby the image which is obtained after converting the gradation and is optimum for observation can not be obtained. This is also the serious problem.

Image processing apparatus, method and storage medium


A locking mechanism on a container (1) or a holding device (28), having two interlockable parts (33, 21, 26), wherein one part (2, 21) forms an interlocking recess (9) and the mating part (3, 26) an interlocking tongue (6). In the opening path of the interlocking tongue, a blocking element (8) is provided, as a result of which the interlocking tongue (6) can only be set to the opening position after removing the blocking element by means of a suitable tool.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a locking mechanism on a holding device or a package.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In self-service stores, some merchandise is supposed to be stored in a theft-proof manner on a holding device or in a package. For the purposes of this present invention, the term "theft-proof" only means that opening the holding device or the package is made more difficult and, in particular, impossible without using tools or any other auxiliary means. Unauthorized opening of the holding device or package is also supposed to cause sufficient damage to the package to make such damage easily visible for the checkout staff.
Containers with a locking mechanism are generally known from prior art. Such containers are used, for example, as cartridges for drill bits in self-service stores. To prevent the container from being opened in the store and the drill bits contained therein, which are relatively expensive, being replaced with less expensive drill bits, a plastic plug is provided between the two container parts which overlap in the locked position, which secures the two container parts in the locked position.
The plastic plug is easily visible, which allows the checkout staff to verify whether it has been removed or severed. This arrangement, however, is disadvantageous insofar as the plastic plug is provided as a separate part on the container outside of the locking mechanism, which complicates both manufacturing and handling.

Locking mechanism on a holding device or a package


By forming at least one annular groove in each of electrical insulation members provided between a plasma generating electrode and a processing chamber, the insulation performance of the electrical insulation members are prevented from degradation during deposition of conductive films onto a substrate. The plasma generating electrode is substantially a coil of one turn and provided with a pair of introduction portions passing through a wall of the processing chamber. An insulation ring made of quartz glass is installed between each of the introduction portion and the processing chamber. The insulation ring has a round through hole in the center of a disc and three concentric protrusions, each of which is in the shape of an annulus ring, are formed at one side of the disc (the side exposed in the processing chamber). Two annular grooves are made between the protrusions. Each of the protrusions are 50 mm high, 1 mm thick, and 1 mm wide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma enhanced CVD apparatus equipped with a plasma generating electrode in a processing chamber, and further, relates to plasma enhanced CVD in which a conductive film is deposited by using the plasma enhanced CVD apparatus. Moreover, the present invention relates to a plasma processing apparatus equipped with a plasma generating electrode in a processing chamber.
2. Description of the Related Art
Plasma enhanced CVD is a method of depositing thin films on substrates by utilizing the chemical reaction of source gases. This method has been widely applied to depositing thin films, such as metallic films, semiconductor films, insulating films, photoconductive films, barrier films, and adhesion films, which films are used for semiconductor integrated circuits, superconductive devices, various kinds of electronic devices, and various kinds of sensors. In general, plasma generating electrodes are employed for generating plasma in processing chambers, and typically, radio-frequency powered electrodes are used. The systems of plasma generating electrodes are classified as a capacitively coupling system and an inductively coupling system. They can also be classified as an external electrode system in which an electrode is provided outside of the processing chamber and an internal electrode system in which an electrode is positioned inside of a processing chamber. Parallel-plate plasma enhanced CVD apparatuses according to the capacitively coupling system and the internal electrode system are most widely used among these. In addition, among plasma enhanced CVD apparatuses according the inductively coupling system and the external electrode system, apparatuses are frequently used that are provided with coiled electrodes winding around discharge chambers made of quartz glass. The present invention relates to a plasma enhanced CVD apparatus according to the internal electrode system, and further, the present invention relates to deposition of conductive films using this plasma enhanced CVD apparatus.
In a plasma enhanced CVD apparatus according to the internal electrode system, a plasma generating electrode, to which a radio frequency power is applied, is introduced into a processing chamber through a wall thereof. At each of the sites introducing the electrode, an electrical insulation member is inserted between the plasma generating electrode and the grounded metallic processing chamber so as to electrically insulate them.
The following problems appear when a conductive film is deposited on a substrate using the foregoing plasma enhanced CVD apparatus of the internal electrode system: If a conductive film adheres to the afore-mentioned electrical insulation members, the insulation performance thereof deteriorates, thus impairing stable plasma generation. Therefore, it is necessary to specially design the plasma generating electrode or surrounding structures thereof to prevent the conductive film from adhering to the electrical insulation members. In the case of a parallel-plate plasma enhanced CVD apparatus, plasma is generated between the parallel electrodes facing each other, therefore the conductive film does not easily adhere to the electrical insulation members arranged at the back sides of the parallel electrodes. Meanwhile, if an internal electrode (a coiled electrode) according to the inductively coupling system is used, plasma is generated around the plasma generating electrode, thus the electrical insulation member is readily exposed to the plasma and the conductive film easily adheres thereto.
Regarding these problems, Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-7937 discloses a technique, in which grooves are formed in electrical insulation members for avoiding degradation of insulation due to the conductive-film adhesion. This technique relates to an insulating spacer inserted between a pair of parallel electrodes facing each other in a processing chamber, in which a groove is formed in the insulating spacer to avoid degradation of insulation due to conductive-film adhesion.
Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-18433 discloses an apparatus for sputtering by using an internal electrode according to the inductively coupling system. Although this technique describes an insulation portion introducing the internal electrode into a vacuum chamber arranged in the dead zone of the chamber so as to prevent metallic films from depositing on the insulation portion, a practical shape or positioning of the insulation portion is not disclosed.
The foregoing problems are overcome if the conductive films are deposited according to the external electrode system. Other problems however may occur as follows: For example, when a coiled electrode winding around a discharge chamber made of quartz glass is used for generating plasma, conductive films are deposited on the inner walls of the discharge chamber. As a result, the conductive films shield the radio-frequency power applied to the coiled electrode. The plasma generated in the discharge chamber thereby becomes unstable, and further, in the worst case plasma generation per se becomes impossible. Therefore, frequent cleaning is required for the inner walls of the discharge chamber in the case of depositing conductive films on a substrate using a conventional plasma enhanced CVD apparatus according to the external electrode system.
An object of the present invention is to maintain stable plasma over a long period of time by avoiding a decrease in insulation performance between a plasma generating electrode and a processing chamber during deposition of conductive films on a substrate in a plasma enhanced CVD apparatus equipped with the plasma generating electrode in the processing chamber.

Plasma enhanced CVD apparatus, plasma enhanced processing apparatus and plasma enhanced CVD method


A method of making a fibrous pack includes centrifuging at least two sets of mineral fibers from molten mineral material using at least two rotary mineral fiber spinners that are arranged in a machine direction along a collection surface, directing each set of the mineral fibers into a downwardly moving veil beneath one of the mineral fiber spinners, generating a downwardly moving array of aligned organic fibers from at least one orificed die that is spaced apart from each of the mineral fiber spinners and directing the array into contact with the mineral fibers, and collecting the mineral fibers and organic fibers as a fibrous pack.. There is also provided apparatus for making a fibrous pack including at least two mineral fiber spinners that are arranged in a machine direction along a collection surface for centrifuging at least two sets of mineral fibers from molten mineral material, means for directing each set of mineral fibers into a downwardly moving veil beneath one of the mineral fiber spinners, at least one orificed die that is spaced from each of the mineral fiber spinners for generating a downwardly moving array of aligned organic fibers and directing the array into contact with the mineral fibers, and a collection surface for collecting the mineral fibers and organic fibers as a fibrous pack.

