An advanced modular plug connector assembly incorporating a substrate disposed in the rear portion of the connector housing, the substrate adapted to receive one or more electronic components such as choke coils, transformers, or other signal conditioning elements or magnetics. In one embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a single port pair with a single substrate disposed in the rear portion of the housing. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises a multi-port “row-and-column” housing with multiple substrates (one per port) received within the rear of the housing, each substrate having signal conditioning electronics which condition the input signal received from the corresponding modular plug before egress from the connector assembly. In yet another embodiment, the connector assembly comprises an indicator assembly having a plurality of optically transmissive conduits, the assembly being disposed largely outside the external noise shield of the connector and removable therefrom. Methods for manufacturing the aforementioned embodiments are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to micro-miniature electronic elements and particularly to an improved design and method of manufacturing a single- or multi-connector assembly which may include internal electronic components.
2. Description of Related Technology
Existing modular jack/connector technology commonly utilizes individual discrete components such as choke coils, filters, resistors, capacitors, transformers, and LEDs disposed within the connector to provide the desired functionality. The use of the discrete components causes considerable difficulty in arranging a layout within the connector, especially when considering electrical performance criteria also required by the device. Often, one or more miniature printed circuit boards (PCBs) are used to arrange the components and provide for electrical interconnection there between. Such PCBs consume a significant amount of space in the connector, and hence must be disposed in the connector housing in an efficient fashion which does not compromise electrical performance, and which helps minimize the manufacturing cost of the connector. This is true in both single and multi-row connector configurations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,067 entitled "Shielded Connector" to Scheer (hereinafter "Scheer") exemplifies a common prior art approach. In this configuration, one or more PCBs are disposed within the connector housing in a vertical planar orientation such that an inner face of the PCB is directed toward an interior of the assembly and an outer face directed toward an exterior of the assembly. This is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of Scheer. The arrangement of Scheer, however, is not optimal from space usage and electrical performance standpoints, in that when the components are disposed on the PCBs on the inner face (see FIG. 6 of Scheer), they are in close proximity to the majority of run of the jack (and to some degree modular plug) conductors, thereby allowing for significant cross-talk and EMI opportunity there between.
Alternatively, if all or the preponderance of the components are disposed on the external or outward side of the vertical PCB (see, e.g., FIG. 4 of Scheer), significant space is wasted in the interior volume of the connector, thereby forcing the designer to either utilize smaller and/or fewer components in their design to fit within a prescribed housing profile, and/or utilize a larger housing or thinner walls to generate more interior volume. Stated differently, the ratio of usable volume to total volume within the connector is not optimized.
Another disability with prior art connector arrangements relates to their visual indication systems. Prior art systems generally use one of two arrangements comprising either LEDs which are directly viewable by the user from the front face of the connector, or optically transmissive conduits (e.g., light pipes) which transfer the light energy from the LED to the front face of the connector. A common problem relates to enclosure of the LED within the connector housing (and hence often the external noise shield). This arrangement increases the level of radiated noise within the housing, and therefore the level of noise and cross-talk present in the signal. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,159 issued Apr. 9, 2002 to Hess, et al. Various schemes have been utilized to place the comparatively "noisy" LEDs outside the external noise shield, but many of these are unwieldy and are not well suited to multi-port connector arrangements. Many prior art solutions also require the LEDs or light sources to be disposed on or near the parent substrate (PCB). See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,239 issued Mar. 2, 1999 to Morin, et al. Furthermore, many arrangements treat each LED individually, thereby necessitating significant amounts of labor in manufacture.
Based on the foregoing, it would be most desirable to provide an improved connector apparatus and method of manufacturing the same. Such improved apparatus would ideally be highly efficient at using the interior volume of the connector as compared to prior art solutions, mitigate cross-talk and EMI to a high degree, and allow for the use of a variety of different components (including light sources) with the connector assembly at once, thereby reducing labor cost. Furthermore, such improved connector apparatus would have an indication arrangement which facilitates low radiated noise and cross-talk, yet is cost-effective to manufacture.

Advanced microelectronic connector assembly and method of manufacturing


Methods and kits for performing a double antibody immunoassay are described. The immunoassay comprises:. reacting an antigen and a labelled version of said antigen with a first antibody against said antigen and said first antibody with a second antibody against said first antibody to precipitate a complex of said antigen, said first antibody and said second antibody, and PA1 precipitating a colored protein to form a precipitate comprised of said complex and colored protein.. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second antibodies can be prereacted to simplify the assay procedure.

In the double antibody immunoassay reaction an amount of labelled antigen and unlabelled antigen compete to react with an amount of antibody that is insufficient to bind all of the labelled and unlabelled antigen. An equilibrium is set up in which the amount of bound labelled antigen and free labelled antigen is controlled by the amount of unlabelled antigen present in the assay. The amount of unlabelled antigen can then be determined by measuring the amount of free or bound labelled antigen and a calibration curve generated by the use of standard preparations of unlabelled antigen.
The technique is described, with examples, in a Review Paper by R. S. Yalow and S. A. Berson in IAEA-SM-124/106, pages 455-481.
Various techniques are known for separating the bound from the free antigen. One technique involves attaching the antibody to an insoluble carrier such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,987.
Another technique for separating the bound from the free antigen involves the precipitation of the antigen-antibody complex out of solution by the addition of a second antibody directed against the serum or gamma globulin of the animal species used to generate the first antibody. This second antibody may be added either in solution or adsorbed or covalently bound to an insoluble carrier such as cellulose.
Both types of second antibody addition suffer from disadvantages. Addition of the second antibody adsorbed on a solid carrier gives rise to difficulties in ensuring that homogeneous slurry additions are made, and slower equilibrium attainment is generally found. Additionally, quite a large amount of second antibody is generally required and relatively complex chemical manipulations (to prepare the insolubilized material) are needed, resulting in greatly increased cost.
Addition of the second antibody as a solution avoids most of these problems; but it can result in the formation of only a minute quantity of whitish or translucent precipitate which may be virtually invisible after centrifuging. Inability to see the solid deposit in the assay tube makes it difficult for an operator, particularly an inexperienced one, to remove the supernatant liquid before measurement of the activity of the deposit.
One solution to this problem which has been used is to add extra carrier serum, (serum from a nonimmunized animal of the same species in which the primary antiserum is made), while still using an increased amount of the second antibody, so as to increase the physical bulk of the precipitate. This solution, however, requires considerable second antibody and often results in the same translucent pellet that is difficult to handle because of poor visualization.
Another solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,867 involves coloring the second antibody so that the precipitate formed is colored and is thus more clearly visible. This procedure, however, involves a complex process for preparing the dyed antibody in which the second antibody must be coupled to a solid phase bearing the first antibody for dyeing, washed, and then separated from the solid phase. Assay procedures using the dyed second antibody require the same large volume of the antibody as do conventional assays, as well as nonimmune carrier serum, in order to obtain a pellet large enough to be visible. Further, binding a dye to the antibodies can inhibit their efficiency in the immunoassay.

Methods and kits for double antibody immunoassay providing a colored pellet for easy visualization


A gas turbine engine comprises an outer nacelle. A nose cone is spaced radially inward of the outer nacelle. The nose cone defines a particle separator for directing an outer air flow and an inner airflow. The inner airflow is directed through a core inlet to a compressor. The engine further comprises a drive gear system for driving at least one propeller. A variable pitch control system may alter a pitch angle of the at least one propeller. Some of the outer air flow is directed to at least one of the drive gear system and the pitch control system.

This application relates to a gas turbine engine, wherein discharge air from an inlet particle separator provides the ability to cool at least one of a drive gear system and a variable pitch control system.
Gas turbine engines are known, and include a compressor compressing air and delivering it into a combustor section. The air is mixed with fuel in the combustor and ignited. Products of the combustion pass downstream over turbine rotors driving them to rotate.
One type of gas turbine engine is a contra-rotating turbo prop gas turbine engine. In such a gas turbine engine, air may be delivered into a compressor section, as mentioned above from an inlet. The air may include impurities and, thus, it is known to include an inlet particle separator which will tend to force dirt or other impurities radially outwardly, such that clean air is delivered into the compression section.
Contra-rotating turbo prop engines may include a drive gear system, which is used to drive the propellers. These engines may also include a variable pitch control system for varying the pitch angle of the propeller blades. A contra-rotating turbo prop gas turbine engine may have a ducted exhaust through a propeller hub that inherently heats the drive gear system and variable pitch control system.

