An apparatus and method for look-ahead data detection are provided, the apparatus including a boundary function generator, a boundary decision unit in signal communication with the boundary function generator, a next state generator in signal communication with the boundary decision unit, and a sample value generator in signal communication with the boundary decision unit; and the method including receiving a pickup signal sensed from an optical disc, providing a boundary function value responsive to the pickup signal, comparing the boundary function value with a programmable register value, generating decision outputs responsive to the boundary function value with combinational logic, generating a next state and detected data responsive to the decision outputs, and generating a detected sample value responsive to the decision outputs.

The present disclosure relates to disk data detection, and more particularly, to data detectors for optical disk drives. An alternative to the conventional Viterbi detector (VD) is provided.
The Viterbi detector is widely used in the industry for optical disk drive data detection. This is partly because the VD was a proven technology in magnetic hard disk drives over two decades of use. A significant drawback of the Viterbi detector is its speed bottleneck. In the Viterbi detector, three particular operations are to be completed during a single clock cycle. The three operations are Add, Compare and Select (ACS) operations. To combat this speed bottleneck, a radix-x (x=2, 4, etc.) approach may be utilized for a parallel structure to decrease clock frequency, which exacerbates the drawback of increased hardware die size and complexity. In addition, since a Viterbi detector is a linear detector, it lacks the power to correct nonlinear impairments. Thus, the drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art Viterbi detector include its speed, die size and power.

Look-ahead maximum-likelihood data detector for optical disk drives


A solar panel device is provided which can be simply attached to an existing fluorescent lamp or LED lamp to construct a power-generating lamp.

A technique has been proposed in which a solar panel is attached to a reflector which is provided on the rear side of a lamp tube of a fluorescent lamp appliance and receives light emitted from the fluorescent lamp tube, a capacitor or an rechargeable battery is charged be the electromotive force of a solar panel, and a voltage is applied from a capacitor or a rechargeable to an emergency light or a guidance light to turn on the emergency light or the guidance light when a switch of a fluorescent lamp appliance is turned off or when the fluorescent lamp appliance is turned off, thereby effectively using electric energy (PTL 1 and PTL 2).
With recent dramatic development in electronic technology, LEDs with low power consumption and high brightness has been put to practical use, and an LED lamp has been employed instead of a fluorescent lamp (PTL 3 and PTL 4).

Abstract: A solar panel device includes a solar panel (11) that has an arc band shape in a cross-sectional view with an arc length in a range which is equal to or greater than ⅕ of an outer circumference of a lamp tube (14) in a cross-sectional view and equal to or less than ½ of the outer circumference in a width direction and that receives light from a rear surface of the lamp tube and generates an electromotive force, a power supply line (12) that outputs the electromotive force of the solar panel, and a tubular base (13) that has a tube shape, that has the solar panel attached to an inner surface or an outer surface thereof in a length direction, that is externally fitted to the lamp tube to cover the lamp tube, and that holds the solar panel so that a light-receiving surface of the solar panel comes in contact with the surface of the lamp tube or is located with a gap of 10 mm or less from the surface of the lamp tube.


Compositions and methods for the treatment of peripheral neural and vascular ailments are disclosed. The method comprises administering a flavonoid compound with antioxidant properties, optionally formulated in a acceptable carrier. This compound or combination of compounds provides significant, effective relief of the symptoms of peripheral neural or vascular ailments. In addition, the compositions, when used according to the methods of the present invention, do not exhibit the severe side effects of many prior art compositions proposed for treatment of these ailments.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of peripheral neural and vascular ailments. In the methods of the present invention, a flavonoid is administered to a patient suffering from a peripheral neural or vascular ailment.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
The phrases "peripheral neuropathies" and "small fiber neuropathies" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a set of conditions characterized by functional changes or pathological changes, or both, in the small, unmyelinated nerve fibers of the peripheral nervous system.
Peripheral or small fiber neuropathies may be caused by any of about a hundred identified factors that can produce nerve damage. The cause may be metabolic, for example hypertriglyceridemia or pellagra. Toxic exposures may also cause small fiber neuropathies, for example those resulting from alcoholism, excessive doses of vitamin B6, exposure to toxic metals such as thallium, or exposure to certain chemotherapeutic agents, such as vinca alkaloids. Certain congenital conditions, including amyloidosis, an-α-lipoproteinemia (Tangier's), and α-galactosidase (Fabry's), are known to cause small fiber neuropathies. Small fiber neuropathies may result from infections such as leprosy, or diseases such as AIDS, herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles), cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B and C, Lyme disease, autoimmune diseases, Fabry disease, diphtheria, vasculitis, and porphyria. In approximately 15% of cases, the cause of the small fiber neuropathy cannot be determined. The neuropathy is then referred to as idiopathic.
Patients afflicted with peripheral neuropathies have pain in their extremities. The pain may at first be perceived as a tingling sensation in the fingers or toes. Decreased sensitivity to heat or cold is also a common early symptom. Frequently, however, a physical examination will show that the patient's reflexes, strength, sensory levels, and electrophysiology are normal. This has historically complicated the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathies, or led to underdiagnosis, especially in the early stages of the neuropathies. Recent technology, however, including skin biopsies and measurement of the density of different nerve fiber types in the epidermis, has improved the likelihood of detecting peripheral neuropathies.
Small fiber or peripheral neuropathies tend to progress by spreading upward, and patients may develop intense pain and/or a burning sensation that can be so severe as to be debilitating. Other symptoms of these neuropathies include cold hands or feet, cramps, muscle weakness and/or atrophy, eventual loss of perception of pressure, pain and/or temperature, neuropathic ulcers, lack of sweating, dry eyes, dry mouth, impotence, and restless leg syndrome.
In some cases, treatment of the underlying cause may also reverse or alleviate small fiber neuropathies. When the underlying cause is unidentifiable or otherwise untreatable, however, treatment consists of reducing the symptoms of the neuropathies, typically by administering medications known to decrease pain from neuropathy and related conditions. These medications include tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioid medications, and local anesthetics applied to the painful area. An afflicted patient may also undergo physical and occupational therapy to improve mobility and function.
Often, the symptoms of peripheral neuropathies do not vary due to their underlying causes. For example, diabetic neuropathy, a type of peripheral neuropathy, is a fairly common long-term complication of diabetes mellitus that shares many of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathies and is, therefore, included among the peripheral neuropathies as defined herein. The cause of diabetic neuropathy, however, is believed to be a chronic systemic excess of the glucose metabolite sorbitol. Further, treating the underlying cause of diabetic neuropathy, that is, improving glycemic control, will often prevent the symptoms from worsening. Diabetic neuropathy is also known to be reversible, if good glycemic control is instituted while the condition is in its early stages.
Peripheral Neuropathies, including diabetic neuropathies, can also impair circulation in the affected area. Impaired circulation can adversely affect the appearance of the skin. Adverse effects on the appearance of the skin caused by radiation injury can include, for example, redness, discoloration, dryness of the skin.
"Peripheral vascular diseases" are diseases of the blood vessels outside the heart that lead to restriction or blockage of the blood vessels. Atherosclerosis, when it affects the extremities rather than the coronary arteries, is an example of a peripheral vascular disease. Peripheral vascular diseases may also be long-term complications of other diseases, such as Raynaud's disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, hypertension, or Buerger's disease (thromboangitis obliterans).
An early symptom of peripheral vascular disease includes pain upon exercising that is relieved by rest. These diseases are progressive, however, and patients may also experience numbness, muscle weakness or pain, loss of hair on the affected extremities, cyanosis, weak or absent pulse in the affected extremities, gait abnormalities, pain when resting, skin ulcers, and, eventually gangrene. Impaired circulation caused by peripheral vascular disease can also adversely affect the appearance of the skin. Adverse effects on the appearance of the skin caused by radiation injury can include. for example, redness, discoloration, dryness of the skin.
In general, an agent that promotes or induces angiogenesis, or one that at least partially clears blocked or restricted vessels, or one that will facilitate peripheral circulation by other means, i.e. by decreasing cellular adhesion, will be effective to treat peripheral vascular diseases.
Decreased microcirculation is also a long-term complication of diabetes. In general, a therapy that is effective for peripheral vascular diseases will also be effective to counter decreased microcirculation caused by diabetes.
There remains a need for a treatment for small fiber neuropathies that is clinically effective when the underlying cause of the neuropathy is unknown. A need also remains for an effective treatment for small fiber neuropathies that does not suffer from the disadvantage of causing severe side effects.
In addition, there remains a need for a clinically effective treatment of peripheral vascular ailments.
Accordingly, it is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a method that is effective for the treatment of small fiber neuropathies and peripheral vascular ailments.
It is another object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a method for the treatment of small fiber neuropathies or peripheral vascular ailments by administering a composition that does not cause severe side effects in the patient.
It is another object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a composition for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies or peripheral vascular ailments.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the summary and detailed descriptions of the invention that follow.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods for the treatment of peripheral neural and vascular ailments


System for launching a missile from a launch region within the atmosphere of a planet, the missile being located within a flying vehicle before launching the missile, the system including a missile support coupled with the missile, and a foldable control-surface mechanism coupled with the missile support, the foldable control-surface mechanism being in a folded position before ejecting the missile support and the missile from the flying vehicle, the foldable control-surface mechanism moving from a folded position to an operational position after ejecting the missile support and the missile from the flying vehicle, wherein the foldable control-surface mechanism maneuvers the missile and the missile support to a predetermined orientation suitable for launching the missile, wherein the missile support is decoupled from the missile when the missile and the missile support are at the predetermined orientation, and wherein the missile is launched after reaching the predetermined orientation.

