An apparatus for flight path correction of flying bodies, such as projectiles, rockets and the like, with the aid of a laser guide beam, wherein the course of the respective flying body is determined and processed in a measuring apparatus associated with the firing apparatus and containing an optical receiving detector in order to obtain an appropriate correction signal, and wherein the correction signal is then transmitted, through encoding of the laser guide beam, to a receiving apparatus disposed in the tail portion of the flying body. To determine the course of the flying body in a simple manner, both an optical light source for producing a light beam and an optical receiving detector are disposed on the measuring apparatus, and triple reflector or mirror elements, that reflect the incident light beam back in its initial direction independently of the respective angle of incidence, are disposed on the bottom of the flying body or at the ends of the guiding mechanism of the flying body. In rotating flying bodies, the triple mirror elements are preferably distributed at irregular intervals in a circle, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flying body. This arrangement makes it possible to use the signals reflected by the triple mirror elements to determine the roll position of the respective flying body.

The invention relates to an apparatus for flight path correction of flying bodies, such as projectiles, rockets and the like, with the aid of a laser guide beam. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for flight path correction of flying bodies such as projectiles, rockets and the like, with the aid of a laser guide beam, wherein the course of the respective flying body is determined in a measuring apparatus, which is associated with the firing apparatus and contains an optical receiving detector, and processed in order to obtain an appropriate correction signal, and wherein these correction signals are then transmitted, through encoding of the laser guide beam, to a receiving apparatus disposed on the tail side in the respective projectile.
To increase hit probability, particularly in combat involving moving targets, correction of the projectile flight path, especially at an increased range, is imperative in addition to optimum fire control and a short flight time. For this purpose, it is necessary to determine the projectile course and, in rotating projectiles, the roll angle position, so that the correction pulses can be triggered at the proper time in order to achieve an approximation of the desired flight path.
To determine the projectile course, it is already known from German Patent No. 25 43 606 C2 and published German Patent application No. 41 10 766 A1 to dispose a light source, for example a pyrotechnical illuminating composition or a laser light source, on the respective projectile, and an optical receiver in a measuring apparatus associated with the firing apparatus. The major disadvantage of these known apparatuses is the outlay associated with the arrangement of a separate light source on the respective projectile.
Also known are apparatuses in which the respective projectile course is not determined by a measuring apparatus associated with the firing apparatus, but by the respective projectile itself. To this end, a laser beam which rotates about the desired flight path of the projectile is used. The receiving apparatus disposed on the side of the projectile then determines the course of the projectile from the delay time between a reference position and the position at which the laser beam impacts the projectile tail. A disadvantage of this apparatus is the relatively high outlay required for the projectile-side receiving apparatus.

Apparatus for flight path correction of flying bodies

TZN Forschungs und Entwicklungszentrum Unterluss GmbH


Apparatus for harnessing and utilizing, inter alia, cyclic forces generated at a location eccentric from the axis of rotation of a rolling wheel. The apparatus may include, for example, pumps that can be attached to the valve stem of an automobile wheel in order to pressurize under-inflated tires and maintain tire pressure at a preset value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus to pressurize a pneumatic tire during rotation thereof and, more particularly, the present invention provides such an apparatus mounted externally of the pneumatic tire at a site eccentric to rotation of the tire for utilizing a locus of forces to pressurize air to control the inflation of the tire.
2. Description of the Prior Art
While not so limited, the present invention provides a pneumatic pump constructed for attachment to an air supply valve stem of a pneumatic tire of an automobile or the like, to pressurize and, if desired, control the tire pressure at a predetermined pressure. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,064 there is disclosed a tire pump mounted within a tire. A piston of the pump moves radially with respect to the rim. The pump is mounted on the tire rim and is actuated by centrifugal force to draw in and pressurize atmospheric air as the tire rolls along the ground. When the pressure within the tire reaches a pre-set level the air in the tire is recirculated through the pump to prevent the buildup of excessive pressure. Such a system requires permanent attachment of the pump to the rim of the wheel, modification of the wheel structure, and removal of the tire in order to service or replace the pump.
Other known centrifugally-operated pump regulators are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,691 wherein the pump is secured to the wheel rim interiorly of the tire and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,792 wherein the pump is secured to the interior of the tire. These pumps suffer from disadvantages similar to those associated with U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,064. Furthermore, all of the aforementioned pumps/regulators operate exclusively on the principal of harnessing and utilizing only centrifugal force, a force which is not cyclic so that the pump must embody a design to operate independent of wheel translation.
In so far as presently known, there is no known mechanical application to utilize the combination of centrifugal and gravitational forces occurring at a location eccentric from an axis of rotation of a body experiencing rolling translation. Such forces resolve to a resultant force that is ever changing during each rotation at all points eccentric from the axis of rotation of a rolling vehicle wheel. Hence, an advantage exists for an apparatus for harnessing and utilizing the locus of forces at a location eccentric from an axis of rotation of a rolling body, particularly, a vehicle wheel or the like. Such an apparatus can be mounted to a vehicle wheel and advantageously used, inter alia, to power a pump for pressuring and, if desired, regulating the pressure of a pneumatic vehicle tire.
The forces driving this kind of pump are forces that are normally imparted to on the valve of a rotating tire while a vehicle is in motion. The variability of these force during each complete revolution of the wheel are sufficient to impart the reciprocal motion to a piston type pump for vehicle speeds above a certain minimum speed of about 10 miles per hour, for example. The pressurizing of a low volume of air to a predetermined pressure by the pump can be controlled by diverse means such as a pressure control valve to maintain the tire pressure at a desired level required by present day standards. The input of air pressure from the pump may, if desired, be applied in opposition to the pneumatic pressure of the tire such that the tire pressure is increased or by a reverse flow of air, a small volume of air can be exhausted through a pump to the atmosphere. In this mode of operation, the tire pressure is reduced incrementally according to the magnitude of pressurization of air by the pump. This enables a pump construction to achieve and maintain a predetermined tire pressure according to operating parameters for the tire such as radius rotation for the tire, desired tire pressure and air pressure volume of the tire.
There are significant benefits from such a system to the owner of a vehicle whether it is an automobile, motorcycle or truck. First, the maintenance of the correct tire pressure will protect a tire from over or under inflation and result in its longer life for the tire. Second, this system, when applied to all wheels of a vehicle, will maintain even and balanced inflation in all tires and allow for easy and safe handling of the vehicle. Incorrect tracking of the vehicle due to uneven tire pressure will be eliminated. Tire wear will be improved relatively constant and balanced to all tires over their useful life. Lastly, the maintenance of correct tire pressure will increase gas mileage of the vehicle and provide a further saving to the operator. It has been reported by the Federal Department of Transportation that 2 million gallons of gasoline a day could be saved if all motor vehicles on the road were to operate with correct tire pressures.
It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for harnessing and utilizing forces at a location eccentric from the axis of rotation of a vehicle wheel for pressurizing and regulating the air pressure of a pneumatic tire carried by the wheel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a readily accessible pneumatic tire pump/regulator which can be manufactured for incorporation as part of or for releasably attachment to existing valve stem structure for a pneumatic tire.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pneumatic tire pump/regulator requiring no modification of either the vehicle wheel or the pneumatic tire.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the attache drawings and written description of the invention presented hereinbelow.

Tire pressuring and regulating apparatus


The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dynamically assigning addresses and determining the configuration of a plurality of programmable function modules connected to an electrical conductor, such as a serial bus. The programmable function modules are electrically interconnected by a control line in a point-to-point connection between one another. A programmable controller will first transmit an enabling signal on the control line and then will transmit predetermined addressing information on the serial bus. The first function module will then access the serial bus and retrieve the addressing information, assign itself a unique address as determined by the addressing information, modify the addressing information in a predetermined manner, return the modified addressing information to the serial bus, and enable the adjacent function module on the control line. Each function module connected to the serial bus will be assigned an address in a similar fashion. The programmable controller will receive the modified address information from the final function module and will thereby know the number of function modules, the connection sequence of the function modules, and the address of each function module.