Gas turbine engine with cooling scheme for drive gear system and pitch control


A camera protecting assembly is disclosed including a cover defining an opening, a fixing member and a housing. The fixing member includes a base portion, a fixing portion connected to the base portion, and a securing slot enclosed between the base portion and the fixing portion. The housing attaches the cover and the fixing member. The securing slot secures the circumferential wall of the opening, and the fixing portion is fixed to the cover. The assembly method is accordingly disclosed.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a camera protecting assembly and an assembling method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Camera modules are widely used with portable electronic devices such as mobile phones. Because exposure of the camera module to foreign objects can cause damage, a camera protecting assembly is usually provided. The camera module of a portable electronic device often has a protecting assembly housing glued to it and covers the camera module. However, the gluing operation may not position the protecting assembly properly relative to the camera module. Since glue can lose its adhesiveness, or tack, over a period of time, the displacement and the tack loss, may adversely affect the performance of the camera module.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Camera protecting assembly and assembling method thereof


The present invention encompasses pet food compositions that include one or more probiotic microorganisms, which are useful to improve the health of companion animals. For example, the invention encompasses pet food compositions including a probiotic, for example, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus (Enterococcus). The present invention also encompasses the preparation of pet food compositions including one or more probiotic microorganisms intended for methods of maintaining or improving pet health through feeding a pet a pet food composition including the probiotic microorganism.

The well-being of domestic animals is closely related to their feeding. Correct feeding should result in a fit and healthy pet. In addition to providing nutritional value, food compositions influence the intestinal microflora equilibrium and may lead to or prevent gastrointestinal disorders.
As meat-eaters, cats and dogs are characterized by a short digestive tract and a rapid flow rate of the bolus of food. Among the constituents of the gastrointestinal microflora of cats and dogs, Bacteroides sp., Clostridium sp., Enterobacteriaceae, Bifidobacterium sp., Lactobacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and yeasts can be recovered. The number and composition of this endogenous flora tend to be rather stable, although age and, to a lesser degree, food, may modify it. Gastric acidity, bile, intestinal peristalsis and local immunity are factors thought to be important in the regulation of bacterial flora in the small intestine of human beings and various other mammals. Often canine and feline gastrointestinal disorders are linked to irregular bacterial growth and the production of enterotoxins produced by pathogenic bacteria.
Probiotics promote heath benefits for people and animals. However, current extrusion conditions are detrimental for probiotics because they are sensitive to harsh processing and storage conditions. Therefore, gentler processing conditions can improve probiotics survival-ability.
The invention encompasses cold extrusion technology to improve probiotic. for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus, stability. It was found that making cold pellets preserved L. acidophilus better than hot pellets. Consequently, the inventors have identified compositions and methods wherein one or more probiotic microorganisms are incorporated in pet food compositions to improve companion animal health.

Pet food compositions including probiotics and methods of manufacture and use thereof


A hitch for use in towing a trailer behind a bicycle can be constructed using two elongated elastomeric straps, one end of each of the straps being connected to the bicycle and one end of each of the straps being connected to the trailer.

The invention set forth in this specification pertains to new and improved trailer hitches which are considered to be of primary utility in connecting a bicycle to a trailer towed by such a bicycle but which are also considered capable of being utilized in towing trailers behind other types of vehicles.
In the past many different types of trailer hitches have been used in coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle. Virtually everyone is familiar with common ball and socket type joints which are commonly utilized for this purpose in connection with automotive type vehicles. Many individuals are also familiar with the use of interconnecting bolts, hooks or the like for use in connecting trailers to vehicles. Frequently specialized constructions involving an enlarged pin and a movably mounted bearing structure are utilized in connecting a trailer to a vehicle.
Although all of such constructions are unquestionably utilitarian it is considered that they are relatively unsuitable for use in connecting a trailer to a bicycle for any one of a variety of reasons. In general such prior structures are undesirably expensive for use in connection with bicycles. Frequently such prior structures are relatively heavy. This, of course, is disadvantageous in connection with a bicycle because in general the less the weight of the bicycle and the load moved using the bicycle, the easier it is to pedal the bicycle.
Normally such prior hitches are not constructed in such a manner as to accommodate relative movement between a bicycle and a trailer such as may be involved in laying the bicycle upon its side when it is not used. Further, such prior hitches normally are not constructed so as to minimize what may be loosely referred to as the "shock" transmitted to the towing vehicle as the towing vehicle is initially moved. This can be quite important in connection with a bicycle in avoiding problems in starting up the bicycle.


A system adapted to provide in-situ detection of closed area defects and a method for the same is provided. The system comprises a light source for directing light on to a wafer having a grating pattern etched thereon; a light detector for collecting the light reflected from the wafer; a processor operatively coupled to the light detector for converting the collected light into data associated with the grating pattern and determining the presence of the closed area defect; and a controller operatively coupled to the processor for determining whether the wafer requires additional processing to repair the closed area defect.

