Bodywear apparatus configured to be worn by a human user and attachable to footwear of the human user in order to augment the abilities of the lower limbs of the user is disclosed. In another aspect, footwear apparatus configured to be worn by a human user in order to augment the abilities of the lower limbs of the user is disclosed. Such bodywear apparatus and footwear apparatus are configured to reduce the effort a user must exert and improve the user's performance during walking, running, hiking, marching, and various other gaits as well as jumping, hopping, and other activities. In an aspect, bodywear apparatus further comprises a supplemental power device configured to further augment the user's abilities by activating during portions of the user's gait cycle.

Human motion requires exertion of energy. Peoples' ability to conduct their activities can be limited by their available energy, more specifically metabolic energy. For example, hikers have a limit to the distance they can hike based upon their physiological constitution and condition. Runners have a limit to the speed they can run. Military troops have a limit to the distance they can march, for example, with a heavy pack load. Athletes have a limit of how long they can remain within a physiological envelope of control that allows them to maintain adequate resilience to injury. People often seek ways to extend their capabilities—to run faster, hike farther, jump higher, stay more resilient, etc. It would be desirable to extend people's capabilities and overcome some of their limitations.
It is known generally that a device can receive a force and store potential energy. Later, the device may be actuated to release the potential energy as kinetic energy. During dorsiflexion motion of the ankle system, a stored potential energy may be returned as force during plantar flexion motion. It is broadly known that the Achilles tendon acts in this way. With the assistance of such force and energy, a person is less dependent upon internal muscles, flexor tendons and tendons for locomotion and stability. The person can perform better, require less consumption of metabolic energy, produce less blood-born byproducts of muscular exertion, experience less fatigue and be able to maintain an envelope of control which provides sustained resilience to injury, recuperate from lower limb issues faster and receive other health and performance benefits.
Gait Cycle
Human locomotion is driven by three major energy sources—the foot system, the knee system and the hip system. Each of these systems is moved by a combination of muscle force as well as tendon force. In a typical walking gait, roughly 40 to 45% of energy is provided by the foot system, which surpasses the individual contributions of both the knee and hip systems. As stride length or gait speed increases the relative contribution of the foot system decreases in relation to the knee and hip system.
During a gait cycle, as the term is used herein, the Achilles tendon stretches during dorsiflexion motion and releases during plantar flexion motion. The efficiency of the Achilles tendon is quite high, with laboratory measures showing a potential for a greater than 90% energy return. The Achilles is defined herein as an elastomeric element that is capable of stretching up to 8% of total length under load before plastic deformation.
The use of powered exo-skeletons has been demonstrated in the laboratory; (reference may be made to articles cited in the attached bibliography, incorporated by reference herein as to any material deemed essential to an understanding of the principles of energy management, injury reduction or injury rehabilitation disclosed herein). The use of powered exoskeletons for the ankles has been tested on a treadmill and shown to potentially enable improved performance. These studies also show that managing the timing of the release of energy from these powered systems requires learning on the part of the wearer. Proper control of muscular exertion by the wearer to achieve harmonization of the device with the gait cycle is a necessity for a person to gain significant benefit.
Because of these tests, supplementing the foot system with support and added energy capability through an external system can be hypothesized as meaningful and significant. A supplemental system can help athletes perform better. Such a system can help boost walking endurance; it can help people with ankle and Achilles tendon injuries recuperate faster and help avoid future problems. Also, it can help people walk more easily and with less fatigue, which may be of significant value in places where people walk long distances to work, to gather food or water, etc. Such a system should also be timed correctly to harmonize with the proper need for energy.
Plane of Reference
Performance benefits that may be achievable using a system as described herein include improved speed, improved endurance, increased jump height, increased backpack loading, decrease in oxygen consumption, etc. A focus of such a system may be on the rotation of the ankle joint in the sagittal plane as a main source of force and energy.
Benefits may also be achieved by using a system as described herein in the frontal plane. In shoe structural design, the frontal plane may be utilized to maintain or extend a shoe's protective capabilities in the ankle and limit range of untoward motion in the ankle that may otherwise lead to soft tissue injury, joint injury or other injuries. The system as described herein has shown unexpected benefits during clinical testing in managing foot-fall, reducing shuffling of feet and improved directional consistency in how toes are pointed, which may all be considered novel benefits measured during frontal plane analysis. The system as described also constrains the degrees of freedom for ankle motion, which further provides protective qualities toward injury reduction or rehabilitation.
Systems and preferred aspects disclosed herein integrate with items that are commonly worn on the body. This comprises footwear, which may refer to any variety of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals or other article of wear that is worn upon the foot, and body wear, which may refer to any variety of pants, sporting uniforms, military uniforms, sock, hosiery, ankle guard, shin guards, combat protective leg wear, orthosis or other item which is donned upon at least upon the lower limbs.
Typical Biomechanics of the Human Ankle
A typical human ankle range of motion is commonly discussed in biomechanics literature with variations according to each authors' clinical experience; the following overview of the normal gait cycle is a simplified recounting of common literature.
The gait cycle may begin with the first touch of the foot to the ground. This first touch begins the cycle at 0% and the moment immediately prior to the following touch to the ground of the same limb may represent 100% of a cycle. In the normal walking gait, the ankle may experience a small amount of extension after initial contact leading to plantar flexion during the first 10-15 or so percent of the cycle, commonly referred to as a loading response. This is then followed by increasing amounts of dorsiflexion motion, which further increases after mid-stance. Maximum dorsiflexion is typically achieved after heel lift and prior to the initial contact of the opposite foot. This is followed by rapid plantar flexion motion associated with push off, which occurs after the opposite foot makes its initial contact. In the push-off phase, the ankle rapidly plantar flexes through toe off. This is followed by a swing phase with the foot traveling in the air. During the swing phase, the foot dorsiflexes to a neutral position preparing it for the next cycle.
For simplicity in writing of this disclosure, we will refer to ankle system motion during the periods of increasing flexion after initial contract and loading response, through mid-stance, through heel lift, to peak dorsiflexion as "dorsiflexion"; and we will refer to ankle system motion during the periods of increasing extension found during opposite foot contact through toe off as "plantar flexion".
The total range of motion in the ankle during a walking gait is the result of a combination of dorsiflexion angle and plantar flexion angle. After midstance, there is increasing dorsiflexion to a peak of 5 to 15 degrees as measured according to well known technical arts. During push off, the ankle rapidly plantar flexes to a peak of −5 to −20 degrees. Typical total range of motion during the normal walking gait is often shown as 20 to 40 degrees in common literature and internet resources.
Analyzing the running gait where a walking gait has been discussed above, we see similar elements of the cycle; however, efficient runners may not land on their heels in order to prevent unnecessary losses in energy. Rather, initial contact may be on the front part of the foot while the ankle is in slight dorsiflexion. The amount of dorsiflexion increases after midstance to a peak of 20 to 50 degrees. This is followed by rapid and powerful push off during which the ankle plantar flexes to a peak of −10 to 30 degrees. This results in a total range of motion of 40 to 70 degrees. Jogging gaits may range between the walk and run depending upon the person jogging, their abilities, the conditions, their level of exertion, etc. Sprinting gaits often show a decrease in range of motion when the athlete is near the top of their speed range.
Benefits of External Assistance During Dorsiflexion
When an ankle is in dorsiflexion phase, with a joint angle greater than zero, some amount of force needs to be applied to keep the ankle joint angle from rapidly increasing which would lead to the joint collapsing under the weight of the body. This is sometimes referred to as negative work. The removal or full rupture of the Achilles tendon and removal of other supportive ankle muscles & tendons, for example, during this phase would result in joint instability and the inability for a person to bear their body weight upon that foot. Any amount of dorsiflexion results in a necessary force being exerted in the ankle region to prevent joint collapse. A reduction in the force necessary to support the body during dorsiflexion phase, therefore, can be perceived as a potential opportunity to save energy or boost performance. Negative work consumes metabolic energy, and the reduction of negative work can reduce metabolic energy consumption. The reduction in metabolic consumption based upon the externalization of forces is asserted to increase as the vertical travel of the body's center of mass increases and speed of gait increase.