In any system where a plurality of function modules, also referred to as secondary stations, are interconnected by some sort of electrical communication bus and controlled by a programmable controller, also referred to as a primary station, the programmable controller requires information identifying the modules. This enables the programmable controller to send commands and information to selected modules and to identify the source of information sent by the modules to the programmable controller. This is normally accomplished by assigning a unique address, also referred to as an identifier, to each of the function modules.
One example of such a system is an existing computer system which include an electrical bus structure such as micro-channel, AT bus, etc. Expansion slots are typically present, often eight or more, in the housing containing the computer's motherboard. These expansion slots allow function modules, also referred to a expansion cards, to be electrically interconnected to the computer's bus structure. The central processing unit (CPU) of the computer then identifies each of the function modules in the system.
Yet another example of such a system is an article processing system such as a system for producing data bearing cards. In such a system there are often numerous function modules present. For example, an embosser function module, a magnetic stripe encoder function module, a card inserter function module, a card stacking function module, etc. might be present in one system. These functions may be installed optionally and arranged randomly under the control of a programmable controller. These are but two examples of the numerous systems having a plurality of function modules under the control of a controller.
Typically in a system having multiple function modules, the system might be configured such that different modules might be present or the modules arranged in varying sequences. The programmable controller must be able to identify the modules and their functions and in some systems, such as article processing systems, must be able to identify the physical sequence of the modules along the bus.
In the prior art, the unique static address of each function module is typically established through adjustment of hardware in the device, such as by burning the static address into the read only memory (ROM), or by setting DIP switches or jumper settings. A communication controller in each peripheral device is then programmed to respond only to messages containing addresses matching the number stored in ROM or set by the switches.
The disadvantage of using a ROM in each peripheral device is that the ROM must be different for each device. If, for instance, two embossers are connected to the same bus, the ROM in one embosser must be altered. The use of switches in each module makes it easier for a user to give each module a unique address. However, if there are a large number of modules, this method will require an operator to set a large number of switches. Therefore, this method is prone to operator error.
A further requirement of some multiple module systems, such as systems which process an article, is that the sequence of the modules along the bus must be known. With a modular concept, there could be any number of modules, connected in any order. Moveover, modules might be added or deleted or even have their order changed. The method of burning a static address into the ROM or the method of operators setting DIP switches will not ensure the ability to detect a connection sequence of the modules.
An example of a dynamic address assignment system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,005 to Sullivan. Each module on the serial bus contains a ROM storing a number representing the modular type. Each module further includes four switches to distinguish between two modules of the same type. The programmable controller then assigns an address as determined by the numbers stored in ROM in combination with the DIP switch setting. While this method achieves dynamic addressing, it is still prone to operator error due to the switch setting on modules of the same type.
What has been needed, therefore, is a dynamic addressing system.
What has been further needed is a dynamic addressing procedure for addressing modules, such that a number of modules may be connected in any order and the order of the modules will be known.
What has been even further needed has been an automatic module addressing system which is totally transparent to the operator and requires no intervention or special installation procedures.
The present invention provides these long felt needs and offers other advantages over the prior art.

Automatic station identification where function modules automatically initialize


Gestures may be performed to control a visual projector. When a device or human hand is placed into a projection field of the visual projector, the visual projector responds to gestures. The human hand, for example, may gesture to rotate a projected image or to correct the projected image. The visual projector may thus manipulate and/or correct the projected image in response to the gesture.

Projectors project a visual image onto a surface, typically a projector screen that provides a nearly ideal projection receiving surface. The projector screen typically has a plane white color, a suitable reflectivity for viewing the projected image when dim room lighting is present, and is a flat vertical surface that does not distort the projected image so long as the projector is properly aligned. However, it is not always possible to ideally position the projector, and at times, improper alignment occurs and distortion such as keystoning results. Another drawback occurs when a presenter or other object is present between the projector and the projection screen. The projection is distorted at the point where the projection output reaches the person or object rather than the projector screen. Furthermore, the projection is bothersome to the person when facing the projector.
With projection devices being miniaturized and/or combined with other devices, such as placing projectors within digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones, and other portable digital devices so that individuals can easily share images, the need to project an image may arise at any time and place. Therefore, the surface to receive the projection output may be anything from a table top to a person's clothing. Thus, the surface receiving the projection output may be far from the ideal of the projector screen. Therefore, the resulting image appearing on the surface receiving the projection output may be distorted in many ways, due to non-planar surfaces, dynamic surfaces, oddly colored and/or textured surfaces, and so forth. Furthermore, the alignment of the projection output to the surface may be angular and result in keystoning. In these situations, the appearance of the projected image may be less than desirable.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method, system and computer readable media for optimistic access of data objects in a processing system. The method, system and computer readable media comprise providing a list of position objects. Each of the position objects can be associated with a data object. The method, system and computer readable medium include utilizing a thread to mutex a position object of the list of position objects and to associate the position object with a data object, and accessing the data object by the thread. The method, system and computer readable medium record a free level of a memory allocator as a read level of the position object and record a version number of the data object as the version number of the position object after the access has been determined to be safe.

In systems in which high multiprocessor scalability is desired, such as a main-memory database management system (DBMS), the process execution is divided into a number of threads, each of which can be run on a different processor within the multiprocessor system. These threads access a set of data objects, which form the data and metadata of the system. A single data object is, for example, a single row in the database, or a node in a B-tree used to index the rows.
In the context of a single operation, like reading or updating a row, a thread is either a reader or a writer. A reader only reads a set of data objects, a writer will read a set of data objects and modify (write) at least one of them.
When a writer updates a data object, and either another writer or a reader reads the same data object at the same time, a method for retaining the consistency of the simultaneous operations is needed. A typical method for maintaining consistency is relating a mutual exclusion lock (mutex) on a data object whenever a reader or a writer accesses it. However, this limits concurrent access on a single data object to one reader or writer at a time.
In a more refined method that uses optimistic reads, only the writers mutex the data objects they access, and the readers rely on version numbers to verify their reads on the data objects. When a writer updates a data object, it acquires a mutex on the object, then increases the object's version number by one to an odd number, performs the necessary changes to the data object, increases the data object's version number again to an even number, and releases the mutex. When a reader reads a data object, the reader first determines the version number of the data object, then performs the read, and finally rechecks the version number of the data object. If the version number is still the same as the first time when the data object is first read, and the version number is even, then the read was successful. Otherwise, reading of the data object is attempted again.
This method of optimistic reads allows any number of readers to access a data object simultaneously, increasing the multiprocessor scalability. However, there is one special case of an update operation, namely freeing a data object, which cannot be covered by the aforementioned version numbering.
Traditionally, using a classic memory allocator (malloc), any piece of freed memory may become inaccessible immediately. Using malloc would thus render access to data objects that might be freed by a writer to be unsafe. For example, in a UNIX system, reading a freed piece of memory may result in a segmentation fault.
A first method to ensure consistency is to use reference counts on data objects; whenever a thread accesses a data object, it increases the data object's reference count by one, and when the access finishes, the reference count is again decreased by one. When a data object is freed, the freeing thread waits for the reference count to drop to zero before actually freeing the data object. The problem with this method is that the reference count must be protected, typically by a mutex, which again limits the concurrency of both reads and writes to the data object.
Finally, a second method to ensure consistency is to use a garbage collector. A garbage collector is a process that cleans up unused memory at times. In a system that utilizes a garbage collector, any references to a data object may be left lingering, and after the final reference to a data object is released, the garbage collector will sooner or later free the data object. Disadvantages of garbage collectors are that they typically limit access to the data objects while processing them, introducing a new source of mutexing, thereby limiting the multiprocessor scalability and responsiveness of the system.

Memory allocator for optimistic data access

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and apparatus for providing real-time processing of voxels and real-time volume visualization of objects and scenes in a highly parallel and pipelined manner using a three dimensional (3-D) skewed memory, a modular fast bus, two dimensional (2-D) skewed buffers, 3-D interpolation and shading of data points, and a ray projection cone. The method and apparatus permit investigation and viewing of real-time static (3-D) and dynamic (4-D) high resolution volumetric data sets such as those found in medical imaging, biology, non-destructive quality assurance, scientific visualization, computer aided design (CAD), flight simulation, realistic graphics and the like. The method and apparatus implement ray-casting, a powerful volume rendering technique. Viewing rays are cast from the viewing position into a cubic frame buffer. At evenly spaced sample points along each viewing ray, the data is tri-linearly interpolated using values of surrounding voxels. Central differences of voxels around the sample points yield a gradient which is used as a surface normal approximation. Using the gradient and the interpolated sample values, a local shading model is applied and a sample opacity is assigned. Finally, ray samples along the ray are composited into pixel values and provided to a display device to produce an image.