Mineral fiber products, particularly products made of glass fibers, are typically made as either continuous fibers or discontinuous fibers. Various organic coatings can be applied to these fibers for protecting the fibers from abrasion, for connecting the mineral fibers to each other to form a structural product, and for providing compatibility of the mineral fibers with other materials, such as the compatibility between the reinforcement fiber and a plastic matrix. In the case of insulation products, the mineral fibers are usually bonded together by organic material, such as a phenol/formaldehyde binder, to form a spring-like matrix which can recover after compression during packaging. One mat product having both glass fibers and fibers of organic material, and manufactured by a textile non-woven process, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,134 to Chenoweth et al.
The application of organic material to the mineral fibers can take several forms. Continuous mineral fibers can be run through a bath or across a coater to apply a coating to the fibers, such as during the application of a size to continuous fibers. Alternatively, the organic material can be sprayed onto the mineral fibers. This method is commonly used in the manufacture of insulation products with a rotary process where a cylindrical veil of mineral fibers is met with the sprays of the phenol/formaldehyde binder.
One of the problems with applying aqueous organic binders of the prior art to cylindrical veils of mineral fibers is that a portion of the binder tends to evaporate prior to contact between the liquid binder drop and a mineral fiber in the veil. This problem is exacerbated by the need to apply the binder relatively close to the fiberizer, i.e., where the hot environment is particularly likely to cause some of the liquid binder droplets to evaporate before contacting a glass fiber. The evaporated binder material becomes a contaminant in the exhaust air stream of the process and must be cleaned up in order to avoid pollution problems. Also, the binder material on the mineral fibers tends to be sticky, requiring extensive cleaning of the fiber collection apparatus to prevent the build-up of clumps of glass fiber insulation material which can drop into the product and cause a product defect. Further, the binder material must be cured in an oven, requiring tremendous energy not only for curing the binder itself, but also for driving off the water associated with the binder, and for environmentally cleaning the gaseous by-products of the heating and curing process.
Attempts have been made in the past to integrate organic binder materials with mineral fibers from a rotary process without merely spraying the veil of fibers with an aqueous solution of the binder material. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,949 to Thiessen discloses a rotary fiberizing process where additive particles are supplied through the hollow quill or axle of the rotating spinner. The particles are directed toward the veil of mineral fibers from a locus within the veil. The additive particles can be fibrous in nature, such as cellulose fibers, and also can be resinous material in a particulate form.
Another approach in integrating organic material with rotary mineral fibers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,132 to Bakhshi et al. A glass rotary fiberizer is operated to produce a downwardly moving hollow veil of glass fibers, and a polymer fiberizer is operated within the hollow veil to produce polymer fibers within the veil but directed radially outwardly toward the glass fibers. The polymer fibers commingle with the glass fibers, producing a reinforced resinous product having both glass fibers and polymer fibers. When the process of this patent was operated experimentally to make a glass mat reinforced plastic material, the polymer fibers experienced considerable heat from the hot fiber forming environment, with a typical result being that most of the polymer fibers melted and ended up as non fibrous particles on the glass fibers or on the polymer fibers. See, for example, Column 4, line 66 to Column 5, line 2. This was satisfactory for commingling glass fibers and polymer material into a molding material (a glass mat thermoplastic material) suitable for molding into a dense reinforced plastic product. Due to the nature of the compression of the product in a molding process, there was no need to provide a more substantial retention of polymer in fibrous form with the glass fibers. However, it is believed that the thermal resistance of insulation products would benefit from having a majority or more preferably a substantial amount of the polymer material in fibrous form.
As an alternative to the coaxial rotary commingling process, U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,584 to Loftus et al. discloses an alternate commingling process where glass rotary fiberizers centrifuging glass fibers, and polymer rotary fiberizers centrifuging polymer fibers, are positioned alternately with each other arranged along a collection surface. The polymer fiberizer can be oriented at an angle to the vertical so that the flow of polymer fibers is directed at an angle into contact with the veil of glass fibers. While the purpose of the alternate commingling process was to decouple the polymer fiber forming environment from the glass fiber forming region, it was perceived to be quite difficult to uniformly integrate the rotary-formed polymer fibers into the veil of glass fibers. The nonuniformities of the rotary polymer process combined with the swirling, chaotic environment of the glass fiber forming region would prohibit significant penetration of the polymer fibers into the glass fibers, potentially resulting in an unpredictable, laminar product having less than desired properties for some products.
It would be advantageous if there was developed an improved process for integrating polymer or other organic fibers into a flowing stream of glass fibers to produce a generally uniform mix of glass fibers and polymer fibers, preferably uniform by fiber distribution and uniform by weight. Such a process should provide protection for the polymer material supplied in fibrous form so that the polymer fibers are not subjected to a hot environment which could undesirably vaporize the polymer material or otherwise degrade the polymer material, or which could soften or melt the polymer fibers into non-fibrous particles. Further, such a process would allow flexibility in how the polymer fibers would be integrated with the mineral fibers. Also, ideally, the process would enable polymer fibers of two or more polymeric materials to be integrated with the glass fibers.

Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.


A card game system/method pitting players against a live or virtual dealer. Players make two mandatory wagers and optionally place bonus and jackpot wagers followed by each player and the dealer receiving six cards. Each player and the dealer must set the six cards into three, two-card hands based on pre-established rules. The main and play wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the player's three hands to the dealer's three hands, respectively. The bonus wager relates to the strongest five-card poker hand formed using the six cards and the jackpot is paid if the player wins all three hands and the two cards of the first hand meet a minimum threshold (e.g., Ace high or better). An automatic winning hand may be utilized as well. For example, any player receiving the King of Spades and King of Clubs would win their main and play wagers automatically. A player v. player (e.g., home version) version of the game is also disclosed.

The popularity of gaming continues to grow as a form of entertainment. Gaming is offered in brick and mortar locations as well as virtually online via desktops, laptops and/or hand-held smart phones. Gaming comes in many forms including table games, electronic, video and/or online varieties. Despite the vast number of different casino-style games in the market, there is a never ending need for new gaming methods and systems which attract new players and retain existing players.
Thus, it would be advantageous to develop a casino-style game system which: (i) is easy to play; (ii) includes larger potential payouts and (iii) is capable of play in live and electronic environments.


The present invention pertains to certain N8,N13-disubstituted quino[4,3,2-kl]acridinium salts of formula (Q−) which inhibit telomerase wherein: p is an integer from 0 to 4; q is an integer from 0 to 3; r is an integer from 0 to 4; each RA is —H or a ring substituent; each RB is —H or a ring substituent; each RC is —H or a ring substituent; RN8 is a nitrogen substituent; RN13 is a nitrogen substituent; and, Q is an anion. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit telomerase, to regulate cell proliferation, and in the treatment of proliferative conditions, such as cancer.

Mammalian cells are normally subject to tight controls regulating replication in order to maintain organ structure and function. Conversely, the disease of cancer is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation. Compromise of any of the steps involved in cell cycle regulation could be involved in escape from regulatory mechanisms and therefore lead to neoplasia. However, even if a cell escapes proliferation suppression, there are limitations to the number of replicative cycles it can progress through before safety mechanisms cause cell cycle shutdown, and this restriction is thought to be a component of the process of organismal aging. Although ageing is a complex process, a major candidate for the molecular signal for replicative senescence is that of telomere shortening.
Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes consisting of DNA sequences arranged in tandemly repeated units which extend from less than 100 to several thousands of bases. In contrast to chromosome ends created by random breakage, telomeres are stable structures not prone to degradation or fusion with other chromosome ends and are not subject to DNA repair mechanisms.
During each round of cellular replication, both strands of DNA separate and daughter strands are synthesized in a slightly different manner on the leading and lagging strand. While the lead strand replicates in a continuous fashion using conventional DNA polymerase, the lagging strand replicates in a discontinuous fashion using Okazaki fragments. The gaps between individual Okazaki fragments are filled by the regular DNA polymerase. However, this sets the stage for a potential "end replication problem." This arises because Okazaki fragment priming will not necessarily start at the very end of the DNA and because the RNA primer, once removed, would result in a portion of unreplicated 3′-DNA (an unrepaired 3′-overhang). This can lead to a loss of 50–200 base pairs with every round of somatic cell division, with eventual shortening of telomeres to a length that coincides with the activation of an antiproliferative mechanism termed "mortality stage 1" (M1), and at this stage, senescence in somatic cells occurs. Thus, telomere shortening functions as a "mitotic clock" and limits division in somatic cells to about 50–70 times, thereby contributing to cell aging.
In some cells, due to various mechanisms, the M1 stage is bypassed and cells can continue to divide until telomeres become critically shortened ("mortality stage 2," M2). At this M2 stage, in many immortalized cells, a specialized DNA polymerase called "telomerase" appears and utilizes its internal RNA template to synthesize the telomeric sequence and compensate for the loss of telomeric DNA due to incomplete replication. This prevents further shortening of telomeres, and the resulting stabilization of their length contributes to immortalization.
Telomerase is not expressed, or if it is, its activity is repressed, in most normal mammalian somatic cells. Exceptions to this rule include male germ line cells and some epithelial stem cells (e.g., as in the intestinal crypts, the basal layer of the epidermis, and within human hair follicles). Nonetheless, both telomerase activity and shortened but stabilized telomeres have been detected in the majority of tumours examined (and in over 90% of all human cancers examined), and consequently, telomeres and telomerase are recognized targets for anti-neoplastic (e.g., cancer) chemotherapy.
The absence of telomerase in most normal cells makes this enzyme a particularly attractive target, considering that its inhibition would probably cause minimal damage to the whole patient. The fact that tumour cells have shorter telomeres and higher proliferation rates than normal replicative cell populations suggests that a therapeutic telomerase inhibitor may cause tumour cell death well before damage to regenerative tissues occurs, thereby minimizing undesirable side-effects.
For a more detailed discussion of telomeres and telomerase, and their role as anti-proliferative targets, see, for example, Sharma et al., 1997; Urquidi et al., 1998; Perry et al., 1998b; Autexier, 1999; and Neidle et al., 1999, and references therein.
Since the early days of the 20th century, acridine derivatives have attracted the attention of medicinal chemists because of their broad-ranging biological properties (see, for example, Albert, 1966). A number of polycyclic systems which incorporate the acridine structure have been prepared and/or isolated and their biological properties investigated. Several pyrido[2,3,4-kl]acridines have been isolated from marine organisms in two phyla, the tunicates and sponges, where they are presumably employed as chemical warfare agents to deter marine predators.
Mitchell et al., 1987, report the synthesis of unsubstituted quino[4,3,2-kl]acridine, shown below (see, for example, compound 46 at page 408).