The present invention generally relates to semiconductor processing, and in particular to a system and method adapted to provide in-situ detection and reduction of closed area defects.
In the semiconductor industry there is a continuing trend toward higher device densities. To achieve these high densities there have been, and continue to be, efforts toward scaling down device dimensions (e.g., at sub-micron levels) on semiconductor wafers. In order to accomplish such high device packing densities, smaller feature sizes and more precise feature shapes are required. This may include the width and spacing of interconnecting lines, spacing and diameter of contact holes, and the surface geometry, such as corners and edges, of various features. Achieving smaller dimensions depends, at least in part, on the ability to accurately reproduce mask features on a wafer. For example, if edges are not developed as edges, or if lines have intrusions or extrusions, then the pattern may not produce the desired electrical conductive and/or insulating properties. Thus, a system and method for detecting when defects have been developed on a wafer is required.
The process of manufacturing semiconductors, or integrated circuits (commonly called ICs, or chips), typically involves photolithography which may consist of more than a hundred acts, during which hundreds of copies of an integrated circuit may be formed on a single wafer. In general, lithography refers to processes for pattern transfer between various media. It is a technique used for integrated circuit fabrication in which a silicon slice, the wafer, is coated uniformly with a radiation-sensitive film, the photoresist. The photoresist coated substrate is baked to evaporate any solvent in the photoresist composition and to fix the photoresist coating onto the substrate. The baked coated surface of the substrate is next subjected to selective radiation using a mask; that is, a mask is employed to effect an image-wise exposure to radiation. The mask permits radiation to contact certain areas of the photoresist and prevents radiation from contacting other areas of the photoresist. This selective radiation exposure causes a chemical transformation in the exposed areas of the photoresist coated surface. Types of radiation commonly used in microlithographic processes include visible light, ultraviolet (UV) light and electron beam radiant energy. After selective exposure, the photoresist coated substrate is treated with a developer solution to dissolve and remove either the radiation-exposed or the unexposed areas of the photoresist (depending upon whether a positive photoresist or a negative photoresist is utilized) resulting in a patterned or developed photoresist.
The process may be repeated a number of times depending on the desired number of layers and features to be formed. The layering process creates electrically active regions in and on the semiconductor wafer surface. If the patterns are not substantially accurately reproduced on the wafer surface, then the electrically active regions may not perform as desired, leading to an overall degradation of chip performance. In particular, closed area defects such as malformed or undeveloped edges, corners and lines as well as undesired depressions, dimples, protrusions and pinholes in the layers may adversely affect the performance of the semiconductor. Adverse effects may include increased resistance, decreased capacitance, ineffective insulation between layers and features, and poor conductivity and interconnections between layers and features.
Conventional methods for detection and reduction of closed area defects have been ineffective in mitigating closed area defect problems and associated yield losses and costs for many reasons. For example, conventional methods rely on pre-set timed check points to monitor and detect for the presence of defects on a wafer as opposed to allowing the detection system to operate in a continuous manner on the fabrication line. In addition, conventional methods and systems do not provide for in-situ detection and feedback control. Feedback control and in-situ detection systems/methods provide current data and other pertinent information to the fabrication system rather than gathering this information at or near the end of the fabrication process. In addition, such in-line feedback methods/systems decrease yield loss, fabrication costs and produce less waste as fewer wafers are discarded and more wafers having closed area defects are processed further to reduce the defects. Furthermore, such methods facilitate mitigating recurrence of closed area defects on subsequent wafers.
Thus, an in-line system and method to detect and mitigate closed area defects in semiconductor wafers are desired to increase overall semiconductor quality and performance.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description presented later.
The present invention provides a system and a method for in-situ detection and reduction of closed area defects in wafers having a grating pattern etched thereon. The present invention facilitates controlling quality and mitigating yield loss in semiconductor fabrication by signaling to the fabrication system (and to a user) that a subject wafer contains closed area defects of a determined magnitude and thus requires additional processing to reduce the defects. In addition, the present invention involves regulating the fabrication process using run-time feedback, which facilitates detection and reduction of closed area defects on subsequently fabricated wafers. The run-time feedback or feedback control permits data related to detected closed area defects to be communicated back to fabrication components. In response to the data, the fabrication components make adjustments accordingly so as to mitigate subsequent occurrences of closed area defects on the grating patterns and on the wafer in general.
As a result, the present invention provides improved semiconductor fabrication as compared to conventional systems by facilitating the achievement of smaller feature sizes and higher packing densities while mitigating yield loss and the occurrence of closed area defects in subsequent wafers.
An exemplary system for in-situ detection and reduction of closed area defects on a wafer may employ one or more light sources arranged to project light onto a grating pattern developed on a wafer and one or more light detecting devices (e.g. photo detector, photodiode) for detecting light signatures reflected by the grating. The light signature reflected from the grating (and wafer) is characteristic of the presence (or absence) of losed area defects (e.g. intrusion defects, extrusion defects, corner defects, pinhole defects.
A processor receives the reflected light signature from the light detector and processes it by converting or interpreting the reflected light into an associated data form, such as numerical or graphical data, in order to determine the presence of closed area defects. The processor may also determine a quantity or level of defects present using the reflected light signature. Determining the presence and level of closed area defects is performed by comparing the data associated with the reflected light signature (subject grating pattern) with known light signatures in connection with known grating patterns.
In addition, the processor may compare the actual level of detected closed area defects to a threshold level of closed area defects to determine whether enough closed area defects are present to constitute xe2x80x9ca positive detectionxe2x80x9d. Information produced and assimilated by the processor is then communicated to a controller for determining whether the wafer requires additional processing. The controller may signal the fabrication system (and a user) that additional processing of the subject wafer is needed to repair the detected closed area defects. Alternatively, the controller may signal the subject wafer to be discarded due to an unacceptable level of closed area defects detected. Detecting and mitigating the occurrence of closed area defects on grating patterns on the wafer are critical to the chip manufacturing process due to the detrimental effects closed area defects have on feature and layer isolation. These detrimental effects adversely influence conducting and insulating properties as well. Detection and mitigation of closed area defects also facilitates producing semiconductors that exhibit consistency in both chip quality and feature performance.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system adapted to provide in-situ detection of closed area defects is provided. A light source directs light on to a wafer having a grating pattern etched thereon. A light detector collects the light reflected from the wafer, and a processor operatively coupled to the light detector converts the collected light into data associated with the grating pattern and determines the presence of the closed area defect. A controller operatively coupled to the processor determines whether the wafer requires additional processing to repair the closed area defect.
Another aspect of the invention provides a system adapted to provide in-situ detection and mitigation of closed area defects. One or more grating fabrication components creates a grating pattern on a wafer. A light source directs light on to the wafer having the grating pattern etched thereon. A light detector collects the light reflected from the wafer, and a processor operatively coupled to the light detector converts the collected light into data associated with the grating pattern and determines the presence of the closed area defect. A first controller operatively coupled to the processor determines whether the wafer requires additional processing to repair the closed area defect. A second controller operatively coupled to the processor communicates adjustments to the one or more grating fabrication components in order to mitigate subsequent occurrences of closed area defects.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method for detection and reduction of closed area defects on a wafer. Light is directed at the wafer having a grating patterned etched thereon. A light signature reflected from the wafer is collected. The presence of closed area defects on the wafer is detected; and if the closed area defects are detected, then proceeding to additional processing of the wafer to reduce the closed area defects.
Still another aspect of the present invention provides a method for detection and reduction of closed area defects on a wafer. The method comprises: patterning a grating onto the wafer using one or more grating fabrication components; directing a light at the wafer having the grating patterned etched thereon; collecting a light signature reflected from the wafer; detecting for the presence of the closed area defects on the wafer; if the closed area defects are detected, then performing additional processing to reduce the closed area defects; and if the closed area defects are detected, then communicating determined adjustments to the one or more grating fabrication components.
Yet another aspect of the preset invention provides a system a system for detection and reduction of closed area defects on a wafer comprising: means for directing a light at the wafer having a grating patterned etched thereon; means for collecting a light signature reflected from the wafer; means for detecting for the presence of the closed area defects on the wafer; and if the closed area defects are detected, then means for signaling the wafer to proceed to additional processing to reduce the closed area defects.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

System and method to measure closed area defects


A shooting game apparatus to project a target and a pair of bullets on a screen. Upon firing a gun, a pair of bullets will move on the screen toward the target giving a feeling of real air fights. The apparatus comprises a housing, a light source disposed in the house, a pair of bullet forming units placed in the sides of said light source in a symmetrical fashion including a bullet slit, a mirror and a lense, said units being rotatable around said light source in said housing, and a means for driving said units rotating around said light source, whereby a pair of bullets are projected and moved on a screen in a symmetrical fashion.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a shooting game apparatus and more particularly to a shooting game apparatus having a bullet projecting device and a target projecting device.
2. Prior Art
There has been known a shooting game apparatus such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,406,574 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,442,240. In the prior art apparatus, a light beam from the gun passed through a slit having a bullet-like shape is reflected with a mirror to be projected on a screen and is moved on the screen by changing the angle of the mirror. However, there is projected one single bullet track on the screen. Therefore, it is limited to a simple shooting game apparatus with one gun, and there are no teachings of any applicability to a rather complex apparatus such as air fights, and tank fights where a pair of guns are provided in both sides of a shooting device allowing the player to shoot the two guns at the same time whereby there are projected two bullet tracks on the screen. Further, the prior art apparatus is equipped with a separate light source for the bullet projecting device and the target projecting device, which made the structure of the apparatus complex and costly. Accordingly, the prior art apparatus may be used for real shooting practice, but is too costly for a commercial shooting game apparatus for leisure purposes.


Apparatus configured to detect congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns may comprise a body with a cavity configured to receive a hand or foot of a newborn. Sensor pairs of the apparatus may be configured scan such that the best signals can be selected, which can accommodate for movements of the newborn and/or facilitate impartialness as to which body part is inserted in the apparatus. Positions of the sensor pairs may be adjusted to ensure contact with the newborn's skin. A disposable cover may protect the newborn's skin from contacting the apparatus. The apparatus may include a pressure device so that CHD threshold values can be adjusted for different altitudes. The apparatus may integrate with electronic medical record (EMR) systems.

Pulse oximetry can be used to measure the arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2) and pulse rate of a patient. Measurement of these characteristics is generally accomplished by use of a non-invasive electro-optical sensor which scatters red and infrared lights through an arterially perfused portion of the patient's tissue. The sensor then detects the differential amounts of red and infrared light that are photoelectrically absorbed by the tissue. Stated otherwise, the sensor detects the amount of red and infrared light that passes through the patient's tissue. The differential amounts absorbed are then used to calculate SpO2.
Pulse oximetry is commonly used as a monitoring device in emergency departments, intensive care units, observational units, and operating rooms. Most pulse oximeter probes are designed for prolonged and continuous monitoring of a patient's SpO2 and pulse rate. These probes are generally shaped as a clip for a finger or toe.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects 8 per 1,000 newborns and is one of the most common and serious types of birth defects. If diagnosed early, CHD can be managed with palliation or successful surgical repair for the majority of CHD-affected newborns. However, a missed or delayed diagnosis can be life threatening or result in long-term morbidities for CHD-affected newborns. Current clinical practice for detecting CHD in newborns relies on a clinician performing a physical examination before the child's discharge from the nursery. However, a significant number of newborns with CHD are missed by physical examination.
In recent years, health care professionals have found pulse oximetry an important screening tool to aid clinical examination for detecting some severe forms of CHD. In a 2007 survey of 1,086 pediatric cardiologists, the majority of respondents supported a mandate for universal screening by pulse oximetry before newborn discharge. In 2009, the American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics jointly issued a scientific statement recommending routine pulse oximetry screening on the foot of asymptomatic newborns after 24 hours of life, but before hospital discharge. In 2011, the Secretary of Health and Human Services approved the addition of screening newborns for critical CHD by pulse oximetry to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel.
The most commonly used pulse oximetry sensors require attachment to the fingers or toes of a patient by some sort of clip. For adults and older children, clip-type pulse oximetry sensors are typically not a problem. The fingers and toes of a newborn, however, are much too small for the clip-type pulse oximetry sensors that are commonly used on older children and adults to fit properly. Conventional approaches to fitting a clip-type pulse oximetry sensor on a newborn's finger/toe or hand/foot includes securing the sensor in place with adhesives or Velcro. Sensors secured with adhesives or Velcro, however, are generally single-use and therefore add substantial expenses to the universal screening of all newborns at hospital discharge. Moreover, securing pulse oximetry sensors on newborns in such a manner takes a considerable amount of time, which adds difficulty to the bigger picture of screening a large number of newborns. Furthermore, sensors that are secured to newborns with adhesives or Velcro are prone to motion artifacts and signal interferences from ambient light, both of which are unwanted in newborn screenings given that accurate and reliable results are needed to diagnose CHD-affected newborns.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for detecting congenital heart disease in newborns