The present invention relates to three dimensional (3-D) graphics and volumetric imaging, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for real-time parallel and perspective projection of high resolution volumetric images.
Image rendering is the process of converting complex information to a format which is amendable to human understanding while maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the information. Volumetric data, which consists of information relating to three-dimensional phenomena, is one species of complex information that can benefit from improved image rendering techniques. The process of analyzing volumetric data to determine, from a given viewpoint, which portions of a volume are to be presented is commonly referred to as volume visualization. Traditional methods of volume visualization operate by scanning through data points in a sequential manner in order to provide an accurate representation of an object. The need to model objects in real-time and the advantage of doing so using computer graphic systems is clear.
Special purpose computer architectures and methods for volume visualization are known. Referring now to FIG. 1, a volume visualization system 1 is shown. The volume visualization system 1 includes a cubic frame buffer 2 having a skewed memory organization which enables conflict free access of a beam of voxels in any orthographic direction, a two-dimensional (2-D) skewed buffer 4, a ray projection tree 6, and two conveyers 8, 10. The conveyors are commonly referred to as barrel shifters. A first conveyor 8 is coupled between the cubic frame buffer and the two dimensional skewed buffer, while a second conveyor 10 is coupled between the two-dimensional skewed buffer and the ray projection tree. This volume visualization system is capable of providing parallel projection in O(n.sup.2 logn) time, where n is the measurement of one axis of the cubic frame buffer.
The operation and interrelationship of the cubic frame buffer 2 and the 2-D skewed buffer are shown in FIG. 2. The traditional volume visualization system 1 operates by casting viewing rays 12, originating at a pixel in a projection plane (not shown), through the cubic frame buffer 2 along a selected viewing direction. The viewing rays access a plurality of voxels 14 (defining a projection ray plane (PRP) 16) stored in the cubic frame buffer. The voxels defining the PRP are simultaneously retrieved by orthogonal beams 18 and provided to the conveyor 8.
The conveyor 8 provides a 2-D shearing of the voxels of the orthogonal beams which define the PRP. This 2-D shearing serves to align all of the voxels of each discrete viewing ray along a direction parallel to a 2-D axis of the 2-D skewed buffer to provided skewed viewing rays. Once the viewing rays are aligned in the 2-D skewed buffer, the skewed viewing rays can be retrieved and processed by the ray projection tree 6.
Before the ray projection tree 6 receives the skewed viewing rays, the accessed skewed viewing rays are provided to conveyor 10. The conveyor 10 preforms a deskewing operation in order to match the physical sequential order of the input modules of the ray projection tree 6 to the sequential order of the voxels of each viewing ray. Specifically, each viewing ray is shifted such that the first voxel in each projection ray appears at the corresponding first input position of the ray projection tree. The voxels of each ray are then processed by the ray projection tree in parallel so as to generate a pixel value associated with that projection ray.
The above-disclosed volume visualization system has substantial shortcomings and drawbacks. First, the speed at which the system operates is limited by the system architecture which provides arbitrary parallel and orthographic projections in O(n.sup.2 log n) time. Secondly, the ray projection tree requires that each projection ray be provided thereto in a specific orientation. This requires a conveyor between the two-dimensional skewed buffer and the ray projection tree which adds to the overall hardware required by the system and the time needed for volume visualization. Thirdly, the traditional system provides only surface approximations of discrete projection rays by utilizing the closest non-transparent discrete voxel to points along the discrete projection rays instead of actual values along the continuous projection rays. This provides a somewhat inaccurate representation of the object. Fourthly, the conveyors are not readily capable of shifting data in a manner required for perspective projection (fanning and defanning of data) and real-time visualization of four-dimensional (4-D) data.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which operate faster than existing volume visualization systems.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which is more efficient than existing volume visualization systems.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which provide better resolution and a more accurate representation of objects than existing volume visualization systems.
It is another object to the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which are readily capable of supporting perspective projection and real-time visualization of four-dimensional (4-D) data.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which overcome the inherent disadvantages of known volume visualization systems.
Other and further objects will be made known to the artisan as a result of the present disclosure, and it is intended to include all such objects which are realized as a result of the disclosed invention.

Apparatus and method for real-time volume visualization

The Research Foundation of State University of New York


The invention relates to a lighting device for stimulating plant growth. The lighting device has a solid state light source, suitable for emitting light of at least one wavelength within a predetermined wavelength range. Furthermore, the solid state light source is adapted for connection to an electrical network. The solid state light source is in contact with a cooling medium. In an embodiment, this cooling medium has a temperature in a temperature range between −50 and 0° C.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a lighting device for stimulating plant growth, comprising at least one solid state light source, suitable for emitting light of at least one wavelength within a predetermined wavelength range, wherein the at least one solid state light source is adapted for connection to an electrical network.
2. Description of the Related Art
The photosynthesis process for plant growth at deep-red light is based on the absorption of light with a peak wavelength of 662 nm by chlorophyll A and light with a peak wavelength of 642 nm by chlorophyll B. In general, red Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have the highest efficiency among the LEDs, i.e. a relatively high emitted power per Watt, wherein the non-emitted power is converted into heat.
However, the light yield of red LEDs drastically decreases with an increase in junction temperature, i.e. the temperature at the junction of P-N semiconductor materials of the LED. For this reason, LEDs are mostly mounted on a cooling element.
It has been shown that with a temperature increase of the LED semiconductor junction from 20° C. to 75° C., the light yield may decrease with at least a factor of two.
Red LEDs of a.o. the AlGaInP (Aluminum Gallium Indium Phosphide) type are considerably more sensitive to temperature changes than for example green and blue LEDs, for example of the InGaN (Indium Gallium Nitride) type. An advantage of AlGaInP LED material is that the life span is extremely long, i.e. under normal conditions such material has a life span of 100,000 hours.
The Japanese patent applications IP 2003009662 and JP 2004113160 and the U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,182 describe the application of LEDs for plant growth. Herein, among other, use is made of red LEDs. In all of these patent publications low-power LEDs are used, in this case with a power of approximately 60 mW. The temperature of the carrier of these LEDs may rise rapidly, as a result of which the efficiency and the scope of application remains largely below the current assimilation lighting with gas discharge lamps adapted for plant growth. For example, for taking over the task of a standard sodium lamp of 600 W 10,000 of such LEDs would have to be used.
Hence, large-scale application of LEDs in greenhouses demands large numbers of power LEDs of 0.5 W or more. Such LEDs produce a lot of heat. Therefore, the carriers for such LEDs are provided with a part which is adapted for emitting the heat generated by the power LEDs. A well-known technique for semiconductor cooling is mounting the LEDs on a plate such that they make a good thermal connection with the plate. On its turn, the plate is connected to a device wherein the absorbed heat can be emitted. In such a heat release system the heat generated is conducted by the plate using heat conduction to the location for heat emission and is subsequently dissipated into the surroundings using radiation. Although such a heat emission system reduces the temperature of a carrier, this is generally still insufficient.

Lighting device and lighting system for stimulating plant growth


An autofocusing apparatus including a device for irradiating a light ray toward an object; a device for sensing a light beam corresponding to the image of the object and the light ray reflected off of the object; a device for indicating to the user of the apparatus that the light ray has hit the object based on the result of the sensing by the sensing device. In another embodiment, the autofocusing apparatus includes a device for indicating to the user which portion of the object has been hit by the light ray.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to autofocusing apparatus; and more particularly, to an autofocusing operation display apparatus and method.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, an autofocusing apparatus automatically measures the distance between the camera and an object, and causes the photographing lens to move to a proper focal point. Autofocusing became popular long after the introduction of auto exposure apparatus.
Autofocusing may be classified as either a passive method or an active method. In the passive method, light rays radiated from an object are passively received under natural illumination, so that focusing can be carried out by utilizing the contrast or the phase difference. In the active method, infrared rays or ultrasonic waves are projected to an object, and when the infrared rays or the ultrasonic waves are reflected back from the object to the light receiving part, the time delay or the angle with respect to the object is detected, thereby carrying out focusing. Most cameras currently use the active method.
When a user photographs an object with a camera, upon activation of a photographing switch, i.e. a release switch, infrared rays for autofocusing are irradiated toward the object. However, the user cannot determine whether the irradiated infrared rays have hit the object.
In other words, when the user adjusts the direction of the camera toward the object, the user can look at a zone mark displayed on a finder. Then the user recognizes the zone mark as the autofocusing infrared rays, and the user adjusts the camera to the zone mark for an image pickup operation. However, the user cannot determine whether the autofocusing infrared rays have hit the object with precision.

Autofocusing operation display apparatus and method


The present invention is a securing pocket for attachment to a garment that supports a small hands-free electronic device. The pocket further comprises an opening within the garment for supporting the pocket. The opening is dimensioned and contoured to support the electronic device. The pocket further comprises a first covering and a second covering dimensioned and contoured to support the electronic device. The second covering overlays the first covering and have a seamless attachment thereto with an edge being left unattached for receiving and removing the electronic device. The first cover has slightly larger dimensions than the opening and overlays the opening and has a seamless attachment thereto.

This invention relates to an article for securing a small hands free electronic sound recording device. More particularly this invention relates to a pocket for securing a hands free sound recording device. Exercise today is an important part of many people lives. While people exercise they like to listen to many devices such as radios, CD players, MP3 players and many other such sound recording devices. However while exercising securing a hand free device becomes a difficult task to manage. This invention was designed to alleviate this problem.


