The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing an animal with a nutraceutical program that is specifically tailored to address the deficiencies and/or needs of the particular animal. Blood is drawn from the animal and analyzed at a lab to obtain blood test results. The blood test results are scored to obtain at least one blood test score for at least one corresponding blood parameter. If the at least one blood test score falls within a normal range but outside of an optimal range, one or more nutraceuticals needed to bring the animal within the optimal range for the at least one corresponding blood parameter are identified. A prescribed dosage amount is then calculated for at least one of the one or more identified nutraceuticals for the animal. The calculation of the prescribed dosage amount is based on at least the blood test score for the corresponding blood parameter and a deviation of the blood test score from the optimal range.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing a nutraceutical program specific to an individual animal. More particularly, the present invention enables an assessment of the health of internal organs of an animal, and the available vitamins, minerals and enzymes required for the metabolic processes. Using blood results and medical history, the Nutritional Blood Test (NBT) provided by the present invention prioritizes the nutrients required to optimize organ function and balance metabolism. It then matches the results to specific nutraceuticals that support a clinical response.
An animal's organs and glands, though not considered pathological, may nonetheless be functioning less than optimally. There may be underlying weaknesses, deficiencies or imbalances, which if left unchecked, may degenerate into a disease process.
Standard blood testing focuses strictly on pathology and often fails to expose metabolic and physiological weaknesses. While blood testing is customarily the first step toward diagnosis, the need exists for an analysis that distinguishes organ weaknesses rather than simply identifying "normals" and "abnormals." The orientation needs to be expanded from "what organs are not functioning" to "how the organs should be functioning."
In the past, the standard treatment was to provide medical and nutritional supplements to animals to maintain or restore their health. One prior art method of providing nutraceuticals to animals is in the form of multivitamins wherein a predetermined amount of nutritional supplements are administered, without variation, for a given set of animals. In such a method, the specific nutritional deficiencies of the individual animal are not addressed.
Other prior art methods have been developed for providing nutritional supplements to animals. However, none of these prior art methods provide for analyzing an animal and prescribing a nutraceutical program specifically tailored for that particular animal based on the analysis. In particular, the prior art does not provide for prescribing a nutraceutical program specifically tailored to address deficiencies of an animal, in terms of identifying desired nutraceuticals and calculating dosages for the identified nutraceuticals for treating such deficiencies in order to optimize the health of the animal. Further, the prior art does not disclose a method for optimizing the health of an animal which has blood scores in the normal range but which may still have some specific inadequacies.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for more refined methods and apparatus that can determine specific nutritional deficiencies of an animal that tests within a "normal" range. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide methods and systems for customized treatment of animals. It is another object of the present invention to provide methods and systems for customized treatment of animals based on blood analysis. It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and systems of treating animals, tailored to individual animals, based on blood analysis of the animals. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide methods and systems for treating animals that may lack certain nutrients. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide methods and systems for treating animals that have organs that are not functioning optimally.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide methods and systems for treating animals, which tailors composition and dosages of neutraceuticals to the specific needs of an individual animal. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide methods and systems for veterinarians to forward an animal's blood work to a lab, and in response thereto, to receive a treatment recommendation. It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and systems which enable a veterinarian to interact with a provider of nutraceutical treatment plans via a communications network, such as the Internet.
The methods and systems of the present invention provide the foregoing and other advantages.

Methods and systems for providing a nutraceutical program specific to an individual animal


A modular heat sink adapter (10) is provided which is compact in design and comprises of a highly heat conductive metal (12) with a varying number of extruded fins (14) for the prompt and efficient removal of heat directly off the lamp bases (36) of various types of halogen lamps (32). The primary purpose for the heat sink adapter (10) is to keep lamp base seals (38) from reaching their critical pinch area temperature, thereby prolonging the life and usefulness of the lamps. The major improvement of this device over prior designs is its versatility and ease of use with various types of halogen lamps (32) available from different bulb manufacturers for use in a variety of light fixtures.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to heat absorbing devices, specifically to such devices which are used for extracting the heat radiation from the pinch area of several incandescent lamp bases.
2. Description of Prior Art
Improved incandescent lamps using tungsten filaments with a halogen type gas, both encapsulated in a quartz glass envelope have been around for many years. Halogen lamps give off considerable amounts of infrared radiation or heat energy. It is estimated that only 13% of the electrical energy going through a lamp filament will go towards actual light output. The remaining 87% is converted directly to heat energy.
Halogen lamps with short light center lengths (LCL) and greater lamp output power in excess of 400 watts or so, apply more heat stress to the lamp seal region. This so-called squeeze point or neck, is the physical area of constriction of the lamp located at the base of the lamp. Another term for this region is the pinch area. The pinch in a lamp is one of the most critical areas. It is the area of the quartz glass envelope that is sealed between the exterior of the envelope and the gas filled interior that houses the filament of the lamp. In this pinch area, two conductors carry the current in and out of the filament of the lamp. The electrical current subjects the pinch area to high temperatures. At high operating temperatures, oxidation of the filament lead-in and lead-out conductors, or slight mismatches between the coefficient of expansion of the quartz glass and these conductors will cause the pinch area to crack, and therefore compromise the effectiveness of the air-tight pinch. If the halogen lamp is overheated, the oxidation of the pinch will lead to premature lamp failure. For example, a halogen with an expected lamp life of 250 hours will have a maximum pinch area operating temperature of 400 degrees Celsius. Exceed the pinch area temperature of 400 degrees Celsius and the lamp will fail sooner. Obviously, a lamp will not burn forever. Ordinarily, the material in the filament evaporates in time, and will cause the filament to weaken and collapse. The filament may short together to create a hot spot. The hot spot in turn draws more current and will cause the filament to explode and break apart all together.
If overheating of the lamp can be avoided and the pinch area temperature is kept at the critical level of about 350 degrees Celsius or lower during normal use, the halogen lamp can be expected to last longer. There have been many attempts to devise a method to keep the pinch area temperature of a lamp below the critical level. Heat shields have been used in systems comprising of a lamp source, lamp socket, and reflector. The disadvantage here is that the heat shield was used to deflect the heat generated by the lamp source away from the reflector, lamp socket, or lamp housing, but did little or nothing to keep the lamp source cool. Other prior art have shown inventions suggesting or using heat sinks with fins attached to the rear surface of a reflector in a lamp housing. Again, the inventions cooled the reflector, but the lamp did not benefit directly from these designs. Yet, some inventions called for the cooling of the lamp source by attaching heat dissipating fins to the mount supporting the socket that holds the lamp, or to the socket itself. This again did not directly benefit the lamp and its critical pinch area, but cooled the socket more so. Lastly, present lamp sources with integral heat sinking and cooling fins manufactured as part of the lamp, do not provide convenient and modular use with a variety of other types of lamps with varying filament designs and layouts. The disadvantage here is that the lamps manufactured with integral heat sinks can only be used in light fixtures designed to accommodate such lamps, thereby limiting their usage.

Modular heat sink adapter for lamp bases


A film structure comprises a first sealable skin layer (a) of an olefin co- or terpolymer having an external surface which contains a slip/antiblock system. The slip/antiblock system comprises non-migratory particulate crosslinked hydrocarbyl substituted polysiloxane and silica antiblock particles. Layer (a) is located on one side of a core olefinic polymer layer (b). On an opposite side of the core layer (b) there is a second skin layer (c) which is ethylene homopolymer and which is free of the slip/antiblock system, optionally the second skin layer (c) is metallized.

In the packaging of certain types of foods, such as snack foods including candies, potato chips, cookies and the like, it is common practice to employ a multi-layer film. Polypropylene films are widely used in the packaging industry due to their superior physical properties, such as, transparency, stiffness, moisture barrier characteristics and others. Despite these highly desirable properties, unmodified polypropylene film has the disadvantageous property of having a high inherent coefficient of friction and film-to-film destructive blocking on storage. This high film-to-film coefficient of friction makes polypropylene films difficult to be successfully employed in automatic packaging equipment in their unmodified form.
Coefficient of friction characteristics of polypropylene and other thermoplastic films are beneficially modified by the inclusion in the polymer of slip agents. Most of these slip agents are migratory, such as polydialkyl siloxane or fatty amides, such as, erucamide and oleamide. Although they do reduce the coefficient of friction, their effectiveness depends upon the ability to migrate to the surface of the film. The development of the desired low coefficient of friction value is strongly dependent upon the type and amounts of amides, and time and temperature aging effects. Even the heat history of the film while in storage and shipping and during subsequent converter processes, significantly affects the coefficient of friction. In addition, the presence of these types of fatty acid amides on the film surface results in visible adverse appearance effects, manifested by an increase in haze, a decrease in gloss and the presence of streaks. These materials also adversely effect the wettability and adhesion of solvent and water-based inks, coatings and adhesives.
To overcome the problems associated with migratory slip agents, non-migratory systems were developed. A material described to be a non-migratory slip agent is a particulate crosslinked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane which is available worldwide from Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd. and in the United States from General Electric Co. And marketed under the name TOSPEARL
In PCT US94/14280 a film structure containing a non-migratory particulate crosslinked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane slip agent is described. The film structure includes at least one layer of an olefin homo-, co- or terpolymer having a surface-treated external surface which is printable, sealable and machinable and as combined slip agent and antiblock a non-migratory particulate crosslinked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane, and/or liquid polydimethyl siloxane.
Additional descriptions of olefinic polymer films in which particulate siloxane resins are employed to provide improved films will be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,966,933; 4,769,418; 4,652,618; and 4,594,134.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,933 describes a propylene polymer film containing 100 parts by weight of a propylene polymer, 0.01 to 0.5 parts by weight of a fine powder of a crosslinked silicone resin and 0.3 to 3.0 parts by weight of a hydroxy-fatty acid glyceride. In column 3, lines 6-20, the provided amounts of fine powder of silicone resin and hydroxy-fatty acid glyceride in the metallization layer are required for adaptability to vacuum deposition. Example 3 provides a two-layer coextruded film in which the fine powder of crosslinked silicone resin is compounded with polypropylene homopolymer to form a metallization layer (B) and the fine powder of crosslinked silicone resin is compounded with an ethylene/propylene/butene- 1 copolymer to form a skin layer (a). The ratio of reported particle size to skin thickness is about 0.143 for skin layer (B) and about 1.29 for skin layer (A).