Human locomotion assisting shoe and clothing


A tool for scheduling the delivery of media objects within varying constraints of available bandwidth. In a preferred embodiment in which the invention is enabled by software executable on a general purpose multimedia grade computer, a system designer orchestrates the playback of a series of media objects on a playback "score" analogous to a musical score. The system designer can also see the results of his or her work by playing back the playback score in real time on a corresponding runtime view. The media objects are represented on the playback score as playback icons. Responsive to the designer's manipulation of playback icons on the playback score, the present invention further creates and displays a corresponding download score, also viewable by the system designer, in which download icons (corresponding to playback icons on the playback score) are automatically deployed and arranged to fill up a displayed "pipe" of available bandwidth. The topographical area of the download icons, as displayed, corresponds to the data size of the media objects. The download icons are displayed as rectangular or square-cornered polygonal shapes. As the playback score becomes more information-rich, the pipe tends to fill to capacity with download icons. Eventually, as more information is added, delivery tends towards an error condition where download can no longer keep up with demand (i.e. the pipe is full). When this happens, the invention highlights this condition to the designer. The designer must then take action to correct the error condition so that delivery of media objects is once again compatible with playback. Alternatively, in a second embodiment, the system automatically degrades the content of media objects according to preselected sequences and conditions. The corresponding reduction in data-richness of degraded media objects causes the delivery thereof to again be compatible with playback.

The above-referenced, commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. application entitled USER DEVICE-INDEPENDENT TRANSACTION MODEL (the "UDT Invention") discloses a model for delivering generic information from a central system to connected users whose terminal devices communicate in varying formats and/or media. The UDT Invention teaches the use of Transaction Templates (TTs) and User Device Templates (UDTs) which script and condition device-independent information exchanges between the system and users to be compatible with the different format and media requirements of said users' various terminal devices. In the UDT Invention, TTs enable an exchange of information between the system and the user in the information's most basic, generic format. UDTs associated with each TT then condition the information exchanged in the TT to be format- and media-compatible with the device through which the user is communicating with the system. The same information exchange may thus be enabled in a variety of environments according to the formats and media supported by various users' terminal devices.
A constraint placed upon the effectiveness of UDTs, however, is the available bandwidth in which to deliver information in the scripted formats and/or media. This is particularly applicable when the information is to be delivered in several media, the display of which to the user is to appear simultaneous and/or synchronized. It will be appreciated that, according to the UDT Invention, a UDT may be designed wherein an information transaction is scripted to appear to the user as a sophisticated multimedia experience, including sound, video, graphics and text, assuming that all of these media are supported by the user's multimedia PC. If the available bandwidth in the interconnecting link between system and user is insufficient to deliver all this information according to the time constraints of the script, however, this multimedia UDT will operate at reduced effectiveness.
One solution to this problem of insufficient bandwidth is for the user simply to sit and wait for a sufficient amount of information to have been delivered to begin the script with confidence that it can be completed without running out of information mid-script.
Another solution is to redesign either (or both) the sequence or the content of the script, so that the script's delivery is either slower or less data-rich. For example, a display of merely ornamental graphics could be delayed or removed to make room for the earlier delivery of more strategic information. Alternatively, a media object may be degraded (e.g. sampling rate reduced) to make the object less data-rich.
A yet further solution is to preload information in advance of its being needed by the script. This solution may be enabled using excess bandwidth in early parts of a particular script. This may be done on an individual script basis, alternatively, when the system knows specifically that a later script will be played, information for that later script may be preloaded on the user's terminal device using excess bandwidth during an earlier script.
Whichever solution is chosen, however, it would be highly advantageous to have a computer tool that enables delivery of information to be scheduled so as to optimize available bandwidth, while still enabling the playing of a multimedia script with minimal startup delay and no interruptions. Using this tool, the system designer would be able to orchestrate scripts linked to an optimum delivery schedule of the underlying media objects. When insufficient bandwidth is available for an instantaneous playback, the designer would further be able to make choices among the alternatives described above, such as delaying startup, redesigning script sequence and/or content, or preloading information, so as to make full and best use of available bandwidth. Further, in the context of UDTs according to the UDT Invention, the designer would be able to design an array of UDTs in which a particular information exchange could be scripted to be delivered at various levels of multimedia sophistication according to predetermined increments of available bandwidth.
Methods of identifying and quantifying available bandwidth in interconnecting links are known in the art. It will therefore be seen that given an array of UDTs as described above, each designed to deliver media objects on a schedule that fits within the constraints of an incrementally different bandwidth, it would then become possible, under the UDT Invention, to select a UDT to match the available bandwidth recognized in a particular interconnecting link.
Orchestrating the delivery of media objects within available bandwidth would further be advantageously enabled in a graphical environment on a general purpose multimedia-grade desktop computer. For example, scripting tools are known in the art where a designer may orchestrate the playback of a series of media objects by creating, adapting and executing a horizontal bar chart, much like a "musical score." There is a need in the art to attach this known orchestration and playback capability to corresponding functionality that shows how playback choices are affected by the constraints of delivery bandwidth. In this way, a designer may design, see, hear and manipulate scripts that also take delivery variables such as available bandwidth into account.
The disclosure of above-referenced U.S. application VISUAL AID FOR BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION IN MULTIMEDIA SCRIPTING TOOLS (the "Manual Invention") describes an invention in which the system displays a "download score," viewable in combination with orchestration and playback functionality. The download score enables a system designer to develop manually a "download script" of media objects that delivers information within a fixed bandwidth constraint (or "pipe") to meet the demand for data in the playback functionality. According to the Manual Invention, the system designer may adapt the shape of "download icons" on the download score so as to fit within the pipe. When all the download icons fit within the pipe without creating an error condition, the system designer knows that the media objects that he or she has selected and scripted on the playback score are deliverable within the bandwidth constraint that he or she selected on the download score. As disclosed in the Manual Invention, however, the designer may have adjust the playback script several times by "trial and error" in order to create a playback score that is deliverable through the pipe. It would be highly advantageous to be able to automate selected aspects of the creation of the download script according to predefined "delivery rules," where the system automatically deploys download icons within the pipe according to the delivery rules and then adjusts their shape to fill up available bandwidth. In this way, the system designer could focus on developing aesthetically pleasing playback scripts deliverable within constraints of bandwidth without having to spend time manually adapting the shape of media objects to fit within a pipe on a display.

Automatic bandwidth allocation in multimedia scripting tools


The edge evaluation technique, in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology, includes determining a number of edges of a given primitive to be evaluated. The technique also includes sequencing evaluation of a first edge by a first edge evaluation circuit and a second edge by a second edge evaluation circuit during a first clock cycle. The technique further includes sequencing evaluation of a third edge by the first edge evaluation circuit and a fourth edge by the second edge evaluation circuit during a second clock cycle if three or more edges are to be evaluated.

Recent advances in computer performance have enabled graphic systems to provide more realistic graphical images using personal computers, home video game computers, handheld devices, and the like. In such graphic systems, a number of procedures are executed to "render" or draw graphic primitives to the screen of the system. A "graphic primitive" is a basic component of a graphic picture, such as a point, line, polygon, or the like. Rendered images are formed with combinations of these graphic primitives. Many procedures may be utilized to perform 3-D graphics rendering.
Specialized graphics processing units (e.g., GPUs, etc.) have been developed to optimize the computations required in executing the graphics rendering procedures. The GPUs are configured for high-speed operation and typically incorporate one or more rendering pipelines. Each pipeline includes a number of hardware-based functional units that are optimized for high-speed execution of graphics instructions/data, where the instructions/data are fed into the front end of the pipeline and the computed results emerge at the back end of the pipeline. The hardware-based functional units, cache memories, firmware, and the like, of the GPU are optimized to operate on the low-level graphics primitives (e.g., comprising "points", "lines", "triangles", etc.) and produce real-time rendered 3-D images.
The real-time rendered 3-D images are generated using raster display technology. Raster display technology is widely used in computer graphics systems, and generally refers to the mechanism by which the grid of multiple pixels comprising an image are influenced by the graphics primitives. For each primitive, a typical rasterization system determines whether or not to "render," or write a given pixel into a frame buffer or pixel map, as per the contribution of the primitive. This, in turn, determines how to write the data to the display buffer representing each pixel.
Once the primitives are rasterized into their constituent pixels, these pixels are then processed in pipeline stages subsequent to the rasterization stage where the rendering operations are performed. Generally, these rendering operations assign a color to each of the pixels of a display in accordance with the degree of coverage of the primitives comprising a scene. The per pixel color is also determined in accordance with texture map information that is assigned to the primitives, lighting information, and the like.
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary implementation of graphics processing unit (GPU) 100. The process performed by the GPU generally includes setting up a polygon model (e.g., a plurality of primitives) of objects, applying linear transformation to each primitive, culling back facing primitives, clipping the primitives against a view volume, rasterizing the primitives to a pixel coordinate set, shading/lighting the individual pixels using interpolated or incremental shading techniques, and the like. Accordingly, the GPU 100 hardware includes a setup engine 110, a raster pipeline 120, a shading pipeline 130, a data write unit 140, and one or more other units.
The raster pipeline 120 typically includes a rasterizer 122, an edge evaluator 124 and one or more other circuits. The edge evaluator 124 computes the edge equation, Ax+By+C>0, for all samples, x and y, and all edges of each primitive. The primitive may include any number of edges. In an exemplary implementation the primitives may have four edges. Therefore, the exemplary edge evaluator 124 includes four edge evaluation circuits 210-240 arranged in parallel, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The edge evaluation circuits 210-240 each evaluate a given edge by computing the edge equation for all samples of an evaluation tile. For a four edge primitive evaluated for a two-by-two tile, the conventional edge evaluator 124 evaluates 16 samples per clock, which amounts to a significant area.