A system is provided for controlling an aquatic habitat. The system for includes a server, a bridge, and a habitat component. The server includes a database containing information associated with a habitat component. The server also includes a communication interface for transmitting operating data for the habitat component. The bridge has a first communication unit configured to communicate with the server communication interface and transmit the operating data received from the server to the habitat component. The habitat component has a second communication unit for receiving operating data from the bridge.

Habitats typically include a controlled environment, such as rooms or containers, that houses organisms, such as fish, invertebrates, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, plants, bacteria, or any combination thereof. These habitats require a high amount of care which includes maintaining specific environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, lighting type, lighting amount, salinity, pH, and flow control of air or water inside the habitat may need to be regulated depending on the organism living therein. The environmental conditions may be controlled by devices such as heaters, pumps, filters, fans, lighting systems, etc. While the combined effects of these devices are extremely important, the devices typically act independently of each other.

Apparatus and methods for controlling a habitat environment


Methods, systems, and computer programs for constructing a billing statement from detailed usage file (DUF) records received from an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC). A master file contains routing information associating each of a plurality of telephone numbering plan addresses plus additional telephone number digits (NPA-NXX) with a corresponding local access transport area (LATA). Telephone operator services (TOPS) assignment files are downloaded and used to edit the master file, thereby generating an enhanced master file. DUF records are downloaded. A set of enhanced DUF records is generated by filtering the downloaded DUF records. A rate table of customer price plans is applied to the set of enhanced DUF records and the enhanced master file to construct a billing statement.