The present invention discloses a method of applying micro-protection in defect analysis. The method includes providing a substrate having at least one defect thereon, forming the micro-protection on the surface of the defect, confirming the site of the defect, and forming a specimen of the defect by utilizing a focused ion beam microscope.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a defect analysis method, and more particularly, to a defect analysis method of utilizing at least one nondestructive micro-protection for semiconductor dies or other substrates.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the semiconductor fabricating process, some small particles and defects are unavoidable. As the size of devices shrinks and the integration of circuits increases gradually, those small particles or defects affect the property of the integrated circuits more seriously. In order to improve the reliability of semiconductor devices, a plurality of tests and monitors is performed continuously to find the root cause of the defects or particles. Then, process parameters can be tuned correspondingly to reduce a presence of defects or particles so as to improve the yield and reliability of the semiconductor fabricating process.
In recent years, the development and usage of focused ion beam (FIB) microscopes have become increasingly popular. By utilizing an ion beam as the emitting source, the FIB microscope is able to perform various analyses or circuit edits on different materials. The structure of a standard FIB microscope is nevertheless complex, including components such as liquid metal ion source (LMIS), electro-lens, scanning electrodes, secondary particle detector, specimen base capable of axial movements, vacuum system, and anti-vibration and anti-magnetic field devices. In general, when an electric field is applied to a liquid metal ion source such as liquid gallium (Ga), the liquid gallium is transformed into a shape with a tiny pointy tip, and by utilizing a negative electric field, the gallium ion can be extracted from the pointy tip.
After being focused by the electro-lens and a series of aperture size alterations, the size of the ion source is confirmed, and after passing the ion beam to the surface of the specimen via a second focusing, the ion beam is able to perform operations including incision and drilling. Having numerous advantages including a low melting point, a low vaporizing pressure, and strong anti-oxidizing capability, gallium has been a popular liquid metal ion source in various commercial systems. Moreover, due to the development of FIB microscopes, semiconductor industries are able to fabricate precise scanning electron microscope (SEM) cross-sectional specimens or transmission electron microscope (TEM) cross-sectional specimens to perform micro-area analyses.
In addition to the fabrication of cross-section specimens provided by transmission electron microscopes, the FIB microscopes provide an alternative specimen fabrication tool for the users, in that the FIB microscopes are capable of achieving a success rate of greater than 90% within a working hour between 2–6 hours, and by utilizing the specimens fabricated by the FIB microscopes, the transmission electron microscopes are able to obtain satisfactory resolution and contrast results. However, when the ions collide with the specimens, phenomena such as gasification and ionization will occur on the surface of the specimen, neutral atoms, ions, and electrons will be produced, and a small quantity of the ions will be implanted into the specimen. The implanted ions are all destructive in nature and when these focused ion beams are utilized to fabricate cross-sectional specimens from a defect located on the surface of a wafer, the defect or the surface of the wafer will be damaged. In mild cases, an amorphous layer containing the ion source element (gallium in general) will form over the surface of the specimen, whereas in severe cases, precipitate containing the ion source element will be generated. At any rate, either case will damage the specimen and influence the result of the observation. When the defect is not located on the surface layer of the specimen, a layer disposed on the defect will be first removed to expose the defect. Next, a scanning electron microscope or an optical microscope is used to perform a top-view observation on the defect and a focused ion beam is used to fabricate a cross-sectional specimen. In either condition, the chance of damaging the defect remains the same.
Recently, a new type of FIB microscope referred to as the dual beam system has been introduced. Capable of providing two particle beams (ion beam plus electron beam) simultaneously, the electron beam of the dual beam system can be utilized to form a platinum (Pt) protective layer over the surface of the defect. Despite having several advantages, the dual beam system still remains unpopular as a result of an overly high cost and other problems caused during fabrication of cross-section specimens. Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing the method of fabricating a TEM cross-section specimen 10 by using a FIB microscope of a dual beam system according to the prior art. (As shown in FIG. 1, the TEM cross-section specimen 10 comprises a plurality of trenches 12 thereon and when the trenches 12 are not filled with stuffing materials, the platinum layer formed by evaporation process will not only cover a defect 14, but also will fill the trenches 12 (both not shown in the figure). Since the high atomic number and electron scattering of the platinum layer is much stronger, the electrons are not likely to penetrate the layer and black areas will be produced as a result of contrast difference, thereby blocking the defect 14 and increasing the difficulty of observation.
Additionally, a conventional method of utilizing transparent resin or glue to cover the specimen entirely has also been introduced. Despite the fact that this method is effective for increasing the contrast between the protective layer and the surface layer structure, it is unfortunately ineffective for searching and confirming the exact location of the defect by utilizing the FIB microscope. Because the electrical conductivity of the protective layer produced by the method is poor, thereby resulting in electron charging. As the electron charging occurs, the precise location of the defect will be difficult to determine.
Hence it remains a challenge to provide a default analysis method that is not only able to provide a protective layer for the defect while the focused ion beam is utilized for fabricating a specimen, but that can also accurately determine the location of the defect and perform necessary observations by preventing the blocking of the defect and the electron charging.

Method of applying micro-protection in defect analysis


A light diffuser tip for use with an optical fiber. The diffuser tip is affixed to an optical fiber and comprises an optically transparent elastomer core positioned to receive light from the output terminus of the optical fiber. The concentration of scattering centers embedded in the transparent elastomer core varies along the length of the core to yield a particular light distribution pattern. For example, the scattering centers may be distributed within an optically transparent elastomeric core material such as silicone to provide a scatterer density gradient along the diffuser tip in the axial direction of the optical fiber. A diffuser tip which provides uniform cylindrical light output intensity in air will provide a different output intensity distribution in a medium with a different index of refraction such as human tissue. The distribution of scattering centers within the transparent core of the diffuser tip can be customized to provide a substantially uniform radiance along the length of the diffuser tip when the tip is embedded within a medium having an index of refraction different from air. Such a custom diffuser tip is particularly useful for laser radiation treatment of tumors. Similarly, the concentration gradient of scatterers within the transparent core of the diffuser tip can be adjusted to provide an output light intensity distribution which will uniformly illuminate the wall of an irregular cavity.

1. Field of the Invention
A light diffuser tip for controlling the light intensity distribution emanating from an optical fiber or fiber bundle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An optical fiber generally consists of an optically transmissive core, a reflective cladding surrounding the core and an outer jacket which facilitates handling. There are several ways that the cylindrical diffusion of radiant energy from an optical fiber core can be accomplished. One way is to choose a ratio of the indices of refraction between the cladding and the core region of the optical fiber so that internal reflection within the core region is substantially less than total. This causes light to enter the cladding. If scattering centers are present in the cladding the light can radiate outward to emerge through the (preferably transparent) cladding.
Another way is to alter the interface between the optical fiber core and cladding to increase side radiation. Texturing the outer surface of the core region to provide a ground glass effect is one method commonly used. Another is positioning or embedding light scattering elements such as tiny particles at the surface-of the optical fiber core near the interface with the cladding. Light scattering particles can also be imbedded throughout the cladding to enhance the side delivery of radiation. Combinations of these measures are also possible.
Clark, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,809 describes a tissue photo irradiation system for use with hematoporphyrin dyes and derivatives thereof. Clark describes the use of an optical needle which serves as a linear radiator or a cylindrical diffuser and which can be coupled to an optical fiber by means of a conventional optical coupler. Clark's needle includes a fiber optic core that is generally internally reflecting. The core is surrounded by a cladding as generally known; but in an end region a different cladding surrounds the core to make it into a radiator instead of an internally reflecting transmitter. When the cladding contains scatterers, the "needle" or diffusion tip comprises a transparent core surrounded by a scattering layer in which the concentration of scatterers is homogeneous along its length.
McCaughan, Jr., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,925, incorporated herein by reference, describes a cylindrical diffuser tip that overcomes some of the problems with prior art diffuser tips. McCaughan Jr. suggests (column 4, lines 48-62) providing a tip surrounding the core of an optical fiber, the tip containing a gradient of scatterers which increases logarithmically in concentration along the fiber axis in a direction toward the polished tip of the optical fiber. To accomplish this, McCaughan, Jr. teaches a method for making such a tip comprising the steps of exposing (i.e. stripping the cladding away from) the core of an optical fiber near its tip, polishing the exposed core and repeatedly dipping the tip in a curable medium containing different concentrations of scatterers to allegedly increase the concentration of scatterers along the length of the exposed core. Such a method of repetitive coating followed by the step underlined above is inoperable to produce a longitudinal gradient of scatterers in a diffuser tip. This method produces a radial gradient in scatterer concentration; the concentration of scatterers varying radially with distance from the fiber core axis. Even if this method could, by further experimentation, be made operable, such a method would provide, at best, a discrete, step-wise concentration gradient which would only approximate a logarithmic gradient in the limit of infinite coatings.
The present optical fiber cylindrical diffuser tip technology is limited in clinical applications due to an output intensity distribution which may not uniformly illuminate a target surface which makes treatment dosimetry uncertain and clinical results inconsistent.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a cylindrical diffuser for use as a termination on an optical fiber which overcomes most or all of the limitations stated above. In particular, it is desirable to provide a cylindrical diffuser tip for an optical fiber which provides a desired intensity distribution when immersed in a medium other than air, such as human tissue, and may be further customized to uniformly illuminate a target tissue presenting an irregular geometry.


A dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having on one side thereof a dye layer and on the other side a slipping layer comprising at least two waxes, a branched alpha-olefin polymer and another wax.

In recent years, thermal transfer systems have been developed to obtain prints from pictures which have been generated electronically from a color camera. According to one way of obtaining such prints, an electronic picture is first subjected to color separation by color filters. The respective color-separated images are then converted into electrical signals. These signals are then operated on to produce cyan, magenta and yellow electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to a thermal printer. To obtain the print, a cyan, magenta or yellow dye-donor element is placed face-to-face with a dye-receiving element. The two are then inserted between a thermal printing head and a platen roller. A line-type thermal printing head is used to apply heat from the back of the dye-donor sheet. The thermal printing head has many heating elements and is heated up sequentially in response to the cyan, magenta and yellow signals. The process is then repeated for the other two colors. A color hard copy is thus obtained which corresponds to the original picture viewed on a screen. Further details of this process and an apparatus for carrying it out are contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,271 by Brownstein entitled "Apparatus and Method for Controlling A Thermal Printer Apparatus," issued Nov. 4, 1986, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,087 discloses a heat-resistant slipping layer on the back surface of a thermal dye-donor element comprising a polyurethane or polyurea resin modified with polysiloxane bonds. There are a number of problems with this slipping layer including sticking between the dye layer and slipping layer when the donor is rolled up and head debris built-up upon processing. It is an object of this invention to eliminate or reduce such problems.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,130 discloses a heat-resistant slipping layer on the back surface of a thermal dye-donor element comprising a siloxane copolymer for a dye-donor slipping layer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,112 discloses a slipping layer comprising a nonhomogenous layer of a particulate ester wax.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,751 to Dwivedy discloses methods and compositions for inhibiting and/or preventing the adhesion of materials such as coal or coke to container walls due to weather conditions. The composition comprises a polymeric poly-α-olefin wax and a resin in a hydrocarbon solvent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,207 to Fensore et al. discloses a dye-donor element including a release layer between a pigmented layer and a substrate, the release layer composed of an ethylene vinylacetate copolymer, an α-olefin maleic anhydride copolymer and a wax. EP 1205 313 A1 to Eike discloses a dye-donor element with a coloring layer on a substrate wherein the coloring layer is formed of a mixture of a copolymerization product obtainable by polymerizing an α-olefin/a maleic acid anhydride copolymer with a maleic acid anhydride monoester and an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. Finally, U.S. Patent Publ. 2002/0044192 to Hirano discloses a similar composition used as an adhesive layer disclosed between a coloring layer and a substrate of a dye-donor element, also referred to as a thermal transfer sheet.
A continuing problem with dye-donor elements in the prior art, especially when enabling faster printing, is sticking or friction between the dye-donor element and the thermal head, undesirable folds, and retransfer.
In particular, a problem arises with the use of dye-donor elements for fast thermal dye-transfer printing because a thin support is required in order to provide effective heat transfer. For example, when a thin polyester film is employed, it can soften when heated during the printing operation and then sticks to the thermal printing head, preventing donor transport. A slipping layer is typically provided to facilitate passage of the dye-donor under the thermal printing head. A deficiency in the performance of that layer causes intermittent rather than continuous transport across the thermal head. The dye transferred thus does not appear as a uniform area, but rather as a series of alternating light and dark bands (so-called "chatter marks").
A desirable performance characteristic for a slipping layer is a smooth transfer across a wide range of printing conditions. Variable print forces along either the length or width of a print could cause image defects. Differences in print forces are specially magnified in regions of abrupt temperature change. At the transition from Dmax (maximum print density) to Dmin (minimum print density), the force may spike upward from Dmax to a peak force and then return to Dmin. This differential is referred to as "pops" since an audible popping noise can be heard in extreme cases during printing.

Slipping layer containing a branched olefin for a dye-donor element used in thermal dye transfer


In one embodiment, a design is verified by creating a graphical model with a graphical modeling tool executing on a computing device. The graphical model may include a plurality of model elements. A postcondition element is coupled to a selected model element of the plurality of model elements. The postcondition element is associated with a desired result. The graphical model is employed to generate an executable form of the design. The executable form of the design and an indication of the desired result are provided to a verification tool, to instruct the verification tool to implement one or more verification scenarios.

Graphical modeling environments are products that enable a user to construct and analyze a model of a process or system. Examples of graphical modeling formalisms for which graphical modeling environments exist include time-based block diagrams, such as those supported by Simulink® from The MathWorks Inc., discrete event diagrams and reactive state machine diagrams, such as those supported by Stateflow® also available from The MathWorks, Inc., entity flow diagrams such as those supported by SimEvents, available from The MathWorks, Inc., data-flow diagrams, such as LabVIEW, available from National Instruments Corporation, and software diagrams and other graphical programming environments, such as Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams.
A graphical modeling environment can produce model-based designs in graphical form, such as a block diagram model, to specify computations, operations, or functionality that can be performed on computational hardware such as a general purpose processor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), asynchronous processor, analog hardware, quantum computer, or biocomputer. As a design specification, a model-based design can drive the building process of an implementation of the design. For instance, the model-based design can be a block diagram model that acts as a specification from which to automatically generate code to provide an executable for testing and verification on a target system.
Model-based designs represented by graphical models can be tested using simulation. The simulation may be provided by the modeling environment. For example, Simulink® from The MathWorks, Inc. of Natick, Mass., provides an environment for simulating graphical models to test the model-based design. Simulation may be used by a model designer to identify design issues during the design stage at the system level. Although simulation may be used to functionally verify some behavior of the design, simulation may not be exhaustive such that it covers all desired or unwanted circumstances and occurrences of design behavior.
Verification tools can be used to provide a more formal and comprehensive approach to testing and verifying a model-based design. Verification tools are available that apply various formal methods and techniques for providing comprehensive coverage and verifying the behavior of a model-based design under test. The verification tool may run a multitude of combinations of scenarios with a significant portion or all of the possible input values. Running comprehensive or multiple verification scenarios in a verification tool may be time consuming and resource intensive. The techniques and methods used by the verification tool may exercise behavior or functionality that is not of concern to the model-based designer or that is not practical or realistic in the intended application of the implementation of the model-based design. Alternatively, the designer may want to concentrate on a specific class of behavior. Therefore, it may be time consuming, resource intensive or inconvenient to obtain or review the results of the portion of the verification that is of interest to the designer or realistic for the design.
Typically, the configuration of the verification may be performed in the verification tool to run certain tests or verification scenarios desired for the design. The verification tool may be configured to limit the verification scenarios or to cover only a certain combination of occurrences. Generating verification scenarios in a verification tool may consume significant time and resources. The verification tool may have its own configuration environment and language different than the graphical modeling environment. As such, any verification scenario configuration and verification results may be described in terms of the form, language, and context of the verification tool. Thus, it may be challenging to relate the verification scenario configuration and verification results to the model-based design represented by the graphical model.
Previous solutions such as application Ser. No. 11/096,528 entitled "Test Precondition Items for Automated Analysis and Test Generation," filed on Mar. 31, 2005, have focused on providing preconditions on the verification of a design. This typically involves providing specific inputs or ranges of inputs to be used in the verification process. These provide the advantage of focusing the verification by placing constraints on the testing or verification. One disadvantage of such an implementation is that in order to test if a design behaves or functions as desired, the designer must provide the proper inputs or preconditions that are necessary to cause the design to provide a desired result or behavior.

Test postcondition items for automated analysis and test generation


A warning system to alert the rider of a vehicle such as a bicycle or motorcycle that a safety helmet is not being worn when the rider is mounted on the vehicle seat. The warning system includes a helmet holder for storing the helmet when the vehicle is not being used. A first switch is secured to the helmet holder and is adapted to be positioned so that it closes when a helmet is in the holder, and a second switch is secured to the vehicle and is adapted to be positioned so that it closes when a rider is mounted on the vehicle seat. The two switches are electrically connected in such a manner that an alerting device is energized if both switches are closed, indicating that a rider mounted on the vehicle seat is not wearing a safety helmet.