Edge evaluation techniques for graphics hardware


Methods are provided for a one step synthesis of polypeptide polymers or co-polymers. The polymers or co-polymers can be linear or branched. In the methods of the invention, the coding sequence for the polypeptide(s) to be polymerized is altered by introducing one or more codons for an nonnatural amino acid, which coding sequence is then utilized to produce the cognate polypeptide. The nonnatural amino acids are selected to be reactive with each other in a bioorthogonal reaction, and are combined in a conjugation reaction with the desired components of the polymer.

Protein synthesis is a fundamental biological process that underlies the development of polypeptide therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, and industrial enzymes. With the advent of recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, it has become possible to harness the catalytic machinery of the cell to produce a desired protein. This can be achieved within the cellular environment or in vitro using extracts derived from cells.
Methods of recombinant protein synthesis include cell-free and cell-based methods of protein synthesis to introduce nonnatural amino acids into a protein. For example, in vitro translation has been recognized for its ability to incorporate nonnatural and isotope-labeled amino acids as well as its capability to produce proteins that are unstable, insoluble, or cytotoxic in vivo. In addition, cell-free protein synthesis may play a role in revolutionizing protein engineering and proteomic screening technologies. The cell-free method bypasses the laborious processes required for cloning and transforming cells for the expression of new gene products in vivo, and is becoming a platform technology for this field.
Relevant Literature
In vivo production of a green fluorescent protein containing multiple copies of pAzF is discussed in Johnson et al. (2011) Nature Chemical Biology 7:779-786. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,375,234; 7,718,410; 8,030,074; 7,045,337. U.S. Patent Application 20080311412.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,191 B1; Swartz et al. U.S. Patent Published Application 20040209321; Swartz et al. International Published Application WO 2004/016778; Swartz et al. U.S. Patent Published Application 2005-0054032-A1; Swartz et al. U.S. Patent Published Application 2005-0054044-A1; Swartz et al. International Published Application WO 2005/052117. Calhoun and Swartz (2005) Biotechnol Bioeng 90(5):606-13; Jewett and Swartz (2004) Biotechnol Bioeng 86(1):19-26; Jewett et al. (2002) Prokaryotic Systems for In Vitro Expression. In: Weiner M, Lu Q, editors. Gene cloning and expression technologies. Westborough, Mass.: Eaton Publishing. p 391-411; Lin et al. (2005) Biotechnol Bioeng 89(2):148-56. (Wang et al. (2001) Science 292(5516):498-500; Wang et al. (2003) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100(1):56-61; Chin et al. (2002) J Am Chem Soc 124(31):9026-7; Farrell et al. (2005) Nat Methods, 2005. 2(5):377-84; Liu et al. (2003) J Am Chem Soc 125(7):1702-3, each herein specifically incorporated by reference

Synthesis of linear and branched polymers of polypeptides through direct conjugation

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY


In a printing apparatus which performs printing by scanning a carriage, which supports a printhead having a plurality of printing elements arrayed in a predetermined direction, relative to a printing medium in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, printing data of a raster format obtained by processing transmitted image information into data used for printing, or printing data transmitted in the raster format is stored in a printing data memory. The printing data stored in the printing data memory is stored in a buffer memory having a storage area corresponding to each printing element. A head parameter unit stores information on the printhead arrangement. Processing of reading out the printing data stored in the printing data memory and storing the printing data in the buffer memory, and processing of reading out the printing data stored in the buffer memory are controlled in accordance with the information stored in the head parameter unit.

A printer which performs printing information such as a desired character or image on a sheet-like printing medium such as a paper sheet or film is widely used as an information output apparatus in a wordprocessor, personal computer, facsimile apparatus, and the like.
Various methods are known as printing methods in the printer. Especially an ink-jet method has recently received a great deal of attention because this method can realize noncontact printing on a printing medium such as a paper sheet, easily prints in color, and is quiet. Because of low cost and easy downsizing, a popular ink-jet arrangement is a serial printing system in which a printhead for discharging ink in accordance with desired printing information is mounted and prints while the printhead is reciprocally scanned in a direction perpendicular to the convey direction of a printing medium such as a paper sheet.
In order to widen a region printed by one scanning and increase the printing speed, the printhead of the ink-jet printer has many printing elements (nozzles) arrayed in almost the same direction as the printing medium convey direction. The ink-jet printer generally comprises a plurality of printing element arrays or printheads in correspondence with a plurality of inks for use for color printing and/or multitone printing.
In general, image data from a host device such as a personal computer is transmitted as raster data of one line that is rasterized in the scanning direction (horizontal direction). The printer which has received the raster data performs H-V conversion of rearranging image data in accordance with the printing element array direction (vertical direction).
In order to stably discharge ink at high speed from an ink-jet printer, the ink-jet printer adopts distributed discharge control of controlling to simultaneously discharge ink from a plurality of nozzles arrayed at specific intervals, instead of simultaneously discharging ink from all nozzles.
When the ink-jet printer using distributed discharge control prints by color printing or the like using a plurality of inks, data management and distributed discharge driving control are executed for each ink used.
For example, in a color printer using three color inks of yellow, magenta, and cyan which are three primary colors in subtractive color mixing, the control circuit is constituted in accordance with the arrangement (the number of nozzles, the positional relationship of the printheads, and the like) of the printhead for each color. When printheads have different arrangements, the control circuit is changed in accordance with each arrangement.
In recent years, ink-jet printers are increasingly used for various purposes, and demands have arisen for higher printing speed and higher image quality. In this situation, the printhead arrangement varies in accordance with the application and purpose.
To facilitate the development and realize low cost, it is desirable to design a control circuit capable of coping with various printhead arrangements.
More specifically, the control circuit is so designed as to arrange a buffer memory for each printhead and generate data to be transferred to the head. Due to various printhead arrangements, the control circuit takes a different circuit arrangement for the arrangement of each printhead for use, and cannot be utilized in a printhead having another arrangement.
For example, in the simplest arrangement in which a buffer memory for storing data to be printed by one scanning is arranged for each printhead (ink), the capacity of the buffer memory changes in accordance with the printing medium size and resolution used for printing. When the buffer memory is formed in a very large scale integrated circuit (VLSI) for higher processing speed, the buffer memory occupies most of the region on the VLSI. If the buffer memory is downsized, but a plurality of types of buffer memories are formed in correspondence with printheads with a plurality of arrangements, the physical region occupied by the memories inefficiently increases.
Some control circuits are so configured as to simultaneously access data at a plurality of addresses in order to efficiently access the memory in accordance with the printhead specifications. Such circuit comprises, e.g., a register and counter for setting the start address, as shown in FIG. 11. By using the counter, data in number set at the counter can be accessed from a desired address.
However, this circuit arrangement limits the specifications of a compatible printhead. Depending on the contents of a specification change, the control circuit must be changed.
As described above, it is difficult for printheads with various arrangements to commonly employ a control circuit for the printhead and a large-scale logical circuit including the control circuit. The control circuit of the printhead inhibits efficient development and low-cost apparatuses.

Printing apparatus and printing data control method effecting distributed driving of printing elements


Improved approaches to allow a portable electronic device to dynamically present location-specific information while the portable electronic device is at a predetermined location are disclosed. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device has a display that can display the location-specific information and has wireless capabilities for use in receiving the location-specific information from the server. The location-specific information can, for example, augment other information that is to be presented on the display. In one embodiment, the location-specific information can be information pertaining to a media item being played in an establishment, such as a store, where the portable electronic device is located.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to providing location-specific data and, more particularly, to providing location-specific data to patrons of a store.
Description of the Related Art
Businesses normally couple to the Internet by way of a leased line, such as a T1 line. Patrons (e.g., customers) to these businesses can also be permitted to access the Internet over the leased line by way of a router at the business location. In some cases, the router is a wireless router such that the patrons can gain access to the leased line by way of local wireless connections (e.g., WiFi). Some businesses, or independent network service providers that provide network access services at the businesses, charge patrons for Internet access, while other businesses offer network access free of charge. Regardless, once Internet access is provided, patrons are typically free to navigate the network.
Businesses can also play music, movies or music videos at their establishments for the benefit of employees and patrons. When a patron hears a song being played at the store, the patron could (while still at the establishment) attempt to remember the name of the song and then navigate to a portion of an online media store, e.g., iTunes™ media store, that offers the media content of the song for purchase. The navigation, however, can be cumbersome particularly when the patron does not know the exact name of the song. There can also be various versions (e.g., remixes, live version, acoustic version, clean version, explicit version) of some songs which can further complicate the navigation. These complications in navigation can frustrate a patron and cause them to fail to locate the desired song in the online media store. Electronic commerce (e-commerce) activity with respect to such songs, such as purchasing digital versions for download, can be frustrated given that locating of a particular song being played in an establishment on an online media store can be cumbersome.
Therefore, there is a need for improved approaches to assist patrons of businesses playing media items with the purchase or review of media items at an online media store.