In order to reduce environmental damage by toner refill cartridges constructed as disposable articles, it is proposed, in a developer station which is provided by the manufacturer with a shaft (2) to receive toner refill cartridges, to use said shaft (2) as an additional tank closed off by a lid (3), it being possible to refill said tank via a refill opening (6).

The invention relates to an exchangeable developer station for a laser printer having an elongate toner tank, a shaft arranged above the toner tank and a toner delivery roller mounted in front of the toner outlet opening of the toner tank.
In a known developer station of the abovementioned type, the shaft serves to receive a cartridge for refilling the toner tank. At the lower end of the shaft for the toner refill cartridge, a circumferential seal is arranged, against which one edge of the toner refill cartridge, which is closed off by a tear-off film on its underside, can rest in order to prevent toner from escaping not only during refilling but also during operation of the developer station, i.e. during operation of the developer station, the toner refill cartridge fulfils the function of a lid, which, in view of the fact that the volumes of toner container and toner cartridge have to be virtually the same, is certainly excessively bulky. Since an "old" toner refill cartridge must be exchanged for a "new" toner cartridge whenever the toner container is empty and the toner refill cartridges are constructed as disposable cartridges, not only is relatively frequent changing of toner refill cartridges required but also the latter damage the environment as refuse.

berolina Schriftbild Wilcke, Wolff, Busch & Partner KG


The present invention relates to organometallic compounds useful in the treatment of metastasis. The organometallic compounds comprise a ligand that is covalently bound to a bioactive compound, which is an inhibitor of a resistance pathway or a derivative thereof. Preferably, the organometallic compounds are half-sandwich (“piano-stool”) compounds. The compounds of the present invention offer a high variability with respect to the bioactive compound and to the nature of the ligand bound to a central transition metal.

Resistance against bioactive principles that directly target the origin of a disease are widespread, and one or more of a number of known resistance pathways are at their origin. For example, the Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) is a superfamily class of isozymes that constitute the main cellular defense against xenobiotics, including bioactive principle designed for the treatment of a disease. They catalyse the conjugation of endogenous glutathione (GSH) with the electrophilic groups of substrates, the first step in the mercapturic acid pathway that leads to elimination of toxic compounds. The overexpression of several subclasses of GST, namely GST-π r and GST-α, has been linked to the multidrug resistance phenomenon of certain anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin and adriamycin. More recently, GSTP1-1 (GST-π subclass) was found to mediate the c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway, an important control of cell survival. It was found to have a significant affinity for the C terminus of JNK and therefore could potentially interfere with and suppress downstream induction of cellular apoptosis. Clearly, GST is a potential target for chemotherapeutic drug design, in order to inhibit resistance against anti-cancer drugs.
Ruthenium-based compounds have shown some potential as anticancer drugs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,473 discloses 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of ruthenium(II) and cobalt(II) which are said to be useful for the treatment of tumour cells in a subject.
Some other ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) complexes which have been shown to exhibit antitumour activity are mentioned in Guo et al, Inorganica Chimica Acta, 273 (1998), 1-7, specifically trans-[RuCl2(DMSO)4], trans-[RuCl4(imidazole)2] and trans-[RuCl4(indazole)2]. Clarke et al have reviewed the anticancer, and in particular the antimetastatic, activity of ruthenium complexes: Chem. Rev., 1999, 99, 251-253. Also, Sava has reviewed the antimetastatic activity in "Metal Compounds in Cancer Therapy" Ed by S P Fricker, Chapman and Hall, London 1994, p. 65-91.
Dale et al, Anti-Cancer Drug Design, (1992), 7, 3-14, describes a metronidazole complex of ruthenium(II) ie, [(C6H6)RuCl2(metronidazole)] and its effect on DNA and on E. coli growth rates. Metronidazole sensitises hypoxic tumour cells to radiation and appears to be an essential element of the complexes of Dale et al. There is no indication that the complexes would be at all effective in the absence of the metronidazole ligand.
Kramer et al, Chem Eur J., 1996, 2, No. 12, p. 1518-1526 discloses half sandwich complexes of ruthenium with amino esters. Bennett et al, Canadian Journal of Chemistry, (2001), 79, 655-669 discloses certain ruthenium(II) complexes with acetylacetonate ligands. Oro et al, J Chem Soc, Dalton Trans, (1990), 1463 describes ruthenium(II) complexes containing -p-cymene and acetylacetonate ligands. WO 01/130790 discloses ruthenium(II) compounds and their use as anticancer agents. The compounds have neutral N-donor ligands and the resulting ruthenium complex is generally positively charged.
WO 02/102572 also discloses ruthenium(II) compounds that have activity against cancer cell lines. Again, the complexes are generally positively charged. Complexes are disclosed containing a bidentaie ligand which is a neutral diamine ligand.
Chen et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc., volume 124, no 12, 3064, (2002), describes the mechanism of binding of ruthenium complexes to guanine bases. The binding model requires NH bonds from a diamino ligand to be present in the complex for hydrogen bonding to the guanine base. Similarly, Morris et al, J. Med. Chem., volume 44, 3616-3621, (2001), describes the selectivity of ruthenium(II) complexes for binding to guanine bases.
Further references concerned with Ruthenium complexes for treatment of cancer are WO 06/018649, US 2006/0058270, US 2005/0239765.
Very few, if any, of the compounds and complexes of the prior art cited above have resulted in clinical phase studies, not to mention actual therapies. The reason for the poor performance of these principles are manifold and may be linked to toxicity problems or un-sufficient efficiency in treatment.
It is thus an objective of the present invention to explore new ways for treating cancer, for example based on work done in the area of complexes of transition metals.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to increase the activity and/or efficiency of therapies against diseases and in particular cancer. More particularly, it is an objective to reduce the resistance intrinsic to or developed against therapies, and in particular against resistance in cancer chemotherapies. By reducing resistance to bioactive principles against diseases an in particular cancer, it is hoped to increase the overall efficiency of the therapy. With increased efficiency, lower levels of the bioactive principle needs to be administered, which may further reduce side effects linked to the treatment.
Tumors of various kinds can be removed surgically, the most relevant problem of these cancers being the development of metastasis. It is thus an objective of the present invention to prevent and/or treat metastasis. In particular, it is an objective of the invention to assist the treatment for prevention and/or treatment of metastasis.

Transition metal complexes for inhibiting resistance in the treatment of cancer and metastasis

Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)


Systems and methods for providing ventilation assistance or control are disclosed. Systems and methods for providing randomized ventilation are disclosed. Methods for operating a ventilation system while preventing or reducing the occurrence of ventilator associated lung injury are disclosed. Devices, systems, and methods for providing passive ventilation are disclosed.

Ventilation of a patient is performed to provide oxygen to a patient's lungs while removing carbon dioxide when a patient is unable to breathe independently. Current ventilation strategies provide for control of the pressure, flow rate, or volume of gas exchanged. However, these strategies are inadequate to prevent the complications that are known to result from mechanical ventilation, including barotrauma, ventilator associated lung injury (VILI), adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and others.
As currently configured, once initial settings for ventilator parameters are provided, existing ventilation systems and strategies generally deliver a fixed volume, pressure, or flow rate repeatedly at a set rate. Certain existing ventilation systems and strategies provide for an occasional hyperinflation or "sigh" breath. However, the settings for ventilator parameters do not vary unless and until the healthcare provider manually changes the settings.
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been used as an alternative to the administration of ventilatory support that utilizes an invasive artificial airway (e.g., endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube). In certain instances, passive ventilation (e.g., holding a mask near the face or placing a nasal cannula in the nares providing passive flow of oxygen) may provide sufficient oxygen to support some patients in or nearing respiratory failure.
Accordingly, there is a need for ventilation systems and methods of operating a ventilation system that prevent or reduce the occurrence of ventilator associated lung injury and/or prevent or reduce the occurrence of repetitive alveolar distention and stress.


A method is provided for creating a plastic component constructed, at least in part, from polychlorotrifluoroethylene, having improved properties. The method creates a component from a composition that has polychlorotrifluoroethylene, heats the component to a temperature that is greater than the melting point of the composition, and rapidly quenches the component in a cold medium.