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle safety device and, more particularly, to a switch-activated warning system to alert a bicycle rider that a safety helmet is not being worn.
Bicycles and other vehicles have maintained enormous popularity, particularly among children and health-conscious adults. Accompanying this continued popularity has been increased concern over the number of deaths and serious head injuries arising from accidents each year which may have been prevented had riders taken the time to wear safety helmets. To this end, many states have enacted or are considering legislation requiring the mandatory wearing of a safety helmet while on the bicycle or other vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system to alert the rider that no helmet is being worn. Insofar as is known, there is no prior art teaching the installation of a safety alerting device on a vehicle to alert the rider that no helmet is being worn.


A liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other; a retardation layer on an outer surface of the first substrate; a linear polarizing layer on the retardation layer; a cholesteric liquid crystal color filter (CCF) layer on an inner surface of the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the CCF layer; a first cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polarizing layer on an outer surface of the second substrate, the first CLC polarizing layer having a first helical pitch of a first circular polarization direction; a second cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polarizing layer on the first CLC layer, the second CLC polarizing layer having a second helical pitch of a second circular polarization direction opposite to the first circular polarization direction; and a backlight unit outside the second CLC layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to liquid crystal display devices, and more particularly to transmissive liquid crystal display devices using a cholesteric liquid crystal polarizing plate and a cholesteric liquid crystal color filter layer.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device makes use of optical anisotropy and polarization properties of liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules have a definite orientational alignment that results from their thin and long shape. The alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules can be controlled by application of an electric field to the liquid crystal molecules. Accordingly, as an intensity of the applied electric field changes, the alignment orientation of the liquid crystal molecules also changes. Since incident light through a liquid crystal material is refracted due to an orientation of the liquid crystal molecules resulting from the optical anisotropy of the aligned liquid crystal molecules, an intensity of the incident light can be controlled and images can be displayed.
Among the various types of LCD devices commonly used, active matrix LCD (AM-LCD) devices, in which thin film transistors (TFTs) and pixel electrodes connected to the TFTs are disposed in matrix, have been developed because of their high resolution and superior display of moving images.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to the related art.
In FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display (LCD) device 11 includes upper and lower substrates 5 and 22, and a liquid crystal layer 14 interposed therebetween. A black matrix 6 and a color filter layer 8 including red, green and blue sub color filters 8a, 8b and 8c are formed on the upper substrate 5. A transparent common electrode 18 is formed on the color filter layer 8 and the black matrix 6. The upper substrate 5 is referred to as a color filter substrate. A pixel electrode 17 of a pixel region "P," a switching element "T" and array lines including a gate line 13 and a data line 15 are formed on the lower substrate 22. The lower substrate 22 is referred to as an array substrate. The switching element "T" is disposed in matrix and connected to the gate line 13 and the data line 15. The pixel region "P" is defined by crossing of the gate lines 13 and the data lines 15. The pixel electrode 17 at the pixel region "P" is made of transparent conductive material such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO) or indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) having high transmittance. A backlight unit 30 is disposed under the LCD device 11 as a light source.
When a gate signal is applied to the switching element "T," a data signal is applied to the pixel electrode 17. When a gate signal is not applied to the switching element "T," a data signal cannot be applied to the pixel electrode 17. That is, the LCD device 11 is a kind of light modulating device using light emitted from the backlight unit 30. Since the light from the backlight unit 30 passes through a plurality of optical films to display images, the LCD device 11 has a poor light efficiency. The plurality of optical films include a pair of linear polarizing plates (not shown) and a color filter layer 8. The pair of linear polarizing plates transmits only linear components of the light from the backlight unit 30. That is, the pair of polarizing plates transmits only linearly polarized light along a specific direction. Accordingly, only a portion less than about half of the light emitted from the backlight unit 30 passes through the pair of linear polarizing plates. The backlight unit 30 is not efficiently used, thereby a brightness of the LCD device reduced. Moreover, the color filter layer 8 of an absorption type causes heavy losses of the light from the backlight unit 30 and reduction of brightness. To solve the problem of brightness reduction, the color filter layer 30 should be formed to have high transmittance. However, high transmittance of the color filter layer 30 is obtained with reduction of color purity. Accordingly, there is a limitation to increase transmittance of the absorption type color filter layer 30.
To solve the brightness problem of LCD devices using an absorption type color filter layer, LCD devices using a cholesteric liquid crystal color filter (CCF) layer have been researched and developed. The CCF layer uses a selective reflection property of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC). Since a wavelength band of transmitted or reflected light is determined according to a helical pitch of the CLC, a CCF layer can be obtained by forming a CLC to have a different helical pitch according to a pixel region. Contrary to an absorption type color filter layer, the CCF layer uses a selective reflection property. Accordingly, a light efficiency is improved by reducing losses of the light from the backlight unit.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a transmissive liquid crystal display device using a cholesteric liquid crystal color filter layer according to the related art.
In FIG. 2, a transmissive liquid crystal display (LCD) device 50 includes first and second substrates 52 and 58 facing into and spaced apart from each other. A cholesteric liquid crystal color filter (CCF) layer 54 is formed on an inner surface of the first substrate 52 and a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polarizing layer 64 is formed on an outer surface of the first substrate 52. A retardation layer 60 such as a quarter weave plate (QWP: λ/4 plate) and a linear polarizing layer 62 are sequentially formed on an outer surface of the second substrate 58. A liquid crystal layer 56 is formed between the CCF layer 54 and an inner surface of the second substrate 58. A backlight unit 66 is formed outside the CLC polarizing layer 64.
In cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) used for the CCF layer 54 and the CLC polarizing layer 64, alignment vectors of CLC molecules form a helical structure. The CLC molecules twisted with a right-handed helical direction reflect only right-handed circularly polarized light, while the CLC molecules twisted with a left-handed helical direction reflect only left-handed circularly polarized light. When incident light has a polarization state such that the circular polarization direction is the same as the helical direction and satisfies a Bragg's reflection condition, the incident light is reflected. For example, the CCF layer 54 has a left-handed helical direction and the CLC polarizing layer 64 has a right-handed helical direction. Accordingly, only left-handed circularly polarized light of incident light passes through the CLC polarizing layer 64. The left-handed circularly polarized light also passes through the CCF layer 54 and reaches the liquid crystal layer 56. The CCF layer 54 is formed to display one of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) colors in each pixel region. For example, in a pixel region for red color, the CCF layer 54 is formed to have helical pitches corresponding to green and blue colors. Thus, left-handed circularly polarized light corresponding to green and blue colors is reflected at the CCF layer 54 and only left-handed circularly polarized light corresponding to red color passes through the CCF layer 54. Similar formation of the CCF layer 54 can be applied to pixel regions for green and blue colors.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating polarization state of light passing through a transmissive liquid crystal display device according to the related art.
In FIG. 3, non-polarized light emitted from a backlight unit 66 includes nearly all wavelengths to have a broadband of wavelength. Among the non-polarized light, right-handed circularly polarized light reflects from a CLC polarizing layer 64 to the backlight unit 66 and only left-handed circularly polarized light passes through the CLC polarizing layer 64 according to characteristics of the CLC polarizing layer 64. When the right-handed circularly polarized light reflecting from the CLC polarizing layer 64 again reflects from the backlight unit 66, the circular polarization direction is inverted such that the right-handed circularly polarized light becomes left-handed circularly polarized light. Accordingly, the left-handed circularly polarized light reflecting from the backlight unit 66 can pass through the CLC polarizing layer 64. Therefore, most circularly polarized light finally has left-handedness during a recycling process of light and passes through the CLC polarizing layer 64.
When the left-handed circularly polarized light having a broadband of wavelength meets a CCF layer 54 of one pixel region, left-handed circularly polarized light having a wavelength corresponding to one of red, green and blue colors passes through the CCF layer 54. For example, in a pixel region for red color, the CCF layer 54 is formed to have a first CLC layer (not shown) reflecting only left-handed circularly polarized light having a wavelength corresponding to green color and a second CLC layer (not shown) reflecting only left-handed circularly polarized light having a wavelength corresponding to blue color. Accordingly, left-handed circularly polarized light having a wavelength corresponding to red color can pass through the CCF layer 54 in a pixel region for red color. When the left-handed circularly polarized light reflecting from the CCF layer 54 again reflects from the CLC polarizing layer 64, the circular polarization direction is inverted such that the left-handed circularly polarized light becomes right-handed circularly polarized light. Accordingly, the right-handed circularly polarized light reflecting from the CLC polarizing layer 64 can pass through the CCF layer 54. By repetition of the aforementioned process, most light having a wavelength corresponding to a specific color can pass the CCF layer 54 without loss.
While the circularly polarized light that has passed through the CCF layer 54 passes a liquid crystal layer 56 and a retardation layer 60, the circularly polarized light is retarded to be a linearly polarized light having a polarization direction parallel to an optical axis of a linear polarizing layer 62 and then emitted to the outside.
Since the CLC molecules have a property of recycling light, the CLC polarizing layer and the CCF layer have higher transmittance than a conventional linear polarizing layer and an absorption type color filter layer. Accordingly, high brightness can be obtained. However, reflected light for an obliquely incident light has a shorter wavelength than that for a perpendicularly incident light. As a result, light obliquely emitted from an LCD panel has different color (i.e. wavelength) from light perpendicularly emitted from the LCD panel. This difference causes a color inversion and a narrow viewing angle.