LOS ANGELES BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT HARBOR—UCLA MEDICAL CENTER


A chair type massager includes a seat part on which a person to be treated sits on, a backrest part with a reclining mechanism to perform a raising/tilting operation, and right and left armrest parts in which the arms are inserted. The massager further includes air bags provided at the armrest parts, the air bags holding the arms placed in the armrest part by being swelled by air supplied from an air supply pump; a control part for controlling the raising/tilting operation of the backrest part and the air supply to the air bags; and a manipulation part for giving instructions to the control part. When controlling the reclining mechanism to tilt the backrest part in response to the instructions from the manipulation part to perform the arm stretch, the control part controls the air supply pump to supply air into the air bags intermittently.

A conventional chair type massager includes a treating element that performs a back massage, a driving mechanism and the like in a backrest part. The conventional massager has been multi-functionalized by extending parts to be massaged from the back to other parts of a human body or including the functions of stretching the arms, legs, waist and other parts in addition to the function of massaging the back by the treating element.
For example, the conventional massager includes a plurality of air bags holding arms or legs so that the parts of a human body to be treated, such as the back and other parts, can be restricted from moving. In this state, a mechanical massage performed by the treating elements is combined with a massage performed by the air bags or with a raising/tilting operation (reclining operation) of the backrest part, thereby performing more effective massage or stretch. (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application Nos. 2005-013463 and 2005-152260).
The massagers of the aforementioned JP-A-2005-013463 and JP-A-2005-152260, however, have following problems, when the arm stretch is performed. These massagers have air bags in armrest parts in which arms are inserted. As air is supplied into the air bags, arms are fixedly held by the swelled air bags, and the arm stretch is performed by tilting a backrest part. However, it takes a predetermined time to tilt the backrest part backward until a user feels that the arms are stretched. If the air is continuously supplied to the air bags to hold the arms while the predetermined time passes, the bloodstreams of the arms are obstructed so that the arms become tired and the massage feeling gets worse.
To avoid such an excessive air supply described above, a pressure retaining valve (to be described later) that maintains air within the air bags at a constant level can be used to control the pressure applied to the arm at a specific level. However, in such a case, a space is required for installing the pressure retaining valve. Moreover, since the pressure retaining valve is expensive compared to the simple opening/closing valve, this causes an additional cost. The pressure retaining valve is a valve such as a back pressure valve or a primary pressure regulating valve. If pressure is higher than the predetermined pressure, the pressure retaining valve releases extra pressure and maintains the pressure at a specific level before entering through the pressure retaining valve. That is, the pressure retaining valve maintains a secondary pressure so as to be constant, by releasing the primary pressure. In addition, the pressure retaining valve is distinguished from a pressure reducing valve.


A speech dialog system is described that adjusts a voice activity detection threshold during a speech dialog prompt to reflect a context-based probability of user barge in speech occurring. For example, the context-based probability may be based on the location of one or more transition relevance places in the speech dialog prompt.

Spoken language understanding systems have been deployed in numerous speech dialog applications which require some sort of interaction between humans and machines. The interaction usually is controlled by the machine which follows a pre-scripted dialog to ask questions of the users and then attempts to identify the intended meaning from their answers (expressed in natural language) and take actions in response to these extracted meanings. For example, FIG. 1 shows the basic functional arrangement of one specific form of a generic dialog system as described more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 7,424,428, incorporated herein by reference.
One important task for constructing effective speech dialog systems is referred to as "endpointing" which also known as Voice Activity Detection (VAD). Ideally, the VAD should be insensitive to background noises of various kinds including background speech, but sensitive to speech directed at the dialog system, especially in order to allow barge-in, i.e. detecting the user's speech during playing a system prompt. Various techniques exist based on energy and frequency, but these are still not optimal.

Context based voice activity detection sensitivity


A hard disk drive module comprises a hard disk drive, a bracket, a hard disk drive backplane, and a temperature detecting circuit. The bracket supports the hard disk drive. The hard disk drive backplane is electrically connected to the hard disk drive. The temperature detecting circuit comprises a temperature detecting chip arranged on the bracket, and a cable connected between the temperature detecting chip and the hard disk drive backplane.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a hard disk drive module, and particularly to a hard disk drive module having a temperature detecting function.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic devices, such as computers and servers, can have a plurality of hard disk drive (HDD) modules to store data. A fan control system may be used to control a plurality of fans to cool the plurality of hard disk drive modules. The electronic device has an air inlet and an air outlet far away from the air inlet. A temperature sensor is arranged at a side of the air outlet of the hard disk drive backplane to sense a temperature and send the sensed temperature to the fan control system. However, the fan control system cannot obtain a temperature of the air inlet, which affects the cooling efficiency of the hard disk drive modules.
Therefore, what is needed is a means to overcome the above-described shortcomings.

Hard disk drive module having temperature detecting function

Zhongshan Innocloud Intellectual Property Services Co., Ltd.


A biological specimen collection card comprises a specimen retaining panel, a rear panel, and a cover panel. There is an opening in the specimen retaining panel for retaining an absorbent insert which is to be impregnated with a biological specimen. The absorbent insert is exposed on both sides of the specimen retaining panel when the absorbent insert is retained in the opening. The rear panel is angularly spaced apart from the specimen retaining panel when the collection card is in an open configuration to facilitate drying of the biological specimen. The cover panel is movable between a first position and a second position. The collection card is in the open configuration when the cover panel is in the first position, and the collection card is in a closed configuration when the cover panel is in the second position. The cover panel covers the absorbent insert when the absorbent insert is retained in the opening and the collection card is in the closed position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to biological specimen collection and, in particular, to a biological specimen collection card.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known to use a biological specimen collection card in the form of a blood collection card to collect and transport a blood sample. Typically, a patient's fingertip is punctured and the card is impregnated with blood from the puncture site. The blood is allowed to dry and the card is then sent to a testing center. At the testing center a portion of the card impregnated with blood is cut out, or punched out, and the blood is eluted therefrom. The eluted blood may then be analyzed for evidence of disease or illicit drug use.
In conventional collection cards an exposed surface of the card is impregnated with blood. The blood sample may therefore become contaminated or otherwise damaged during transport. To overcome this problem improved collection cards comprise a protective housing. For example, collection cards used in the HIV and Hepatitis C Home Test Systems available from the Home Access Health Corporation of 2401 West Hassell Road, Suite 1510 Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169, and sold under the trademark HOME ACCESS, comprise a matchbook type housing. Similar housing is commonly used to transport biological specimens as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,557 to Hartl et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,629 to Baker et al. However, the use of such packing increases production costs. It is also still necessary to cut out or, punch out, the portion of the card that is impregnated with blood.


A bottle loading machine having a bottle transfer conveyor transferring charges of bottles in aligned rows to a case loading station for being deposited through a grid set into a case carried therebelow. Aligned pairs of gripping arms are carried in the path of the transfer conveyor directly over the grid set for receiving the aligned rows of bottles. A pair of abutments are carried adjacent the forward end of the grid set for tilting the leading bottle of the charge of bottles so that when the bottles are dropped, they drop freely into the case. A plurality of stops are carried on a pivotal arm positioned adjacent the junction of the transfer conveyor and the grid set for restraining the incoming bottles as the charge is being dropped into the case.