A spacecraft such as a satellite, spaceship, and the like, can be placed in orbit around the Earth with the aid of a launch vehicle. The launch vehicle can be launched either from a fixed launch pad, a floating launch pad or from a flying aircraft (i.e., air-launched). When it is required to place the spacecraft in a specific orbital plane relative to the stars, the opportunity to launch is limited to a very short period (i.e., launch window). Launching a launch vehicle from a fixed launch pad within the launch window depends on a number of factors, such as the time required to prepare the launch pad, assembling the launch vehicle on the launch pad, placing the spacecraft on the launch vehicle, loading the propellant into the launch vehicle, verifying proper operation of the systems and performing the launch.
The minimum orbital inclination which can be achieved from a fixed launch pad is rather restricted and depends on the geographic latitude at which the fixed launch pad is located. On the other hand maintaining a launch crew on site and repeatedly performing the pre-launch operations, increases the cost of the launch significantly.
Launching a launch vehicle from an aircraft overcomes most of the difficulties mentioned herein above. For example, by flying the aircraft together with the launch vehicle at a suitable latitude and speed, the chances of missing the launch window are significantly reduced. In this case, the launch window is limited only to the time which the aircraft can remain airborne. Furthermore, the minimum orbital inclination is not as restricted as in the case of fixed launch pads, and highly inclined orbits can be achieved.
Since the launch vehicle is launched from an altitude much higher than in the case of a fixed launch pad, less potential energy has to be added to the launch vehicle, less fuel has to be carried by the launch vehicle and thus a heavier payload can be placed into orbit. The launch location can be selected so that no inhabited land mass is jeopardized in launching the launch vehicle. Employing an aircraft to launch a launch vehicle is equivalent to having one launch pad which can be easily moved to any desired geographical location. Methods and systems for launching a launch vehicle from an aircraft are known in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,600 issued to Apps and entitled "Aircraft Fuselage Having a Rear-End Opening for Cargo Dispatch", is directed to a fuselage of an aircraft having a rear end and a cargo carrying compartment, the aircraft carrying a cargo and dispatching the cargo in mid-air. The rear end of the fuselage includes a plurality of frames, a keel beam, a rear pressure bulkhead, two aft openings, a set of upper rails and a set of side rails. The rear pressure bulkhead includes two fore openings and a first set of doors. Each of the two fore openings includes a seal. The two aft openings are located at the underside of the fuselage. The two aft doors are closable by means of a second set of doors.
The rear pressure bulkhead separates the rear end of the fuselage from the cargo carrying compartment of the aircraft. The cargo carrying compartment is pressurized. When the first set of doors are in closed position, the pressure in the cargo carrying compartment presses the first set of doors against the seals to seal the cargo carrying compartment against the rear end of the fuselage. Each set of the upper rails and the set of the side rails are located on each side of the keel beam. The set of the upper rails and set of the side rails extend between the cargo carrying compartment and the two aft openings.
The set of upper rails and the set of side rails support and guide the respective items of a cargo. The set of the upper rails and the set of the side rails are inclined downwards at an angle to the straight and level flight path of the aircraft, in order to allow the items of the cargo to travel downward under gravity away from the rear pressure bulkhead, to be dispatched through the two aft openings. The cargo has a relatively small transverse dimension compared to the length thereof. The two fore openings provide passageway for the cargo. The item of the cargo depends from the relevant set of upper rails as the item moves toward the associated set of the aft openings. The associated set of side rails provides sideways support for the item as the cargo travels rearward.
The two fore openings provide unobstructed access to the cargo carrying compartment from outside the rear pressure bulkhead. The cargo is loaded in the cargo carrying compartment through an elongate opening near the front of the fuselage. The aircraft flies at a normal cruising altitude to a zone where the cargo is to be dispatched. The aircraft descends to an altitude at which the fuselage can be depressurized. One or both of the first set of doors are raised into an open position and the item of the cargo is lifted and conveyed from the cargo carrying compartment to the set of the upper rails and the set of the side rails. The second set of doors are opened and the item of the cargo is moved along the set of the upper rails and the set of the side rails, and the item of the cargo is dispatched.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,199 issued to August and entitled "Technique and Apparatus for Rearward Launch of a Missile", is directed to a method for launching a missile from an aircraft. The aircraft includes a missile launch tube located under a wing thereof. The missile is located within the missile launch tube. The forward end of the missile launch tube is closed and external portion thereof aerodynamically formed. The rear end of the missile launch tube is sealed with a break-away membrane. An air bag is located between the nose of the missile and the forward end of the missile launch tube. A missile nose bra is positioned within the air bag over the nose of the missile.
To initiate the launch of the missile, the air bag is inflated and a breaker device is activated to break the break-away membrane. The expansion force of the air bag shoots the missile out of the missile launch tube, in a direction opposite to the flying direction of the aircraft. Engagement of the missile nose bra with the missile, ensures that the longitudinal axis of the missile will match the longitudinal axis of the missile launch tube upon expulsion from the missile launch tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,435 issued to Karpov et al., and entitled "Method for Controlling an Aerospace System to Put a Payload into an Orbit", is directed to a method for putting a payload in an orbit. A carrier aircraft with a launch vehicle on board, takes off form a base aerodrome. The launch vehicle includes a payload. When the carrier aircraft reaches the launch area, it switches to the maximum cruising speed mode. The aircraft carrier begins a pitch-down maneuver and the flight speed increases to the maximum permissible horizontal speed. At this point the carrier aircraft switches to the pitch-up mode to fly at the maximum permissible angle of attack, where a near zero g-load acts on the carrier aircraft. At a preset time when the design flight speed, the design flight altitude, the design trajectory pitch angle and the near zero g-load conditions are satisfied, the launch vehicle is separated from the carrier aircraft with a predetermined speed of lagging relative to the carrier aircraft.
When the launch vehicle separates from the carrier aircraft and is located at a predetermined safe distance, the launch vehicle executes a pitch-around maneuver, until the optimum pitch angle is reached to launch the launch vehicle with the payload to a scheduled point of trajectory flight. When the optimum pitch angle differs from the vertical by 10 degrees and 30 seconds, active flight of the launch vehicle first stage is effected, followed by the separation of the launch vehicle first stage. Then the fairing separation, final stage burn-out and separation of the payload from the launch vehicle are effected.
When the launch vehicle is ejected from the carrier aircraft, the carrier aircraft flies toward the landing aerodrome. In case the separation of the launch vehicle from the carrier aircraft is aborted, the carrier aircraft together with the launch vehicle and the payload flies toward the landing aerodrome. In order to ensure the safety of the carrier aircraft and the crew members thereof, the launch vehicle propellant and the payload propellant are jettisoned overboard and the carrier aircraft lands with empty launch vehicle tanks and empty payload tanks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,949 issued to Elias and entitled "Rocket-Powered, Air-Deployed, Lift-Assisted Booster Vehicle for Orbital, Supraorbital and Suborbital Flight" is directed to a rocket vehicle which is air-launched from a carrier aircraft. The rocket vehicle includes a first stage, a second stage, a third stage, an aerodynamic wing, a plurality of fins, a plurality of fin actuators and an aft skirt. The first stage includes a first stage rocket motor, a first stage nozzle and a first stage casing. The second stage includes a second stage rocket motor, a second stage nozzle and a second stage casing. The third stage includes a third stage rocket motor, a third stage nozzle, a third stage casing and a payload. The aft skirt is secured to the first stage casing.
The first stage and the second stage are joined by a first adaptor. The second stage and the third stage are joined by a second adaptor. The aerodynamic wing is secured to the first stage casing. The fin actuators are located in the aft skirt. The fins are mechanically and pivotally supported by the fin actuators. The rocket vehicle is mounted to the carrier aircraft via an underwing launch pylon and a release mechanism.
The carrier aircraft takes off from a conventional runway. When reaching a launch point, the rocket vehicle is air-launched from the carrier aircraft at subsonic velocities in a substantially horizontal attitude and the rocket vehicle performs a free-fall maneuver. The first stage motor ignites and the fins are placed in a configuration which produces a pitch-up attitude of the rocket vehicle. In this manner, the rocket vehicle performs a vertical-S maneuver and climbs at an angle of ascent which is less than 45 degrees. The fins are placed in a configuration to cause the rocket vehicle to pitch-down, thereby decreasing the ascent flight path thereof and reaching a push-over point. The push-over point is related to an optimum attitude and velocity of the rocket vehicle. The first stage, the aerodynamic wing, and the fins are jettisoned and burn up in the atmosphere on reentry. Likewise the second stage ignites and is jettisoned and the third stage ignites and is jettisoned.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,737 issued to Wallis and entitled "Air-Vehicle Launcher Apparatus", is directed to a system for launching a missile from an aircraft. The system includes a launcher, an adaptor, a series of attachment hooks and a plurality of releasable straps. The missile includes a plurality of deployable fins. The adaptor includes an empennage, a deployable parachute and jettison means.
The launcher is attached to the underside of the aircraft. The adaptor is attached to the launcher by the attachment hooks. The deployable parachute and the jettison means are stowed inside the adaptor. The missile is connected to the adaptor by the releasable straps. When the adaptor and the missile separate from the aircraft, the missile together with the adaptor adopts a pitch-down attitude while the empennage deploys. The deployable fins and the deployable parachute begin to deploy. The empennage and the deployable parachute stabilize the flight of the missile, while the deployable fins extend to lock-out positions. The adaptor and the missile are separated by the action of the jettison means and with the aid of the deployable parachute, and the missile continues flying toward a target.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D. FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a system generally referenced 50, for air-launching a missile generally referenced 52, as known in the art, the system and the missile being carried inside an aircraft generally referenced 54. FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the stages in air-launching the missile of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a bottom view (view A) of the system of FIG. 1B in perspective, during the transition from stage II to stage II. FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of a top view (view B) of the system of FIG. 1B in perspective, at stage III. The air-launch stage of missile 52 as illustrated in FIG. 1A, is known in the art as the zero stage (i.e., the stage in which aircraft 54 carries missile 52 to a region suitable for launching missile 52).
With reference to FIG. 1A, system 50 includes a platform 56, one or more ejection parachutes 58, four maneuvering parachutes 60, a plurality of cables 62 and a detachable ring 64. Missile 52 includes a fore section 66 and an aft section 68. Detachable ring 64 (FIG. 1C) is connected to a bottom lateral side of platform 56. Ejection parachutes 58 is connected to an end (not shown) of platform 56, in the vicinity of fore section 66. One end of cables 62 is connected to bottom four corners (not shown) of platform 56, and the other end thereof is connected to maneuvering parachutes 60. Cables 62 pass through detachable ring 64.
Aircraft 54 is flying in a direction designated by an arrow 70 relative to a global coordinate system. System 50 and missile 52 are located within aircraft 54, such that the direction from aft section 68 to fore section 66 is opposite to the direction of arrow 70. Ejection parachutes 58 and maneuvering parachutes 60 in FIG. 1A are shown in a packed condition.
With reference to FIG. 1B, in stage I, ejection parachutes 58 is deployed, thereby pulling platform 56 and missile 52 out of aircraft 54, in a direction designated by an arrow 72 relative to aircraft 54. In stage II platform 56 and missile 52 drop in the air, while maneuvering parachutes 60 are deployed. This configuration of platform 56 and missile 52 in which platform 56 is located below missile 52 is unstable. Therefore, platform 56 and missile 52 have a tendency to roll about a longitudinal axis 74 (FIG. 1C) of platform 56, to transform to a configuration in which platform 56 is located on the top of missile 52.
With reference to FIG. 1C, maneuvering parachutes 60 apply a force to a lateral side of platform 56, at the joint between detachable ring 64 and platform 56. The product of this force and the distance between detachable ring 64 and longitudinal axis 74, produces a moment which rotates platform 56 and missile 52 about longitudinal axis 74, in a direction referenced by an arrow 76. Thus, the force of maneuvering parachutes 60 aids in performing the rolling motion about longitudinal axis 74.
In stage III (FIGS. 1B and 1D) detachable ring 64 is disconnected from platform 56, wherein maneuvering parachutes 60 apply a uniform force on platform 56 through the four corners of platform 56. This uniform force moves platform 56 and missile 52 to an orientation suitable for launching missile 52 (stage IV). In stage V platform 56 separates from missile 52 and a rocket motor (not shown) of missile 52 is ignited, thereby launching missile 52. Platform 56 falls to the ground or to the ocean in reduced speed, with the aid of maneuvering parachutes 60.
Reference is now made to FIG. 1E, which is a schematic illustration of air-launching a missile generally referenced 80, from a flying aircraft generally referenced 82, as known in the art. Missile 80 includes a first stage 84, a second stage 86 and a payload (not shown). Missile 80 is connected to a bottom section 88 of a fuselage 90 of aircraft 82 by a plurality of pylons 92. Each of pylons 92 includes a disengagement mechanism (not shown) to decouple missile 80 from aircraft 82. First stage 84 includes a plurality of fins 94.
In stage zero, when aircraft 82 reaches the launch site, the disengagement mechanisms are activated, thereby decoupling missile 80 from aircraft 82. In stage I fins 94 are operated in order to maneuver missile 80 to a launch orientation designated as stage II. In stage II, first stage 84 is ignited thereby launching missile 80. In stage III, first stage 84 is decoupled from second stage 86, and in stage IV second stage 86 is ignited.