The present invention relates generally to telephony, and more particularly, to methods and systems for generating a billing statement from detailed usage file records.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating conventional functional relationships between an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) 20 and one or more competitive local exchange carriers, such as a first CLEC 30 and a second CLEC 40. ILEC 20, illustratively BellSouth, SBC, or Verizon, may lease a portion of their telecommunications network to one or more CLECs, such as first CLEC 30. This leased portion, by way of example comprising telephone line 70 running between a central office (CO) switch 10 and a first customer premises 80, telephone line 72 running between CO switch 10 and a second customer premises 90, as well as all or a portion of CO switch 10, are referred to as an unbundled network element (UNE) 50. Although ILEC 20 is equipped to gather network usage data for both the leased and the unleased portions of its network, some of this data would be useful to first CLEC 30 for purposes of reconciling a billing statement that CLEC 30 receives from ILEC 20, and for investigating billing disputes raised by customers of CLEC 30. Accordingly, ILEC 20 may sell or offer detailed usage files to first CLEC 30. These detailed usage files identify one or more messages carried by UNE 50. Detailed usage files include any of an access daily usage file (ADUF) 52, an optional daily usage file (ODUF) 54, and an enhanced optional daily usage file (EODUF) 56.
ADUF 52 provides electronic billing data for messages that are captured by a billing system implemented by ILEC 20. More specifically, ADUF 52 provides first CLEC 30 with daily information of end users' originating and terminating access messages carried by ILEC 20. These access messages include, but are not limited to, the following types of calls: (a) calls originating at ILEC 20 or first CLEC 30; (b) calls terminating at ILEC 20 or first CLEC 30; (c) calls originating at an independent telephone company (ICO) and terminating at UNE 50; (d) facility-based first CLEC 30 calls terminating at UNE 50; (e) calls from a wireless network that terminate at UNE 50; (f) ILEC 20-carried, intra-local access transport area (IntraLATA) toll calls from an ILEC 20 end-user terminating at UNE 50; (g) 1-800 calls; (h) 1-900 calls; (i) directory assistance calls; and (j) originating calls to international numbers.
ADUF 52 permits first CLEC 30 to analyze the manner in which end users are originating and terminating carrier messages. This information enables first CLEC 30 to charge carriers for access messages as appropriate. First CLEC 30 may also use ADUF 52 for marketing analysis in accordance with federal law. Studying call volumes and patterns enables first CLEC 30 to design services which better meet customer needs.
FIGS. 2A and 2B set forth illustrative prior art data structures for transmitting ADUF records from ILEC 20 (FIG. 1) to first CLEC 30 (FIG. 1) utilizing an industry standard packaging concept known as Exchange Message Interface (EMI). Further documentation regarding EMI is available from the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) website at http://www.atis.org/atis/clc/obf/obfdocs.htm. Each of a plurality of respective ADUF records, such as first, second, third, fourth, and fifth ADUF records 120, 121, 122, 123, 124 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) is associated with a corresponding ADUF record identifier 101, 131, 141, 151, 161, respectively. Each ADUF record identifier 111, 131, 141, 151, 161 is formed using eight fields 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, and 118 in a format denoted as XX-XX-XX, where X represents an alphabetic or numeric character and the dash represents a separator between adjacent characters. First, second, third, fourth, and fifth ADUF records 120-124 are each in a fixed block format of 210 bytes. This fixed block format illustratively includes an indicators field 187 in first ADUF record 120.
There are several different categories of ADUF records 120-124, represented by access message 102, ADUF killer/cancel record 103, ADUF header record 104, and ADUF trailer record 105. These categories are identified by placing specified characters in one or more of fields 111, 112, 114 and 115 of an ADUF record identifier 101 as follows. Access message 102 utilizes an ADUF record identifier 131 formatted as 11-XX-XX. ADUF killer/cancel record 103 utilizes an ADUF record identifier 141 formatted as 50-01-XX. ADUF header record 104 uses ADUF record identifier 151 formatted as 20-24-09, and an ADUF trailer record 105 uses ADUF record identifier 161 formatted as 20-24-10.
ADUF killer/cancel record 103 is employed when a previously sent access message 102 should be cancelled and not billed. It is possible that, contemporaneously with an access message 102 being transmitted from ILEC 20 (FIG. 1) to first CLEC 30, second CLEC 40 issues a service order for the purpose of changing the service provider of the end user from first CLEC 30 to second CLEC 40. Since the service provider of the end user has changed and the new service provider should bill the message specified by access message 102 (FIG. 2A), an ADUF killer/cancel record 103 is generated to instruct first CLEC 30 (FIG. 1) not to bill the message. Contemporaneously with generation of ADUF killer/cancel record 103 (FIG. 2A), a copy of access message 102 is sent to second CLEC 40 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 3 is a table setting forth a plurality of illustrative prior art ADUF record identifiers which may be used for ADUF record identifier 101 (FIG. 2A). Each of a plurality of call types in call type column 201 (FIG. 3) is associated with a corresponding ADUF record identifier in ADUF Record Identifier Column 203. Explanatory notes regarding the call types in call type column 201 are provided in Explanatory Notes Column 205. ADUF records including a sequence of ADUF record identifiers 101 (FIG. 2A) are transmitted from a Revenue Accounting Office (RAO) associated with ILEC 20 (FIG. 1) using a LAN-to-LAN link, a dial-up connection, or a secure file transfer protocol (FTP) mailbox. Alternatively or additionally, these ADUF records could be mailed to the CLEC on a CDROM or similar storage medium.
In addition to ADUF 52 (FIG. 1), ILEC 20 may offer optional detailed usage files to first CLEC 30. These optional files include optional daily usage file (ODUF) 54 and an enhanced optional daily usage file (EODUF) 56. ODUF 54 includes electronic billing data for billable messages that are carried over UNE 50, processed in a billing system used by ILEC 20, and billed by ILEC 20 to first CLEC 30. ODUF 54 includes electronic billing data for operator handled calls originating from first CLEC 30 subscriber lines if first CLEC 30 purchases operator services from ILEC 20. Rated incollect calls (calls originated at ILEC 20 or from independent telephone companies (ICOs)) are intermingled with recorded rated and unrated network usage of UNE 50 by first CLEC 30.
ODUF 54 provides first CLEC 30 with daily access to end users' local usage of UNE 50. This minimizes the need for first CLEC 30 to wait for receipt of periodic billing statements from ILEC 20 as a prerequisite for first CLEC 30 billing its own end users. As with ADUF 52, ODUF 54 may also be used as a valuable marketing analysis tool in accordance with federal law. Moreover, ODUF 54 is a valuable tool in the battle against fraud. Daily access to customer data gives first CLEC the opportunity to review large volumes of usage data associated with particular end users. It also provides an opportunity to establish specific end user limits on toll charges.
FIGS. 4A-4C set forth illustrative prior art data structures for transmitting ODUF records from ILEC 20 (FIG. 1) to first CLEC 30 utilizing the aforementioned industry standard packaging concept known as Exchange Message Interface (EMI). Each of a plurality of respective ODUF records, such as first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth ODUF records 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 (FIGS. 4A-4C) is associated with a corresponding ODUF record identifier 301, 331, 341, 351, 361, 371, 381, 391, 393, respectively. Each ODUF record identifier 301, 331, 341, 351, 361, 371, 381, 391, 393 is formed using eight fields 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, and 318 in a format denoted as XX-XX-XX, where X represents an alphabetic or numeric character and the dash represents a separator between adjacent characters. First through ninth ODUF records 320-328 are each in a variable block format (175 bytes plus modules). This format is illustratively denoted using a message type field 383, a rate class field 385, and an indicators field 387 in first ODUF record 320.
There are several different categories of ODUF records 320-328, represented by unrated message 302, rated message 303, ODUF header record 304, ODUF trailer record 305, credit message 306, summary message 307, first ODUF killer/cancel record 308, and second ODUF killer/cancel record 309. These categories are identified by placing specified characters in one or more of fields 311, 312, 314 and 315 of an ODUF record identifier 301 as follows. Unrated message 302 utilizes an ODUF record identifier 331 formatted as 10-XX-XX. Rated message 303 utilizes an ODUF record identifier 341 formatted as 01-XX-XX; ODUF header record 304 uses an ODUF record identifier 351 formatted as 20-24-01; ODUF trailer record 305 uses an ODUF record identifier 361 formatted as 20-24-02; credit message 306 uses an ODUF record identifier 371 formatted as 03-XX-XX; summary message 307 uses an ODUF record identifier 381 formatted as 42-XX-XX; first ODUF killer/cancel record 308 utilizes an ODUF record identifier 391 formatted as 51-XX-XX; and second ODUF killer/cancel record 309 uses an ODUF record identifier 393 formatted as 58-XX-XX.
First ODUF killer/cancel record 308, or second ODUF killer/cancel record 309, is employed when a previously sent ODUF record should be cancelled and not billed. It is possible that, contemporaneously with a rated message 303 being transmitted from ILEC 20 (FIG. 1) to first CLEC 30, second CLEC 40 issues a service order for the purpose of changing the service provider of the end user from first CLEC 30 to second CLEC 40. Since the service provider of the end user has changed and the new service provider should bill the message specified by rated message 303 (FIG. 4A), an ODUF killer/cancel record (either first ODUF killer/cancel record 308 or second ODUF killer/cancel record 309) is generated to instruct first CLEC 30 (FIG. 1) not to bill the message. Contemporaneously with generation of the aforementioned ODUF killer/cancel record, a copy of rated message 303 (FIG. 4A) is sent to second CLEC 40 (FIG. 1).
FIGS. 5A-5F together comprise a table setting forth a plurality of illustrative prior art ODUF record identifiers which may be used for ODUF record identifier 301 (FIG. 4A). Each of a plurality of call types in call type column 401 (FIGS. 5A-5F) is associated with a corresponding ODUF record identifier in ODUF Record Identifier Column 403. Explanatory notes regarding the call types in call type column 401 are provided in Explanatory Notes Column 405. ODUF records including a sequence of ODUF record identifiers 301 (FIG. 4A) are transmitted from a Revenue Accounting Office (RAO) associated with ILEC 20 (FIG. 1) using a LAN-to-LAN link, a dial-up connection, or a secure file transfer protocol (FTP) mailbox. Alternatively or additionally, these ODUF records could be mailed to the CLEC on a CDROM or similar storage medium.
As stated above, in addition to ADUF 52 and ODUF 54 (FIG. 1), ILEC 20 may offer optional detailed usage files to first CLEC 30. These optional files include an enhanced optional daily usage file (EODUF) 56. EODUF 56 provides first CLEC 30 with usage data for local calls that originate from resold flat rate business and residential lines. If first CLEC 30 subscribes to EODUF 56, then EODUF messages are distributed to first CLEC 30 intermingled with ODUF 54 messages.
Although ADUF 52, ODUF 54, and EODUF 56 provide potentially useful information to first CLEC 30, significant limitations apply to the manner in which this information may be used by first CLEC 30 for purposes of bill reconciliation. ADUF 52, ODUF 54, and EODUF 56 are intended to provide first CLEC 30 with messages that may eventually be billed to end users of first CLEC 30. However, ADUF 52, ODUF 54, and EODUF 56 are not intended to enable first CLEC 30 to reconcile billing statements that it receives from ILEC 20. If first CLEC 30 attempts to use ADUF 52, ODUF 54, or EODUF 56 as a tool for reconciling these ILEC billing statements, certain conditions will cause apparent discrepancies between information obtained from ADUF 52, ODUF 54, or EDUF 56 and information obtained from ILEC billing statements.
One potential source of inconsistency between ODUF 54 and ILEC billing statements relates to timing issues. As a practical matter, ODUF 54 records are sent to first CLEC 30 on a daily basis, Monday through Friday, except on holidays. The ILEC billing statement can be prepared on any of a plurality of different workdays during a typical month, causing message day cutoffs that vary from month to month. Therefore, discrepancies may occur in reconciling ODUF 54 with the ILEC billing statement.
In view of the foregoing limitations of the prior art, what is needed is a technique by which a CLEC may use existing ADUF, ODUF, and/or EODUF records to generate a verification version of a billing statement that accurately reflects CLEC usage of the ILEC's UNE, and so as to accurately recreate an original version of a billing statement received from the ILEC.

Methods, systems, and computer programs for generating a billing statement from detailed usage file records


Disclosed herein are an X-ray detection panel, an X-ray image generating module, an X-ray imaging apparatus, and a method of generating an X-ray image. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generator configured to emit X-rays; an X-ray detection panel comprising a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group configured to detect X-rays having an energy band and to convert the detected X-rays into electrical signals; and an image processor configured to acquire readout data from the electrical signals of at least one of the plurality of pixel groups, to calculate estimated data, and to generate an X-ray image by combining the readout data and the estimated data.

1. Field
The following description relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of generating an X-ray image.
2. Description of the Related Art
X-ray imaging apparatuses are devices that irradiate an object, for example, a human body, with X-rays having a predetermine energy band, detects X-rays that have passed through the object, and acquires an image from the X-rays. Accordingly, an X-ray image of the inside of the object, for example, internal parts of the human body, may be acquired. X-ray imaging has been widely applied to various fields, such as, for example, medical diagnosis and baggage screening because it is possible to nondestructively inspect the internal structure of an object.
The X-ray imaging apparatus may obtain the internal structure of an object based on difference in X-ray absorbance of internal parts of the object. When an object is irradiated with X-rays, tissues having a higher X-ray absorbance among the internal tissues absorb most of the X-rays, and tissues having a lower X-ray absorbance transmit most of the X-rays. An X-ray detector detects the transmitted X-rays, and an X-ray image is generated according to the detected X-rays, thereby detecting the internal tissues of the object.
Types of detectable tissues vary according to the energy band of the emitted X-rays. For example, hard tissues such as bones may be detected when an object, for example, a human body, is irradiated with high energy band X-rays. On the other hand, when the object is irradiated with low energy band X-rays, transmittance of the X-rays through the internal tissues of the object decreases, thereby enabling detection of soft tissues. Thus, full field digital mammography (FFDM) may detect abnormalities of a breast by irradiating the breast with low energy band X-rays.
A multi-energy X-ray (MEX) image is an X-ray image used to inspect and confirm various tissues inside an object by taking images of the object plural times using X-rays having various energy bands. In order to obtain the multi-energy X-ray image, a method of exposing the object sequentially to X-rays having different energy bands has been used and X-ray photons may be detected through charge integration. However, this method exposes the object to X-rays plural times.
Alternatively, the multi-energy X-ray image may be acquired by converting single X-ray photons into electrical signals using a photon counting detector and attenuating amplitudes of the electrical signals by use of proportional relationship between the amplitudes of the converted electrical signals and energy. In the latter case, the multi-energy X-ray image may be acquired by use of a single stage of X-ray irradiation. However, this method has not been commercialized due to difficulties in the manufacturing process.