Normally, articles such as bottles are loaded into cases by a case packer which utilizes a shift bar assembly which supports the charge of bottles from the bottom prior to dropping. While these shift bar assemblies work satisfactorily they restrict the speed of operation of the case packer in that all of the bottles forming part of the charge must drop completely through the shift bar assembly before a new charge of bottles can be loaded on top of the grid. In order to increase the production rate of the case packer, one particular case packer drives the conveyor feeding the bottles to the grid set at two separate speeds. Such a drive mechanism is complicated and must be synchronized with the drop mechanism.
In order to obtain high production in systems wherein a shift bar assembly is utilized, the infeed conveyor can be driven at a higher rate of speed to compensate for the lost time required for the bottles to drop through the drop bar assembly. One problem with driving the incoming conveyor at a higher than normal rate of speed is that the bottles are banged together as the charge of bottles are loaded into the case packer often breaking or damaging the bottles.
It is also important to utilize some sort of mechanism for holding back the flow of bottles onto the grid set while a charge of bottles is being loaded into the case. Normally, this is accomplished by overhead clamps that press down on top of the bottles.
One problem with utilizing clamps that press down on the top of the bottles when restricting the flow of the bottles to the grid set is that often creeping will take place since the conveyor on which the bottles are positioned normally continues to run.
Attempts have also been made to utilize stops that are raised vertically from the bottom into the path of the incoming articles. Examples of such a device are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,078,361, 3,325,967, 2,350,560 and 2,898,715. It is noted that in each of these devices, the stop is raised vertically into a gap provided between the bottles.
While some case packers in the past have utilized gripping arms for gripping a charge of bottles by their necks, it is applicant's understanding that only one arm of each pair of gripping arms was moved when dropping the bottle through the grid set into the case. As a result, the crown carried adjacent the top of the bottle would strike the fixed arm preventing a clean drop of the bottle into and through the grid set and also tends to loosen or remove the crown.


The disclosure includes a system and method for performing image rectification using a single image and information identified from the single image. An image recognition application receives an input image, identifies a plurality of objects in the input image, estimates rectification parameters for the plurality of objects, identifies a plurality of candidate rectification parameters using a voting procedure on the rectification parameters for the plurality of objects, estimates final rectification parameters based on the plurality of candidate rectification parameters, computes a global transformation matrix using the final rectification parameters, and performs image rectification on the input image using the global transformation matrix.

1. Field of the Invention
The specification generally relates to image processing. In particular, the specification relates to a system and method for performing image rectification using a single image and information identified from the single image.
2. Description of the Background Art
Image rectification is a process of undoing perspective distortion in an image. This technique is a key component in a variety of applications such as aerial imaging, geographic information systems, 3D reconstruction, and depth from stereo images, etc. Many image rectification algorithms use two or more input images and perform a computationally expensive search to determine the rectifying transformation. Other image rectification algorithms may use a single input image to reduce the search space when determining the rectifying transformation, however, these algorithms require restrictions on the input image, for example, the content of the input image should be symmetric or the expected horizontal and vertical lines in a rectified image should be reliably detected from the input image.


Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for truncated, encrypted searching of encrypted identifiers. A method may include receiving patient information associated with a plurality of patients and including a patient identifier of a sequence of characters for each of the plurality of patients. Methods may further include: extracting a first subset of the sequence of characters from each of the patient identifiers; encrypting the first subset of the sequence of characters from each of the patient identifiers to form a first truncated encrypted identifier for each of the plurality of patients; encrypting each of the patient identifiers to create an encrypted patient identifier for each of the plurality of patients; and storing the first truncated encrypted identifiers and the encrypted patient identifiers for each of the plurality of patients.

In a variety of industries and settings it is imperative to maintain data security in order to ensure the privacy of customers, clients, employees, etc. A preferred way of maintaining data security is through the use of encryption. Various forms of encryption may be used to encrypt information and multiple layers of encryption or protection may be used to protect sensitive data.
One industry, for which data protection is not only desirable but mandated, is the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry is moving toward maintaining healthcare records electronically. In this regard, the evolution of modern computing and networking technology has lead to a widespread adoption and increasing reliance on computers and associated software for facilitating patient treatment, maintaining patient treatment records, and for tracking and payment of charges attendant to patient treatment. For example, use of computing technology by health service providers has allowed for the creation and maintenance of electronic health record documents for patients, including medical treatment and diagnosis records, billing records, insurer explanation of benefits records, and payment records. Electronic maintenance of such records has offered several advantages to health service providers, including more ready access to patient health information and a reduction in reliance on cumbersome paper files, which may be burdensome to maintain and may be more susceptible to data loss than electronic systems.
The reliance on electronic health records introduces challenges for securely maintaining patient information and maintaining compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA was developed, in part, to define rules required to protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information. Compliance with HIPAA has added complexities to the handling of patient data, particularly while balancing ease-of-use for healthcare providers with the necessary security to maintain patient privacy. One added complexity for compliance with HIPAA includes a requirement to log access to protected healthcare data. When protected healthcare data, such as an electronic health record, is accessed, the access event must be logged to at least identify who accessed the information, what information was accessed, and the date and time of the access event. When a healthcare provider searches for patient information, they may access a plurality of patients in an effort to locate the specific patient they are looking for. A log of each record that is accessed must be created such that a search for a single patient may result in dozens or hundreds of access events that must be logged. This requirement creates a substantial burden for the storage and maintenance of log files that can consume large amounts of data storage space.

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for truncated, encrypted searching of encrypted identifiers


This invention offers a rowing machine's mechanical resistance device which comprises an electric motor or a solenoid, a programmable control means and a custom algorithm, controlling the programmable controls means. It eliminates the compromising effect of backlash between the rower's handle and the resistance imparting device. This backlash is present between the power and the idle phases of rowing strokes on all state of the art rowing machines comprising flywheels. Ultimately, this invention allows all rowers to improve their rowing form and avoid injury.

Most state-of-the-art rowing machines allow oarsmen to simulate motions comparable to ones found when rowing in racing shells. To impart resistance to the rower's physical effort, some rowing machines deploy hydraulic rams (U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,363). However, the most successful ones, in terms of their ability to simulate rowing in boats, deploy an adjustable fluid pump. In certain embodiments, the pump moves air (U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,210) and in the other, the pump moves liquid water (U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,800). Regardless of the type of fluid, all said pumps comprise flywheels. The purpose of moving a fluid through a pump is to simulate an oar drag through water. The purpose of the integrated flywheel is to simulate a boat's inertia.
The beneficial effects of deploying flywheels on rowing machines relate to the flywheel absorbing the user's energy. Since the moment of inertia of a flywheel is constant, the added energy manifests as the flywheel's rotational motion. As this motion simulates that of a gliding boat, the torque resisting a rower suddenly changing the flywheel's rotational velocity is analogous to the force resisting a rower changing the speed of a moving boat.
The problem in using flywheels on rowing machines relates to how a rower applies his force to it. On other type of exercise devices, the combined user's motions tend to be synchronous to the moving flywheel. For example, peddling an exercise bicycle involves moving the feet in a circular motion, synchronous with its flywheel's rotation. In contrast, on a rowing machine, a rower engages the flywheel only during the power portion of the rowing strokes. Furthermore, at the beginning of the power phase of a stroke, the rower handle's velocity is zero, asynchronous to the already moving flywheel.
To engage the moving flywheel, a rower has to catch up to it at the beginning of the power phase of all but the first stroke during every practice. In addition, reconnecting with the moving flywheel becomes more difficult as the flywheel moves faster during more intensive exercise. In an effort to catch up to the flywheel, rowers tend to jerk their shoulders and forearms. The additional shoulder and forearm movement is not ideal and it is contrary to the proper rowing form. More importantly, rowing in such a way can also cause back injury.
In order to retain the flywheel's benefits and at the same time avoid its adverse effects, it is best to replace it with a more optimal device. To that end, this invention focuses on replacing not just the flywheel, but also the fluid pump comprising a flywheel. An embodiment of this invention comprises an electric motor/generator and the motor's control means. Alternatively, the motor can also be substituted with a linear acting solenoid.
Regardless of a given embodiment, the focus of this invention is to eliminate the need for rowers to catch up to the moving flywheel at the beginning of the power phase of every stroke. That is, the primary goal of this invention is to eliminate any backlash between the motion of the rower's handle and the motion of the resistance imparting device. The additional benefit of deploying electric motors or solenoids is that in certain embodiments, this invention can also produce the handle pressure into the back of the rower's palms, at the beginning of the power phase of a rowing stroke. This pressure is similar to the pressure experienced by rowers when rowing in real boats and inserting the oar blade into the moving water.

Electronically controlled mechanical resistance device for rowing machines


Annular sealing structure associated with at least one annular support for sealing off against well casing said sealing structure including a first O-ring and at least two spaced annular sealing surfaces against which the O-ring seals in addition to sealing off against well casing.