System and method for launching a missile from a flying aircraft


A navigation terminal device includes a map information receiving unit for receiving the map of the region around a reference point from the web server by inputting retrieval information; a display screen for displaying the received map; a route line drawing unit for drawing the destination from the starting point of the reference point by screen scrolling, computing the orientation from the reference point to the destination, and displaying the route line which can be traced from the reference point to the destination; a map information requesting unit for requesting again that the web server distributes the map information of the adjacent peripheral region if the destination is not within the received map of the peripheral region; and a route line re-drawing unit for searching the destination by screen scrolling the updated map information, re-compute the orientation and re-draw the route line.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a navigation terminal device in which the map information containing location information retrieved by a server is received through a communication line and displayed on a screen, and a method of navigation.
2. Description of the Related Art
At present, various kinds of items of information are provided on an internet via a WWW (World-Wide-Web) from the world. A user can retrieve desired information by operating a terminal device connected to the web.
One of the various kinds of information services is a map information retrieval service. Through this service, the user can acquire desired map information displayed on a terminal by access to the web server containing a map data base and connected to the internet.
Specifically, when the user inputs an address, a place name, a station name or various kinds of facility and store names, the map of the inputted item and its vicinity is displayed on as image information. Therefore, with reference the map information thus displayed, the user can easily recognize where the designated station, facility, etc. is located.
Meanwhile, as a terminal device for the map information retrieval service using the above web, not only a personal computer equipped with a web connecting configuration such as a browser, but also an in-vehicle navigation system, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), portable telephone, etc. are used.
However, in the device having a relatively small capacity of screen such as a portable telephone, it is difficult to understand the information on the outskirts of the designated place map-displayed. This requires very troublesome excessive repetition of scrolling. The excessive repetition of scrolling affects not only the operability but waste the communication fee. Sometimes, an objection is raised by a user. This is burden also the side of the terminal.
Unlike the in-vehicle navigation system, the portable telephone does not have the function of displaying a present location or setting a route. Therefore, the present location or destination can be individually retrieved relatively easily. However, it is not easy to follow the route from the present location to the destination and its reverse. Namely, the portable telephone cannot set the user's own position. Therefore, the facility such as a station searched as a guide is set as a starting point. The destination is retrieved from the starting point by repetitive scrolling. In this case, however, the guide disappears from the screen. Therefore, even if the destination is found, it is difficult to follow the route from the guide to the destination. Therefore, the portable telephone is very poor in the operability. This is remarkable in unknown place.
On the other hand, the portable telephone developed in recent years can use the contents on Java (registered trademark) language under the use of web connection. In the service hitherto used, the side of the web starts the program and transmits the retrieval result. In this case, the burden to the navigation terminal is light whereas the that to the web server is heavy. In addition, where the high speed operation is required, comfortable operation sense and dynamic response cannot be obtained.

Navigation terminal device and navigation method


An internal voltage generation circuit may include a pump controller and an internal voltage generator. The pump controller suitable for generating a first control signal enabled if a level of an internal voltage signal is lower than a target voltage level and a second control signal enabled if a level of the internal voltage signal is lower than the target voltage level after a predetermined period elapses from a point of time that the internal voltage signal is pumped. The internal voltage generator suitable for pumping the internal voltage signal with a first drivability in response to the first control signal and suitable for pumping the internal voltage signal with a second drivability in response to the second control signal.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to semiconductor integrated circuits and, more particularly, to internal voltage generation circuits.
2. Related Art
In general, semiconductor devices receive a power supply voltage VDD and a ground voltage VSS from an external system. The received power supply voltage VDD and ground voltage VSS are used to generate internal voltages used in operations of internal circuits of the semiconductor devices. The internal voltages for operating the internal circuits of the semiconductor devices may include a core voltage VCORE. The core voltage VCORE may be supplied to core regions of the semiconductor device. The internal voltages for operating the internal circuits of the semiconductor devices may include a high voltage VPP. The high voltage VPP may be used to drive or overdrive word lines of the semiconductor device. The internal voltages for operating the internal circuits of the semiconductor devices may include a low voltage VBB. The low voltage VBB may be applied to a bulk region (or a substrate) of NMOS transistors in the core region of the semiconductor device.
The core voltage VCORE may be a positive voltage lower than the power supply voltage VDD supplied from the external system. Thus, the core voltage VCORE may be generated by lowering the power supply voltage VDD to a certain level. In contrast, the high voltage VPP may be higher than the power supply voltage VDD. The low voltage VBB may be a negative voltage lower than the ground voltage VSS. Thus, charge pump circuits may be required to generate the high voltage VPP and the low voltage VBB.