Dynamic presentation of location-specific information


To prevent unauthorized duplication of an information storage cards such as magnetic cards, IC cards, and optical cards, the card carries an identification region which may be identified by a simple optical sensor. The identification region may consist of holograph, diffraction grating, a multiplicity of parallel grooves and other processed surfaces having certain reflective or transmissive directivities. In particular, the identification region comprises a plurality of segments having two or more different reflective or transmissive directivities, and these segments are uniformly distributed in the identification region so that all of the segments may be accessed simultaneously by the optical sensor which comprises a light emitter and a light receiver including a plurality of parts each capable of individually detecting light reflected by or transmitted through the identification region.

Conventionally, to the end of preventing the forgery of, for instance, a magnetic card, it has been practiced to use a laminated structure for its magnetic layer, and to punch holes in the magnetic card when the magnetic card is not intended for repeated use. However, such structures can be duplicated with deceitful intention by the forgers with relative ease, and may not be sufficient to discourage attempts to illegally duplicate and alter the card. The internal structure of the card may be made more complex by known means, but it will lead to the complication and cost increase of the reader/writers for reading and writing information into and out of the card.

Authenticity identifying system for information storage cards


A belt assembly for securing the sitting and standing positions of an occupant of a vehicle has two lap belts which can be coupled to the vehicle and are brought together at an abdomen-side central buckle and which are swingable in parallel relation to the occupant's body and include retractors. Two length-adjustable body belts extend from the central lock across the torso, shoulders and back of the occupant, and two length-adjustable, loop-like leg belts are connected to length portions of the body belts, with the length portions at least indirectly connected to the lap belts. The body belts have buckle-distal ends which are fastened to the leg belts. The body belts cross at the back of the occupant and are connected there with one another. The belt assembly can be directly connected to a vest which can be suited to the body of the occupant via hook-and-loop fasteners.

The present invention relates, in general, to a belt assembly for securing an occupant of a vehicle, such as, e.g., the position of the commander of a military armored vehicle, in a sitting position as well as standing position.
The commander of an armored vehicle can assume a standing position, when the hatch is open, for surveying the surroundings. On the other hand, the commander assumes a sitting position, when the hatch is closed. The commander is able to completely fulfill his jobs in both positions only when restrained in these positions also during travel in rough terrain, when hitting an obstacle, at mine explosions, or at rollover of an armored vehicle. Also rescue personnel and physicians in ambulances may assume comparable positions during travel and must be able to so move in sitting or standing positions, while restrained, that persons transported in the vehicle can be reliably taken care of. Furthermore, such positions in helicopters used for civil or military purposes are conceivable, when handicapped persons that are immobile require assistance (e.g. hoisting) when e.g. the door is open.
Various belt assemblies heretofore designed for land and air vehicles are not suitable to meet these demands as they normally take into account only one or the other position of an occupant, however ignore the fact that the occupant must be restrained during activity while sitting or standing.
German patent publication DE-AS 11 51 689 as well as German utility model DE-GM 76 26 542 disclose belt assemblies for persons sitting in a vehicle, which include body belts and leg belts releasably connected with one another via an abdomen-side central buckle. The configuration of these belt assemblies is so conceived that the persons are unable to switch from the sitting position into a standing position, when being restrained.
German Pat. No. DE-PS 290 681 discloses a restraint for a person standing in an aircraft. This restraint includes a restraining belt which is worn by the person around the pelvis and is connected with the frame of the aircraft via flexible and resilient members extending radially in relation to the restraining belt. Such an assembly enables only a securement of a standing person.
German patent publication DE 33 00 471 C2 discloses a belt assembly which is directly associated to a vest worn by a person that takes a seat in sitting position in a vehicle and wants also to be restrained in this position by the belt assembly.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved belt assembly which obviates prior art shortcomings and secures an occupant of a vehicle in sitting and standing positions and which can be quickly attached and removed.


A method and apparatus for inspecting a reflective surface, or material on such surface, such as lubricant and planarizing layers on a substrate surface. A beam of controlled polarization impinges obliquely at a spot in the plane of the substrate. A collector such as an integrating sphere is spaced away from the substrate and has an opening oriented to catch the oblique specular reflectance from the surface. Preferably the opening is substantially larger than the beam, so that substrate run out does not send the beam astray or defeat its measurement, and the oblique beam is aimed at an angle lying between the Brewster angle of the lubricant and that of the adjacent layer. A temperature-controlled laser diode with constant-current driver provides a beam that is free of wavelength hops and amplitude changes, making beam aiming repeatable and allowing point-by-point comparisons of the detected reflectance. The substrate spins at high speeds on an encoded shaft, and the assembly is radially stepped to allow inspection of the substrate at radial and angular positions while a microprocessor synchronized with the spinning substrate collects light data to compile a map of surface reflectance. The polarization may be controlled to enhance image quality for different coatings and improve signal discrimination. Simple logic applied to point-by-point inequalities identifies the nature of physical changes responsible for observed effects. Polarization contrast and time difference contrast images allow visualization of defects and changes in substantially transparent layers well under a quarter wave thickness.

The present invention relates to measurements of light-transmissive thin films or layers of such films, and to measurements of surface topography or detection of surface defects. It specifically relates to optical measurement or detection, and to apparatus for performing such optical measurement or detection of a thin film.
A number of common articles of manufacture now have constructions involving thin films formed on relatively large area smooth substrates, and substrates wherein the underlying surface is reflective, possibly conductive, and at least visually smooth if not optically flat. To develop manufacturing processes for reliably fabricating these articles and to inspect them or understand the defects which arise in these articles, it is necessary to observe the thin films. These films may be liquid or solid, have a thickness substantially under one wavelength of the observation illumination, and may possess features or defects which are observable only with meticulous methodology against the highly reflective substrate, requiring a special probe. To detect changes occurring on such a thin surface coating is an even more challenging task.
In part, sensitivity of a probe is determined by devising a standard against which its measurements can be compared. Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,430 describes a technique for measuring a thin film or surface effect in which all reflected light is collected by a nearly-contacting detector, and in which a certain degree of signal normalization is achieved using separate detectors for specular and diffuse light collection. A similar device has also been described in a paper of Meeks, Weresin and Rosen presented at the ASM/STLE Tribology Conference, Maui, Hi. in Oct. 15-19, 1994. That system employs an integrating sphere substantially contiguous with and tangent to a disk to capture all diffuse reflection from the disk surface; apertures through the sphere allow two light paths to be directed at the tangent point for illumination of the point at 60.degree. incidence and collection of the specular component reflected from that point. The device includes automated scanning and collection, and autocalibration is achieved using reference mirrors.
While each of these approaches utilizes sound theoretical models to address the problem of obtaining normalizable and meaningful levels of signal from a thin film, many practical realities should be recognized in the operation of these devices. Thus, for example, the taking of reflectance measurements on a micrometer-scale region may require multiply-repeated sampling and averaging, or integrating, to obtain a repeatable result. Furthermore, while it may be considerably more informative to compare like measurements taken from many consecutive points on a single disk, even the collection of many thousands of data samples may still provide relatively sparse information about the total working surface of the disk. Furthermore, one of the more interesting avenues of research, involving wear test measurements taken from the same disk before and after use, is severely hampered by the difficulty or impossibility of achieving submicron registration of the disk with an earlier position once it has been removed from the measurement stage. This restricts such tests to the brief wear testing that can be performed while the disk remains on the optical measurement stage, or to relatively uninformative comparison of measurement ensembles, rather than pointwise measurement comparisons taken on a single disk over an extended time.
Accordingly, improvements in optical film measurement apparatus are desirable.


A domestic baking device for baking a food product, in particular a flat bread, from a dough portion initially held in a portion capsule (2), the domestic baking device comprising a baking apparatus for baking the dough portion and a capsule-emptying apparatus (7) for removing the dough portion from a portion capsule (2), the capsule-emptying apparatus (7) having at least one force application element, which can be moved along a movement path, for applying force to, in particular deforming and/or moving, the portion capsule (2), which force application element can be driven by means of an electric motor, characterized in that the capsule-emptying apparatus (7) is assigned monitoring means for monitoring the portion capsule emptying operation, the monitoring means comprising comparing means, which are designed to monitor the curve of an electrical motor signal, in particular a current or voltage signal, over the movement path of the force application element for the reaching or exceeding of a reference signal (12), which changes over the movement path of the force application element, and to perform an action if the reference signal (12) is reached or exceeded.