This invention relates generally to O-ring sealing methods and apparatus, utilized for example in the completion of hydrocarbon wells. The invention is particularly directed to methods of such O-ring use, for contributing inter alia to reducing the amount of drillrig time and associated expense associated with hanging casing or tubing within a previously installed concentric outer casing.
There is need for improvements in apparatus and method for installing casing strings in oil and gas wells, and which reduce time and cost of such installation.

O-ring sealing for casing installation system


A preheat fuel delivery system includes a fuel processor and a source of vaporized fuel. Vaporized fuel is feed into the inlet fuel port of the fuel processor. An outlet fuel port of the fuel processor is connected to an intake port of a combustion source. An exhaust port of the combustion source is attached to an exhaust intake port of the fuel processor. The heat from the exhaust gases of the combustion source heat the vaporized fuel inside the fuel processor. A first embodiment of the fuel processor contains a plurality of plates. A second embodiment of the fuel processor utilizes a plurality concentric tubes. A third embodiment of the fuel processor includes two concentric tubes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fuel delivery systems and more specifically to a preheat fuel delivery system which greatly increases fuel efficiency of a combustion source.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
There are numerous patents directed at increasing the fuel efficiency of some type of combustion source. Some of these patents include U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,186 to Parsons, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,273 to Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,728 to Cooke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,973 to Spangjer, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,601 to Patone.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a preheat fuel delivery system which has an uncomplicated design, may be easily configured for different types of combustion sources, greatly increases fuel efficiency, and may be used with any type of combustion source without having to make modifications to the combustion source.
The present invention provides a preheat fuel delivery system with an uncomplicated design that greatly increases fuel efficiency. The preheat fuel delivery system includes a fuel processor and a source of vaporized fuel. The source of vaporized fuel could be a bubbler fuel tank, a fuel injector, a carburetor, or any other suitable source of vaporized fuel. The bubbler fuel tank includes a fuel container, container cover, inlet supply line, and vapor outlet line. The inlet supply and vapor outlet lines are inserted through the container cover. The inlet supply line continues to substantially a bottom of the fuel container. The vapor outlet line may be flush with a bottom of the container cover. The container cover is sealed to a top of the fuel container. The vapor outlet line is attached to an inlet fuel port of the fuel processor. An outlet fuel port of the fuel processor is connected to an intake manifold through a fuel outlet line. The intake manifold is attached to an intake port of a combustion source. The intake manifold includes a fuel inlet port and an air inlet port. An air cleaner is preferably attached to the air inlet port.
One end of an exhaust intake line is connected to the exhaust port of a combustion source and the other end of the exhaust intake line is attached to an inlet exhaust port of the fuel processor. One end of an exhaust outlet line is attached to an outlet exhaust port of the fuel processor and the other end is preferably attached to a muffler. The heat from the exhaust of the combustion source heats the vaporized fuel from the bubbler fuel tank. The vaporized fuel is pulled into the intake port of the combustion source by vacuum. The preheated fuel enables a more efficient burning of the fuel. Exhaust gases from the outlet exhaust port may be fed into the inlet supply line of the bubbler tank to further increase fuel efficiency.
A first embodiment of a fuel processor includes a pair of inlet/outlet plates, at least one heater plate, at least one exhaust transfer plate, and at least one fuel transfer plate. Each inlet/outlet plate includes a fuel nipple and exhaust nipple for attachment of fuel and exhaust lines. A single inlet/outlet plate terminates each end of the fuel processor. Exhaust gases from the combustion source flows through an exhaust transfer plate and heats the at least one heater plate. Fuel flowing through the fuel transfer plate absorbs heat from the at least one heater plate. An obstructed path may be created for exhaust flowing through the exhaust transfer plate and/or fuel flowing through the fuel transfer plate to enable greater heat absorption by the vaporized fuel.
A second embodiment of a fuel processor includes a center tube, a middle tube, and an outside tube. Preferably, exhaust gases from the combustion source enter the center tube and exit through the space between the middle and outer tubes. The vaporized fuel enters and exits through the space between the center and middle tubes. The heat from the exhaust gases preheat the vaporized fuel.
A third embodiment of a fuel processor includes an inner tube an outer tube, and an insulation layer. Preferably, exhaust gases from the combustion source enter the inner tube on one end and exit through the other end thereof. The vaporized fuel enters the space between the outer tube and the inner tube on one end and exit through the other end thereof. The insulation layer is wrapped around the outside diameter of the outer tube. The heat from the exhaust gases preheat the vaporized fuel. The insulation layer prevents heat from escaping from the outer tube. An obstructed path may be created for exhaust and/or fuel flowing through the tubes of the second or third embodiment to enable greater heat absorption by the vaporized fuel.
A catalyst may be used to further volatilize the vaporized fuel. The vaporized fuel may be propelled into the intake port of the combustion source with a pump, or any other suitable fuel pressurizing device. An air pressuring device may also be attached to the combustion source such as a turbo or supercharger to enhance performance thereof.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a preheat fuel delivery system which has an uncomplicated design.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a preheat fuel delivery system which is easily configured for different types of combustion sources.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a preheat fuel delivery system which greatly increases fuel efficiency.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a preheat fuel delivery system which may be used with any type of combustion source without having to make modifications to the combustion source.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.


An apparatus and a method for producing the apparatus are described, wherein the apparatus includes a substrate with a photodetector and a dielectric arranged on the substrate. Further, the apparatus includes a microlens arranged on a first side of the dielectric. The microlens is configured to steer incident radiation onto the photodetector. Moreover, the apparatus includes a carrier-free optical interference filter. The microlens is arranged between the photodetector and the interference filter, and the interference filter has a plane surface on a side facing away from the photodetector.

Previously, interference filters were produced externally on individual carriers, such as separate glass plates, for example, and installed in an optical system above optical sensors and microlenses. However, integrating the separate external carriers into the optical system is difficult and time-consuming and, moreover, connected with high costs.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide improved apparatuses and methods for producing such apparatuses, which are able to be integrated in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Microlens having a carrier-free optical interference filter

Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH & Co. KG


A machine for stacking rectangular sheets of relatively rigid material such as panels, counters, doors, plastic sheets, or the like which has an input conveyor for receiving the panels as they are placed horizontally thereon, an elevator conveyor pivotally connected to the discharge end of the input conveyor on a horizontal axis for raising and lowering movement, a discharge conveyor at the outer end of the elevator conveyor, a conveyor drive motor for driving the conveyors, elevator motor for moving the elevator conveyor about its pivot axis, and a switch on the discharge conveyor for activating the elevator motor as a panel is discharged therefrom to raise the elevator conveyor a selected distance prior to discharge of the next panel. The machine also includes a mechanism on the input conveyor for straightening any panel disposed thereon prior to its movement onto the elevator conveyor.

This invention relates generally to machines for stacking panels or sheets (the terms "panels" and "sheets" being used interchangeably herein) of plastic, plywood, plasterboard, counter tops, or the like in an even, well balanced pile on a floor surface, truck bed, pallet or other place of storage.
When the manufacture of a building panel, such as a sheet of plywood, is completed the panel is normally discharged from the output of a primary machine or a horizontal conveyor. As it is discharged from the conveyor the panel, normally 8' by 4', is grasped at each end by a worker and placed upon a pile on a pallet for storage and later movement to a lumber yard or building site.
Obviously, for proper balance and subsequent handling of the pallet the panels must be stacked evenly in the manner of a deck of cards. Inasmuch as these panels are relatively heavy and each must be deposited upon the stack at a slightly higher level than the preceding panel, the stacking heretofore has not readily lent itself to automation and to the applicant's knowledge has been done by hand as hereinbefore described. Where automatic stacking conveyors have been used the panels are dumped off of the discharge end of the conveyor requiring a backstop to aid in evening the stack.
The applicant is the owner of a copending application Ser. No. 890,258, filed Apr. 21, 1978, now abandoned, entitled Machine for Stacking Lumber, which is designed for stacking rows of side-by-side lumber boards in layers upon a pallet or the like.