Liquid crystal display device using cholesteric liquid crystal


An inflatable curtain device for protecting occupants in a motor vehicle includes an inflatable curtain adapted to be folded or rolled in an undeployed condition and inflated in a deployed condition, and the inflatable curtain is formed from at least a first and a second fabric layer. The inflatable curtain device further includes at least one portion of one of the first and second fabric layers having a permanent magnet region, which is magnetically attracted to at least one of a second region of the vehicle or a second region of one of the first and second fabric layers thereby provides a retention of the inflatable curtain in a folded or rolled configuration in an installation position with the vehicle and retains the inflatable curtain in the rolled or folded configuration.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Airbag systems including front airbags and curtain airbags as a safety restraint device are mandatory in motor vehicles sold throughout the world. In the event of a vehicle impact or rollover event, inflators coupled with each airbag are triggered and deploy the airbags respectively according to the impact direction of the vehicle. In particular, the curtain airbags have also been developed in response to the need for passenger protection from lateral impacts with the side of the vehicle, in particular the head and upper torso of the occupant. Generally, the curtain airbag in a normal undeployed condition is stowed along a side roof rail of the vehicle and generally conforms to the shape of the window area or side of the vehicle interior. Accordingly, the inflatable curtain extends downwardly in a substantially curtain-like fashion between the occupant and the side portions of the vehicle when deployed.
Inflatable curtain airbags are typically installed adjacent to the roof rail of a vehicle in an undeployed condition, in which the inflatable curtain airbag is rolled or folded or a combination thereof and retained in the folded or rolled configuration by being wrapped at certain points along the curtain airbag as an installation position with the vehicle. When deployed, the inflatable curtain exits from the installation position and extends downwardly to a deployed condition providing an energy absorbing barrier for the occupant head and shoulder regions. In addition, a curtain airbag mounting apparatus typically allows for a secure connection between the vehicle and the airbag, yet allows the airbag to change its configurations from the undeployed condition to the deployed condition.
In the undeployed condition of the inflatable curtain airbag, as described above, the inflatable curtain is generally wrapped by a separate component or wrapper for allowing the inflatable curtain to efficiently deploy and also retain the inflatable curtain in a desired configuration of the undeployed state. It is preferred that the inflatable curtain stays snugged up against the roof rail of the vehicle due to the limited interior space of the passenger compartment in the vehicle so that the installed inflatable curtain in the rolled or folded configuration does not sag and push the headliner down in the undeployed condition.


An intraocular lens comprises, as one face thereof, a Fresnel prism. Such a lens can be used for the treatment of a macular condition requiring a change of focus, e.g. age-related macular degeneration.

The treatment of focal macular diseases, and in particular ARMD, represents a major problem. Since the intact macula provides the vision that is required for reading, driving etc (but not for peripheral vision), the fact that there is no effective treatment for its degeneration means that many people increasingly retain peripheral vision only.
In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed that the retina should be moved. A more practical solution is to move the image from the macula to a point on the retina where there are healthy cells; although these cells may not function as well as the macular cells, an adequate degree of vision may be retained. Among other things, this is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,057.
In particular, each of FIGS. 25, 27, 31 and 33 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,057 discloses a supplemental lens, i.e. an intraocular lens that is provided in addition to the natural, crystalline lens or to a biconvex IOL. All these drawings show a supplemental lens that is a conventional prism. The consequence is that the image is moved, away from the macula. Elsewhere in the specification, it is suggested that a Fresnel lens should be used as the supplemental IOL (column 9 line 13), and also that the lens should be "fresnel-shaped" (claim 14; again, this is in the context of a supplemental lens). It is unclear what form the "fresnel-shaped" lens should take.


A semiconductor package comprises a substrate having bond fingers on an upper surface thereof and ball lands on a lower surface thereof; at least two chip modules stacked on the upper surface of the substrate, each of the at least two chip modules including a plurality of semiconductor chips having first connection members and stacked in a manner such that the first connection members of the semiconductor chips are connected to one another, the chip modules being stacked in a zigzag pattern such that connection parts of the chip modules project sideward; and second connection members electrically connecting the connection parts of the respective chip modules to the bond fingers of the substrate.

The present invention relates generally to a semiconductor package, and more particularly, to a semiconductor package which can be mounted with a plurality of semiconductor chips and can prevent the manufacturing yield from decreasing due to the defects of semiconductor chips.
In the semiconductor industry, packaging technology is continuously being developed to meet demands for miniaturization and mounting efficiency. Recently, as electric and electronic is products trend toward miniaturization and high performance, various techniques for stacking have been researched.
The term "stack" when referred to in the semiconductor industry means to vertically pile at least two chips or packages. By this stack technique, in the case of a memory device, it is possible to realize a product having a memory capacity at least two times greater than that obtainable through semiconductor integration processes, and mounting area utilization efficiency can be improved.
However, in the conventional semiconductor package (hereinafter referred to as a "stack package") manufactured using the stack technique, since signal connections to respective semiconductor chips are realized through metal wires, disadvantages are caused in that the operation speed of each semiconductor chip is diminished. Also, since an additional area for wire bonding is required in a substrate, the size of the package increases. In addition, a gap is required to bond wires to the bonding pads of the respective semiconductor chips causing an increased overall height.
In order to overcome the above disadvantages of the conventional stack package, a stack package structure using through-silicon vias (hereinafter referred to as "through-electrodes") has been suggested.
The stack package using through-electrodes is realized by forming through-electrodes in semiconductor chips, and then stacking a plurality of the semiconductor chips formed with the through-electrodes in a manner such that the through-electrodes of the respective semiconductor chips are electrically connected to one another.
The stack package using the through-electrodes provides advantages in that, since an additional area for forming electrical connections is not required in a substrate, mounting efficiency can be improved. Also, since a gap for wire bonding is not required between the semiconductor chips, the overall height of the semiconductor package can be decreased in comparison to the conventional art. In addition, because a signal connection length to each semiconductor chip is shortened, the operation speed of each semiconductor chip can be increased, whereby high speed operation of the semiconductor chip can be ensured.
Moreover, in the stack package using the through-electrodes, since the plurality of semiconductor chips can be mounted in one package, a multi-chip package having high performance and high capacity can be realized.
Nevertheless, in a conventional stack package using through-electrodes, if defects occur in even one of the stacked semiconductor chips, all of the stacked semiconductor chips must be discarded, whereby the manufacturing yield decreases. Due to this fact, in the conventional stack package using the through-electrodes, it is required that special attention be paid so that is defects are not caused in the individual semiconductor chips, whereby the manufacturing cost increases.


Malware definition data for mobile computing devices 2 is generated from master malware definition data 44 by selecting those classes of malware threat to which the mobile computing device is vulnerable and then selecting the matching malware items from within the master malware definition data. A PC 6 to which the mobile computing device may be connected is responsible for downloading an updated version of the master malware definition data for its own use and generates appropriate mobile computing device malware definition data for transfer to the mobile computing device when it is connected to the PC. The scanner programs of both the PC and the mobile computing device may be similarly updated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of data processing systems. More particularly, this invention relates to the generation of malware definition data for mobile computing devices, for example data defining computer viruses, worms, Trojans, banned files, banned words, banned images etc. for devices such as personal digital assistants, smartphones, personal data storage devices etc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known that malware, such as computer viruses, worms, Trojans, banned files, banned words, banned images etc, provides a significant threat to data processing systems. In order to address this threat, malware scanners are provided that perform on-access or on-demand examination of computer files to determine if they are infected with malware. In order to be fully effective, it is important that the malware definition data in use should be kept as up-to-date as possible. The greatest malware threat is often posed by the most newly released malware items and up-to-date malware definition data is needed in order to detect such newly released malware items. Within the context of fixed location computing devices, such as user PCs within business networks, it is established practice and there are provided known tools (such as e-Policy Organiser produced by Network Associates, Inc) that may be used to ensure that each computer has access to the most up-to-date malware definition data quickly.
There is an increasing and accelerating use of mobile computing devices using a variety of different computing platforms. Examples of such devices are personal digital assistants (PDAs providing diary, e-mail, note taking and other functions), smartphones, personal data storage devices, and the like. The range of uses and forms of such devices is rapidly increasing and the above list is far from exhaustive.
With the increased use of mobile computing devices, it is starting to occur that malware is being released that targets such devices. A further problem is that a mobile computing device may serve to store a malware infected file that does not impact that device itself, but does cause a problem when transferred to another device. A mobile computer device can thus act as an "typhoid Mary" in spreading malware infection.
One approach to malware scanning mobile computing devices is to download the computer files they store to a PC, and then use the malware scanner on the PC to scan those files. Whilst this works, it is slow. This slowness is made worse by the rapidly increasing data storage capacities of mobile computing devices which results in the need to transfer larger volumes of data to and from those devices for scanning.
As mentioned previously, it is also important that malware definition data should be up-to-date in order to protect against newly released malware items. Malware scanner providers expend considerable effort in rapidly providing updates to their malware definition data when a new threat occurs. A newly released computer virus, such as a mass mailing macro virus, can spread rapidly and it is important to the customers of such malware scanner providers that malware definition data which will identify such items of malware is available in a matter of hours from the release of the new malware item. Providing different sets of malware definition data targeted at different mobile computing platforms represents an additional and disadvantageous maintenance overhead and slows down the availability of updated malware definition data.
Measures which can provide malware protection for mobile computing devices and easy updating of malware definition data are strongly advantageous.

Generating malware definition data for mobile computing devices


A wind turbine rotor is decelerated and locked in a target rotational position in relation to rotation of the rotor about the rotor axis. The rotational position of the rotor in relation to the rotational axis is detected relative to at least one target rotational position. Once the rotor reaches one of the target rotational positions, the rotor is halted and automatically locked in the target rotational position.