The invention relates to a domestic baking device for baking a food product, in particular a flat bread, from a dough portion initially held in a portion capsule, the domestic baking device comprising a baking apparatus for baking the dough portion, in particular after a preceding flattening, in particular a rolling or pressing of the dough portion, and a capsule-emptying apparatus for removing the dough portion from the portion capsule, the capsule-emptying apparatus having a force application element, which can be moved along a movement path (relative to the portion capsule when the portion capsule is positioned in the device), for applying force to, in particular deforming and/or moving and/or clamping, the portion capsule, which force application element can be driven by means of an electric motor.
Additionally, the invention relates to a method for operating a domestic baking device, in particular a domestic baking device according to the invention, for baking a food product, in particular a flat bread, a force application element in a capsule-emptying apparatus of the domestic baking device for removing a dough portion from a portion capsule being driven by means of an electric motor in such a manner that it is moved, in particular translationally or alternatively along an at least partially curved track, along a movement path relative to the portion capsule and it applies force to the portion capsule.
From WO 2013/124809 A2, a domestic flat bread baking device is known in which a dough portion is removed from a portion capsule by a plunger applying force to the portion capsule. Problems can arise if the capsule-opening process is performed on other portion capsules than those defined and provided by the manufacturer and/or if portion capsules with a frozen dough portion are used. There is a risk that the components involved in the capsule-opening process are subjected to incorrect loads or overloads, which can cause deformation or destruction of the components involved. An incorrect positioning of an otherwise proper capsule can also cause incorrect loads. This can also lead to deformation or destruction of the components involved in the capsule-opening process.


A novel charger wherein a constant electric power control is made such that an electric power feed at the output end is the same as the electric power fed by a fuel cell at the input end, thereby keeping a cell charge current constant, reducing the number of components and further realizing a stable charging. A charger, an input source (Vfc) of which is a fuel cell or solar cell exhibiting a relatively large output impedance during electric power feed, includes a secondary cell (B) at the output end. A current control circuit (10), which is connected to the secondary cell, supplies a charging current to be caused to flow into the secondary cell. The value of the charging current is obtained from a control amount necessary for maintaining a converter output voltage at a drooping voltage as set.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a DC-DC converter having a charging function in which a cell, such as a conventional fuel cell or solar cell is used as an input source, and a load Ro and a secondary cell B are connected in parallel to an output end of the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter having a charger shown in FIG. 12 has means for controlling an input voltage, which is lowered due to output impedance when electric power is supplied, so as to become constant, thereby realizing constant input of electric power in which when an input supply power Pin is smaller than an output supply power Pout, the input voltage becomes constant, and an output voltage becomes a dropping state, and means for controlling the output voltage so as to become constant, in which when the input supply power Pin is larger than the output supply power Pout, the input voltage increases, (for example, see to Patent Document 1 for the solar cell).
Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows a charger shown includes a charging circuit 20 is connected to the secondary cell B, and the charger has a unit that controls an input voltage, which is lowered due to output impedance when electric power is supplied, so as to be constant, thus realizing constant input of electric power. In addition, in the charger circuit the input power Pin is set to be larger than the output power Pout, and a constant voltage control circuit and a constant current control circuit are provided in order to stably perform the charging of a current into the secondary cell B.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-341699

Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd


An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed herein for accelerating memory access with an output latch. In an example aspect, the output latch includes a data storage unit, first circuitry, and second circuitry. The data storage unit includes a first input node configured to receive a first input voltage, a second input node configured to receive a second input voltage, a first output node configured to provide a first output voltage, and a second output node configured to provide a second output voltage. The first circuitry is configured to accelerate a voltage level transition of the first output voltage at the first output node responsive to the first input voltage at the first input node. The second circuitry is configured to accelerate a voltage level transition of the second output voltage at the second output node responsive to the second input voltage at the second input node.

Modern electronic devices come in many forms. Personal modern electronic devices include smart watches, mobile phones, and notebook computers. Modern electronic devices deployed by corporations include server machines that power large data centers and cloud computing services, plus computing technology that is embedded in other devices, such as vehicles and manufacturing equipment. Further, internet-of-things (IoT) devices are modern electronic devices that employ processing capabilities to improve device interconnectedness. These IoT devices, which are proliferating in many areas of life, include thermostats, refrigerators, portable medical equipment, and so forth. Each of these kinds of electronic devices play some pivotal role in modern life.
What each of these electronic devices have in common is some kind of processor. Processors operate as the brains of electronic devices by implementing some functionality that has been encoded into a program that can be executed. To execute a program and thereby provide the desired device functionality, the processor uses memory to store the program code or the data on which the program operates. Thus, the processor and associated memory work together to execute programs.
One reason electronic devices are more common today is that modern electronic devices are so much more powerful than those of just a few years ago, not to mention ones from a few decades ago. One reason electronic devices are more powerful is that processors have become faster. Generally, the faster a processor can execute a program, the more interesting or beneficial is the functionality that the processor can provide. However, intrinsic processor speed alone does not determine an amount of functionality that an electronic device can provide because intrinsic processor speed alone does not control how quickly a processor can execute a program. The speed of memory associated with a processor, for example, also impacts program execution speed.
Accordingly, efforts have been made to increase the speed at which a processor can use memory to execute programs. One approach is to utilize a type of memory with relatively superior speed. Two example types of memory are dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM). On the one hand, the SRAM type is faster than the DRAM type. On the other hand, SRAM costs more because SRAM is both more complicated and occupies a larger chip area on a per-bit basis. Nevertheless, SRAM is often used for the memory that a processor accesses because superior speed can be worth the price- and chip-area premiums.
Another approach is to place a portion of the memory closer to the processor that is to access the memory and another portion further away. Having multiple levels of memory like this is called hierarchical memory. Two different levels of hierarchical memory are cache memory and main memory. The contents of a cache memory may be only part of the entire contents of the corresponding main memory. However, the cache memory is placed closer to the processor as compared to the main memory to reduce data access times. Moreover, with modern processors cache memory is typically integrated on a same integrated circuit (IC) chip as is the processor. This integration enables the processor to access the cache memory with significantly lower latencies.
In many modern processors, these two approaches are used in combination. In other words, a processor is provided a cache memory formed from SRAM cells. Such an SRAM cache memory can also be integrated with a processor on the same chip. Implementing these approaches does increase the speed at which a processor can use memory to execute programs and provide computing functionality. Unfortunately, even if these various approaches are implemented together, memory usage still causes a bottleneck for processing throughput. The time delays that occur because a processor is interacting with a slower memory continue to negatively impact the speed at which a processor can execute a program. Consequently, memory system deficiencies continue to hinder overall computing performance and limit the functionality that can be provided by modern electronic devices.

Output latch for accelerated memory access


A method of and a system for detecting anomalies in projection images generated by CT scanners are provided. One type of anomaly of particular interest is bright or/and dark dots in projection images, which correspond to streak artifacts in the CT images. The method for detecting such bright or/and dark dots in projection images comprises: generating projection images; computing a CFAR distance map; computing a preliminary dot map; generating dot histograms; and detecting bright dots or/and dark dots based on the generated histograms.