Method and apparatus of generating X-ray image


An apparatus for transporting an oxygen tank having a main compartment containing a sleeve, the sleeve designed to secure either one or two tanks in place. The apparatus has wheels to facilitate movement of the tank or tanks from place to place and a number of pockets for storage of items. The apparatus further includes a port for a hose to be connected to the tank and to another point outside the apparatus.

The present invention relates generally to carriers for tanks. More particularly, this invention pertains to an apparatus for carrying one or two tanks sized for personal use, most particularly oxygen tanks, although the apparatus could be used for tanks containing other gases or fluids.
For health reasons, many people must use oxygen. In order to enjoy a full life, it is necessary for those people to be able to make use of an oxygen tank of a size that is portable. However, even portable oxygen tanks are heavy, especially for people with health problems. Such tanks are cumbersome and can be difficult to carry when the oxygen user is also carrying other personal items, such as a purse or a sweater. Traditional oxygen carriers with shoulder straps, such as the one shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,913, are too heavy for most people to carry. Oxygen tank carriers with wheels, such as the one shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,397, are generally a metal frame on wheels, which are rigid and difficult to maneuver, not to mention aesthetically unpleasing.
What is needed, then, is a tank carrier apparatus which does not have to be carried by the oxygen tank user on his or her back or shoulders.
What is also needed is a tank carrier apparatus that is wheeled and is easy to maneuver.
What is also needed is a tank carrier apparatus that provides storage space for personal items.
Finally, what is also needed is a tank carrier apparatus that can securely hold for transport either one or two tanks.


Composites comprising at least one graphite-carbon nanofiber (GCNF) and a polymer phase covalently linked to a surface thereof.

Carbon fibers are widely used as reinforcement for advanced polymeric matrix composites in many high-technology applications because of their high specific stiffness, strength, and excellent electrical and thermal properties. Carbon fibers have many forms, depending on the synthesis methods used. Conventional carbon fibers such as those obtained by pyrolyzing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) resins or other precursors are typically several microns in width and have high aspect ratios. The discovery of carbon nanotubes, single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs or MWNTs), has led to the fabrication of various kinds of nanocomposites. Graphitic carbon nanofibers (GCNFs) are also attractive additives for fabricating carbon fiber/polymer composite materials of enhanced strength and electrical conductivity due to their unusual atomic structure.
The unique properties of graphitic carbon nanofibers have generated intense interest in the application of these new carbon materials in a number of applications, including polymer reinforcement. The preparation and characterization of GCNFs has been well studied and such fibers are now available commercially. Three types of GCNFs, "platelet" (perpendicular), "ribbon" (parallel) and "herringbone" structures, are grown via catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide over metal nanoparticle growth catalysts. The width of the nanofibers produced is controlled by the size of the catalyst particle responsible for their growth and can vary between 5 nm and hundreds of nanometers, with lengths ranging from 5-10 microns. Several carbon nanofiber/organic polymer nanocomposites are known. For example, 5 wt % carbon nanofiber/polypropylene composites exhibit tensile strength and modulus enhancements of 20% and 50%, respectively. Carbon nanofiber reinforced poly(ether ketone) composites are also known, and evaluation of the mechanical properties of such composites reveals a linear increase in tensile stiffness and strength, with nanofiber loading up to 15 wt %. Those studies show that efficient wetting and high dispersion of carbon nanofibers within a polymer matrix continues to be problematic.
Chemical modification of carbon fiber surfaces can be used to enhance attractive interactions at the fiber/polymer interface. Surface-derivatization of conventional carbon fibers with hydroxyl, ketone, carboxyl or amino groups leads to significant improvement in fiber wettability and fiber-matrix adhesion, resulting in increased interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength. With nanoscale carbon fibers now available, it is possible to control fiber/matrix interactions at nearly the atomic level.
Obtaining uniform dispersions of nanofiber reinforcement within a polymer-matrix is another critical issue in nanocomposite processing. The degree to which nanofiber additives can be homogeneously dispersed in a matrix strongly influences the degree of property enhancement of the resulting composite. Nanoscale particles tend to aggregate due to their high surface areas, high aspect ratios, and a thermodynamic driving force to maximize fiber-fiber electrostatic and van der Waals interactive forces. Nanofiber agglomeration inhibits their uniform dispersion in composite materials and prevents efficient transfer of nanofiber properties to the composite matrix. Greatly enhanced performance of nanocomposite materials reinforced with nanotube or nanofiber additives has not been fully achieved because of difficulties in achieving efficient dispersion and wetting of the nanoscale component within the matrix material, even when using surface-functionalized additives.
While GCNFs have atomic structures amenable to high-density surface-derivatization, full realization of this advantage critically depends on achieving complete dispersion of these nanofibers in the matrix. To obtain high-quality nanocomposites with excellent properties, a technique of uniformly dispersing functionalized GCNFs during processing is required. Known methods for dispersing nanoparticles aggregates include; (1) mechanical agitation such as stirring, (2) use of dispersing agents, and, (3) ultrasonic vibration. Ultrasonication has also been used to disperse sub-micrometer powders that are difficult to disperse by other methods.
Fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion can play an important role in determining the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/polymer composites. Stronger interfacial bonding generally imparts better mechanical properties. Surface modification of carbon fibers can improve bonding between the fiber surface and polymer resin components.
For conventional carbon/graphite fibers, as mentioned above, it is known that surface derivatization, as well variety of surface coating and modification techniques, can be used to enhance interfacial bonding between carbon fiber additives and polymer matrices. Factors that can be significant in promoting adhesion in such materials include, for example: 1) removal of any weak boundary layers; 2) introduction of variable surface topography to enhance mechanical interlocking; 3) improved fiber wettability; and, 4) creation or addition of chemical functional groups on fiber surfaces. Surface-derivatization of conventional carbon fibers with hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amino groups can result in significant improvement in fiber wettability and fiber-matrix adhesion resulting in greater interlaminar shear and flexural strength. Surface derivatization has not previously been reported for carbon nanofibers having reactive surface carbons.
It is an object of the present invention to provide surface-functionalized and surface-derivatized graphite carbon nanofibers (GCNF).
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods for producing surface-functionalized and surface-derivatized GCNF.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide GCNF-reinforced polymer/resin composites utilizing the above derivatized GCNF.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method of forming the above composites.
Still another object of the invention is to provide articles of manufacture comprising either the above surface-functionalized GCNF, surface-derivatized GCNF or the composites formed therefrom.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Reactive graphitic carbon nanofiber reinforced polymeric composites showing enhanced flexural strength


The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit (IC) chip packaging, and more particularly, to a structure and method of forming a glass interposer having thermally conductive vias in addition to electrically conductive vias. The thermally conductive vias help dissipate heat from one or more IC chips, through the glass interposer, into an organic carrying, and then, into an underlying substrate where it can be dissipated.

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit (IC) chip packaging, and more particularly, to a structure and method of forming a glass interposer having thermally conductive vias to help dissipate heat in multi-dimensional chip packages.
Multi-layer electronic components are typically joined together by soldering pads on a surface of one of the electronic components to corresponding pads on the surface of the other component. Broadly stated, one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips (i.e., dies) are typically connected to an organic carrier through an interposer. The organic carrier may be electrically connected to a single or multi-layer substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). Pads on the IC chips may be electrically and mechanically connected to corresponding pads on the interposer by a plurality of plurality of small-pitch electrical connections (i.e., micro-solder connections). The interposer may then be electrically and mechanically connected to the organic carrier by larger pitch solder connections.
Therefore, the pitch of the solder connections on the top side of the glass interposer (joined to the IC chip) is typically smaller than the pitch of the solder connections on the bottom side of the glass interposer (joined to the organic carrier). Multi-dimensional packages with interposers that use through silicon vias (TSVs) as an electrical pathway from the IC chips to the organic carrier are typically regarded as 2.5D packages.

Method of forming a glass interposer with thermal vias


A chaotic communication system employs transmitting and receiving chaotic oscillating circuits. One improvement to first-generation systems is the ability to modulate a nonreactive element in the transmitting circuit, thus increasing modulation bandwidth. Other features include insertion of a gain control amplifier in a chaotic receiver; signal filtering in chaotic transmitters and receivers; use of chaotic modulation techniques for cellular telephony applications; dual-transmitter and receiver systems; a dual receiver synchronization detector; interfaces to communication systems; analog chaotic signal modulation; use of multiple chaotic transmitters and receivers; digital algorithm improvement using a cube-law nonlinear component; a Gb-only receiver; a Gb-only transmitter; and positive slope transmitter and receiver systems.