In general, wind energy installations include a tower with a nacelle mounted on the tower that can be rotated on an approximately vertical rotational axis. A rotor is attached to the nacelle to be able to rotate on a usually horizontal rotational axis.
The rotor of conventional wind energy installations includes a hub and usually two, three, or four rotor blades. The rotor blades fan out from the hub radially about the rotor axis. In order to adapt the characteristics of the rotor to prevailing wind conditions, the rotor blades are usually rotatable with respect to rotational axes aligned radially to the rotor axis. For this purpose, hydraulic cylinders and/or servo-motors with the necessary gears are often built into the hub. These servo-motors as well as the gears and generators downstream of the rotor, which are also usually mounted on the nacelle, represent a potential source of malfunction during operation of the wind energy installation. Repair and maintenance personnel must be able to access the parts of the installation that are mounted in or near the rotor hub. In order to avoid damage to the wind energy installation, the rotor must be stopped and locked during maintenance and repair.
According to the applicable guidelines for the certification of wind energy plants, provision must be made for the positive locking of the rotor. For this purpose, pins or locking devices are usually used that fit into disks coaxially attached to the rotor in a non-rotatable manner. Conventional locking pins are fixed with respect to rotation on the rotor axis and are braced in the required rotational direction on the frame structure of the wind power installation, in this way making possible a positive locking with respect to rotation on the rotor axis, in concert with the disks that are non-rotatably attached to the rotor. To reach the locking position, the pins of conventional locking devices are adjusted manually or hydraulically along the axis of the pins which runs approximately parallel to the rotor axis between a release position and a locking position, in which the pins fit into a recess in the disk. To obtain the required locked position, an aerodynamic and/or mechanical brake is applied to the rotors of the wind power installation until they come to a standstill. Then the locking pin is moved to the locking position in which it fits into the recess in the disk. It has become evident that the conventional way of locking cannot be accomplished without the use of service personnel on the nacelle. This not only represents higher costs but also increases the risk for maintenance personnel, who must be ferried to the top of the nacelle, which in the case of modern wind energy installations is usually mounted at a height of 100 m or more, while the rotor is in motion.
When wind energy installations are deployed off-shore, their accessibility may be restricted by a variety of factors including high waves or ice. At times the wind energy installations are accessed by helicopter and service personnel are ferried to the top of the nacelle (turbine house). These maneuvers are very risky because wind conditions vary continuously as the rotor continues to rotate slowly.

Automatic braking and locking of a wind turbine


The invention provides a digital signage replacement module. The digital signage has a main circuit board and a plug-board disposed therein and connected to each other. The plug-board has a plug-card with a plug-slot, and a track disposed on each side thereof. The digital signage is covered up by a back cover so that an opening can be formed at one side edge of the digital signage. The computer module has a frame and a motherboard. The frame has a rail disposed on each side thereof and the motherboard has a slot and a connecting terminal disposed thereon. The slot has an interface socket card. The computer module can be placed into the digital signage through the opening with the rail placed into the track. Therefore, the connecting terminal is connected to the plug-slot and the computer module can be drawn out for maintenance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital signage replacement module and, particularly, to a design in which a computer module can be placed into and can be drawn out of a digital signage in order that maintenance can be performed conveniently by the maintenance personnel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Nowadays, various digital signages can be found in the market. Digital signage is a form of electronic display that shows information, advertising and other messages. Digital signs can be found in public and private environments, such as retail stores and corporate buildings.
Although the advertiser may perform the operation of updating information or advertisement in such a way as being described above, he would have a lot of trouble when the computer mounted on the digital signage needs to be repaired due to failure or the information renewed. For this, the whole digital signage must be removed so that the computer can be opened for maintenance or data renewal. It would take a very long time of which a major part is wasted by removing and returning the digital signage. Such operations are rather inconvenient to the maintenance personnel and cost a great deal of time and labor.
Since the conventional way has such drawbacks as described above, it is hardly a good one. An improvement is required urgently. In view of the above difficulties associated with the conventional design, the present inventor, through a long-term study and practice, has set about the work of improvement and innovation that provides a digital signage replacement module.


There is provided a system (100) and method for determining a water or lipid level of skin. The system (100) comprises at least two electrodes (108) suitable for contacting skin, and a signal generator (106) configured to generate an electrical signal at a frequency across the at least two electrodes (108). The system (100) is configured to measure a permittivity between the at least two electrodes (108). The system (100) is further configured to determine a water or lipid level of skin based on the measured permittivity and the frequency of the electrical signal.

Skin surface lipid (e.g. sebum) and water (e.g. hydration) levels are considered important factors in determining skin appearance and skin health. The right balance between these components is an indication of healthy skin and plays a central role in protecting and preserving skin integrity. Hydration and lipid retaining ability of the skin is primarily related to the stratum corneum (SC). The SC plays the role of the barrier to water loss and is composed of the corneocyte and an intercellular lipid bilayer matrix. The water retaining property of the SC is dependent on (i) the presence of natural hygroscopic agents collectively referred to as natural moisturizing factor (NMF) and (ii) the SC intercellular lipids orderly arranged to form a barrier to prevent transepidermal water loss.
Generally, skin remains flexible when it contains 10-20% water, but becomes brittle, when it drops below 10%. Skin lipids (e.g. sebum) are a mixture of fatty acids, triglycerides, proteins, and other molecules produced by the sebaceous glands in the dermis. Skin lipids keep skin smooth and flexible by sealing and preserving moisture in the corneal layer and preventing evaporation and bacterial infections. The sebum excretion rate (SER) reflects the amount of lipid (e.g. sebum) production and is closely related to the physiological activities of the sebaceous glands. This is important information in the pathogenesis of sebaceous glands disorders and pimple and acne.
An optimal balance between lipid and water level provides the skin with a radiant, smooth texture and a natural pigmentation appearance, which is important from a cosmetic perspective. Excessive lipid production can cause clogged pores possibly resulting in blemishes. Sufficient amount of skin hydration and lipids makes the skin appear smooth, soft and supple whereas lack of moisture can cause the skin to look dull and cracked, appearing older. The reduction in the efficiency of the barrier and moisture maintaining functions of the skin result in easily dried, roughened skin which can be potentially more vulnerable to risk of infection.

Determining a water or lipid level of skin


An example system that allows a camera enabled application, such as an augmented reality application, to run in a protected area may include a first device including a camera, the camera including a secure mode of operation and a display, an image processing module configured to convert image data from the camera to encoded data when the camera is in the secure mode and protect image data stored in the system, an encryption module configured to encrypt encoded data from the image processing module, and a protected audiovisual path mechanism configured to securely send augmented encoded data to the display.

Places that contain proprietary information such as manufacturing facilities or enterprise premises may discourage or ban the use of cameras. Cameras that are included in a telephone such as a Smartphone may be turned off to help accomplish this task. By turning off the camera on the telephone or other device, a camera enabled application such as an augmented reality application, may not be used.

Context based management for secure augmented reality applications


The dilute support frame is made up of interphase longitude and latitude bars that preferably are hollow. The bars can be rectangular, rectangular with a rounded end, half-circular, triangular, polygonal or any combination thereof. The bars are sized to support the ion exchange resin in the dilute channel adjacent the concentrate membrane bag. The support frame also assures fluent water flow in the dilute channel. The support frames are arrayed on the membranes with interphase aisle to save the frame arrays and make water flow fluently. The membrane envelopes in turn with the support frames as both are preferably wound to form the cylinder module, and is covered by one plastic protecting net. This new type of support frame can assure fluent water flow in dilute channels and convenient resin filling.

Pure water treatment equipment is necessary in water treatment processes used in power plants and electronic industrial plants. In traditional industrial pure water treatment technologies, Electrodialysis and ion exchange technologies are combined to develop products and methods for getting ultra pure water. For example, Chinese Patent No. 96244875.4 shows one type of treatment equipment. Resins are filled in normal electrodialysis dilute chamber and Anode and Cathode electrodes are placed outside the module. The advantage of this approach is that it has the same distance between every two membranes and reliably stable resistivity so that the current intensity is relatively easy to control. The disadvantage of this approach is that it is difficult to fill the chambers with resin. In fact, special ion fiber knitting is used to help alleviate the problem.
To further resolve this disadvantage, some EDI modules are formed having a wound cylinder structure. Chinese Patent No. 00220610.2 entitled "Polyhedron Wound EDI" shows this kind of treatment equipment. In the polyhedron wound EDI, Anionic/Cationic membranes/isolation support frames form a special dilute chamber and concentrate envelop chamber which connect to the dilute/concentrate collecting pipes. The dilute envelope chamber is filled with resins, and Anode/Cathode electrodes are set up. The improvement of Chinese Patent No. 00220610.2 is that the ion membranes/support frames are polyhedron. The dilute water comes from multi-connected rectangle chambers. This patent partly resolves some issues of resin filling for resins not limited in ion fiber knitting. However, the support frame has its disadvantages. Water can not flow easily in the dilute chamber, so resins cannot be conveniently filled.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,528, issued Feb. 20, 2001 to Xiang Li et al. discloses a helical EDI apparatus. However, the Xiang Li patent does not disclose a dilute support frame. U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,528 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Zhejiang Omex Environmental Engineering Ltd.