A plastic optical fiber end surfaces processing method is disclosed which allows formation of not only a convex semi-spherical surface but also of an arbitrary profile such as a concave semi-spherical surface. In addition, an apparatus for use in the method, a cutter for the method, and a plastic optical fiber connection method are disclosed. At least the core portion of the end surface of a plastic optical fiber is cut into a semi-spherical surface by a semi-circular cutter, which is of a convex or a concave shape. This cutter is inserted into a through-hole of a holder and rotates therein. The plastic optical fiber is inserted into the through-hole of this holder, and end surface processing is effected by the rotating cutter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plastic optical fiber (hereinafter simply referred to as optical fiber) end surface processing method for processing a plastic optical fiber end surface into a convex or concave semi-spherical surface, a processing apparatus for the method, a cutter for use in the method, and an optical fiber connecting method for connection between optical fibers, connection between an optical fiber and an apparatus, and connection between an optical fiber and a connection device such as a connector, and, in particular, an optical fiber connection method which involves little optical loss at a connecting portion.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, when processing an optical fiber end surface into a spherical surface, heat is usually applied for end surface processing. For example, while maintaining an optical fiber in a vertical position, its forward end is heated by a high heat source such as a flame and liquefied, the end surface being formed into a convex semi-spherical end surface by surface tension. In this method, however, the heating is not conducted uniformly, so that the convex semi-spherical profile lacks reproducibility. Further, the end surface disadvantageously involves generation of flaws, adhesion of dirt, and the like.
In order to solve the above problems, there has been proposed an optical fiber end surface processing apparatus, which comprises, as shown in FIGS. 28A, 28B, 28C, and 28D, a fixing device (not shown) for fixing an optical fiber 21 having a predetermined length of an end portion exposed, a lens forming mold 53 which is heated at least when pressed against the forward end of the end portion of the optical fiber 21, a rapid cooling means 54 which is integrated with the lens forming mold 53 and moves with the same and which forcibly cools the end portion of the optical fiber 21 while the lens forming mold 53 is being pressed against the forward end of the optical fiber end portion or after the lens forming mold 53 is separated from the end portion of the optical fiber, and a conveying means (not shown) for pressing and separating the lens forming mold 53 and the rapid cooling means 54 against and from the forward end of the optical fiber end portion.
Further, in this optical fiber end surface processing apparatus, the optical fiber 21 whose end portion is exposed and which is equipped with a jacket 23 is fixed by a fixing device (not shown) (FIG. 28A); the lens forming mold 53 and the rapid cooling means 54 are pressed against the forward end of the optical fiber 21 by the conveying means (not shown) for heating to soften/melt a part of the end portion to form it into a lens profile (FIG. 28B); the end portion of the optical fiber 21 is forcibly cooled by the rapid cooling means 53 (FIG. 28C); and the mold 53 and the rapid cooling means 54 are separated from the forward end of the optical fiber 21 (FIG. 28D) to thereby obtain an optical fiber with a lens 55.
This apparatus makes it possible to form a lens (a semi-spherical surface) at the forward end of an optical fiber easily, efficiently and at low cost. It can form the convex surface with a satisfactory reproducibility, and advantageously hardly involves generation of flaws or adhesion of dirt.
However, while the above conventional optical fiber end surface processing apparatus utilizing heat is suitable for the formation of a convex semi-spherical surface, it is not applicable to the formation of other profiles such as a concave semi-spherical surface.

Plastic optical fiber end surface processing method, processing apparatus for the method, cutter for use in the method, and plastic optical fiber connecting method


Systems and methods of selecting a content source based on performance data are disclosed. A particular method includes sending, from a device, a first request for a media stream to a server. The method also includes determining, at the device, first performance data. The method further includes receiving, at the device, second performance data from the server. The method also includes selecting, based on the first performance data and the second performance data, a content source that is distinct from the server. The method further includes sending, from the device, a second request for the media stream to the content source. The method also includes receiving the media stream at the device from the content source.

The increasing capabilities of personal/mobile electronic devices have provided consumers with the ability to enjoy multimedia content received via the Internet. For example, live (e.g., sports events) and video on demand (VOD) content (e.g., television shows and movies) can be streamed via the Internet to personal electronic devices (e.g., computers, mobile phones, and Internet-enabled televisions).
A source device (e.g., a server) has multimedia content available for streaming or downloading to each destination device that requests the multimedia content. The multimedia content that is available via the source device may also be available for streaming or downloading via one or more additional content sources. Thus, the same multimedia content may be available via numerous content sources for streaming or downloading to a destination device.
One or more content sources other than the server may be a more suitable source at a particular time for providing the multimedia content to the destination device. For example, the server has a lower available bandwidth, a higher network load, or both, at a particular time than another content source. In this example, receiving the multimedia content from the server as compared to the other content source increases delays, packet loss, or both, at the destination device. Higher delays or increased packet loss can result in jittery playback or delayed playback, adversely impacting user experience.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Selection of a content source based on performance data


Disclosed is a process for the preparation of hindered amine light stabilizers by reacting (a) an alkyl substituted-4-hydroxypiperidine with (b) a dicarboxylic acid ester, in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a basic inorganic compound and a polar aprotic organic compound.

Hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) based on diesters of bis(substituted-piperidine) are known and are prepared by various methods. One method of preparation is transesterification of a dicarboxylic acid ester by reacting a dicarboxylic acid ester, such as dimethylsebacate, with a substituted-4-hydroxypiperidine in the presence of a catalyst, such as an alkali metal amide, in the absence or presence of an inert solvent, such as toluene, to form the diester of the piperidine alcohol employed and methanol as the by-product.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,432 describes the transesterification of dicarboxylic acid esters in the absence or presence of an inert solvent, such as benzene, toluene or xylene, with a substituted piperidinol compound in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, an alkali metal amide such as lithium amide, whereby the alcohol produced in the reaction is removed. However, the total reaction time is from about 4 to about 7 hours.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,898 mixtures of esters of polyalkylpiperidine derivatives are prepared by reacting 2 mols of a Piperidinol with 0.9 to 1.3 mols of a diester, in the melt, at between 100.degree. and 145.degree. C., in the presence of an alkali metal amide, preferably lithium amide, as a catalyst. After the reaction has started, the alcohol formed is removed by distillation, first at atmospheric pressure, and then under vacuum for an additional 2 to 3 hours.

Process for preparing hindered amine light stabilizers


Systems and methods are described to enable assessment of demand for points of presence (POPs) within a content delivery system, independent of the capacity of such POPs. The content delivery system can utilize load balancing technology to distribute user requests for content to various POPs, based at least partly on the capacity of the POPs. Because load balancing generally occurs prior to a user's connection to a POP, the monitored load of individual POPs may not accurately reflect user demand for the individual POPs services. Accordingly, systems and methods are disclosed to correlate pre-load-balancing requests, such as DNS requests, with post-load-balancing demand levels. Thereafter, the determined correlation can be utilized to assess user demand for individual POPs, independent of the observed load on that individual POP. In some instances, POPs or other network components can be clustered to determine capacity-independent demand for a collection of POPs.

Generally described, computing devices utilize a communication network, or a series of communication networks, to exchange data. Companies and organizations operate computer networks that interconnect a number of computing devices to support operations or provide services to third parties. The computing systems can be located in a single geographic location or located in multiple, distinct geographic locations (e.g., interconnected via private or public communication networks). Specifically, data centers or data processing centers, herein generally referred to as "data centers," may include a number of interconnected computing systems to provide computing resources to users of the data center. The data centers may be private data centers operated on behalf of an organization or public data centers operated on behalf, or for the benefit of, the general public.
Existing routing and addressing technologies can enable multiple data centers to provide similar or identical content to client computing devices. In some instances, each data center providing a set of content may be referred to as a point-of-presence ("POP") for a content delivery system (or other organization) providing the content. Content delivery systems often prefer to connect users to a geographically-nearby POP, as such connections are commonly quicker and more reliable than connections between a user and a geographically-distant POP. Accordingly, a content delivery system can maintain POPs over a wide area (or worldwide). Thereafter, requests for content from the content delivery system can be routed to a nearby POP for fulfillment.
In some instances, geographic proximity may not be the only criterion used to route a user request to a POP. Illustratively, POPs within a content delivery system may have limited capacity, such that not all users near a POP can be served content simultaneously. In instances where the load of requests serviced by a POP exceeds a desired amount, the content delivery system may utilize load balancing techniques to route requests to a more geographically-distant or otherwise less preferred POP.


An organic electroluminescent device of improved efficiency and operational stability has been disclosed. The device comprises of an anode and a cathode, and an organic electroluminescent element disposed between the anode and cathode. Characterized in the organic electroluminescent element is at least one fluorescent emitting layer containing a mixture of two or more materials. The mixture contains a quinacridone compound of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently alkyl, aryl, fused aryl or halogen; and R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl; and n=0, 1, 2 or 3.