Techniques for modulating carrier signals in order to transmit information between two points are well known. In systems employing frequency modulation, for example, a carrier signal is modulated by changing the frequency of the signal in accordance with an information signal such as a human voice. Amplitude-modulated systems change the amplitude of a fixed-frequency signal in accordance with an information signal. Other modulation techniques have been developed over the years to optimize transmission characteristics, to optimize signal bandwidth, and to overcome noisy transmission environments.
So-called "chaotic" signals provide a particularly interesting, simple, and useful means of modulating information signals in a manner that can increase noise immunity and reduce the power levels needed to transmit information. As explained in the aforementioned application, which is bodily incorporated herein, these signals can be modulated in various ways to transmit information. The modulation bandwidth available when using such techniques, however, has been determined to be generally limited to 10 to 15% of the tank circuit frequency in the transmitting circuit. This limitation is believed to be due to the fact that changing lump parameters in the transmitter causes a certain amount of settling time before the receiver can synchronize with the changed transmitter parameters.
The present inventors have discovered a technique for modulating the transmitting signal in a manner that results in much faster signal stability, thus reducing the amount of time required to synchronize the receiver and increasing the modulation bandwidth dramatically. Other features and advantages provided by the present invention will become apparent upon reading this specification in conjunction with the figures.
The following description begins by reviewing the subject matter of the aforementioned application as a departure point for explaining the principles of the present invention. Circuits, principles and embodiments described in the aforementioned application will be referred generally to as "first-generation," while those newly presented in this application will be referred to generally as "second-generation" or "improved." These labels are not intended in any way to be limiting. Moreover, many of the second-generation circuits and principles can be used in conjunction with first-generation circuits and vice versa.

Chaotic communication system and method using modulation of nonreactive circuit elements

Science Applications International Corporation


A method is described for electing an active station from two stations having respective mass memories. According to the method a mass memory is associated with the two stations. An identifier is provided in a respective persistent memory associated with each station having either a present state or an absent state. The identifier associated with one of the two stations is switched from the absent state to the present state when the other of the two stations becomes non-operational. The identifier associated with one of the two stations is switched from the present state to the absent state when the other of the two stations becomes operational. A station that becomes operational is elected as the active station if the identifier associated with the station that becomes operational is in the present state.

The invention relates to a method of improving the reliability of a data-processing station by replication, and it is applicable to any data-processing system requiring a high level of operating reliability, e.g. to telecommunications networks which must be operational permanently.
In known manner, improving the reliability of such a system involves, in particular, duplicating the dataprocessing station. In this way, the system has an "active" station, in which the various pieces of software of the system are executed, and a "back-up" station. The system must be capable of switching over to the back-up station when the active station fails, the back-up station then becoming the active station.
Most replicated systems of this type share a common mass memory. However, such a configuration can be impossible, e.g. when the two stations are mutually remote, and cannot physically share the same peripherals. In which case, it is necessary to duplicate the station entirely including the mass memory, so that each of the two stations has its own mass memory.
In such a case, to enable the active station to be switched over to the back-up station in a manner transparent to the software applications, it is essential to have a mechanism for synchronizing the data contained in each of the two mass memories.
Unfortunately, when one of the two stations fails, the synchronization mechanism becomes impossible to implement. When the second station also fails, it is necessary, on re-starting, to elect as the active station that station which has the more recent data in its mass memory, i.e. the station that failed last, so as not to lose any information.

Method of electing an active station in a data-processing system made reliable by replication


A steel article is fabricated by providing an iron-base alloy having less than about 0.5 weight percent aluminum, melting the alloy to form a melt, adding calcium to the melt, thereafter adding aluminum to the melt to increase the aluminum content of the melt to more than about 0.5 weight percent aluminum, and casting the melt to form a casting. Other calcium additions may be made simultaneously with the adding of aluminum, and after the adding of aluminum but before casting the melt. The calcium additions deoxidize the melt to minimize the formation of clustered aluminum-oxygen-based inclusions.

In an aircraft gas turbine (jet) engine, air is drawn into the front of the engine, compressed by an axial-flow compressor, and mixed with fuel. The mixture is combusted, and the resulting hot combustion gases are passed through an axial-flow turbine. The flow of gas turns the turbine by contacting an airfoil portion of the turbine blade, which in turn provides power to the compressor. The hot exhaust gases flow from the back of the engine, driving it and the aircraft forward.
The various stages of the compressor and the turbine, as well as a turbofan if present, are mounted upon and linked together by shafts and shaft segments extending along the centerline of the gas turbine engine. Some of the shafts are made of high-strength steels. These shafts must have good strength, but equally importantly they must have good low-cycle-fatigue lives in torsion because of the types of loadings imposed upon the shafts.
Traditionally, the shafts had been made of maraging steels, which contain titanium nitride precipitates. After studies showed that these precipitates limit the low-cycle torsional fatigue lives, a family of high-strength, low-titanium maraging steels was developed. These steels are strengthened by aluminum additions on the order of from about 0.5 to about 1.3 weight percent, which replace the titanium additions of the earlier generation of steels. These higher-aluminum steels are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,488, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference. The steels of the '488 patent result in significantly improved fatigue lives in the shafts.
However, an opportunity for improvement remains. There is an ongoing need to further increase the fatigue lives of the steels of the '488 patent, without adversely affecting the strength, toughness, and other properties of the steels, and without requiring major alterations to the processing parameters. The present invention fulfills this need, and further provides related advantages.

Fabrication of a high-strength steel article with inclusion control during melting


Methods for monitoring changes in objects on a computer system include receiving a request to generate a baseline snapshot of a plurality of objects having associated object types. The object types include at least one object having an object type not managed by a file system of the computer system. Current information is obtained, responsive to the request to generate a baseline snapshot, from a plurality of data collectors to determine at least one attribute of each of the objects to define the baseline snapshot. A request for a baseline report for the objects is received. Updated information is obtained, responsive to the request for a baseline report, from the plurality of data collectors to update the at least one attribute of each of the objects. The baseline snapshot is compared to the obtained updated information to determine if any of the objects have changed. Receiving the request to generate the baseline snapshot may be preceded by generating a baseline definition query that identifies object types to be included in the generated baseline snapshot and their associated attributes and the received request to generate the baseline report includes an identification of the baseline definition query.

The present invention relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly, to monitoring of activity on computer systems.
As the popularity of the computer networks continues to increase, so does the challenge of controlling the systems making up the network where a variety of activities may be carried out over time by different people in an uncoordinated manner. Such actions may increase the challenges for network managers in monitoring change activity to address problems encountered by users and maintain a desired service level for the network. Thus, network managers may continue to look for ways to monitor changes to and the performance of the network and debug the network for any problems that may arise.
The ISO-17799/BS7799 standard defines the three most important goals of information security as confidentiality, integrity and availability. Confidentiality as used herein refers to ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to have access. Integrity refers to safeguarding the accuracy and completeness of information and processing methods. Availability refers to ensuring that authorized users have access to information and associated assets when required. Careful control over the computing facility's configuration is typically required to meet these goals.
In an enterprise information technology (IT) environment, ensuring system elements stay in their desired states may be a labor intense and challenging task. System administrators may need to frequently verify that system elements remain in their desired states. In a heterogeneous IT environment, important system elements typically include disparate things, such as the files/directories, settings in system configuration files, lists of ports, configuration options of system services and the like. This range of disparate elements generally requires administrators to understand each of the system elements, the commands, and the APIs to extract data from the disparate elements. The administrators generally may need to use this knowledge to continuously examine (query) the disparate elements and evaluate the data received from the disparate elements. The goal typically is to verify that the system elements have not been changed. The problem may get even more severe when new applications are introduced to an existing IT environment, further widening the list of items to be monitored and/or controlled.
One approach to this problem is the Tripwire Enterprise application available from Tripwire, Inc. Tripwire Enterprise provides single-point change auditing for auditing changes across multi-vendor servers, desktops and the like. In addition, detected changes may be reconciled with authorized changes. Tripwire Enterprise generally requires generating a snapshot of the file system, storing the snapshot in a flat file, re-running the snapshot generating code to generate a new snapshot, comparing the old snapshot to the new snapshot and reporting any detected differences. Thus, to add different devices or the like to its snapshot, the snapshot code of the Tripwire Enterprise application generally must be modified. As such, Tripwire Enterprise may require inordinate amounts of work to extend.