Most X-ray baggage scanning systems in use today are of the "line scanner" type and include a stationary X-ray source, a stationary linear detector array, and a conveyor belt for transporting baggage between the source and detector array as the baggage passes through the scanner. The X-ray source generates an X-ray beam that passes through and is partially attenuated by the baggage and is then received by the detector array. During each measuring interval the detector array generates data representative of the integral of density of the planar segment of the baggage through which the X-ray beam passes, and this data is used to form one or more raster lines of a two-dimensional image. As the conveyor belt transports the baggage past the stationary source and detector array, the scanner generates a two-dimensional image representative of the density of the baggage, as viewed by the stationary detector array. The density image is typically displayed for analysis by a human operator.
Detection of suspected baggage containing threat objects or prohibited items requires very attentive operators. The requirement for such attentiveness can result in greater operator fatigue, and fatigue as well as any distractions can result in a suspected bag passing through the system undetected. Accordingly, a great deal of effort has been made to design a better baggage scanner. Such designs, for example, have been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,759,047 (Donges et al.); 4,884,289 (Glockmann et al.); 5,132,988 (Tsutsui et al.); 5,182,764 (Peschmann et al.); 5,247,561 (Kotowski); 5,319,547 (Krug et al.); 5,367,552 (Peschmann et al.); 5,490,218 (Krug et al.) and German Offenlegungsschrift DE 31 503 06 A1 (Heimann GmbH).
At least one of these designs, described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,182,764 (Peschmann et al.) and 5,367,552 (Peschmann et al.) (herein after the '764 and '552 patents), has been commercially developed and is referred to hereinafter as the "Invision Machine." The Invision Machine includes a CT scanner of the third generation type, which typically includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector system secured respectively to diametrically opposite sides of an annular-shaped platform or disk. The disk is rotatably mounted within a gantry support so that in operation the disk continuously rotates about a rotation axis while X-rays pass from the source through an object positioned within the opening of the disk to the detector system.
The detector system can include a linear or two-dimensional array of detectors disposed as a single row or multiple rows in the shape of a circular, cylindrical or spherical arc having a center of curvature at the focal spot of the X-ray source, i.e., the point within the X-ray source from which the X-rays emanate. The X-ray source generates a fan or pyramidal shaped beam, or fan or cone beam, of X-rays that emanates from the focal spot, passes through a planar imaging field, and is received by the detectors. The CT scanner includes a coordinate system defined by X-, Y- and Z-axes, wherein the axes intersect and are all normal to one another at the center of rotation of the disk as the disk rotates about the rotation axis. This center of rotation is commonly referred to as the by and lie within the planar imaging field. The fan beam is thus defined as the volume of space defined between a point source, i.e., the focal spot, and the receiving surfaces of the detectors of the detector array exposed to the X-ray beam. Because the dimension of the receiving surfaces of each of the detectors of the array of detectors is relatively small in the Z-axis direction the beam is designed to be relatively thin in the Z-axis direction. Each detector generates an output signal representative of the intensity of the X-rays incident on that detector. Since the X-rays are partially attenuated by all the mass in their path, the output signal generated by each detector is representative of the density of all the mass disposed in the imaging field between the X-ray source and that detector.
As the disk rotates, the detector array is periodically sampled, and for each measuring interval each of the detectors in the detector array generates an output signal representative of the density of a portion of the object being scanned during that interval. The collection of all of the output signals generated by all the detectors of the detector array for any measuring interval is referred to as a "projection," or equivalently as a "view," and the angular orientation of the disk (and the corresponding angular orientations of the X-ray source and the detector array) during generation of a projection is referred to as the "projection angle." At each projection angle, the path of the X-rays from the focal spot to each detector, called a "ray," increases in cross section from an appropriate point source to the receiving surface area of the detector, and thus is thought to magnify the density measurement because the receiving surface area of the detector area is larger than any cross sectional area of the object through which the ray passes.
As the disk rotates around the object being scanned, the scanner generates a plurality of projections at a corresponding plurality of projection angles. Using well known algorithms a CT image of the object may be generated from all the projection data collected at each of the projection angles. The CT image is representative of the density of a two dimensional "slice" of the object through which the fan beam has passed during the rotation of the disk through the various projection angles. The resolution of the CT image is determined in part by the width of the receiving surface area of each detector in the plane of the beam, the width of the detector being defined herein as the dimension measured in the same direction as the width of the beam, while the length of the detector is defined herein as the dimension measured in a direction normal to the beam parallel to the rotation or Z-axis of the scanner. In general, the resolution of the CT image is inversely proportional to the width of the receiving surface of each detector in the plane of the fan beam.
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show perspective, end cross-sectional, and radial cross-sectional views, respectively, of a typical baggage scanning system 100, which includes a conveyor system 110 for continuously conveying baggage or luggage 112 in a direction indicated by arrow 114 through a central aperture of a CT scanning system 120. The conveyor system includes motor driven belts for supporting the baggage. Conveyor system 110 is illustrated as including a plurality of individual conveyor sections 122; however, other forms of conveyor systems may be used.
The CT scanning system 120 includes an annular shaped rotating platform, or disk, 124 disposed within a gantry support 125 for rotation about a rotation axis 127 (shown in FIG. 3) that is preferably parallel to the direction of travel 114 of the baggage 112. Disk 124 is driven about rotation axis 127 by any suitable drive mechanism, such as a belt 116 and motor drive system 118, or other suitable drive mechanism, such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,657 issued Dec. 5, 1995 to Gilbert McKenna, entitled "X-ray Tomographic Scanning System," which is assigned to the present assignee and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Rotating platform 124 defines a central aperture 126 through which conveyor system 110 transports the baggage 112.
The system 120 includes an X-ray tube 128 and a detector array 130 which are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the platform 124. The detector array 130 can be a two-dimensional array such as the array described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,795 entitled, "Area Detector Array for Computed Tomography Scanning System." The system 120 further includes a data acquisition system (DAS) 134 for receiving and processing signals generated by detector array 130, and an X-ray tube control system 136 for supplying power to, and otherwise controlling the operation of, X-ray tube 128. The system 120 is also preferably provided with a computerized system (not shown) for processing the output of the data acquisition system 134 and for generating the necessary signals for operating and controlling the system 120. The computerized system can also include a monitor for displaying information including generated images. System 120 also includes shields 138, which may be fabricated from lead, for example, for preventing radiation from propagating beyond gantry 125.
The X-ray tube 128 may generate a pyramidally shaped beam, often referred to as a "cone beam," 132 of X-rays that pass through a three dimensional imaging field, through which conveying system 110 transports baggage 112. After passing through the baggage disposed in the imaging field, detector array 130 receives cone beam 132 and generates signals representative of the densities of exposed portions of baggage 112. The beam received by the detectors therefore defines a scanning volume of space. Platform 124 rotates about its rotation axis 127, thereby transporting X-ray source 128 and detector array 130 in circular trajectories about baggage 112 as the conveyor system 110 continuously transports baggage through central aperture 126, so as to generate a plurality of projections at a corresponding plurality of projection angles.
The explosive detection systems used for discrimination of compositions, objects or conditions must provide the same (i.e. consistent and uniform) discrimination results for the same scanned compositions, objects and conditions, so that one set of algorithms and parameters may be used by all of the scanners. This requirement applies to any composition, object or condition that may be scanned. As a result, the images provided by the scanners should be similar enough so that the same discrimination results are obtained.
In order to ensure that a scanner meets specification in terms of its discrimination capabilities and other performance criteria, it is beneficial to test its image quality. The image quality assessment method by Engel et al., entitled "Computerized Tomography Calibrator," U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,130, and a method by Aufrichtig et al., entitled "Apparatus and Methods for Automatic Monitoring and Assessment of Image Quality in X-ray systems," U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,835, represent examples of prior art image quality assessment methods. These methods require precise positioning of a phantom, step-and-shoot scanning, and special, non-normal modes of operation.
In U.S. application Ser. No. 09/842,075, filed on Apr. 25, 2001, by Seemeen Karimi, et al., entitled "Method of and apparatus for automatic image quality assessment," and assigned to the present assignee, 3D CT images of a fixed image quality phantom, which is specially designed, are used to assess the stability of the high voltage power supply that powers the X-ray tube, the X-ray flux, the placement of the conveyor belt relative to the scanner, the speed of the gantry, and the speed of the belt. The method includes comparing the measured object properties including the mean CT numbers and the standard deviation of CT numbers with pre-stored reference values. Tolerances are allowed for the measured mean and standard deviation. The use of the mean and standard deviation coupled with a tolerance can result in a miss-detection of artifacts. For example, a dark streak and a bright streak within an object region can yield the same mean value as a similar object region without streaks, and a standard deviation value which is still within the tolerance range, resulting in a miss-detection of such streaks. Another drawback of the method is that it only computes the properties of the object regions. Thus, artifacts in the non-object regions can not be detected.

Method of and system for detecting anomalies in projection images generated by computed tomography scanners


Systems and methods for capturing light field information including spatial and angular information using an image pickup device that includes an image sensor and at least one spatial light modulator (SLM) take multiple captures of a scene using the at least one SLM to obtain coded projections of a light field of the scene, wherein each capture is taken using at least one pattern on the at least one SLM, and recover light field data using a reconstruction process on the obtained coded projections of the light field.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to compressive light sensing, including compressive light-field sensing.
2. Background
Several techniques have been proposed for light-field capture. Unfortunately, these techniques trade spatial resolution for angular resolution. Also, the trade-off between spatial resolution and angular resolution is determined at the time of design or manufacture.

Systems and methods for compressive light sensing using multiple spatial light modulators


An efficient method of generating a bit-reverse index array in real time without performing any bit manipulation for a wireless communication system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to a method of generating a cycle efficient, bit-reverse index array for a wireless communication systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Signal processing algorithms associated with most wireless communication systems manipulate data in the time and frequency domains. Some of these algorithms require the data to be in normal order while other algorithms need the data in bit-reversed order. It is not however, desirable to swap the order of the data in real time to meet the needs of each algorithm. Although many methods exist for generating bit-reverse index arrays, all of these known methods most often seem to be concerned with bit-manipulation of a particular index value. These methods, for example, involve more efficient ways of taking the binary representation of the index value and bit-reversing it. However, these binary manipulations can be very time consuming and are not well suited for real-time operation.
In view of the above, there is a need in the wireless communication art for an efficient method of generating a bit-reverse index array in real time without performing any bit manipulation.