This invention is directed to prodrugs that can be activated at the preferred site of action in order to selectively deliver the corresponding therapeutic parent drugs to target cells or to the target site. This invention will therefore primarily but not exclusively relate to tumor cells as target cells. More specifically the prodrugs are compounds of the formula V—(W)k—(X)l—A—Z, wherein: V is a specifier; (W)k—(X)l—A is an elongated self-elimination spacer system; W and X are each a 1,(4+2n) electronic cascade spacer, being the same or different; A is either a spacer group of formula (Y)m wherein: Y is a 1,(4+2n) electronic cascade spacer, or a group of formula U being a cyclization elimination spacer; Z is a therapeutic drug; k, l and m are integers from 0 (included) to 5 (included); n is an integer of 0 (included) to 10 (included), with the provisos that: —when A is (Y)m: k+l+m≧1, and if k+l+m=1; —when A is U: k+l≧1.

Lack of selectivity of chemotherapeutic agents is a major problem in cancer treatment. Because highly toxic compounds are used in cancer chemotherapy, it is typically associated with severe side effects. Drug concentrations that would completely eradicate the tumor cannot be reached because of dose-limiting side effects such as gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow toxicity. In addition, tumors can develop resistance against anticancer agents after prolonged treatment. In modem drug development, targeting of cytotoxic drugs to the tumor site can be considered one of the primary goals.
A promising approach to obtain selectivity for tumor cells or tumor tissue is to exploit the existence of tumor-associated enzymes. A relatively high level of tumor-specific enzyme can convert a pharmacologically inactive prodrug to the corresponding active parent drug in the vicinity of the tumor. Via this concept a high concentration of toxic anticancer agent can be generated at the tumor site. All tumor cells may be killed if the dose is sufficiently high, which may decrease development of drug resistant tumor cells.
There exist several enzymes that are present at elevated levels in certain tumor tissues. One example is the enzyme β-glucuronidase, which is liberated from certain necrotic tumor areas. Furthermore, several proteolytic enzymes have been shown to be associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Several proteases, like for example the cathepsins and proteases from the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) system are all involved in tumor metastasis. The serine protease plasmin plays a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The proteolytically active form of plasmin is formed from its inactive pro-enzyme form plasminogen by u-PA. The tumor-associated presence of plasmin can be exploited for targeting of plasmin-cleavable prodrugs.
In this invention a new technology is disclosed that can be applied to prepare improved prodrugs or conjugates for targeting drugs to disease-related or organ-specific tissue or cells, for example tumor-specific prodrugs. This technology can furthermore find application in (non-specific) controlled release of compounds, with the aim of facilitating release of the parent moiety. The present invention is deemed to be applicable to all drugs that need to be delivered at a specific target site where a specific disease-related biomolecule can convert the prodrug into the drug or induce conversion of the prodrug into the drug.

Elongated and multiple spacers in activatible prodrugs


Bundles of hollow filament membranes suitable for use in fluid separation, such as in the separation of air into gases more concentrated in oxygen and nitrogen are made in a cylindrical form and annular cross-section with multiple filaments of each layer lying in generally parallel helical paths at a common angle to the axis of symmetry of the bundle. Continuous lengths of filaments are laid down on the core while same is rotated first in a "forward" sense and the filament lay-down point is traversed from a first end of the core to the second, and then in a "reverse" sense while the filament lay-down point is traversed from the second end to the first. Reversing of the direction of core rotation and filament end-to-end traversal is repeated with said reversing controlled in such a manner that the path of the filament returning from either end to the other is displaced incrementally from that of the filament portion laid down in the immediately preceding traversal. Lay-down of filament is repeated until a plurality of segments of filament all sharing the same helix angle and direction have formed a thin annular layer. The instant method can be precisely controlled to obtain bundles of desired packing density with consequent improved flow of fluid within the shell side of the bundle.

Hollow filaments have found wide application in heat transfer, mass transfer and separations. In the separation processes it is common practice to apply a pressurized fluid mixture to the external surface of the hollow filaments made from a semi-permeable material having the propensity for permitting the selective permeation of one or more components of the mixture through the filament wall into its bore more rapidly than some other. The more permeable component(s) therefore are enriched in the bore relative to the composition applied under pressure to the external surface of the filament. The residue of the pressurized fluid remaining on the upstream surface of the filament membrane, consequently, is enriched in the less permeable component(s). The contents of the bore are removed from the module separately from the residue of pressurized feed fluid flowing along the external surface of the filaments. This process has become increasingly important for the separation of air into its principal components, oxygen and nitrogen.
In commercially feasible applications a relatively large surface area of membrane is required in any installation. Thus, practical use of hollow filament membranes requires assembling a large number of them into a unit, frequently called a bundle, which is then assembled into a module with appropriate conduits to pass a feed mixture over the external surfaces of the filaments, to remove permeate from the filament bores, and to remove feed residue.
An alternative arrangement for the use of hollow filaments provides means to introduce pressurized feed into the filament bores, so that permeation of the more permeable components is from the bore to the outside surface of the filament. The arrangement of feed, permeate and residue conduits is, therefore, different from that of the case of "shell-side" feed. Although the flow dynamics of bore-feed operation are different from that of shell-side feed, for either case there is a decided advantage in having a filament bundle of regulated and essentially uniform packing density, adequate distribution of inter-filament spaces and generally uniform filament length.
In shell-side feed, particularly, flow patterns of the feed, residue, and permeate are very important in determining the efficacy of the separation sought. It is widely recognized that geometry of the bundle assembly has a significant influence on these. It is desired that the feed gas on the outer surface of the filaments be in true counterflow mode against the permeate flow in the filament bores. It is also desired that the path lengths within the bores be essentially uniform, and the local flow velocities on the shell side be both relatively high and uniform from point to point within any plane intersecting the bundle at right angles to its long axis.
These several considerations dictate certain geometric requirements for the bundle which thereby place high demands on the bundle assembly process. First, variability of filament-to-filament packing density would desirably be nil. Second, to maintain a relatively high shell-side flow velocity, the packing density should optimally be quite high, namely in the order of 50-70%. Third, feed flow along the outside surface of the filament should be directed as much as possible parallel to the length of the filament whether the filament is straight or follows some curved path, which generally requires that the aspect ratio (bundle length to bundle diameter) be at least three and as much as ten. Fourth, however, there is the requirement that bore path length not introduce undesirable restriction on flow and consequent undesirable permeate pressure.
In attempting to meet these objectives the configurations of hollow filament bundles has heretofore taken a number of different forms including (a) arrays of parallel, straight or nearly-straight lengths of filament; (b) arrays of grossly parallel lengths of crimped filament; (c) lengths of active filament interwoven with inactive filaments; (d) filaments braided into groups; (e) arrays of filament formed into helices wherein an equal number with an "s"-direction helical path interlace with filaments following a "z"-direction helical path; and (f) helical filament arrays comprising discrete layers wherein parallel filaments all lying in "s"-direction helices adjoin filaments of an adjacent layer all lying in "z"-direction helical paths and in which there is no interlacing of filaments of opposite helix direction.
The first two arrangements generally suffer from at least some, and sometimes considerable variation in local filament packing density. The result of this is that flow along the outside of the filaments can be high in some regions on effectively stagnant in others with consequent deleterious effect on the fluid dynamic requirements for optimum separation performance. The third and fourth methods tend to provide more uniform packing density but lead to complexities and high costs in the assembly process.
The last two general approaches are partially responsive to packing density considerations but introduce undesirable flow perturbations. They also may suffer in respect to filament length uniformity unless special attention is paid to control of the helix angle of the filaments. They are, however, appealing from the manufacturing point/of view and exploited as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,794,468; 3,870,637; 4,045,851; 4,430,219; 4,572,446; and 4,631,128. In all these cases the filaments are wound on a support element constantly rotating in one direction as filaments are laid down on the support in a continuous path which traverses the support from one of its end to the other. The combination of mandrel rotation and filament end-to-end traversal results in accumulating on the support element lengths of filament all lying in helical paths. Because the rotation continues in one direction when the filament traverse direction is reversed, the length of filament deposited on any traverse from a first end to a second end lies in an "s-"direction helix, and in a "z-"direction when the traverse is from the second end back to the first.

Method of winding hollow fiber membranes


A movable utility rack is provided. The utility rack presents an ergonomic and easily accessible configuration to a user. One embodiment of the movable utility rack includes a base frame and first and second spaced apart track assemblies mounted on the base frame. The first and second spaced apart track assemblies have a curved shape and each define a channel at a first radius of curvature. A first support member is carried by the first track assembly within the channel thereof, and a second support member is carried by the second track assembly within the channel thereof. A drive arrangement is operatively connected to the first and second support members to move the support members within the channel defined by each track assembly along an arcuate path that has a second radius of curvature that is substantially equal to the first radius of curvature.