Methods, systems and computer program products for monitoring changes to objects on a computer system using information models and baselines


A focus detection apparatus for a camera in which a plurality of focus sensors detect the focus states of a plurality of different areas within the scene. A processor determines whether the focus can or cannot be obtained to a specific area of the scene on the basis of the outputs of the focus sensors. An auxiliary light is emitted to assist in focusing, if the specific one of the different areas is, for example, the central area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a focus detection apparatus for a camera or the like, having an auxiliary light source for illuminating an object to be photographed, for performing focus detection of plural object areas within a frame of a photographic lens.
2. Related Background Art
In a conventional focus detection apparatus for a camera, the following method of detecting a defocus amount of an object is known well. Light beams emitted from an object and passing through different exit pupil areas of a photographic lens are focused on a pair of line sensors, and a relative positional displacement between a pair of image signals obtained by photoelectrically converting an object image is obtained, thereby detecting the defocus amount of the object.
In the above method, since a pair of focus detection systems (optical systems and sensors) are used, only a defocus amount in one object area within the frame is detected. However, various methods are proposed wherein a plurality of detection systems are prepared to detect defocus amounts of plural object areas within the frame.
Even if plural object areas are subjected to focus detection, the number of object areas to be finally focused in a camera is one or two (in the later case, the photographic lens is operated to an intermediate focus position which covers, e.g., two areas in terms of the depth of field), an object area is selected in accordance with a given technique, and focusing of the photographic lens is performed by the defocus amount of the selected area.
Area selection is generally performed by a method in which an object area nearest to the camera is selected.
In this conventional focus detection apparatus, a defocus amount cannot be detected when the object has a low brightness level or when there is no change in brightness (reflectance) on a surface of an object even if the object brightness level is not low. For this reason, an auxiliary illumination unit is often used to illuminate the object in a focus undetectable state.
When plural focus detection object areas are present, it is convenient to arrange the illumination unit to illuminate these plural object areas.
In the conventional arrangement, however, the following problems are posed when focus detection of the plural object areas is performed using an illumination unit.
If a condition for operating the illumination unit is given such that all object areas are focus undetectable, the illumination unit is not operated even if one object area is focus detectable. For example, in a bright background with a person as an object within a frame, like a night scene, the illumination unit is not operated even if the object area in which the person is located is focus undetectable. In this case, the background is focused, resulting in inconvenience.
If a condition for operating the illumination unit is given such that at least one object area in a focus undetectable state is present, an object area located in the background is unnecessarily illuminated in a focus undetectable state, thus resulting in wasteful illumination.
In addition, if the illumination unit generates a common illumination pattern to all the object areas in favor of simplicity, it is difficult for some focus detection systems to detect such an illumination pattern in some object areas in principle. If such an area becomes detectable with an illumination, it often includes a large error in defocus amount because this object is not suitable for focus detection. When the defocus amount of this area is selected as a final defocus amount, a focusing error occurs.
In a conventional apparatus, since a focus undetectable state (low contrast) and a low brightness level are conditions for projecting auxiliary light, for example, even if a focus undetectable state occurs by an excessively large relative displacement of an image by a large defocus amount, auxiliary light is projected at a relatively low object brightness level. However, a focus detectable state cannot be obtained even if a focus undetectable state is caused by an excessively large defocus amount. A wasteful response time caused by an accumulation time in the presence of auxiliary light and wasteful energy consumption caused by an illumination occur.

Focus detection apparatus having an auxiliary light


A method of forming a structure, an array of structures and a memory cell, the method of fabricating a structure, including: (a) forming a trench in a substrate; (b) depositing a first layer of polysilicon on a surface of the substrate, the first layer of polysilicon filling the trench; (c) chemical-mechanical-polishing the first layer of polysilicon at a first temperature to expose the surface of the substrate; (d) removing an upper portion of the first polysilicon from the trench; (e) depositing a second layer of polysilicon on the surface of the substrate, the second layer of polysilicon filling the trench; and (f) chemical-mechanical-polishing the second layer of polysilicon at a second temperature to expose the surface of the substrate, the second temperature different from the first temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of integrated circuit fabrication; more specifically, it relates to a chemical-mechanical-polish method of fabricating integrated circuits.
2. Background of the Invention
Chemical mechanical processing for planarizing surfaces of semiconductor substrates is a technique that effects vertical dimensions of semiconductor structures. As integrated circuit devices become ever smaller in both the horizontal and vertical directions, control of vertical dimensions has become as important as control of horizontal dimensions in effecting yield and reliability. Therefore there is an ongoing need for chemical mechanical polishing processes with improved vertical dimension control.

International Business Machines Corporation


A dental implant includes a dental implant body which is a cylinder body having a first end and a second end, an asymmetric thread being provided around the dental implant body, an apex lock being formed at the first end for inserting into a sinus of a desired position, and an endomaximum lock being provided at the second end for integrally connected with an abutment through a bolt. The apex lock is a space indented in the first end for enabling new grown bone of the sinus extending into the apex lock to provide a locking mechanism to ensure integration between the dental implant and the bone. The endomaximum lock has a lock cavity having a lock opening at the second end for receiving a root of the abutment therein.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to dental implants, and particularly to (1) a dental implant having an (a) apex lock and (b) trepanelevation for better osseous integration and sinus lift (2) an endomaximum lock design, water crystal like (6 engaging slots), for maximum friction/stability, (3) ferrulobrace for additional stability/seating. (4) Unsymmetrical (sharp) threads providing self drilling effect/reduce resistance of bone—also called Drill Implant.
2. Description of Related Arts
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement and is used in prosthetic dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth. Millions of implants have been placed to replace missing teeth per year in the 20 years. However, there are still many problems regarding safe, patient comfort, prognosis, esthetics, and cost which results in only less than 3% of dentists provide this service to patients and less than 5% of the patients who really need dental implants service receiving this service.
Therefore, design of a new dental implant become very important to (1) shorten the period of osseousintergration (2) reduce the time of treatment (3) reduce the cost of implant dentistry (4) increase successful rate, (5) improve patient comfort, (6) improve esthetics and function. The more important issue is to encourage dentists and dental specialists to provide this services to their patients by developing a new implant design, which can increase primary stability, reduce surgical trauma to patients, shorten surgical time/time for restoration, increase quantity/quality of osseointegration, avoid additional bone graft procedures, increase stability and surface contact between implant, abutment and screw to avoid post restoration failure and reduce the issue of technique sensitive.


A floor installation clamp comprising a clamp used for joining floorboards. The clamp includes a tension member with a first end and a second end. The tension member is connectable to opposing counterstays. One or both counterstays of the clamp may comprise suction devices removably attachable floorboard surfaces. Alternatively, the opposing counterstay may comprise an end piece that is removably attachable to a floorboard edge.

Floorboards provided with tongue and groove edges, or like mating edges, can be used to assemble a durable, high quality floor in a convenient and relatively simple manner. Tongue and groove floorboards generally fit together to form a joint in which a projecting rib on the edge of one board fits into the groove on the edge of another board. This type of interlocking joint aids in aligning the floorboards during assembly and also produces a strong, reliable union between the boards.
Floorboards are generally assembled by gluing the floorboards together at the tongue and groove joint. It is desirable to press the joints together firmly during gluing so that the seal between the floorboards is tight, so as to resist moisture penetration. A tightly sealed joint between adjacent floorboards also improves the appearance of the finished floor in that the joints become nearly invisible. Additionally, tightly sealed floorboard joints can increase the useful wear-life of the floor.
Providing tightly sealed joints between floorboards is typically done by utilizing an intermediate tapping block and hammer, knocking each floorboard into position as it is laid. A disadvantage with this procedure is that the risk of damaging the tongue and groove, or other mating surface, is great. This type of damage may cause unsightly marks or dents at the floorboard joints, reducing the flooring moisture resistance and making further assembly of floorboards difficult. Additionally, utilization of a tapping block and hammer to seal floorboard joints requires that at least one edge of the floorboards be exposed.
If the glued seal between adjacent floorboards is not held firmly under pressure as the glue dries and cures, the floorboard joint may not achieve maximum strength. Furthermore, the wood fibers in the floorboards tend to swell due to the moisture of the glue and, if not firmly held in place, small gaps may be left in the floor surface at the floorboard joints, where dirt and moisture are trapped. Moisture trapped in the joints causes the wood fibers in the floorboards to swell even more, potentially raising the surface layer of the boards closest to the joints. The edges of the floorboards are then left exposed to abnormal wear that shortens the useful life of the floor.