Method of generating a cycle-efficient bit-reverse index array for a wireless communication system


A system (10) for in vivo measuring chemical and physical parameters of a patient's blood includes a probe (12), a sensing system (14), and flush interference warning devices (20). The system measures pH, pCO.sub.2, and temperature values, and determines a base excess value using the measured pH and pCO.sub.2. The time rate of change of the base excess value is also determined, as is the time rate of change of temperature. The warning devices are activated, indicating that the measured parameters are likely affected by the presence of flush solution flowing past the probe, when either: (a) the base excess value is less than a predefined threshold base excess; (b) the absolute value of the time rate of change of the base excess value is greater than a predefined threshold time rate of change of base excess; or, (c) the absolute value of the time rate of change of temperature is greater than a predefined threshold time rate of change of temperature.

Chemical sensors have been developed in recent years for the in vivo monitoring of the concentration of various analytes, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen ions (i.e., pH), in liquids and gases. In particular, fiber-optic chemical sensors have been developed for measuring the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen gases in the blood, and the pH of the blood. Such sensors typically include one or more optical fibers, on the distal end of which are mounted analyte sensors. These sensors exhibit a perturbed light absorbance, luminescence, or phosphorescence in the presence of the analyte molecules. A thermocouple may be included with these analyte sensors, the combination being configured as a probe that is insertable through a catheter into a patient's vascular system.
A saline flush solution that may contain an anti-clotting agent is often introduced through the inserted catheter at a low rate, such as 3 to 5 ccs per hour, to prevent the development of thrombi around the probe. Signals affected by the analyte sensors mounted at the distal end of the probe are periodically monitored to determine the patient's blood gas levels and temperature of the blood.
Sufficient blood flow past the probe is required to clear this saline flush solution from the vicinity of the sensors and enable a measurement of pH and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO.sub.2) and oxygen (pO.sub.2) that is accurately reflective of these analyte concentrations in the bloodstream. A problem with the accuracy of blood chemistry measurements may be experienced when certain diseases or physiological states cause a reduction in the amount of blood flow through the monitored blood vessel. Causal factors of slow peripheral blood flow include thoracic surgical procedures, cold extremities, left-side heart failure, arterial sclerosis, local vasoconstriction due to catheterization, and occlusion of the blood vessel by the catheter through which the probe is inserted.
When blood flow past the probe is reduced, the saline flush solution is not fully cleared away from the chemical sensors by the blood flow, and the volume of blood surrounding the chemical sensors is diluted. Consequently, the chemical sensors in the probe measure pH, pCO.sub.2, pO.sub.2, and temperature of a mixture of blood and saline flush, rather than systemic blood. During such periods of "flush interference" (i.e., blood mixed with substantial quantities of saline flush), the chemical sensors provide measurements that are not clinically relevent. Saline flush solution typically is characterized by pH and pCO.sub.2 values that are substantially lower than the corresponding values of systemic blood, and its pO.sub.2 may vary greatly from that of systemic blood value at any given time. Erroneous readings caused by flush interference may, at best, cause medical personnel to disregard data from the chemical sensors. When data from the probe cannot be relied upon, the practitioner is often required to draw and analyze a discrete blood gas sample from the patient. Potentially more harmful, medical personnel may instead not recognize the flush interference condition and determine patient treatment based upon the erroneous results.
Clinical and animal trails have shown that peripheral arterial blood flow compromises saline flush solution approximately 5 to 30% of the time during in vivo measurements of blood gas parameters. The prior methodology for recognizing that flush interference is occurring has been to watch for extreme drops in both the measured pH (such as a measured pH less than 7.0) and pCO.sub.2 (such as a measured pCO.sub.2 below 10 torr). Such low measurements are indicative of chronic flush interference, i.e., dilution of blood with substantial quantities of flush solution for the period of time during which the blood gas parameters are measured. Because there are few, slow onset disease states, such as chronic metabolic acidosis, that can cause this combination of low arterial pH and pCO.sub.2, diagnosis of chronic flush interference is relatively easy. However, in cases of intermittent or less extreme flush interference, the resulting discrepancies in measured pH and pCO.sub.2, as well as pO.sub.2 and temperature, are not as readily identified. In cases of significant but non-chronic flush interference, erroneous readings may either go undetected, or if detected, may result in the need for discrete blood sample analysis, with ensuring cost, delay, and potential patient discomfort.

Method for determining flush interference in measurement of chemical and physical parameters with indwelling probe


A potential measuring apparatus has a detection electrode on which an electric charge is induced according to a potential of a detection object, and a modulator for altering the generated quantity of the electric charge. The detection electrode has at least one depressed portion on a surface opposite to the detection object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a potential measuring apparatus for detecting a potential of a detection object through a quantity of electric charge generated in a detection electrode. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with this potential measuring apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-180490 has proposed a potential measuring apparatus of a system that a distance between a detection object and a detection electrode is changed. This potential measuring apparatus comprises a piezoelectric tuning fork, an insulator and a detection electrode and has the construction of the so-called capacitor in which the insulator is formed between the detection electrode and the piezoelectric tuning fork. In this construction, electric charge is generated, increased and decreased at the detection electrode whose distance to the detection object is changed, and this increase and decrease of electric charge becomes an AC electric signal from the detection electrode.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,800 has proposed a potential measuring apparatus of a system that an area of a detection electrode as seen from a detection object is changed. This potential measuring apparatus is produced by the MEMS technique (application of a semiconductor process technique). In semiconductor processes, silicon is generally used as a substrate material. When the detection electrode is formed on silicon, an insulator is formed between the silicon and the detection electrode. Since silicon has a nature that electricity is passed through it, the so-called capacitor is constructed. In this construction, electric charge is generated, increased and decreased in the detection electrode, of which the area seen from the detection object is changed, and this increase and decrease of electric charge becomes an AC electric signal from the detection electrode.
The principle of generating an output signal in a potential measuring apparatus of a non-contact system, which is a system used in the potential measuring apparatus of the prior art and the potential measuring apparatus according to the present invention, will hereinafter be described.
When a distance (g) between the detection object and the detection electrode a dielectric constant (ε) between the detection object and the detection electrode, organ area (s) of the detection electrode as seen from the detection object is changed, an electric (coupling) capacitance (C) induced between the detection object and the detection electrode is altered.
The electric capacitance (C) may be generally represented by the following equation (1):C=(ε·s)/g  (1)wherein ε[F·m−1] is a dielectric-constant between the detection object and the detection electrode, g [m] is a distance between the detection object and the detection electrode, and s [m2] is an area of the detection electrode as seen from the detection object.
The electric capacitance (C) may also be represented by the following equation (2):Q=C×Vd  (2)wherein Q is a quantity of electric charge, and Vd [V] is a potential of the detection object.
The equation (1) is substituted into the equation (2) to obtain the following equation (3):Q=(ε·s)/g×Vd  (3)
When the area of the detection electrode as seen from the detection object is changed with time (t), the equation (3) can be represented by the following equation (4). This change can be attained by, for example, letting in and out a shield plate formed of a conductive material or the like between the detection object and the detection electrode.Q(t)=(ε·s(t))/g×Vd  (4)
The equation (4) is differentiated with respect to the time (t) to obtain the following equation (5):dQ(t)/dt=I(t)=(ε/g·ds(t)/dt)×Vd  (5)wherein the area change per time, ds(t)/dt, is a known value.
In this way, a current signal I(t) from the detection electrode is obtained in accordance with the equation (5). This signal is subjected to current-voltage conversion, whereby a voltage output signal V(t) can be obtained, and the potential Vd of the detection object can be found from the output signal V(t). When the distance (g) between the detection object and the detection electrode is changed with time (t), or a dielectric constant (ε) between the detection object and the detection electrode is changed with time (t), it is also understood that a current signal I(t) from the detection electrode is obtained in accordance with the same way of thinking as described above.
However, in the potential measuring apparatus of the non-contact system, an electric capacitance (an electric capacitance exclusive of the electric capacitance generated with respect to the detection object; hereinafter also referred to as a parasitic capacitance) is generated between the detection electrode and a member present in the vicinity thereof. In some cases, a part of the electric signal generated at the detection electrode may flow into the member present in the vicinity of the electrode by this parasitic capacitance. Therefore, there is a possibility that the output signal from the detection electrode may be lowered. If a noise component is present in the member present in the vicinity of the detection electrode, the noise component flows into the detection electrode, so that the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) may be lowered in some cases. In the above-described prior art, this has not been taken into consideration.