Utility racks for carrying equipment and supplies are frequently implemented on motor vehicles such as light trucks, e.g. pickup trucks, to enhance the carrying capacity of the vehicle. Advantageously, such racks allow for carrying additional equipment and supplies to a job site that the vehicle would not otherwise be able to carry. Further, such racks allow a user to forego stowing relatively long supplies in a bed of their truck, which otherwise requires the use of flags affixed to an end of the equipment overhanging the bed, or in extreme cases specialized permits and/or escorts. Indeed, the rack typically provides a mounting surface or plane which is larger than that provided by the bed alone.
These utility racks are frequently used in the context of pickup trucks and/or vans. In the context of pickup trucks, the rack extends above the bed of the truck to at or above the maximum height of the cab of the truck. In the context of vans, the rack is situated on the roof of the van so as to exceed the maximum height of the van.
In either case, the height of these racks requires the user to work over their head when retrieving or stowing equipment and supplies on the rack. Because the equipment and supplies are often times quite long, heavy and/or cumbersome, such racks can lead to a safety risk that the user might drop the equipment while retrieving/stowing the same, or injure themselves in attempting to lift the equipment to or form the rack. Indeed, shoulder and back injuries are relatively frequent with such systems.
Prior designs have attempted to address these issues by providing mechanical assist systems which aid in retrieving/stowing equipment and supplies from the rack. Such exemplary systems can be seen at U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,835 to Silverness, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,912 to Levi, the teachings and disclosures of which are incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto. While such systems have to some extent alleviated the aforementioned problems, they have certain disadvantages. First, the aforementioned systems such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,874,835 and 5,297,912 still require a user to work over their head, or at least at or above shoulder level. As such, the risk of injury is ever present. Second, the mechanism of such systems is relatively complex, driving up the cost of the same. As a result, few consumers are able to readily implement such systems in the first instance. Third, the mechanism itself, due in part to its complexity, is relatively heavy. Once a user has loaded equipment on to the rack in these designs, the user must thereafter lift the equipment, as well as the movable rack, to lock it in place. As a result, the user is in effect not only working with the weight of the equipment over their head, but also the weight of the movable portion of the rack.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a utility rack that significantly reduces or eliminates the risk of injury by presenting an ergonomic configuration that does not require a user to work at or over shoulder/head level when retrieving or stowing items from the system. It is also desired that such a system be relatively low cost, so that it may be readily implemented.
The invention provides such a utility rack. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.


Embodiments of systems and methods are presented to provide local citizenry with the ability to initiate emergency calls on their mobile device through a deployable cellular communication resource, such as a switch on wheels. The mobile device may be provisioned with a primary preferred roaming list (PRL) and a secondary PRL. The secondary PRL is accessed only when a switch-to-secondary-PRL flag is set in the primary PRL. Upon detection of the switch-to-secondary-PRL flag, the mobile device may enter an emergency call mode which only allows the mobile device to initiate an emergency call. If no network listed in the primary PRL and no emergency network listed in the secondary PRL is available, the mobile device may pause for a predetermined time before repeating attempts to access a network in order to conserver battery power until cellular communication networks are repaired or temporary networks implemented.

Emergency services such as police and fire rescue often rely upon the local citizenry to alert emergency services of emergency situations. In order to do so, nearly every community in the United States has implemented an emergency call service, such as the well known 911 service. To be effective, an emergency call service needs to accomplish three goals. First, the emergency call service should recognize when someone dials the emergency number on any phone (even a pay phone when no coins have been supplied). Second, the emergency call service should route the call to the nearest available Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on the call's originating location. Third, the emergency call service should notify the appropriate emergency response agency as quickly as possible so it can respond to the emergency.
While citizens reporting emergency situations could telephone a police or fire station directly through its individual local telephone number, it is more effective to provide citizens with a universal, short, easy to remember number that can be quickly dialed and directly connects to the nearest PSAP automatically. Most emergency call services in the U.S. and Canada utilize 911 as the short three digit emergency telephone number that automatically reaches a PSAP. As of 2006, 99 percent of the U.S. population had access to 911 services. Other countries have implemented the same or similar emergency call services for their citizenry. For example, the European Union has established 112 as the universal emergency number for all its member states. In most E.U. countries, 112 is already implemented and can be called toll-free from any telephone or any cellular telephone. For purposes of simplicity, emergency call service will be referred to herein as a 911 system.
Typically, there is no national 911 system. Rather, the answering points and corresponding dispatch services are locally established and maintained. In many locations in the U.S., for example, the 911 service is a joint effort between local governments and all phone companies active in the area. The cost of a 911 system is paid through local taxes and through a surcharge on the local citizenry's phone bill. Typically, the PSAP and corresponding emergency services are set up and maintained locally, usually by county, often in a joint effort between local government and any phone company active in the area. Once an emergency call is connected to the local PSAP, the appropriate local emergency services may be dispatched for fast response.
Within the conventional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) system, emergency 911 calls are made through standard land line telephones operating on the PSTN. Because telephones in a conventional PSTN are stationary, various capabilities of a basic 911 system may be easily enabled. For example, Automatic Number Identification (ANI) may be implemented. As its name suggests, ANI automatically identifies the telephone number of the calling party. Coupled with Automatic Location Identification (ALI), the 911 system can automatically identify both the source and location of the calling telephone station. In this way, the location of the emergency situation may be determined without any verbal communication from the party making the 911 call. This is beneficial because in many times in emergency situations, callers are panicked or hurt and cannot verbally communicate the location or nature of the emergency. In addition, by automatically knowing the caller's location information, the 911 system may route the call to the nearest PSAP so as to dispatch the closest emergency response services to achieve the fastest response.
In addition, many phone companies and public safety agencies have collaborated to create Master Street Address Guides (MSAG) which are master maps that can match phone numbers, addresses and cross streets to their corresponding PSAP. When an emergency call is made, the 911 system network hub may use the MSAG to provide emergency response services with the fastest route to respond to the caller's location.
FIG. 1A illustrates the handling of a basic conventional 911 call. In a basic conventional 911 system, a caller 101 dials 9-1-1 (or the assigned emergency number). The PSTN switch automatically recognizes the 911 number and routes the call to a dedicated 9-1-1 switch 102 that sends the call to the designated PSAP 103 for the PSTN switch that first received the call.
The PSAP call-taker (also called an operator or dispatcher) asks what the emergency is, what the location is and for a call-back phone number. Depending on the emergency, the call-taker uses radio dispatch to alert police, fire and/or EMS to go to the scene.
FIG. 1B illustrates the handling of an enhanced conventional 911 call. In the enhanced 911 system, a caller 101 dials 911 (or the assigned emergency number). The PSTN switch recognizes the 911 number dialed and accesses the ANI to get the number of the station initiating the call and routes the call to the dedicated 9-1-1 switch 102 that acts as a hub for the local network. The network uses the telephone number of the initiating telephone station to get the address from the ALI and uses the address to determine the proper PSAP 103 destination from the MSAG 104 (this is sometimes called selective routing, because the switch uses dynamic data to determine where to send the 911 call instead of blindly routing it to a pre-determined PSAP). In most cases, this all takes a little over one second. The 911 call now carries the initiating call station phone number and address along with the caller's 101 voice data to the nearest available PSAP 103. This information is displayed on the call-taker's computer when he or she takes the 911 call.
Some PSAPs 103 simultaneously send the ANI/ALI data to the police computer dispatch network to allow for immediate access. If necessary, many PSAPs can transfer the call and its accompanying data to another PSAP.
While the 911 system is extremely effective when calls are initiated on conventional PSTN telephones, mobile device (e.g., cellular telephones) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls have posed new problems to 911 systems. For one, mobile devices and VoIP calls do not provide location information to the system. Thus, 911 calls may not be routed to the nearest PSAP. As of 2006, more than 8 million people in the United States use a mobile device as their primary phone. Public-safety agencies report that wireless calls make up anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of emergency service calls. To accommodate this transformation in the telephone usage, changes have been implemented in most 911 systems.
Until recently, when someone called emergency services from a mobile device, no information appeared on the call-taker's screen, even in enhanced emergency call service systems. Without this information, the emergency call wasn't always routed to the PSAP closest to the caller's location. Consequently, the emergency call could end up at any PSAP in the remote vicinity, depending on how the individual wireless provider servicing the particular mobile device had set up emergency call routing.
To address this problem, Congress has mandated that cellular service providers configure their systems and the mobile devices that they support so that the location of a caller can be determined when a 911 call is placed. Local 9-1-1 systems have been implementing changes to 9-1-1 to allow for greater wireless compatibility, and upgrades are still happening now. A number of methods are used to locate 911 callers. Many new mobile devices include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver within the mobile device's circuitry. Such mobile devices can provide location information to the cellular telephone system over a data link. Cellular systems can also determine the general location of a 911 caller by triangulating the distance from multiple cell towers to the caller's mobile device.
To implement Congress's mandate, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has defined cellular telephone system upgrades to be accomplished in two phases.
Phase I provides the call-taker with the ability to see the mobile device-phone number of the 9-1-1 caller and the location of the cell-tower antenna with which the mobile device is connected. This phase also requires that the call be routed to the PSAP nearest to that tower. As of 2006, 83.6 percent of PSAPs have met all or part of Phase I requirements. Using the cell-tower location, Phase I technology can only locate a mobile device within a 3-6 mile radius.
Phase II provides the call-taker with the ability to see the mobile device phone number and the location of caller to an accuracy of 50 to 300 meters depending on the type of location system being used by the wireless provider. This phase also requires that the call be routed to the PSAP nearest to that location or nearest to the cell antenna in use, depending on the particulars of the system. As of 2006, 65.2 percent of PSAPs have met all or part of Phase II requirements.
There is no standardized method for implementing Phase II requirements, so wireless providers, in conjunction with local public-safety agencies, are using various technologies for providing mobile device location information to PSAPs. There are two basic approaches: handset-based and network-based.
FIG. 1C illustrates how a 911 call from a mobile device is connected to a PSAP. In a handset based embodiment, a GPS receiver built into the mobile device is utilized. When a caller 101 initiates a 911 call from a mobile device with a GPS receiver built in, the GPS receiver locates itself using satellites 110 orbiting overhead. The GPS receiver in the mobile device receives radio signals emitted by at least three satellites 110, measuring the time it took the signals to reach the receiver. Using trilateration, the GPS receiver can determines its location coordinates. The location coordinate information accompanies the voice and phone data transmitted to the base station. The base station and MTSO 111 either forwards the call to the dedicated 9-1-1 switch 102 (the same ones used by landline calls) for PSAP routing or routes the call to the nearest PSAP, depending on the routing path the wireless carrier chooses. At the PSAP 103, mapping equipment (typically the CAD equipment discussed in the previous system) converts the caller's coordinates to a street address that the call-taker can understand and provide to dispatched emergency personnel.
A network-based embodiment is different from the handset-based embodiment only in how the mobile device generates its latitude and longitude coordinates. As shown in FIG. 1D, a common implementation of network-based location-finding involves putting additional radio equipment on network base stations so that, in essence, they act something like a GPS receiver for signals received from the mobile device. When a caller dials 9-1-1 on the mobile device, the mobile device sends out radio signals to at least three of cell towers 113, and receivers in each tower times how long it takes for the signal to reach the tower. Using trilateration, the network can then estimate the location of the mobile device to within an accuracy of 100 to 300 meters. Once the network has estimated the latitude and longitude coordinates of the phone, this information is included with the voice call transmitted to the network switching station 111 via the base station 112 from which it is connected.
While local citizens using their mobile devices may now access conventional emergency call service systems, large scale emergencies sometimes destroy or render inoperable conventional emergency call service systems. For example, large scale emergencies such as natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods and hurricanes) and terrorist attacks can disable some or all PSTN telephone and cellular telephone infrastructure. In such instances, citizens using either wired or wireless communication devices do not have any access to emergency call services. Cut off from 911 service, citizens are no longer able to aid first responders by reporting developments on their cell phones.