The manufacturing methods according to the present teachings provide shape memory alloy products having both a uniform composition and a precise shape memory recovery temperature. In this manufacturing method, raw material powders (e.g., Ti and Ni powders) may be precisely mixed. Next, a compound may be synthesized from the raw material powder mixture using a combustion synthesis method. The combustion synthesized compound may be melted and cast into a desired shape (e.g., a shape of the final product or a shape close to that of the final product).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for making shape memory alloy products (e.g., clasp, biological implant, sensor, socket, clip, switch, eyeglass frame, etc.).
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 5 shows a conventional method of manufacturing TiNi shape memory alloy product. As shown in FIG. 5, TiNi shape memory alloy is manufactured by the ordinary metallurgical processes of melting, hot forging, and rolling. Raw materials (e.g., sponge Ti and Ni pellets) are melted at 1,350 to 1,500° C. by a melting furnace (e.g., high-frequency vacuum induction melting furnace, arc melting furnace, or plasma-melting furnace). After the raw materials are melted, they undergo forging and rolling, and then is formed into a primary product (e.g., sheet or wire) through cold working. The primary product is machined and formed into the shape of the final product. Then, in order to get a shape memory effect or super-elasticity, a shape memory heat treatment is applied to the product that is formed into the shape of the final product. In the shape memory heat treatment, for example, the product is heated and held at a temperature of between 300 and 600° C. for several minutes to an hour, and is then cooled.
Further, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 11-106880 describes a method for manufacturing a shape memory alloy product. In this known manufacturing method, raw materials (e.g., sponge Ti and Ni pellets) for a shape memory alloy are melted and formed into an ingot. This ingot is then melted and cast using a casting mold. After the casting is finished, the cast alloy together with the casting mold is heated in a heating furnace (i.e., undergoes shape memory heat treatment). When the heat treatment is finished, the casting mold is removed. With this method, in order to get a super-elastic effect, the shape memory heat treatment must be applied while the cast alloy is constrained inside the casting mold.

Methods for making shape memory alloy products


There is provided a fluorocarbon compound-hydrogen storage alloy composite which has a sufficient water-repellent property and can efficiently absorb a hydrogen gas. The composite comprises hydrogen storage alloy particles which have a plated metal film covering at least a part of the particles, the plated metal film containing at least one fine particle of a fluorocarbon compound. Examples of the metal used for plating include Ni, Cu, Co, Ni-P, Ni-W, Ni-W-P, Ni-B, Ni-W-B, Cu-Ni, Cu-P, Co-P, Co-B, and Co-W. Polytetrafluoroethylene is preferably used for the fluorocarbon compound. The fluorocarbon compound hydrogen storage alloy composite is prepared by electrolytically plating the hydrogen storage alloy particles in a pyrophosphate bath with fine particles of a fluorocarbon compound dispersed therein.

The present invention relates to a fluorocarbon compound-hydrogen storage alloy composite prepared by coating the surface of hydrogen storage alloy particles with a plated metal film containing a fine particle or particles of a water-repellent fluorocarbon compound, and a method of manufacturing the same. 2. Description of the Prior Art
With the recent spread of portable communication equipment and cordless equipment, the demand for secondary batteries, such as nickel-cadmium batteries, has drastically increased in order to realize reduction in size and weight of such equipment. From the viewpoints of environmental preservation of the globe and recycle of the resource, collection of used nickel-cadmium batteries becomes a social issue. Nickel-metal hydride batteries using a hydrogen storage alloy as a negative electrode have been noted as clean and high performance secondary batteries with a high energy density.
The negative electrode using a hydrogen storage alloy absorbs and releases hydrogen during the charging and discharging processes. In the charging process, the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs hydrogen while a hydride of the alloy absorbs an oxygen gas generated from the positive electrode. It is thus required that three phase zones comprising the solid phase, the liquid phase, and the gas phase exist in the electrode in a well balanced manner. In actual fact, however, the part in contact with the gas phase decreases, and the efficiency of the gas absorbing reaction is thereby lowered. Especially in the rapid charging process, the internal pressure of the battery abnormally increases and the electrolyte as well as the oxygen gas is released from the battery, which results in deteriorating the discharge capacity and the charge-discharge characteristics of the battery.
Conventionally, repeated charging and discharging operation increases the thickness of oxides or hydroxides formed on the surface of the alloy and enhances the contact resistance of alloy particles, thereby preventing the smooth progress of electrode reaction and deteriorating the performance of the battery.
The hydrogen storage alloy repeats expansion and contraction of volume by approximately 10 to 25%, due to absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The progress of charge-discharge cycle accordingly causes reduction of the particle size of the alloy, which results in undesirable release of fine alloy particles from the electrode.
One proposed countermeasure against the above problem includes mixing a polyfluorocarbon binder with hydrogen storage alloy particles plated with copper, molding the resultant mixture by cold press, and hot pressing the mold together with nickel meshes as a current collector at 300.degree. C. to yield an alloy negative electrode. This technique, however, has difficulty in homogeneously mixing the binder with the alloy particles. The excess amount of the binder undesirably increases the contact resistance of the alloy particles, whereas the insufficient amount results in poor formation of the gas phase, with a failure of attaining the required performance.
Strongly demanded is thus development of a highly reliable hydrogen storage alloy electrode which can be charged rapidly and endures repeated charging and discharging operation.

Fluorocarbon compound-hydrogen storage alloy composite and method of manufacturing the same


Discontinuous process for the production of polyamide-6,6 by heating an aqueous AH-salt solution, precondensing the solution with evaporation of water at 6 to 9 bar pressure and polycondensing in the melt phase, whereby the heating rate above 175.degree. C. of the AH-salt solution is at least 1.degree. C./minute, the rate of evaporation of water is at least 2%/minute (based on the quantity of water in the AH salt solution), the retention time for heating from 175.degree. C. and precondensation is not more than 75 minutes and the total retention time including polycondensation is not more than 120 minutes.

The invention concerns a discontinuous process for the production of polyamide-6,6 comprising heating a 75% to 85% aqueous solution of adipic acid-hexamethylene diamine salt while raising the pressure, precondensing with evaporation of the water at constant pressure and polycondensing at a temperature in the range of 260.degree. to 290.degree. C. while reducing pressure to atmospheric pressure.

Discontinuous process for the production of a polyamide-6,6


A ground obstacle collision-avoidance system includes a plurality of radar sensor modules that each receive at a radar detector radar return signals corresponding to reflections of the emitted signal from a ground obstacle, and transmits radar information associated with the received radar signal reflections reflected from the ground obstacle, wherein each of the plurality of radar sensor modules are uniquely located on a surface of an aircraft that is at risk for collision with a ground obstacle if the aircraft is moving; a gateway unit that receives the radar information transmitted from the radar sensor module and transmits information associated with the received radar information; a processing system configured to determine a distance from the installation aircraft to a detected ground object detected; and a display configured to present a plan view indicating an aircraft icon and a graphical ground obstacle icon that is associated with the detected ground obstacle.

Aircraft flight crew members or ground crew members maneuvering an aircraft on the ground may have difficulty in being aware of potential collisions of portions of the aircraft with other objects as the aircraft is moving. The difficulty arises, in part due to limited visibility caused by the relatively large size of the aircraft and or the tow tug, and due to potential distractions, such as other moving vehicles, or such as other taxi way maneuvers and related operations being performed by the aircraft crew.
If a land-based ground obstacle is in the way of the towed aircraft, the wing tips or tail of the towed aircraft may inadvertently collide with the ground obstacle. Examples of ground obstacles include, but are not limited to, a hangar or other building, a lighting pole, a vehicle, another aircraft, or a fence. Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to reduce the number and/or severity of inadvertent collisions of the towed aircraft with ground obstacles.

Collision-avoidance system for ground crew using sensors


A dual-mode padlock can be unlatched by dialing a combination assembly or an associated key. The dual-mode padlock has a latching element movably mounted inside to engage with or disengage from a latch. When the dual-mode padlock is locked, the user can directly push the latch into a mounting groove to engage with the latching element and make the dual-mode padlock locked, without use of the associated key or dialing of the combination assembly. This makes it timesaving and convenient to lock the dual-mode padlock.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lock, and more particularly to a dual-mode padlock that is timesaving and convenient to lock.
2. Description of Related Art
Locks are used to prevent articles from being stolen. Different locks may have different structures and are locked or unlocked in different ways.
For example, a padlock generally has a protruding latch and a latching hole formed on the padlock corresponding to the latch. A user commonly unlocks the padlock via insertion and rotation of an associated key, otherwise, the user may also dials a combination assembly to unlatch the padlock.
As for the padlock is locked, the user can push the latch to insert into the latching hole and be latched, such that an article can be securely fastened at a position.
However, the latch is latched only when the associated key inserted in the padlock or the combination assembly in an unlocked condition. This makes it time-consuming and inconvenient to lock the padlock.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a dual-mode padlock to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned problems.