The present invention relates generally to plastics. More specifically, the present invention relates to connectors, and methods for making same, that are used for medical procedures.
It is known to mold plastics into various components and parts. These components can be used in a variety of industries, including the medical industry. Such components include connectors for connecting containers, that may include a fluid for a medical procedure, to another container, device, or to a patient. These connectors include luer connectors, spikes, ports, and the like.
By way of example, it is known to use plastic spikes in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). CAPD is a method wherein the patient's peritoneal membrane is used as a dialysis membrane to eliminate metabolic waste from the body. This mode of dialysis, in contrast to hemodialysis and the like, allows for a more continuous removal of toxic waste, such as urea, while allowing the patient freedom of movement and a near normal lifestyle.
For a typical patient, approximately four times a day, a bag of peritoneal dialysis fluid is transferred to the patient's peritoneal cavity. After a defined dwell time, the solution is drained from the peritoneal cavity into a drainage bag. These transfers must all take place in a sterile manner.
To provide a flow path to the patient's peritoneal cavity, a catheter is placed in the patient, and a transfer set is coupled thereto. The transfer set, which thereby extends from, and provides fluid communication with, the patient, terminates in a spike. The spike allows the patient to access fluid from a peritoneal dialysis bag by spiking the bag through a port or spiking a tube set extending from the bag. In a similar manner, when it is time to drain the solution from the patient's peritonium, the patient uses the spike to access the drainage bag.
The transfer set is attached to the catheter by a healthcare practitioner using a specific medical procedure that requires the utmost sterile conditions. By extending the usable life of the transfer set, and thereby limiting the frequency of such procedures, additional convenience and improvement in the quality of life can be provided to the patient receiving CAPD. Presently, even extended wear transfer sets must be changed every four to six months.
To insure a sterile access pathway, the spike and port or luer connection is sterilized each time a connection is to be made. It is known to use UV radiation to sterilize the spike. One such device is the UV-Flash.TM. germicidal exchange device available from Baxter Healthcare Corp. The UV-Flash.TM. provides a disinfection and microbial reduction of the spike and bag port. This is accomplished by bombarding the spike and port with UV radiation.
Accordingly, the spike, because it is used for periods of up to six months, is exposed to a long term accumulation of UV radiation. This creates a tremendous burden on the material of construction for the connecting device. In this regard, the spike is the most effected of the components in the connection system by the UV radiation.
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene is typically used for constructing extended wear spikes. Polychlorotrifluoroethylene provides high UV radiation transparency that insures that the inner lumen of the spike receives a sufficient dose application. The inner lumen surface is the dialysis fluid pathway and therefore, it is essential that this surface be sterilized. An additional advantage of this material is that polychlorotrifluoroethylene compared to other plastics is quite resistant to radiation damage.
Despite these advantages that are provided by using polychlorotrifluoroethylene for the spike, these spikes are not entirely satisfactory in all situations. Polychlorotrifluoroethylene is semi-crystalline. It has a rather high melting point of approximately 220.degree. C. Accordingly, during manufacturing, very high processing temperatures are required to convert the material to a useful shape in a thermoplastic manner.
Additionally, the material's crystallization tendency is inversely proportionate to the molecular weight, or molar mass, of the material. Therefore, to obtain the desirable mechanical properties, it is necessary to use the highest molecular weight compositions possible. This is measured in the trade as the Zero Strength Time (ZST) which is determined by ASTM test D-1430. Typically, the zero strength time must be greater than five minutes at 250.degree. C. using ASTM D-1430.
On the other hand, however, material at such a high molecular weight is very difficult to induce to flow. This is because the viscosity of the polymer melt of such a material is exceedingly high. Accordingly, high ZST material cannot be injection molded into desirable shapes. Although lower ZST materials are injection moldable, these lower ZST materials do not have the desirable mechanical properties, and they tend to crystallize quite rapidly. Upon crystallizing, lower ZST materials turn opaque and therefore have near zero UV transmission properties, preventing the material from being used for a spike in CAPD applications.
A current method for producing extended wear spikes utilizing polychlorotrifluoroethylene is to first extrude a rod in a specialized, corrosion resistant extruder. The rod is then converted to the desired shape by precision machining.
This method of fabrication has several disadvantages. In the first instance, it is a slow extrusion process of what is a rather large rod. Heat removal in the process is not very rapid. This leads to slower cooling and greater crystallinity, i.e., a more opaque material.
Additionally, the machining process, even if the tools which are used are frequently sharpened, creates numerous machining marks along the tool path on the spike. These machining marks on the spike can likewise create optical opacity, leading to a greater absorption of UV radiation by the material. This can result in subsequent radiation damage.
Moreover, these machine marks are typically microscopic grooves which tend to act as stress concentrators at the bottom of the grooves. The combined mechanical defects from the machining grooves in conjunction with the added radiation absorption, can lead to premature failures of the spike when subjected to repeated stress during the dialysis exchange process.
There is, therefore, a need for an improved method of manufacturing connectors for use in medical procedures that are constructed at least in part from a polychlorotrifluoroethylene material.

Connector for medical procedures and methods for manufacturing same


A structural module (hardware cassette) is provided suitable for use in the assembly of a vehicle door. The module includes a latch mounting member, a pair of door hinge assembly components (a lower door hinge component and an upper door hinge component) vertically spaced from one another when mounted in a vehicle, and tubes connecting the hinge components to the latch mounting member, one tube being connecting the upper hinge to the latch mounting member and extending substantially from the upper hinge component to the latch mounting member when mounted in the vehicle and a pair of laterally spaced tubes connecting the lower hinge component and the latch mounting member.

Side doors of vehicles comprise inner and outer door panels and the hardware accessories secured between the panels. More recently, intrusion beams have been positioned between the panels to offer protection from side impacts. Also more recently a modular approach has been taken with respect to the assembly of the door. In a joint proposal by the Budd Company Stamping and Frame Division and ITT Automotive a modular door hardware plate assembly was proposed which is pre-assembled with the hardware and pre-tested before assembly into the door. The heart of the modular assembly proposal is a stamped module plate which purportedly locates and supports all internal door hardware. The stamped plated assembly with components is then assembled to the door. The plate alone, however, is not sufficient to provide protection from side impact.
Another proposal was made jointly by Bayer AG and Dynamit Nobel AG of Germany. The basic features of the modular composite door prototype were an inner steel skeleton structure encapsulated within a polyurethane, and an outer panel made of polyurea.
The skeleton of the inner panel was proposed to be a welded steel frame made of rolled sections and stampings. The skeleton is attached on one side to a hinge plate and on the other to the housing for the latch mechanism. Bent cross-members extend from one side of the skeleton proximate the housing for the latch mechanism to the other side of the skeleton. Braces secure the cross-members. The skeleton does not however provide the primary side impact protection.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a structural module for a vehicle door capable of carrying the load of the door, preclude sag, and afford protection to passengers riding in a vehicle from side impact.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 571.214 specifies door strength requirements which minimize the safety hazard caused by intrusion into the passenger compartment in a side impact accident. This standard specifies 2250 lbs (10000N) as the initial crush resistance for a side door. The initial crush resistance is defined as the average force required to deform the door over the initial 6" (150 mm) of the crush. This crush test is performed by a vertical cylindrical intruder. The load versus displacement curve is plotted while a quasistatic load is applied to the door by the intruder in an inboard direction until the intruder travels 6". The integral of the applied load with respect to the crush distance for 0" to 6" divided by 6 is the average force in pounds required to deflect the door that distance.
As is known, where an intrusion beam is used in a door, a graph plotted of force versus displacement provides generally a characteristic curve. (See FIG. 13A)
The characteristic curve has three distinct sections. The curve begins with a linear slope which has been previously established to be dependent on the geometric bending stiffness of the beams and their end conditions. This is followed by a sharp change in the slope (first peak) which is due to the yielding, or more likely, plastic buckling of the central region of the beam. Finally the curve follows a somewhat lower slope in which post buckling deformations occur. The 6" displacement of the intruder usually includes these three sections. If the test is allowed to continue, the slope of the characteristic curve will change radically toward a steeper curve and ends when the beam fails. This final slope is mainly caused by the membrane stiffness of the tubes. FIG. 14 illustrates the deflection of a single tube when deformed by force F and in respect of which the curve in FIG. 13 applies.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved structural module which is easy to assemble and mount. Particularly in the past it has been difficult to mount hardware, raise and lower the window in the door, and still provide protection from side impact.
Further and other objects of the invention will be realized by those skilled in the art from the following summary of the invention and detailed description of an embodiment thereof.


A rubber composition for a tire, in particular for a tread rubber part of a studless tire, comprising: diene rubber component consisting of natural rubber and/or other diene rubber; powder of hydrophilic modified cellulose amounting 0.1-30 mass parts relative to 100 mass parts of the diene rubber component. In preferred embodiments, the hydrophilic modified cellulose has degree of etherification in a range of 0.2-1.0 and its powder has average particle size in a range of 20 μm to 100 μm.