While organic EL devices have been known for about three decades, their performance limitations, mainly short operational life-time, have represented a barrier to many desirable applications. (For brevity, EL, the common acronym for electroluminescent, is sometimes substituted.)
Representative of earlier organic EL devices are Gurnee et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,172,862, issued Mar. 9, 1965; Gurnee U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,050, issued Mar. 9, 1965; Dresner, "Double Injection Electroluminescence in Anthracene", RCA Review, Vol. 30, pp. 322-334, 1969; and Dresner U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,167, issued Jan. 9, 1973. The organic emitting material was formed of a conjugated organic host material and a conjugated organic activating agent having condensed benzene rings. Naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benzopyrene, chrysene, picene, carbazole, fluorene, biphenyl, terpheyls, quarterphenyls, triphenylene oxide, dihalobiphenyl, trans-stilbene, and 1,4-diphenylbutadiene were offered as examples of organic host materials. Anthracene, tetracene, and pentacene were named as examples of activating agents. The organic emitting material was present as a single layer having thicknesses above 1 mm.
The most recent discoveries in the art of organic EL device construction have resulted from EL device constructions with the organic luminescent medium consisting of two extremely thin layers (<1.0 micrometer in combined thickness) separating the anode and cathode, one specifically chosen to inject and transport holes and the other specifically chosen to inject and transport electrons and also acting as the organic luminescent zone of the device. The extremely thin organic luminescent medium offers reduced resistance, permitting higher current densities for a given level of electrical biasing. Since light emission is directly related to current density through the organic luminescent medium, the thin layers coupled with increased charge injection and transport efficiencies have allowed acceptable light emission levels (e.g. brightness levels capable of being visually detected in ambient light) to be achieved with low applied voltages in ranges compatible with integrated circuit drivers, such as field effect transistors.
For example, Tang U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,429 discloses an EL device formed of an organic luminescent medium consisting of a hole injecting and transporting layer containing a porphyrinic compound and an electron injecting and transporting layer also acting as the luminescent zone of the device.
A further improvement in such organic EL devices is taught by VanSlyke et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,507. VanSlyke et al realized a dramatic improvement in light emission by substituting for the hole injecting and transporting porphyrinic compound of Tang an aromatic tertiary amine layer.
The organic EL devices have been constructed of a variety of cathode materials. Early investigations employed alkali metals, since these are the lowest work function metals. Tang et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,211 discloses an EL device requiring a low voltage to operate and which is comprised of a cathode formed of a plurality of metals other than alkali metals, at least one of which has a work function of less than 4 eV.
Commonly assigned VanSlyke et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,432 described an EL device using an improved multi-layer organic medium.
Further improvement in organic EL devices such as color, stability, efficiency and fabrication methods have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,151,629; 5,150,006; 5,141,671; 5,073,446; 5,061,569; 5,059,862; 5,059,861; 5,047,687; 4,950,950; 4,769,292, 5,104,740; 5,227,252; 5,256,945; 5,069,975, and 5,122,711.
Specifically, Tang et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,292 discloses that the EL device efficiency can be greatly improved by using an organic emitter layer which comprises of a host material and a small amount of dopant molecules. A preferred host material is an aluminum complex of 8-hydroxyquinoline, namely tris(8-hydroxyquinolinol) aluminum also commonly known as Alq. The dopant molecule is chosen from several classes of highly fluorescent molecules. Perferred examples are the coumarins, rhodamines. Following the teaching of Tang et al, Murayama et al discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,252 another class of molecules useful as dopant in the organic EL device, namely the quinacridone pigment of formula (I): ##STR2## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently hydrogen, methyl group or chlorine or the dehydro form the the quinacridone compound. When used with Alq as the host material, highly efficient organic EL device emitting in the green has been disclosed. However, the usefulness of quinacridone as described in formula (I) is limited because of the instability of the quinacridone molecule in EL operation.

Organic electroluminescent devices with high operational stability


A permanently automatically retractable fluid collecting device has an elongated outer protective tube member having a front end with a port and a coaxial telescoping plunger having a forward end for frictionally engaging a needle holder for a canula needle. The plunger is slidingly mounted in the elongated tube member for selective movement in an axial direction toward and away from the front. The front end of the plunger has an opening having inwardly facing surfaces for frictionally engaging outwardly facing surfaces of the periphery of a needle holder along a slidable axially oriented interface. When the plunger is moved forward to extend the needle from the port, a catch holds it in a first position. Biasing force is applied to the needle holder being frictionally held in the front of the plunger. A sample tube is installable in the opening at the rear of the plunger. After taking a sample and removing the collection tube, a plunger cap is repositioned to allow the plunger to be moved from the first position toward a second position causing sliding separation of the plunger from the needle holder along the slidable interface. The biasing force overcomes remaining frictional holding force at the sliding interface to cause immediate and permanent retraction of the needle holder into a cavity comprising a retraction space within the plunger.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a device for collecting body fluid from a subject, and more particularly, to a device which reduces the risk of cross-contamination between the subject and medical personnel.
2. Background of the Prior Art
The recent AIDS epidemic adds a serious and deadly risk factor to taking samples for analysis of a patient's blood. Blood collection devices utilize a needle inserted into a subject's vein so as to draw the blood through the needle into an associated collection reservoir. Accidental needle sticks from previously used needles can occur during the fluid withdrawing process, and subsequent handling and disposal operations.
The most commonly used blood sampling device is sold under the trademark Vacutainer.RTM. by Becton Dickinson Corporation. The conventional device of this type has a tubular syringe-like body with a needle in the end, part of which extends back into the tubular syringe-like shell, and part of which extends externally for puncturing the skin. An evacuated collection tube with a rubber stopper is placed into the open back end of the syringe-like shell with the rubber stopper against the internal end of the needle. After the skin is punctured, the collection tube is pushed to cause the needle to enter the evacuated tube, which helps draw blood into the collecting tube. When a sufficient sample has been obtained, the collecting tube and its stopper are simply withdrawn from the tubular shell and sent to the laboratory. The needle is permanently extended from the end of the syringe-like shell into which the collecting tube is placed. Consequently, great care is required in handling a used device.
Some devices used for sampling body fluids employ a needle assembly which is threadably engaged with a needle-holding syringe-like tube. The needle end for insertion into front needle end for puncturing the vein of the patient and a rear needle end for insertion into an evacuated collection tube. After use, the needle assembly is manually handled. It must be unscrewed for disposal or sterilization. Other devices of this type employ a front mounted needle assembly held by an externally positioned latch mechanism which enables the provider to release the needle assembly frontwardly for disposal. The contaminated needle continues to present a danger to those handling the disposal of waste materials. The needle assembly may be forwardly biased with a spring. An example of this type is found in Wanamaker U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,985.
Still other devices provide for retraction of the needle into a shielded safety syringe. There is a cylindrical outer protective sheath and an inner needle carrier movable axially through the sleeve. The needle carrier has a rearwardly biased needle mounted in an inner slidable sleeve within the outer sheath. A position control body connected to the needle carrier extends through a slot in the outer sleeve and is manually movable to allow the needle to be retracted. However, the needle can be re-extended. The retraction is not permanent. Such a device is illustrated by Haber U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,426. Such devices require complicated parts and are expensive to manufacture and assemble.
It would be desirable to have a retractable fluid collection device having few easily assembled economically mass-produced parts which is automatically and permanently retractable. It would be desirable to have such a device which provides a shifting position in which the needle is enclosed without the need for a separate needle guard and easily extended for use without a need to handle or assemble the needle to another part. It would be desirable to have such a device in which consistent reproducible retraction is assured so that the contaminated needle is fully contained within a protective sheath and one in which the retractive mechanism does not depend upon flexing or breaking of pans.
The invention disclosed herein provides the aforesaid features. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which an embodiment of this invention is set forth by illustration and example.


The present application provides an ice dispenser for dispensing a volume of ice. The ice dispenser may include an ice bin and an ice deflector positioned about a top of the ice bin. The ice deflector may include a reverse funnel configuration such that an entrance to the ice deflector is narrower that an exit to the ice deflector so as to prevent the volume of ice from bridging therein in whole or in part.

Generally described, known ice dispensers may include an internal agitator within an ice bin to keep the ice therein in a free flowing state so as to prevent clogging and the like. Pellet ice or soft ice, however, tends to form a "bridge" of ice, or a semi-solid mass of ice, about the top of the ice bin and out of reach of the agitation device. The ice bridge may define an internal void so as to prevent the ice dispenser from both dispensing ice and receiving new ice within the ice bin.

Ice dispenser with reduced ice bridging therein