The present disclosure relates to a foamable personal care composition, a personal care kit of parts, and uses thereof. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a foamable personal care composition and a personal care kit of parts used in skin or hair treatment.

Nowadays, more and more people pay attention on the health of scalp and hair. It is believed that a healthy scalp will give a good condition for hair growth. Although there are many scalp and hair care products on the market, the forms of the products are commonplace and limited to lotion, cream, gel, etc. which are lacking aesthetic elements that are appealing to consumers.
Foaming action is primarily desirable at the time such product is applied to and during use on the skin or the hair. A formable hair care product may have advantages of creating a significant amount of foams and bubbles in short term and thus attract consumer's attention and interests. Among them, foaming systems producing carbon dioxide, essentially including of an acid and a carbonate or bicarbonate have been developed since they are self-forming and thus there is no need to use propellants which are not safe and environment-friendly.
WO 200027356 A1 discloses a cosmetic or pharmaceutical self-foaming system for application to the skin or hair, comprising an acid component and an alkali metal bicarbonate component contained in a cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
JP 563135317 A discloses a detergent containing a surface active agent or soap as an active ingredient for the detergent is blended with a carbonic acid gas generating substance, especially sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate; an inorganic acid, organic acid or an acidic salt thereof; and an emollient agent, preferably polypeptide, keratin, sugar ester or olive oil. WO 90/14070 A discloses foaming hair conditioning and care compositions containing organic acid, carbonate and caring agents.
GB 758020 A discloses a formed detergent composition including in forming a concentrated aqueous solution of a synthetic detergent having foaming characteristics, the said solution containing free acid and adding thereto a powdered carbonate or bicarbonate which, in the present of water, will liberate carbon dioxide on contact with the said acid.
There is still a need to develop an improved formable personal care composition which produces dense and homogeneous foams with a significant amount and stability over time for skin or hair treatment which allows a massage step taking a longer period of time.

Foamable personal care composition and the use thereof


A two-mode compound-split hydro-mechanical powertrain employs a hydro-mechanical continuously variable transmission having two hydraulic units, at least two torque-transmitting mechanisms, and a planetary gear arrangement for combining the output of an engine and the two hydraulic units into a single output mechanism.

Power transmissions are employed in vehicle powertrains to provide a plurality of ratio changes between the engine and a transmission output generally comprised of a differential mechanism. The transmission takes many different forms. The earliest of the transmissions were generally countershaft-type transmissions for use in passenger vehicles, which gave way partially to automatically shifted planetary-type transmissions and to some continuously variable transmissions, particularly belt and pulley mechanisms, as well as electrical and hydraulic mechanisms.
There is a desire to reduce the overall size of the transmission in order to save real estate under the hood or in the rear of the vehicle where the transmission and/or the engine are located. In front wheel drive transverse powertrain applications, the linear distance or dimension of the powertrain is of importance.

Two-mode compound-split hydraulic continuously variable transmission


A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer bottle by discharging an inner layer parison from a multi-layer die head and pinching a lower portion of the inner layer parison by a pinch apparatus; discharging an outer layer parison which is longer than the inner layer parison; pinching the lower portion of the outer layer parison by a molding mold; and blow molding the inner layer parison. In such a manner, the multi-layer bottle is manufactured. When the multi-layer bottle having an inner layer separating function is manufactured, the inner layer parison and the outer layer parison comprise different resins having no adhesivity to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer bottle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer bottle which has a separating function.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, a multi-layer bottle has been molded in the following manner. In the first place, a multi-layer die head of a blow molding machine is used so as to make a plurality of molten resins supplied from a plurality of extruders a laminar shape. Next, each layer is joined to each other in a nozzle of the die head so as to form an integral parison. Finally, the parison is discharged between molds.
Recently, the multi-layer bottle having a separating function has been used as the bottle for a shampoo, a rinse or the like. In case of the aforementioned bottle, when contents are discharged from a pouring pump fitted to an opening of the bottle, a negative pressure is caused in the bottle. This results in a deformation of an appearance of the bottle and a difficulty in the discharge of the contents. In order to prevent this, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 213372/1993 proposes a multi-layer bottle 31 as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. A wall of a body 32 of the multi-layer bottle 31 comprises a two-layer structure: an outer layer 33 and an inner layer 34. The outer layer 33 and the inner layer 34 are formed of different resins which are not adhered to each other. A wall thickness of the inner layer 34 is thinner than that of the outer layer 33. In case of the bottle 31, when the contents are discharged and thus the inner layer 34 is shrunk, a pinch-off of the inner layer 34 is removed from a bottom portion of the outer layer 33 so that a vent hole 35 is formed on the bottom portion of the outer layer 33. The vent hole 35 is disposed in order to prevent a vacuum status which occurs when a reduction of the contents causes the inner layer 34 to be shrunk. Typically, after a molding of the multi-layer bottle, the inner layer 34 is once separated and then the vent hole 35 is formed in the outer layer 33. The thus manufactured bottle 31 appears to be integrally structured immediately after the molding due to a multi-layer molding which uses the different resins, each having no adhesivity to each other. However, whenever the contents are discharged from a pouring pump 38 fitted to an opening 37 of the bottle 31, the outer layer 33 remains while the inner layer 34 is gradually shrunk. Thus, the contents can be efficiently discharged to the end.
Since the prior art multi-layer bottle is constructed in the above-described manner, the following problems exist:
(a) when the multi-layer bottle has an inner layer separating function, the inner layer is typically thinner than the outer layer. Thus, during the molding of the parison, the circumferential wall thickness of the inner layer is subject to variation due to change in the wall thickness of the outer layer; PA1 (b) when a pinch-off portion of the molded multi-layer bottle has a multi-layer structure, more specifically, when the multi-layer bottle has the inner layer separating function, since a material having the separating function is used as an inner layer parison, a strength is weakened in the pinch-off portion; PA1 (c) since the parison is multi-layered over the total length thereof, a pinched-off burr is also multi-layered and thus it is difficult to reuse the burr; PA1 (d) when the multi-layer bottle has the inner layer separating function, it is desirable that the inner layer is crushed to a small size in order to improve dischargeability of the contents. However, typically, as shown in FIG. 1b, since a width C of inner/outer layer pinch-off is wide, the pinch-off portions presses against the inner layer and thereby the inner layer is difficult to crush. Furthermore, since the wall thickness in the periphery of the pinch-off portion has less blow ratio, the wall is thicker and thereby the inner layer is more difficult to crush. Thus, the dischargeability of the contents becomes worse; PA1 (e) when the vent hole is formed in the outer layer of the multi-layer bottle having the inner layer separating function, the formation takes a lot of time. At that time, there is a fear of the crush or deformation of the bottle body. There is arisen another problem about a removal of cutting powder which is generated when the pinch-off portion is separated and the hole is formed; and PA1 (f) when the multi-layer bottle has the inner layer separating function, during the discharge of the contents, a lower portion of the inner layer is also separated from the outer layer. Thus, the inner layer is vibrated, and therefore an outer surface of the inner layer comes into contact with an inner surface of the outer layer, thereby generating a noise.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing multi-layer bottle


A device for use in measuring stratified fluid levels in a container is disclosed. The device has a microwave transceiver sensor head attached to a waveguide sensor rod which is enclosed by a gauge tube. The rod end tubes are comprised of sections which allow them to be assembled or disassembled in a close quarters environment. The tube has a plurality of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced slots providing for the equalization of stratified fluids within the tube. The rod is generally radially centered in the tube by the use of a plurality of spacers which reside in notches in the rod. The spacers are adapted to not penetrate the slots in the tube. The rod can be removed from the tube for cleaning without draining the tank. Additionally, once the rod is removed from the tube, a cleaner brush or scraper can be used to remove any barnacles or other debris from within the tube and the longitudinal slots in the tube.

The measuring of the level of a fluid in a tank is important for many reasons. For example, it is important for an operator of a ship or other machine to know the amount of fuel that remains in a fuel tank. Traditionally, mechanical measuring systems and methods such as the use of floats have been used to ascertain the level of a particular liquid in a tank. More recently, a microwave wave guide has been utilized to determine the level of a fluid in a tank. It is also desirable to measure the levels of stratified liquid in a tank. For example, a ship may, for ballast purposes, keep its fuel tanks nearly full at all times by replacing diesel fuel that is burned with seawater.
However, the installation of a measuring device in a fuel tank of a ship can be problematic. First, the location of a fuel tank aboard a ship may make it difficult to utilize a traditional straight waveguide rod due to the shape of the hull or other structural considerations such as bulkheads, etc. In addition, in a salt water environment, problems can develop with regards to keeping a measuring device free from the accumulation of seaborne items that can negatively affect the accuracy of the measurements.

Apparatus for use in measuring fluid levels