The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a pneumatic tire. In particular, the invention relates to a rubber composition that is preferably adoptable in forming a tread rubber part of a studless tire, especially for automobiles such as four-wheel vehicles.
Various efforts and devising have been made and incorporated into the tread rubber part of the studless tire so as to improve contacting between the tread rubber part and ice-covering road surface. For example, the tread rubber part is devised as adjusted to have low rubber hardness at low temperature at near or under 0° C. Moreover, in order to increase tire-tread's friction with the ice covering road surface, there have been proposed to add foamed rubber, hollow particles, glass fibers, lignocellulosic particles such as walnut shell powder, or the like, to the rubber composition for the tread rubber part. These are to achieve scratching on the ice and/or utilizing of undulation caused by dropping out of hard particles or fibers on way of proceeding with wearing away of the tread rubber part. Further, there have been also adopted a method of increasing fillers and oils so as to improve braking performances on wet road and ice-covered road surface. Such method is disadvantageous in increases of rolling resistance (heat generation) and wear resistance of the tire tread rubber part.
JP2002-249619A (Japan patent application publication No. 2002-249619) proposes adding of glass fiber strands or other strands, particles of lignocellulosic or cellulosic materials such as used papers or rice husks so as to achieve removing of water film on the road surface by way of holes or recesses formed by dropping out the fibers or particles. This method is disadvantageous in that high braking performances on wet road and ice-covered road are difficult to be stably maintained and in that wear resistance is decreased due to difficulty in uniform dispersion of the strands or the particles.
In view of the above, it is aimed to provide a rubber composition for a pneumatic tire, which enables to improve contacting of the tire tread, as well as braking performance, on the wet or ice-covering road surface while avoiding increase of wearing out and rolling resistance (heat generation).


A sanding mechanism for a belt sander comprises a first set of sanding heads for sanding the upper surface of a workpiece passing therethrough, and a second set of sanding heads for sanding the bottom surface of the workpiece. The first and second sets of sanding heads each comprises a front sanding head disposed in a direction 30.degree. to 60.degree. relative to the workpiece feeding direction for primary sanding operation and a rear sanding head disposed in parallel with the workpiece feeding direction for a fine finish sanding operation. Each front sanding head including two rows of guide wheels bilaterally disposed at the bottom thereof for guiding the workpiece to move in the workpiece feeding direction.

The present invention relates to belt sanders and relates more particularly to an improved sanding mechanism for a belt sander which can effectively sand a workpiece through two different angular directions and eliminate grinding burn problems.
In wood-working, belt sanders have been commonly used for sanding the surface of a wooden board so as to make it smooth. In regular belt sanders, the sanding mechanism, as shown in FIG. 1, is generally comprised of two sanding heads, namely, a front sanding head for primary sanding and a rear sanding head for fine finish sanding. In this sanding mechanism, the sanding direction of the front and rear sanding heads is parallel with the feeding direction of the workpiece to be polished. Because the sanding belt of the front sanding head and the sanding belt of the rear sanding head are rotated in the same direction, a fine finish is difficult to achieve and grinding burn problems tend to happen. Further, because there is only one set of sanding heads (the front and rear sanding heads) installed above the conveyer, a workpiece shall be processed twice so that the two opposite sides thereof can be completely polished. Therefore, this sanding mechanism is not efficient in use.
The present invention has been accomplished to eliminate the aforesaid disadvantages and problems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sanding mechanism for a belt sander which is easy to operate and can eliminate grinding burn problems. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a sanding mechanism for a belt sander which can simultaneously sand the two opposite surfaces of a workpiece at the same time. According to the present invention, two sets of sanding heads are provided for sanding the upper and bottom surfaces of a workpiece at the same time. Each set of sanding heads includes a front sanding head disposed at a 30.degree. to 60.degree. angle relative to workpiece feeding direction for primary sanding operation and a rear sanding head disposed in parallel with the workpiece feeding direction for fine finish sanding operation. Guide wheels are fastened in the front sanding head for guiding a workpiece in the workpiece feeding direction for positive sanding operation.

No. 19, Alley 8, Lane 548, Chungshan Rd.


A program having a plurality of concurrently executing versions is debugged. A version of the program to be debugged is selected from the plurality of versions of the program, and that selected version is debugged. As one example, the selection is responsive to the receipt of at least one task of the computing environment that is associated with the version to be debugged. The debugging of the selected version does not affect other versions of the program, other programs executing within the computing environment or other tasks using that version.

This invention relates, in general, to the tracing and debugging of programs and, in particular, to the selective debugging of versions of programs concurrently executing within a computing environment.
Typically, production environments are expected to be highly-available or even continuously available. Thus, programs executing within the production environment are expected to have very few errors, if any. In order to reduce the number of errors of a new or modified program executing within the production environment, it is desirable to trace the program, as it executes within that environment. This allows the developer to see how the particular program handles in the production environment.
Although various techniques have been previously used to trace programs in the production environment, further enhancements are needed. For example, a need exists for a capability that allows selective debugging of programs within a production environment. In particular, a need exists for a capability that allows a version of a program to be debugged, while other versions of the program are still executing. A further need exists for a capability that allows one or more versions of programs to be debugged, without affecting other versions of the program or other programs of the production environment.
A yet further need exists for a capability that allows a program version to be selected for debugging based on one or more tasks associated with the version. Still further, a need exists for a capability that enables a version to be debugged for a particular task, without affecting other tasks using that version, other versions of the program or other programs.
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a method of selectively debugging a program of a computing environment. The method includes, for instance, selecting from a plurality of versions of a program a version of the program to be debugged, wherein at least two versions of the plurality of versions are executing concurrently within the computing environment; and debugging the version of the program.
In one embodiment, the debugging of the selected version does not affect use of other versions of the program.
In yet another example, the selecting is responsive to the receipt of at least one task of the computing environment. The at least one task is associated with the version to be debugged. Further, the debugging of the version associated with the at least one task does not affect one or more other tasks using the version being debugged.
System and computer program products corresponding to the above-summarized methods are also described and claimed herein.
Advantageously, one aspect of the present invention allows a debug session to operate against a single invocation of an application program or version of the application program without affecting other tasks or other debug sessions. This allows many application developers to test their changes simultaneously. Further, in one aspect of the present invention, a new version of the application program is allowed to be loaded and tested on a production system without affecting the current application program or tasks running through it. Yet further, one aspect of the present invention advantageously allows multiple program debug sessions to be active against concurrently loaded versions of an application program.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.

Method, system and program products for selectively debugging program versions executing with in a computing environment

International Business Machines Corporation


A new and improved tee putter comprising a rectangular putting head with a striking surface that is generally flat. The rectangular putting head functions to contact a golf ball. A metal shaft has a lower end and an upper end and an intermediate extent. The lower end being is secured to the rectangular putting head. A cross bar is perpendicularly integral to the upper end of the metal shaft with an externally threaded right end and an externally threaded left end. The apparatus has a right locking sleeve and a left locking sleeve. The right locking sleeve has a first end and a second end. The first end of the right locking sleeve is internally threaded. The left locking sleeve has a first end and a second end. The first end of the left locking sleeve is internally threaded. The internal thread of the right locking sleeve is engaged with the external thread of the right end of the cross bar. The internal thread of the left locking sleeve is engaged with the external thread of the left end of the cross bar. The apparatus has a right handle and a left handle. The right handle and left handle have a small end and a large end. The small end of the right handle is secured to the second end of the right locking sleeve. The small end of the left handle is secured to the second end of the left locking sleeve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tee putter and more particularly pertains to a putter which increases putting accuracy by allowing the user to putt with his arms in a parallel relationship.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of golf putters is known in the prior art. More specifically, golf putters heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of putting golf balls are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, the prior art discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,657 to Beil a putter with pendulum action. The putter employs the principle of the pendulum as its primary operating concept.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,668 to Flege discloses a pendulum golf putter. A golf putter adapted for pendulum type swinging movement by use of one hand of the golfer for putting a golf ball.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,120 to Mockovak discloses a golf club putter and handgrip therefor. An improved grip for a golf putter includes a cylindrically shaped body made of balsa wood.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 297,040 to Shong discloses the design of a golf putter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,740 to D'Eath discloses a golf putter.
In this respect, the tee putter according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of a putter which increases putting accuracy by allowing the user to putt with his arms in a parallel relationship.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved tee putter which can be used for a putter which increases putting accuracy by allowing the user to putt with his arms in a parallel relationship. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A solar cell structure is provided for reducing shadow losses without increasing series resistance in the solar cell device. The solar cell device may form an electrical contact to a solar cell emitter layer from the backside of the solar cell device. With this structure, the emitter contact shadow losses may be reduced significantly while simultaneously decreasing device series resistance.