Method and system for providing a deployable emergency call service for wireless handsets


An imaging array of active pixel sensors uses a reset amplifier in each pixel in a four transistor CMOS implementation. The reset amplifier acts as a variable resistance in the source-follower amplifier feedback circuit. The variable resistance is controlled by a range reset voltage applied to the reset amplifier thereby nulling the photodiode reset noise. The ramp reset voltage is applied to all reset amplifiers of all pixels at the same time, thereby providing for reset of the entire array at the same time, i.e., global reset.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic imaging devices and, in particular, to CMOS imagers having a minimum of analog components in each pixel.
2. Description of Related Art
There presently exists many alternatives to CCD sensors for generating video or still images. The various schemes can be grouped into two basic classes, depending upon whether signal amplification is performed at each pixel site or in support circuits outside the pixel array. Passive-pixel sensors perform amplification outside the array. Passive pixel sensors exhibit pixel simplicity and maximized optical fill factor. Active-pixel sensors include an amplifier at each pixel site. Active pixel sensors optimize signal transfer and sensitivity.
The simplest passive pixel comprises a photodiode and an access transistor. The photo-generated charge is passively transferred from each pixel to downstream circuits. The integrated charge must, however, be efficiently transferred with low noise and non-uniformity. Since each column of pixels often share a common row or column bus for reading the signal, noise and non-uniformity suppression are typically facilitated in the xe2x80x9ccolumnxe2x80x9d buffer servicing each bus. One example of a passive pixel implementation is shown in FIG. 1. It uses a buffer consisting of a transimpedance amplifier with capacitive feedback to yield reasonable sensitivity considering the large bus capacitance. Such charge-amplification was not generally practical for on-chip implementation in early MOS imaging sensors. Accordingly, alternative schemes compatible with NMOS technology were used. The basic scheme shown in FIG. 2 was mass-produced by Hitachi for camcorders. The key refinements with respect to the FIG. 1 scheme include anti-blooming control and circuitry for reducing fixed pattern noise. Though these imagers were inferior to the emerging charge coupled device (CCD) imagers available at the time, similar MOS imagers are still being offered commercially today.
Subsequent efforts at improving passive-pixel imager performance have also focused on column buffer enhancements. The column buffer was improved by using an enhancement/depletion inverter amplifier to provide reasonably large amplification in a small amount of real estate. Its 40 lux sensitivity was still nearly an order of magnitude below that of competing CCD-based sensors. Others worked to enhance sensitivity and facilitate automatic gain control via charge amplification in the column buffer. More recently, the capacitive-feedback transimpedance amplifier (CIA) concept of FIG. 1 has served as a basis for further development, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,043,820 and 5,345,266. The CTIA is nearly ideal for passive-pixel readout if the problems with temporal noise pickup and fixed-pattern noise are adequately addressed.
Though much progress has been made in developing passive-pixel imagers, their temporal S/N performance is still fundamentally inferior to competing CCD imagers. Their bus capacitance translates to read noise of ≈100 e-. CCDs, on the other hand, typically have read noise of 20 to 40 e- at video frame rates. The allure of producing imagers with conventional MOS fabrication technologies rather than esoteric CCD processes (which usually require many implantation steps and complex interface circuitry) encouraged the development of active-pixel sensors. In order to mitigate the noise associated with the bus capacitance, amplification was added to the pixel via the phototransistor. One such approach called a Base-Stored Image Sensor (BASIS) used a bipolar transistor in emitter follower configuration with a downstream correlated double sample to suppress random and temporal noise. By storing the photogenerated-signal on the phototransistor""s base to provide charge amplification, the minimum scene illumination was reduced to 10xe2x88x923 lux in a linear sensor array. However, the minimum scene illumination was higher (10xe2x88x922 lux) in a two-dimensional BASIS imager having 310,000 pixels because the photoresponse non-uniformity was relatively high (xe2x89xa62%). These MOS imagers had adequate sensitivity, but their pixel pitch was too large at about 13 xcexcm. This left the problem of shrinking the pixel pitch while also reducing photoresponse non-uniformity.
Since the incorporation of bipolar phototransistors is not strictly compatible with mainstream CMOS processes, some approaches have segregated photodetection and signal amplification. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,696 and 5,083,016, for example, describe active-pixel sensors essentially comprising a three-transistor pixel with photodiode. These implementations still exhibit inadequate performance. The ""696 patent, for example, augments the basic source-follower configuration of the ""016 patent with a column buffer that cancels fixed pattern noise, but adds a fourth transistor that creates a floating node vulnerable to generation of random offsets for charge-pumping and concomitant charge redistribution. The ""016 patent offers a method for reducing offset errors, but not with adequate accuracy and resolution to be useful for competing with CCDs. Furthermore, these and other similar approaches require 3-4 transistors in the pixel (at least one of which is relatively large to minimize 1/f noise) in addition to the photodiode. These implementations also require off-chip signal processing for best S/N performance because none addresses the dominant source of temporal noise. In order to eliminate or greatly suppress the reset noise (kTC) generated by resetting the detector capacitance, a dedicated memory element is usually needed, either on-chip or off-chip, to store the reset voltage, to apply correlated double sampling and coherently subtract the correlated reset noise while the photo-generated voltage is being read.
This basic deficiency was addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,515 by developing an active pixel sensor (APS) that uses intra-pixel charge transfer to store the reset charge at each pixel at the start of each imaging frame. The floating gate APS facilitates correlated double sampling with high efficiency by adding several transistors and relying on a photogate for signal detection. The concomitant drawbacks, however, are intractable because they increase imager cost. The former adds several transistors to each pixel and several million transistors to each imager thereby reducing production yield. The latter is not compatible with standard CMOS gate fabrication so a non-standard process must be developed. These deficiencies were tackled in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,763 and 5,541,402 issued to Ackland et al. and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,587,596 and 5,608,243 issued to Chi et al. Ackland addressed the image lag issues associated with the intra-pixel charge transfer means. But his approach still requires a non-standard CMOS process. Chi reduced pixel complexity by using the simplest possible active pixel comprising only a phototransistor and reset MOSFET. Chi""s implementation still suffers from reset noise and compromises spectral response at longer wavelengths because the photodiode is in an n-well.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an active-pixel low-noise imaging system for implementation in CMOS or in other semiconductor fabrication technologies.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a low-noise amplifier for an imaging system that efficiently suppresses reset noise.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved electronic imaging system having an integral low-noise amplifier that reduces cost and power consumption while providing low temporal noise and low fixed pattern noise.
These objects and the advantages of the present invention are accomplished by circuitry at each pixel consisting of a photodetector and four transistors. The first transistor serves as the driver of a source follower during signal read and as the driver of a transimpedance amplifier during signal reset to suppress reset noise without having to implement correlated double sampling using either on-chip or off-chip memory. The second transistor is an access MOSFET used to read the signal from each pixel and multiplex the signal outputs from an array of pixels. The third transistor is a MOSFET that resets the detector after the integrated signal has been read and the detector sense node has effectively been xe2x80x9cpinnedxe2x80x9d by the transimpedance amplifier. The fourth transistor is a MOSFET that acts successively as a switch during signal readout and as a current source during reset. In a typical two-dimensional display, multiplexing can be performed by horizontal and vertical shift registers.