A system for converting a first representation of a color input image to a second representation and method for performing same are disclosed. The system includes apparatus for mapping primary axes and overprint axes of a selected color coordinate system to primary axes and overprint axes of a printer color coordinate system of the second representation, thereby to produce primary conversion tables and overprint conversion tables and apparatus for converting the first representation to the second representation utilizing the primary and overprint conversion tables. The system also includes printing apparatus for printing the second representation and for producing an output print, wherein the output print is a reproduction of the color input image within the selected color coordinate system. Furthermore, the system enables selection of operator-selected appearance parameters used to match desired printer conditions in accordance with the appearance parameters.

The properties of color are described, inter alia, in the following two books:
Color Science: Concepts and Methods, Quantitative Data and Formulae, Second Edition, by G. Wyszecki and W. S. Stiles, John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York, 1982; and
Principles of Color Technology, Second Edition, by F. W. Billemeyer, Jr. and M. Saltzman, John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York, 1981.
Principles of color reproduction are described in the book Principles of Color Reproduction by J. A. C. Yule, John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York, 1967.
Systems producing color images are known in the art. There are known color separation systems, which scan an original image existent on some medium, such as film or paper, and provide, on output, a digital representation of the original image. There also are known color drawing systems, typically computer based, with which an operator electronically produces an original color image, displayed to the operator on a monitor. The color drawing systems generate the digital representation of the original color image.
The digital representations thus produced are typically provided to a color printing device for reproduction of the original color images. This involves conversion of the digital representations to colorants, such as inks. However, the color of a colorant having a given digital value typically does not closely match the color of the original color image for which the color system generated the given digital value.
Therefore, systems are known in the art which modify the digital representation such that the digital value provided to the color printing device will produce the desired color.
A typical system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,919 to Shreiber. The system comprises a scanner for scanning an original and producing "appearance signals", a digital representation of the original, a monitor for displaying the appearance signals and aesthetic correction circuitry for interactively modifying the appearance signals as desired. The modified appearance signals are then provided to a colorant selection mechanism for selecting the appropriate colorant which matches the modified appearance signals.

Apparatus and method for transforming the digital representation of a color input image


The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming complexes of interferon-λ with an antibody or antigen-binding antibody fragment. In preferred embodiments, the interferon-λ and the antibody or fragment are fusion proteins, each comprising a dimerization and docking domain (DDD) moiety from human protein kinase A or an anchor domain (AD) moiety from an A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP). In more preferred embodiments, the interferon-antibody complex is more efficacious for treatment of cancer, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis or viral infection than interferon-λ alone, antibody alone, or the combination of unconjugated interferon-λ and antibody.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to compositions and methods of therapeutic use of DOCK-AND-LOCK™ (DNL™) complexes comprising interferon-lambda (IFN-λ), more preferably IFN-λ1, attached to an antibody or antigen-binding antibody fragment. In preferred embodiments the antibody may be an anti-TROP-2, anti-CEACAM5, anti-CEACAM6, anti-HLA-DR, anti-mucin, anti-CD19, anti-CD20, anti-CD74, anti-AFP, or anti-CD22 antibody. However, the skilled artisan will realize that the invention is not so limited and more broadly covers antibody-interferon complexes. Preferably, the DNL™ complexes are made using compositions and techniques as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,521,056; 7,527,787; 7,534,866; 7,550,143 and 7,666,400, the Examples section of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The antibody-conjugated interferons retain in vitro activity and show substantially enhanced in vivo efficacy and increased serum half-life. Additional advantages of the DNL™ products may also include lower immunogenicity, decreased dosing frequency, increased solubility, enhanced stability, and reduced renal clearance.
2. Related Art
Interferon-α (IFNα) has been reported to have anti-tumor activity in both animal models of cancer (Ferrantini et al., 1994, J Immunol 153:4604-15) and human cancer patients (Gutterman et al., 1980, Ann Intern Med 93:399-406). IFNα can exert a variety of direct anti-tumor effects, including down-regulation of oncogenes, up-regulation of tumor suppressors, enhancement of immune recognition via increased expression of tumor surface MHC class I proteins, potentiation of apoptosis, and sensitization to chemotherapeutic agents (Gutterman et al., 1994, PNAS USA 91:1198-205; Matarrese et al., 2002, Am J Pathol 160:1507-20; Mecchia et al., 2000, Gene Ther 7:167-79; Sabaawy et al., 1999, Int J Oncol 14:1143-51; Takaoka et al, 2003, Nature 424:516-23). For some tumors, IFNα can have a direct and potent anti-proliferative effect through activation of STAT1 (Grimley et al., 1998 Blood 91:3017-27).
Indirectly, IFNα can inhibit angiogenesis (Sidky and Borden, 1987, Cancer Res 47:5155-61) and stimulate host immune cells, which may be vital to the overall antitumor response but has been largely under-appreciated (Belardelli et al., 1996, Immunol Today 17:369-72). IFNα has a pleiotropic influence on immune responses through effects on myeloid cells (Raefsky et al, 1985, J Immunol 135:2507-12; Luft et al, 1998, J Immunol 161:1947-53), T-cells (Carrero et al, 2006, J Exp Med 203:933-40; Pilling et al., 1999, Eur J Immunol 29:1041-50), and B-cells (Le et al, 2001, Immunity 14:461-70). As an important modulator of the innate immune system, IFNα induces the rapid differentiation and activation of dendritic cells (Belardelli et al, 2004, Cancer Res 64:6827-30; Paquette et al., 1998, J Leukoc Biol 64:358-67; Santini et al., 2000, J Exp med 191:1777-88) and enhances the cytotoxicity, migration, cytokine production and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of NK cells (Biron et al., 1999, Annu Rev Immunol 17:189-220; Brunda et al. 1984, Cancer Res 44:597-601).
The therapeutic effectiveness of IFNs has been validated to date by the approval of IFN-α2 for treating hairy cell leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, malignant melanoma, follicular lymphoma, condylomata acuminata, AIDs-related Kaposi sarcoma, and chronic hepatitis B and C; IFN-β for treating multiple sclerosis; and IFN-γ for treating chronic granulomatous disease and malignant osteopetrosis. Despite a vast literature on this group of autocrine and paracrine cytokines, their functions in health and disease are still being elucidated, including more effective and novel forms being introduced clinically (Pestka, 2007, J. Biol. Chem. 282:20047-51; Vilcek, 2006, Immunity 25:343-48).
Interferons are critical role players in the antitumor and antimicrobial host defense, and have been extensively explored as therapeutic agents for cancer and infectious disease (Billiau et al., 2006, Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 17:381-409; Pestka et al., 2004, Immunol Rev 202:8-32). Despite considerable efforts with type I and II interferons (IFN-α/(β and γ), their use in clinic settings have been limited because of the short circulation half-life, systemic toxicity, and suboptimal responses in patients (Pestka et al., 2004, Immunol Rev 202:8-32; Miller et al., 2009, Ann N Y Acad Sci 1182:69-79). The discovery of the IFN-λ family in early 2003 brought an exciting new opportunity to develop alternative IFN agents for these unmet clinical indications (Kotenko et al., 2003, Nat Immunol 4:69-77; Sheppard et al., 2003, Nat Immunol 4:63-8).
IFN-λs, designated as type III interferons, are a newly described group of cytokines that consist of IFN-λ1, 2, 3 (also referred to as interleukin-29, 28A, and 28B, respectively), that are genetically encoded by three different genes located on chromosome 19 (Kotenko et al., 2003, Nat Immunol 4:69-77; Sheppard et al., 2003, Nat Immunol 4:63-8). At the protein level, IFN-λ2 and λ3 are is highly homologous, with 96% amino acid identity, while IFN-λ shares approximately 81% homology with IFN-λ2 and -λ3 (Sheppard et al., 2003, Nat Immunol 4:63-8). IFN-λs activate signal transduction via the JAK/STAT pathway similar to that induced by type I IFN, including the activation of JAK1 and TYK2 kinases, the phosphorylation of STAT proteins, and the activation of the transcription complex of IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) (Witte et al., 2010, Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 21:237-51; Zhou et al., 2007, J Virol 81:7749-58).
A major difference between type III and type I IFN systems is the distribution of their respective receptor complexes. IFN-α/β signals through two extensively expressed type I interferon receptors, and the resulting systemic toxicity associated with IFN-α/β administration has limited their use as therapeutic agents (Pestka et al., 2007, J Biol Chem 282:20047-51). In contrast, IFN-λs signal through a heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of unique IFN-λreceptor 1 (IFN-λR1) and IL-10 receptor 2 (IL-10R2). As previously reported (Witte et al., 2009, Genes Immun 10:702-14), IFN-λR1 has a very restricted expression pattern with the highest levels in epithelial cells, melanocytes, and hepatocytes, and the lowest level in primary central nervous system (CNS) cells. Blood immune system cells express high levels of a short IFN-λ, receptor splice variant (sIFN-λR1) that inhibits IFN-λaction. The limited responsiveness of neuronal cells and immune cells implies that the severe toxicity frequently associated with IFN-α therapy may be absent or significantly reduced with IFN-λs (Witte et al., 2009, Genes Immun 10:702-14; Witte et al., 2010, Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 21:237-51). A recent publication reported that while IFN-α and IFN-λ induce expression of a common set of ISGs (interferon-stimulated genes) in hepatocytes, unlike IFN-α, administration of IFN-λdid not induce STAT activation or ISG expression in purified lymphocytes or monocytes (Dickensheets et al., 2013, J Leukoc Biol. 93, published online Dec. 20, 2012). It was suggested that IFN-λ, may be superior to IFN-α for treatment of chronic HCV infection, as it is less likely to induce leukopenias that are often associated with IFN-α therapy (Dickensheets et al., 2013).
IFN-λs display structural features similar to IL-10-related cytokines, but functionally possess type I IFN-like anti-viral and anti-proliferative activity (Witte et al., 2009, Genes Immun 10:702-14; Ank et al., 2006, J Virol 80:4501-9; Robek et al., 2005, J Virol 79:3851-4). IFN-λ1 and λ2 have been demonstrated to reduce viral replication or the cytopathic effect of various viruses, including DNA viruses (hepatitis B virus (Robek et al., 2005, J Virol 79:3851-4, Doyle et al., 2006, 44:896-906) and herpes simplex virus 2 (Ank et al., 2008, J Immunol 180:2474-85)), ss (+) RNA viruses (EMCV; Sheppard et al., 2003, Nat Immunol 4:63-8) and hepatitis C virus (Robek et al., 2005, J Virol 79:3851-4, Doyle et al., 2006, 44:896-906; Marcello et al., 2006, Gastroenterol 131:1887-98; Pagliaccetti et al., 2008, J Biol Chem 283:30079-89), ss (−) RNA viruses (vesicular stomatitis virus; Pagliaccetti et al., 2008, J Biol Chem 283:30079-89) and influenza-A virus (Jewell et al., 2010, J Virol 84:11515-22) and double-stranded RNA viruses, such as rotavirus (Pott et al., 2011, PNAS USA 108:7944049). IFN-λ3 has been identified from genetic studies as a key cytokine in HCV infection (Ge et al., 2009, Nature 461:399-401), and has also shown potent activity against EMCV (Dellgren et al., 2009, Genes Immun 10:125-31). A deficiency of rhinovirus-induced IFN-λproduction was reported to be highly correlated with the severity of rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbation (Controli et al., 2006, Nature Med 12:1023-26) and IFN-λ therapy has been suggested as a new approach for treatment of allergic asthma (Edwards and Johnston, 2011, EMBO Mol Med 3:306-8; Koltsida et al., 2011, EMBO Mol Med 3:348-61).
The anti-proliferative activity of IFN-λs has been established in several human cancer cell lines, including neuroendocrine carcinoma BON1 (Zitzmann et al., 2006, 344:1334-41), glioblastoma LN319 (Meager et al., 2005, Cytokine 31:109-18), immortalized keratinocyte HaCaT (Maher et al., 2008, Cancer Biol Ther 7:1109-15), melanoma F01 (Guenterberg et al., 2010, Mol Cancer Ther 9:510-20), and esophageal carcinoma TE-11 (Li et al., 2010, Eur J Cancer 46:180-90). In animal models, IFN-λs induce both tumor apoptosis and destruction through innate and adaptive immune responses, suggesting that local delivery of IFN-λ might be a useful adjunctive strategy in the treatment of human malignancies (Numasaki et al., 2007, J Immunol 178:5086-98).
In clinical settings, PEGylated IFN-λ1 (PEG-IFN-λ1) has been provisionally used for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. In a phase Ib study (n=56), antiviral activity was observed at all dose levels (0.5-3.0 μg/kg), and viral load reduced 2.3 to 4.0 logs when PEG-IFN-λ1 was administrated to genotype 1 HCV patients who relapsed after IFN-α therapy (Muir et al., 2010, Hepatology 52:822-32). A phase IIb study (n=526) showed that patients with HCV genotypes 1 and 4 had significantly higher response rates to treatment with PEG-IFN-λ1 compared to PEG-IFN-α. At the same time, rates of adverse events commonly associated with type I interferon treatment were lower with PEG-IFN-λ1 than with PEG-IFN-α. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were infrequently observed and the rates of flu-like symptoms, anemia, and musculoskeletal symptoms decreased to about ⅓ of that seen with PEG-IFN-α treatment. However, rates of serious adverse events, depression and other common adverse events (>10%) were similar between PEG-IFN-λ1 and PEG-IFN-α. Higher rates of hepatotoxicity were seen in the highest-dose PEG-IFN-λ1 compared with PEG-IFN-α ("Investigational Compound PEG-Interferon Lambda Achieved Higher Response Rates with Fewer Flu-like and Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Cytopenias Than PEG-Interferon Alfa in Phase IIb Study of 526 Treatment-Naive Hepatitis C Patients," Apr. 2, 2011, Press Release from Bristol-Myers Squibb).
There exists a need for compositions and methods comprising interferon-lambda-antibody complexes, which retain the bioactivity of the unmodified interferon, but exhibit improved in vivo efficacy, decreased toxicity and/or superior pharmacokinetic properties.