The present application concerns photovoltaic devices, such as solar cell devices. More specifically, the present application concerns photovoltaic devices with backside contact to a buried semiconductor layer, such as an emitter layer.
A photovoltaic device converts light energy into electricity. Although the term "solar cell device" may sometimes be used to refer to a device that captures energy from sunlight, the terms "solar cell device" and "photovoltaic device" are interchangeably used in the present application regardless of the light source.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional multi-junction solar cell device 100. The multi-junction solar cell device 100 may include multiple junction regions, such as the first p-n junction region 110, the second p-n junction region 120, and the third p-n junction region 130, which are connected in series. Each p-n junction region may contain multiple layers including an emitter layer and a base layer (not shown).
The multi-junction solar cell device 100 may receive light from the front or top (illuminated) side of the device. The multi-junction solar cell device 100 may include emitter "grid" contacts 140 on the front or top side of the device 100, which may contact the emitter layer of the first junction region 110. The multi-junction solar cell device 100 may also include base contacts 150 on the backside or bottom (non-illuminated) surface of the device 100, which may contact the base layer of the third junction region 130.
Electrical connection to the device 100 may be made through the emitter "grid" contacts 140 and the base contacts 150. The base contacts 150 may cover the entire backside surface of the device 100, while the emitter "grid" contacts 140 may consist of an array of fingers or buses that collect current from the top or front side of the device 100. An antireflection coating 160 may be deposited over the exposed top surface of the emitter layer of the first junction region 110 to minimize losses due to reflections.
In the conventional multi-junction solar cell device 100, the area shadowed by the top grid contact 140 may cause a significant loss in device efficiency, because no light is absorbed in the shadowed area. The metal fingers of the top grid contact 140 may cover at least 5% of the top surface of the device 100, which is significant. Conventional methods for minimizing the shadowed area are extremely limited due to the performance trade-off between the shadowed area and associated resistive losses. In other words, reducing the area of grid metal covering the surface of the solar cell device 100 may decrease the shadow losses, but it increases the series resistance in the device 100. Particularly in high current applications, such as optical concentrator systems, this series resistance becomes a key factor that limits overall device efficiency.
Accordingly, a new solar cell structure is needed for reducing shadow losses without unnecessarily increasing the series resistance of the solar cell device.

Solar cell with a backside via to contact the emitter layer


There is disclosed a method of producing isobutanol. In an embodiment, the method includes providing a microorganism transformed with an isobutanol producing pathway containing at least one exogenous gene. The microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source at a yield of at least 10 percent theoretical. The method includes cultivating the microorganism in a culture medium containing a feedstock providing the carbon source, until isobutanol is produced. The method includes recovering the isobutanol. In one embodiment, the microorganism is a yeast with a Crabtree-negative phenotype. In another embodiment, the microorganism is a yeast microorganism with a Crabtree-positive phenotype. There is disclosed a microorganism for producing isobutanol. In an embodiment, the microorganism includes an isobutanol producing pathway containing at least one exogenous gene, and is selected to produce a recoverable quantity of isobutanol from a carbon source at a yield of at least 10 percent theoretical.

Biofuels have a long history ranging back to the beginning of the 20th century. As early as 1900, Rudolf Diesel demonstrated at the World Exhibition in Paris, France, an engine running on peanut oil. Soon thereafter, Henry Ford demonstrated his Model T running on ethanol derived from corn. Petroleum-derived fuels displaced biofuels in the 1930s and 1940s due to increased supply, and efficiency at a lower cost.
Market fluctuations in the 1970s coupled to the decrease in US oil production led to an increase in crude oil prices and a renewed interest in biofuels. Today, many interest groups, including policy makers, industry planners, aware citizens, and the financial community, are interested in substituting petroleum-derived fuels with biomass-derived biofuels. The leading motivations for developing biofuels are of economical, political, and environmental nature.
One is the threat of 'peak oil', the point at which the consumption rate of crude oil exceeds the supply rate, thus leading to significantly increased fuel cost results in an increased demand for alternative fuels. In addition, instability in the Middle East and other oil-rich regions has increased the demand for domestically produced biofuels. Also, environmental concerns relating to the possibility of carbon dioxide related climate change is an important social and ethical driving force which is starting to result in government regulations and policies such as caps on carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles, taxes on carbon dioxide emissions, and tax incentives for the use of biofuels.
Ethanol is the most abundant fermentatively produced fuel today but has several drawbacks when compared to gasoline. Butanol, in comparison, has several advantages over ethanol as a fuel: it can be made from the same feedstocks as ethanol but, unlike ethanol, it is compatible with gasoline at any ratio and can also be used as a pure fuel in existing combustion engines without modifications. Unlike ethanol, butanol does not absorb water and can thus be stored and distributed in the existing petrochemical infrastructure. Due to its higher energy content which is close to that of gasoline, the fuel economy (miles per gallon) is better than that of ethanol. Also, butanol-gasoline blends have lower vapor pressure than ethanol-gasoline blends, which is important in reducing evaporative hydrocarbon emissions.
Isobutanol has the same advantages as butanol with the additional advantage of having a higher octane number due to its branched carbon chain. Isobutanol is also useful as a commodity chemical and is also a precursor to MTBE. Isobutanol can be produced in microorganisms expressing a heterologous metabolic pathway, but these microorganisms are not of commercial relevance due to their inherent low performance characteristics, which include low productivity, low titer, low yield, and the requirement for oxygen during the fermentation process.

Yeast organism producing isobutanol at a high yield


A fishing reel which displays an estimated weight of a fish caught on a hook attached to fishing line attached to the fishing reel while the fish is reeled-in that includes a line spool; a load cell for measuring an outward force pulling on the line; a processor in communication with the output of the load cell such that the processor can periodically read the outward force on the line; and a display for displaying an estimated weight of the fish to a fisherman. The processor calculates an estimated weight and updates the display which displays the estimated weight, based on forces measured between the time a fish strikes the hook and the landing of the fish.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a fishing reel. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a fishing reel wherein is incorporated an apparatus for sensing the tension on the fishing line and a display device to show a measurement indicative of the tension or a derivative of such measurement, an example of which is the weight of a fish on the line.
2. Background
Fishing reels for sport fishing are known in the art and are available in a variety of styles such as bait casting reels, spin casting reels, spinning reels, fly fishing reels, etc. Such reels are available with a wide variety of features which enhance the fishing experience. For example, most reels provide an adjustable drag mechanism whereby a fisherman may set a force level so that the reel will resist forces below the drag force but will allow line to payout when forces are encountered which exceed the drag force. This prevents a large fish from breaking the fishing line or damaging the reel.
Generally speaking, it would be desirable for a fisherman to know the amount of tension on the line so that the drag setting might be adjusted. If known, it would also be possible to calculate the weight of a fish, both while reeling the fish in and after the fish is out of the water. Such a feature is desirable for a number of practical considerations as well as satisfying the curiosity of the fisherman. For example, if the force at which the fish is pulling on the line exceeds the tensile strength of the fishing line, the fisherman would be able to lighten the drag rather than risk a broken line. In addition, knowing the approximate size of the fish while reeling the fish in would increase the excitement of landing the fish.
Fish scales have long been available for weighing a fish after it is out of the water. While these devices will satisfy the curiosity of the fisherman for a successfully landed fish, they are not able to provide information about the size of the fish while it is in water and they provide no information at all for xe2x80x9cthe one that got away.xe2x80x9d
While there are a number of prior art devices for measuring the line tension on a fishing reel, none of these provide an estimate of the weight of the fish. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,258 issued to Adams, et al. discloses an accessory which may be attached to a fishing rod (or alternatively incorporated into a fishing reel) to provide an indication of the tension on the fishing line. Unfortunately, the construction of the ""258 device requires more space than is typically available in a modern fishing reel, the display provided thereon is mechanical in nature and provides very limited resolution, and the device""s ability to indicate large forces of short duration, i.e., peak tension, is limited. The ""258 device also requires the fishing line to make physical contact with multiple elements to create a nonlinear path as required for operation of the device. This contact creates a resistance to movement of the fishing line thereby hampering casting.
Another method for measuring line tension is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,038 issued to Hirose. This device employs a coil opposed to thin magnetostrictive bands bonded to the spool shaft to determine the torque applied to the spool shaft. In order to translate torque into line tension, the height of the line wound onto the spool must be determined with, for example, an ultrasonic measuring device. While this device may actually produce a quantifiable measurement, the circuitry involved is relatively complex, e.g., the torque sensor requires a relatively high frequency excitation voltage. In addition, the measurement device places constraints on other, seemingly unrelated, reel components. For example, the use of ferrous metals near the torque sensor may adversely impact the measurements taken by such a device. Hence, stainless steel bearings are employed in the ""038 device to reduce effects on the torque sensor.
None of the prior art devices provides an estimate of fish weight during the reeling-in operation. Instead, the purpose of these devices is to facilitate the adjustment of the drag system to reduce the incidence of line breakage. Therefore, a fisherman can only guess at the weight of a hooked fish until the fish is actually landed and weighed.
Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing reel wherein a sensor is provided in communication with a display to measure the tension on the fishing line and display, among other things, the tension on the line, an estimated weight of the fish during the reeling-in operation, the peak force recorded while fighting the fish, and the actual weight of the fish once landed.
The present invention provides a fishing reel having a load sensing device for measuring the tension, or outward force, on the fishing line and a display device for indicating information gathered from the load sensing device to the fisherman.
In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is in communication with a microprocessor or a microcontroller which will use information gathered while the fish is being reeled-in to provide an estimate of the fish""s weight during the operation. The microprocessor is in further communication with an LCD display for displaying information to the fisherman. Once the fish is landed, the true weight of the fish will be displayed while the fish is suspended from the rod prior to de-hooking.
In another preferred embodiment, current and peak forces exerted on the fishing line are also displayed to the fisherman. This information is useful in adjusting the drag mechanism to avoid unnecessary line breakage.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following description of the preferred embodiments.