Low-noise active pixel sensor for imaging arrays with global reset


An LED component and the use thereof. The component comprises a light output spectrum with at least one peak intensity between 600-800 nm wavelength range with a full width at half maximum at least 50 nm; second optional optical light output peak at 200-500 nm wavelength range; and third optional output peak at 700-1000 nm wavelength range. It can be used for therapeutic, photosynthesis and photomorphogenetic applications.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to light emitting diode (LED) components and the uses thereof. In particular, the invention concerns LED components with a wide light spectrum and having a specific peak intensity. The use of the present LED components for therapeutic, photosynthesis or photomorphogenetic use, such as in skin, muscle, wound treatments as well as activate other various receptors and chemical and physical reactions in living organisms, is also disclosed. The LED components can be also used for a plant cultivation process such as greenhouse growing or crops' seedlings growth.
2. Description of Related Art
The plants, crops, animals, humans are proven to benefits for certain parts of UV, visible and near infrared (NIR) spectrum. Various chemical substances may absorb the energy of emitted spectrum and use the energy in photochemical, chemical reaction or otherwise physically active cell activity. These reactions are well known in photosynthesis process in plants. However, it is also indicated that certain specific spectra can improve wound healing or activate cell growth.
Artificial lighting for plant cultivation is an important factor, which determines the cost and nutritional quality of greenhouse vegetables. Efficiency of greenhouse lighting has been improved by application of high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps, which emit predominantly yellowred light effectively absorbed by chlorophylls. The improvement is achieved owing to a high overall light yield and the emission spectrum suitable for plant cultivation. However, application of light sources with a spectrum substantially different from the solar one, encounters difficulties owing to sensitivity of plants to the spectral composition of light. Particularly in HPS lamps designed for horticulture applications, the blue component can be enhanced; however, a further purposeful tailoring of the spectrum in the red wavelength region of the HPS lamps has limitations. In principle, the spectrum can be adjusted using different phosphors, but data on the spectrum optimal for particular plants are still scarce and fragmental and cannot be optimized.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) present a versatile alternative for artificial greenhouse lighting with numerous advantages. In comparison with conventional HPS and fluorescent lamps, LEDs are an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and longevous source of light. Assembling of LEDs, which are already available in the entire relevant spectral range from near infrared (IR) to near ultraviolet (UV), enables one to tailor the spectrum for optimal growth. Particularly the spectra in the red and far-red regions are essential for successful and efficient plant cultivation typically described as 660 nm region wavelengths contributing most for the photosynthesis and 730 nm region wavelengths contributing most for photomorphogenesis in plants. These types of spectra can be obtained by direct electroluminescence from AlGaAs or AlInGaP semiconductor LEDs or using blue emitting high power (HP) LED which blue light is then converted to RED wavelength with phosphors materials.
The application of light therapy with LEDs will significantly improve the medical care that is available to astronauts on long-term space missions based on NASA experiments. LEDs stimulate the basic energy processes in the mitochondria (energy compartments) of each cell, particularly when near-infrared light is used to activate the color sensitive chemicals (chromophores, cytochrome systems) inside. Proposed Optimal LED wavelengths include 680, 730 and 880 nm and those have improved the healing of wounds in laboratory animals. Furthermore, DNA synthesis in fibroblasts and muscle cells has been quintupled using NASA LED light alone, in a single application combining 680, 730 and 880 nm each at 4 Joules per centimeter squared. The light is absorbed by mitochondria where it stimulates energy metabolism in muscle and bone, as well as skin and subcutaneous tissue. Also lasers provide low energy stimulation of tissues which results in increased cellular activity during wound healing including increased fibroblast proliferation, growth factor synthesis, collagen production and angiogenesis. Lasers, however, have some inherent characteristics that make their use in a clinical setting problematic, such as limitations in wavelength capabilities and beam width. The combined wavelengths of light optimal for wound healing cannot be efficiently produced, and the size of wounds that may be treated by lasers is limited. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer an effective alternative to lasers with human and animal populations include treatment of serious burns, crush injuries, non-healing fractures, muscle and bone atrophy, traumatic ischemic wounds, radiation tissue damage, compromised skin grafts, and tissue regeneration.
As known in the art, there are several applications that benefit on the availability efficient and correct spectrum red and far red LEDs. However, producing efficient broad band red and far LEDs devices with optimal spectral emission for various forms of light therapy and plant cultivation is still problematic. In particular the problem arises when broad emission spectrum is beneficial and required at red and/or far red wavelength regions. All phosphorescent materials are sensitive for heat and in particularly so the phosphorescent materials that result in long stokes shift emission. Similarly to phosphorescent materials quantum dot nanoparticles particles such as CdSe—ZnS (core-shell) semiconductor crystals can be used for to produce wavelength conversion shorter wavelengths to higher wavelengths. These wavelength conversion materials are also sensitive for thermal quenching. Alternatively the red and far red emission can be produced by using for example AlGaAS semiconductor LEDs, however, it is known by art that typically these devices in order to be efficient result in relatively narrow emission spectrum with narrow less than 50 nm full width of half maximum.


An electrical connector for connecting together cables containing at least two twisted wire pairs which transmit and receive different electrical signals, The connector has an electrically conductive shield between pairs of connector elements which are respectively connected to the different twisted wire pairs. The connector also has an insulative block with printed circuit segments and switch contacts which together form shunts to connect the twisted pairs together when the connector is disconnected.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular it concerns a novel data connector for connecting together pairs of electrical conductors which carry different electrical signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrical connectors for making electrical connections between cables which carry data or twisted wire pairs are well known. Such connectors are often used to connect computer terminals into local area network systems. Examples of such connectors are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 32,760, 4,761,599, 4,682,836, 4,891,022, 5,030,121 and 4,884,981.
These patents show various ways to shunt the twisted wire pairs when the connector is disconnected and they also show electrical shielding arrangements to protect against radiation to and from the connector which could interfere with the high frequency signals carried therein.
The prior art however does not provide any protection against crosstalk or mutual interference within the connector itself. Also, the prior art self shunting arrangements require all of the connector elements to make and break electrical contact which unnecessarily complicates the structure and operation of the connector.


A vessel for holding liquid having an outer ceramic shell and an inner metallic lining. The metallic lining may extend over the top of the shell to provide protection from damage. A base member may be provided. The metallic material may be any food safe metal, including stainless steel and aluminum and alloys thereof. The ceramic may be any suitable ceramic including porcelain, earthenware and glass. Handle and non-handles vessels are disclosed as are resealable and non-resealable vessels. The metallic and ceramic materials may be separated by an insulative gap.

Ceramic vessels that are useful in holding liquid are known in the art. These include tea cups, coffee mugs, casserole dishes and serving trays, among other items. Disadvantageous aspects of ceramic vessels include that they chip or break relatively easily, provide little insulation and tend to stain with use.
Double walled vessels are also known in the art. These include stainless steel on stainless steel vacuum sealed vessels, stainless steel on plastic vessels and plastic on stainless steel vessels, among others.
Disadvantageous aspects of stainless steel on stainless steel (metal on metal) vessels includes that they are relatively expensive and difficult to print on. This is also true of stainless steel on plastic vessels (particularly with respect to printing). While a metal exterior may appear smooth and appealing, the ability to print on a surface is very important to add aesthetic aspects or to associate a vessel with a particular company or individual. For example, the sale or give away of printed coffee mugs and the like is an important part of the marketing efforts of many entities.
With respect to plastic on metal vessels, the plastic exterior may provide a more printable surface than stainless steel or permit insertion of a printed substrate between a transparent plastic outer shell and a metallic liner. Plastic on metal vessels are disadvantageous, however, in that they are generally perceived as looking "cheap," printing wears off the plastic shell during use and washing, they tend not to be dishwasher safe and tend to develop leaks or cracks between the plastic and metal. In addition, due to their fabrication process, the shape into which plastic may be shaped is limited without employing prohibitively expensive molds and fabrication techniques.
A need thus exists for a liquid holding vessel that provides good insulation, is relatively inexpensive to produce, that when printed on holds the printed text or image, and that is aesthetically pleasing, among other desired attributes.