An upright standard is provided including a plurality of horizontally outwardly projecting vertically spaced support arms journaled from the sleeve for rotation thereabout, the outer ends of the support arms including target members thereon for striking by a bat-like member. The upright is removably supported from a base structure including depending ground impaling blades and the support arms are mounted from the upright upon sleeves journaled from the upright and including weight means on the sides thereof opposite the sides from which the support arms project in order to enable the support arms to rotate about the upright in a substantially balanced manner.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a batting practice device, primarily for children, which enables children of different sizes to engage in batting practice and also which enables a child of a given height to engage in batting practice at three different heights.
2. Description of Related Art
Various different forms of batting practice devices heretofore have been provided including some of the general, structural and operational features of the instant invention. Examples of these previously known forms of batting practice devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,529,823, 3,547,437, 3,663,018, 4,907,801 and 5,071,112. However, these previously known forms of batting practice devices do not include the overall combination of structural and operational features of the instant invention.

Triple-adjustable height batting practice device


The system (50) includes at least one tread (52) secured to a tread drive means (54) for moving the tread (52) in a direction of a tread work-axis of motion (58) adjacent an object (78) to be moved. A head (57) is secured to the tread (52), and the head (57) includes a device (66) for grabbing the object (78). The head (57) selectively moves in at least a direction opposed to the tread work-axis of motion (58) and at a rate of speed at least the same as the rate of speed the drive means (54) moves the tread (52) in the tread work-axis of motion (58) direction to thereby achieve a net-zero motion relative to the object (58) to facilitate picking and placing the object (58). A plurality of treads (52) with such heads (57) may be secured in an endless loop (56).

Robotic systems are well known in manufacturing of many different objects, such as food products, automobile components, precision electronic assembly, etc. One traditional robotic system is commonly referred to as a "SCARA" (Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm), such as is shown in a simplified schematic representation in FIG. 1 and represented by the reference numeral 10. The SCARA system involves an arm moving from a first stop at a ready position to a second stop at a pick position (shown in FIG. 1) to acquire a work object 14, such as from a stack 16 of work objects. The arm 12 then moves to a third stop at a place position (not shown), such as on a manufacturing or packaging conveyor, to place the work object on the conveyor, and then the arm 12 moves back to the first stop or ready position, or to the second stop or pick position, depending upon a particular job. For the SCARA robotic system 10 to perform a standard pick-and-place operation, a gripper 18 secured to the arm 12 acquires the object 14 through standard grabbing apparatus, which may be mechanical, pneumatic, etc. As is apparent, the primary motion axes of the gripper 18 are all vertical and the arm 12 and its sub-members lie in a plane parallel to a floor (not shown) supporting the stack 16 and SCARA robot 10.
While such a SCARA robotic system 10 performs adequately with precision and frequently at very high cycle speeds, the requirement of many stops and starts is very energy inefficient. It is known that some SCARA robotic systems utilize so much energy that they experience up to a "13 G" force, or thirteen times the force of gravity for short durations to provide efficient cycle times. As the SCARA system 10 acquires, moves and places an object, the arm must execute repeated work and return motions. This pick-and-place cycle time is therefore only fifty percent efficient, and requires a lot of energy to move from a stop position through a work or return motion and back to another stop position.
In an effort to remove much of the inefficiency of the SCARA and other types of robotic systems, the present inventor and a co-inventor invented a "Multi-Head Robot System and Method Of Use" disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,451 that issued on Feb. 10, 2004 to Derby et al, which Patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 2 in a simplified schematic of the Derby et al. multi-head robot system 20, an endless loop track 22 supports multiple robotic material handling devices 24 or heads. By having the robotic devices 24 secured to the track 22, the multi-head robotic system eliminates the return stroke of the SCARA robotic system 10. However, as the multiple heads 24 move over work objects so that each head 24 may pick an object, the heads must come to a stop at a pick position 26, and then move along the track to another stop at a place position 28. The multi-head system can achieve enhanced efficiency by having the multiple heads work in waves, such as a grouping of four or more heads (not shown), so that one stop acquires four work objects. Consequently, even though the return stroke of the SCARA system 10 is eliminated, the Derby et al. multi-head system nonetheless requires intermittent stops, which are energy inefficient. Additionally, the multi-head Derby et al. system requires care and precision in spacing of stopping points of the individual heads 24 and errors can produce collisions leading to substantial delays.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an improved robotic system that eliminates inefficient start-stop motions of large components of the system, and that also provides a variety of work axes of motion relative to movement of a work object from a first position to a second position.

Robotic tread system having a net-zero motion head for moving objects