Reel mechanism with line tension/fish weight indicator


The present invention relates to a processing method for nullifying transaction processing fees incurred by a merchant, for processing a wide variety of credit card, e-commerce, and e-business type transactions. In addition the present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring and effectuating e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business and controlling vending equipment and applications. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment includes copiers, phones (public, private, cellular), facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal data assistants (PDA""s), pagers, and other vending machines, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC). Vending equipment can be networked to each other through a first network, programmable and accessible by a PC, server, point of sale (POS) system, property or management information system (PMS/MIS), and networked to a second network. The first network and second network can be the same network. Complete control of a vending machine""s functionality including usage, control, diagnostics, inventory, and marketing data capture can be effectuated locally or by remote connection to the network. Remote connection to the network includes Internet type connections, telecommunication (telephone, ISDN, ADSL), VSAT satellite, and other wire and wireless transmission.

The present invention relates to a processing method for eliminating transaction processing fees incurred by a merchant, for processing a wide variety of credit card, e-commerce, and e-business type transactions. In addition, the present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring, collecting data, selling goods and services, controlling interactive advertising, controlling is and effectuating electronic commerce and controlling vending equipment. The present invention also relates to physical and virtual networking of vending machines and network hardware, server based network control, and network security. The present invention can be implemented in a manner to allow operational monitoring and control of networks (and network hardware), vending machines, electronic mail (e-mail), electronic commerce (e-commerce), electronic business (e-business), payment for goods and services, delivery of goods and services, and advertising worldwide.
The growth of the Internet has created a new way to buy, sell, trade, and barter goods and services worldwide. This new form of buying, selling, trading, and bartering may commonly be referred to as electronic commerce or e-commerce, and or electronic business or e-business. The process of conducting these types of transactions can be called an electronic commerce transaction, electronic business transaction, e-commerce transaction, or e-business transaction.
With the advent of e-commerce and e-business type transactions, a common method of payment can be credit cards. As a result, many e-commerce transactions and e-business transactions can be subject to credit card transaction processing fees or charges. These e-commerce and e-business transaction processing fees can be similar to fees incurred by traditional, non-Internet based businesses such as retail stores, and restaurants, to name a few. Transaction processing fees can include a charge based on a percentage of the transaction value, and or a flat fee for processing each transaction.
As more goods and services become available to more potential customers by way of the Internet the cost of transaction processing can become significant to a merchant. A merchant can be any individual or business. In many cases, transaction processing rates can be determined and effectuated by credit card processing bureau, banks, financial institutes, and telecommunication companies.
As more businesses gain access to the Internet the frequency of e-commerce and e-business type transactions may continue to rise. With continued growth, the cost of doing e-commerce and e-business may become significant when considering the overall cost of transaction processing. Transaction processing costs may discourage and or prevent many businesses and or merchants from participating in e-commerce and or developing an e-business.
Prior to e-commerce and e-business, a factor in controlling the growth and expansion of a business may have been the limitations of advertising. In many cases, advertising through traditional advertising means (print, radio, television, etc.) reached only a few selected marketplaces. Reaching selected marketplaces with a controlled market approach might allow a company to tailor expansion and better manage the costs of doing business.
With managed growth, companies could offer alternative forms of payment for goods and services. For example, a retail store could accept cash or checks to potentially avoid or lessen certain transaction processing fees, thus potentially reducing the overall costs of doing business.
The dynamics of the Internet can be that a company obtains worldwide presence overnight. The ability to reach millions of potential customers can lead to high volumes of e-commerce and e-business orders, customer service issues, merchandise returns, and order fulfillment requirements. The workload may force some companies into a position of being unable to offer an alternative payment solution, instead relying on credit card and or magnet card forms of payment. The resultant can be increased transaction processing fees and a reduction of profits on e-commerce and e-business transactions.
As individuals become more reliant on the Internet for e-mail, e-commerce, and or e-business the demands for access to the Internet may increase. In addition, to the buying, selling, trading, and bartering supported on the Internet other services vital to daily business may also be performed online. The escalating demands for access to the Internet can result in increased e-commerce and e-business transactions. As a consequence the total overall fees paid for processing transactions may increase.
There are numerous problems for Internet based businesses (referred to as virtual companies or virtual businesses) in that increased competition on the Internet may see their growth and profits diminish. The barrier to entry of a virtual company can be little more than a computer hooked to the Internet. As more web sites appear selling similar products, a virtual company""s ability to differentiate itself from other virtual companies may diminish. Head-to-head competition and transaction processing fees may shrink profit margins, potentially jeopardizing an entire business enterprise.
In addition to virtual companies having to compete with other virtual companies, virtual companies have to compete with brick and mortar type companies. Brick and mortar type companies may be referred to as physical companies. Physical companies are companies with physical locations that the public can access.
Physical companies may have several advantages over virtual companies including being able to accept alternative forms of payment (cash, checks, etc.). It may be much easier for a company with physical locations to expand by developing an Internet business, then it is for a virtual company to expand by buying or building physical locations.
Even physical companies that accept alternative forms of payment such as cash, and bank checks may still be subject to transaction processing fees for accepting credit cards, and other bank cards.
In addition, in certain industries, for example the vending industry, the products sold can result in what might be considered a micro transaction. Micro transactions are typically small transactions in the range of one dollar to ten dollars. The determination as to whether or not to accept credit cards as payment for micro transactions may hinge on the cost of doing business, namely transaction processing fee.
For example, a popular size of cold drink can be vended in twenty ounce bottles for a price in excess of one dollar. If the vending machine only accepted cash and coins, in many cases the dollar bill validator would fill with currency, or the coin changer would be emptied of change before the entire beverage inventory, within the vending machine, is sold. The resultant can be that a vending machine with inventory ready to sell can no longer accept cash, no longer make change, and no longer execute sales. This can also impact the route man who services the vending machine in that a service call must be performed to replenish the change supply and empty the dollar bill validator before the vendor can again vend beverages.
The ability to accept credit cards as a form of payment may allow additional inventory to be vended from the beverage machine. However the cost of processing the credit card transactions could so negatively impact the economics and profitability of the vending machine, credit cards may not be financially feasible as an alternative form of payment.
A number of deficiencies support the long felt need of the present invention including shrinking profit margins resultant from transaction processing fees. These transaction processing fees can be associated with traditional credit card transaction processing as well as e-commerce and e-business type transaction processing.
In addition with an increase in e-commerce and e-business type of transactions merchants can be subject to increased overall transaction processing fees. This increase in fees can be attributed to the increased volume and or frequency of transactions.
A further deficiency can include not being able to offer credit cards as an alternative form of payment, due in part to the negative impact transaction processing fees may have on the economics and or profitability of the business model or business propositionxe2x80x94as may be the case in the vending industry.
The present invention is embodied in a simple and effective system and method for processing a wide variety of credit card, e-commerce, and e-business type transactions, to name a few. In addition the present invention embodies a universal control and payment system to distribute and display interactive advertising, conduct electronic mail, electronic commerce, electronic business, and control the billing for the use of vending equipment. Vending equipment can include copiers, phones (public, private, cellular), facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal data assistants (PDA""s), pagers, and other types of vending machines, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC).
One aspect of the present invention provides a system for public access to electronic mail (e-mail), electronic commerce (e-commerce), and electronic business (e-business). More specifically, the present invention can control, monitor, and effectuate e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business transactions such that the general public can use the present invention as a public access electronic commerce station. E-business includes data communication related to business activities, and includes financial related information, and public transportation information.
Another aspect of the present invention provides the ability to route e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business transactions, allowing e-mail, e-commerce, e-business transactions including credit card and other types of transactions to be processed in an online environment.
It is understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive of the invention.

System and method of processing credit card, e-commerce, and e-business transactions without the merchant incurring transaction processing fees or charges worldwide