A vehicle door latch has a fork bolt lever that is latched by a detent lever. The detent lever is operated by an intermittent lever that is operated by a transfer lever that is actuated by inside and outside door handles via operating levers. The door latch includes with a locking lever that disconnects the door handles from the intermittent lever when it is in the locked position. The door latch also includes an interlock between the intermittent lever and the locking lever that is automatically engaged in response to the position of the detent so that the door latch cannot be locked when the fork bolt lever is in an unlatched position. Consequently the door latch can only be locked when the door is closed and the fork bolt lever is in a latched position. This prevents the driver from locking his or her keys in the vehicle.

This invention relates to vehicle door latches and more particularly to vehicle door latches that are capable of being locked from outside the vehicle.
Vehicle door latches customarily include a lock mechanism that prevents operation of the door latch so that the vehicle door cannot be opened by persons inside the vehicle unintentionally or by persons outside the vehicle who are not authorized. The door lock mechanism itself can also be operated from inside as well as from outside the vehicle.
The door lock mechanism is usually operated from inside the vehicle by a slide or a sill button that is actuated manually and also electrically in upscale vehicles. The door lock mechanism is usually operated from outside the vehicle by a key and key lock cylinder or some other device that keeps intruders locked out of the vehicle.
A long standing problem associated with lockable vehicle door latches is that of locking the keys inside the vehicle. This problem results from the door latch having the capability of being locked when it is unlatched. Thus the driver or passenger can lock the door by actuating the inside lock operator before the door is shut and avoid the inconvenience of using a key. Various solutions have been proposed for this "keyless" locking problem.
There are generally two types of mechanisms for locking the vehicle door latch. In one type, a locking member blocks and/or immobilizes a member of the latch mechanism so that the inside and outside door handles as well as the internal parts of the door latch cannot be moved.
One solution for the keyless locking problem in these blocking type door lock mechanisms is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,045 granted to Hans-Dieter Watermann Dec. 25, 1973 for a motor vehicle door latch with a lock mechanism that is only actuatable with the vehicle door closed. This known door latch has a detent or keeper that carries a fixed crank arm. The crank arm has a projection that prevents the lock mechanism from being engaged in all but the closed position of the door to prevent the user from locking his or her keys in the vehicle.
The second type of mechanism for locking the door latch is generally known as the free wheeling type. In this type, the lock mechanism disconnects the latching mechanism when it is engaged so that the motion of neither door handles is transferred to the detent lever and consequently operation of the door handles is ineffective. A vehicle door latch of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,563 granted to Stephen L. Garwood and Jeffrey L. Konchan Jul. 12, 1988 for a vehicle door latch.
Solutions have also been proposed for the keyless locking problem in connection with vehicle door latches that have freewheeling type lock mechanisms. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,258 granted to Horst Brackmann Oct. 8, 1984 for a motor vehicle door latch and U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,827 granted to Jeffrey L. Konchan and Jiri Paulik Oct. 8, 1991 for a vehicle door latch.
These solutions, however do not prevent keyless door locking. They merely require actuation of the outside door handle or other outside latch operator with the hope that this extra operation will prevent unintentional locking of the keys in the vehicle.


An achromatic refractive beam shaping optical system that transforms the intensity distribution of a light beam, preferably provides transformation of a beam which intensity distribution described by Gaussian function to a beam of uniform intensity. The system consists of at least two lens groups, one of lens groups is made from at least two lenses having different characteristics, of spectral dispersion, thus achromatic for a certain spectral range optical design providing zero or negligible for practical applications wave aberration is realized. By choosing parameters of lens groups the system can be realized as a telescope of Galilean or Keplerian type, or as a collimator, or as an objective lens. To provide adjustment features one lens group of the system is movable along the optical axis.

Lasers are widely applied in various applications in industry and their effective using is very important. Typically the intensity profile of laser sources is described by Gaussian function provided by physics of creating the laser radiation. From one side, this Gaussian profile provides high energy concentration, however, from another side for many industrial applications it is not an optimum one because of non-uniform intensity distribution within the laser beam. In such applications like welding, soldering, annealing, illumination of spatial light modulators, holography a homogenized laser beam is most preferable from the point of view of saving the energy and providing the same conditions of material treatment in the beam area. Therefore, the task of re-distribution of energy within the laser beam to provide uniform intensity profile is an actual industrial task; very often it is called as beam shaping.
In one of solutions used to transform the intensity distribution it is presumed that laser beam is either truncated by an, aperture or attenuated by specially designed filter with non-uniform transmission function, so called apodizing filters. Losing of laser energy is an evident disadvantage of this solution. It is unacceptable in high power applications.
Another way to provide uniform intensity in a certain location is applying of arrays of microlenses, micromirrors, prisms or diffractive optical elements (DOE) to divide the source laser beam to small parts, beamlets. Light from all beamlets is then collected to a certain working plane with using additional optical components in such a way that each point of said working plane gets the portion of light from each beamlet. Thus, the final intensity of each point of working plane is defined by integration of light from all beamlets. An obvious disadvantage of this integration approach is using of complicated, difficult to produce and expensive array optical elements. On the other hand the uniform intensity distribution is realized in a certain plane only and degrades rapidly while shifting from that plane along the optical axis; this feature is a critical one for applications where increased depth of field is required. In case of applying the DOE the range of applications can be limited because of unaccepted diffraction losses.
One more approach used is field mapping systems providing intensity profile transformation in a controlled manner, for example Gaussian intensity profile of a single mode laser to uniform intensity distribution. This transformation could be realized with using diffractive optical elements (DOE), gradient-index lenses, specially designed aspheric lenses or off-axis aspheric mirrors. The known solutions present telescopes transforming collimated input Gaussian laser beam to collimated output beam of uniform intensity, the wave aberration of this optical system is zero or negligible for a particular application. One of important features of field mapping systems is that the uniform intensity profile is provided over long distance after a system.
Using diffractive optical elements in field mapping optical systems is limited by unaccepted diffraction losses that are critical in high power applications. The solution based on applying of mirrors suffers from complexity and expensiveness of their manufacturing due to off-axis design, difficulties of shop testing and proper assembling.
Modern optical technologies of making such refractive optical systems like gradient-index and aspheric lenses let it possible to provide reliable production of refractive field mapping systems realizing necessary basic design conditions: a proper transformation of input Gaussian laser beam to a beam of uniform intensity profile and zero wave aberration. The serious problem of conventional refractive field mapping systems is that these two basic design conditions can be fulfilled for a certain wavelength only. When switching to another working wavelength and trying to provide uniform intensity distribution it would be necessary to change some parameters of known refractive field mapping systems (for example, distance between lens groups of a telescope), in this case, however, it is impossible to keep simultaneously zero wave aberration and, hence, avoid interference effects destroying the uniformity of the intensity profile. There exists a technical solution to solve this problem of refractive field mapping systems consisting in adding to a field mapping system a suitable achromatizing optics, thus a complete optical system has several independent parts being responsible, separately, for the functions of beam shaping and adaptation of a beam shaper to an intended wavelength range. Evidently, this way leads to increasing of components of a complete optical system that reduces its transmission, makes it more expensive, complicated and, hence, less reliable, more sensitive to misalignments, difficult to use in practice.
Thus, the known field mapping solutions cannot provide an efficient, reliable, easy to use optical system for a simultaneous beam profile transformation for two wavelengths or a range of wavelengths.
There are several reasons why it is important to provide the same conditions of beam intensity transformation for more than one working wavelength simultaneously. This is required for some types of laser applications like spectroscopy, fluorescence technologies, confocal microscopy, and material processing with using broad-band laser sources or short-pulsed lasers. Another reason relates to manufacturing of the beam shaping systems themselves—while assembling they should be tested for wavefront aberration with using interferometers. Most often interferometers are based on He—Ne laser of 632.8 nm wavelength, on the other hand in real application the beam shaping system is working with another laser, for example, with Nd:YAG laser of 1064 nm wavelength. Thus, to provide rate conditions both for shop testing and for reliable operation in real application the field mapping system should be designed with a necessary wave aberration correction level for these wavelengths simultaneously.
Important disadvantage of conventional beam mapping systems is that they have afocal design only, hence both input and output laser beam have to be collimated. At the same time very often real applications require either collimating of a divergent laser beam or focusing of a collimated beam, therefore, combining of these functions with beam shaping in a sole optical system lets it possible to simplify the optical design of a laser system.
Thus, from the point of view real conditions of manufacturing and using in real laser applications the conventional solutions aren't optimal.
The object of the present invention is to realize a beam shaping system capable to provide a necessary intensity distribution transformation for laser beams in a wide spectrum range, keep a resulting intensity distribution over a long distance, operate with collimated and divergent laser beams, and provide easy adjustment to a particular laser beam.

Achromatic optical system for beam shaping