A method for playing video gambling games whereby pay tables vary from play to play, or, alternatively, whereby a plurality of pay tables are possible within a game. For example, in a video poker game a player wagers against a first pay table. If a winner occurs, the next game offers a new pay table with a greater expected value. This process continues until the player loses, whereupon the player is returned to play against the first pay table. Pay tables increment and decrement in expected value based on achieving predetermined events within the current game, within a previous game or games or randomly.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to gaming machines generally, and in particular to methods of play and pays for a video gambling machine.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
One of the most common gambling devices in use today is the slot machine. Originally, slot machines were mechanical and had 3 or 4 independent reels side-by-side. Each reel had several symbols painted on it. Inserting a coin and pulling a large spring-loaded handle set the reels spinning independently, and when the same symbols landed in a row across the reels, a winner occurred and coins were released from the machine.
Today, many new slot machines are in video form. Video slots are becoming more and more popular with players. The video platform offers more flexibility in game development and results in more complicated and more involving and entertaining games. These new video slots are controlled by an internal computer. They usually don't have a large handle anymore, and some don't even have buttons, using touchscreen panels to make player choices instead.
The video slot machine usually consists of a cabinet built mostly of metal and plastic that houses many different internal components. The basic functions are coin acceptance, game play and coin dispensing, although it is becoming increasingly common for slot machines to accept and pay back in currency or coupons instead of, or in addition to coins.
Coin acceptance is most often done by means of a coin head where coins are inserted into the game. A coin chute directs the coin into an internal coin hopper, if equipped, or into a removable drop bucket beneath the machine when the hopper is full. Winners may be paid back to players from the coin hopper through a small chute where coins land in a special tray where they are available to the player. Again, bill acceptors common today may accept and payout in currency or coupons in addition to or instead of coins.
Internally, game play is managed by a central processor on a printed circuit board similar to that of a standard personal computer. CD-ROMs and proms (programmable read-only memory computer chips) are often used, too. A power supply provides the current, and the game is displayed back to the player on a video monitor. Buttons on the outside of the cabinet provide for player input, although sometimes touchscreen panels are affixed to the monitor and used in addition to, or instead of buttons. Other printed circuit boards perform auxiliary functions, and there are usually mechanical meters counting coins in and out. Too, there is internal lighting to make the game clearly noticeable, and external glass usually shows the rules of the game. Finally, games may be networked to each other to report game and player statistics to the accounting office, or to play special games that are somehow linked to each other in a variety of different configurations.
A traditional non-video slot machine equipped with mechanical reels is largely the same as a video slot, except that the video display is replaced with a mechanical spinning reel assembly. Some games in use today are hybrids and use both mechanical reels and a video display.
Newer video slots usually show 5 reels side-by-side that spin on a common axis instead of the traditional 3 or 4 mechanical reels. These newer video slots usually display 3 symbols on each of the 5 reels, for a total of display of 15 symbols. This creates a video display matrix of 3 rows by 5 columns. Sometimes the number of reels and symbols displayed differ. Some new video slots display 4 symbols on 4 reels, for a total of 16 symbols. Others have independent reels showing just 1 position of each reel.
Displaying more symbols allows more wagering opportunities. Instead of a single paying row across the reels, there are often many different pay lines that can be wagered on. Usually, these pay lines run in different paths through each of 5 reels displayed. Players select which pay lines to wager on, they wager 1 or more credits per pay line and they may win on more than 1 pay line after a single spin of the reels.
Another popular feature of video slot machines is the use of bonus screens. Certain symbols trigger a bonus game that is often called a "second screen" game. The second screen game is usually separate and distinct from the normal video reel display, and a player might select a car in a car race or scratch from a selection of video lottery tickets in an attempt to win credits, free games or anything of value. Some games even offer third screens or more, enhancing player interest and intrigue. After the bonus game, the player is usually returned to the normal video reel display and winnings, if any, are posted to the player's onscreen credit meter for subsequent play or cashout.
Another popular form of video slot machine is the video poker machine. Instead of a video representation of a slot machine, video poker cards are dealt randomly and displayed onscreen. Usually 5 cards are dealt from a video representation of a common playing card deck of 52 cards and the player, using physical buttons, touchscreen or similar device, selects which cards to hold and which cards to discard, if any. A player may discard from 0 to all 5 cards. Then, the player draws from 0 to 5 new cards from the 47 cards remaining in the original deck, replacing any discards in an attempt to better the hand. This hand is compared to a predefined pay table which determines the amount of the win if a win or a loss. This game is commonly known as draw poker.
The pay table was developed as a way to pay players when there are no opponents. These games are sometimes called "house banked" games, since the house (casino or gambling operator) pays players for winning. Alternatively, they are sometimes called "player's hand only" games, since it is usually only the player's hand that is relevant. Winnings do not come directly from other losing players, as in normal card games. The pay table is a fixed, predefined schedule of pays for hands designated as winners.
A typical pay table for video draw poker machines looks like this. (Pays shown are returns for 1 coin wagered):
TABLE 1Common Video Poker Pay TableHandPayRoyal Flush800Straight Flush50Four of a Kind25Full House9Flush6Straight4Three of a Kind3Two Pairs2Pair of Jacks (or Better)1Pair of Tens or Less0
The hand is compared to the pay table to see if a win occurs, and if so, how much it pays. The pay amount is then multiplied times the number of coins or credits wagered, usually from 1 to 5, to determine the amount of the win, if any. If 5 coins are bet, for example, and a royal flush is obtained, then 4000 coins are paid to the player (5×800=4000). Note that one credit is equal to one coin, and that these terms are used interchangeably herein.
The pay table defines the game objectives for the player in terms of a monetary reward or payback. The payback for each hand can be multiplied by its expected frequency of occurrence to derive an overall game payback percentage for the player. Since strategy is an integral part of the game, that is deciding which cards to hold and which to discard, an optimal strategy is usually used to determine an optimal game payback. An optimal strategy employs the best draw decisions for every possible hand dealt. Since perfect play is rare, an expected payback is usually also found that accounts for sub-optimal play due to human error or incorrect decision making.
In the example shown in Table 1, the expected payback would be found by multiplying a winning hand pay by the % frequency to arrive at an expected value. The expected values of each pay are then summed to arrive at an overall expected value, or optimal payback, for the game overall.
TABLE 2Finding the Optimal and Expected PaybackHandPay% FrequencyExpected Value %Royal Flush8000.00282.8000Straight Flush500.01110.5550Four of a Kind250.23555.8875Full House91.148410.3356Flush61.11296.6774Straight41.13064.5224Three of a Kind37.414822.2444Two Pairs212.889825.7796Pair Jacks (or Better)121.264921.2649Pair of Tens or Less054.78920.0000Total100.0000%100.0668%Note:Optimal payback is 100.0668% with perfect play. Expected payback is 2.0% less due to sub optimal play, or 98.0668%.
It is important to point out the fixed nature of the pay table. Some games will accept bets of up to 100 coins or more, but the amount of the win is simply multiplied by the number of coins bet to determine the total pay. In our example above, but with a bet of 100 coins, the pay would be 8000 (100×800=8000).
Note that the pay table in Table 2 is somewhat atypical, since the optimal expected value exceeds 100.0%. Gambling operators usually rely on sub optimal play by players to assure they retain their mathematical advantage. At other times such a pay table is used for marketing so that operators can advertise greater than 100% paybacks, or as a shill game to generate activity in certain areas.
Since the pay table defines a player's objectives and rewards, some poker variants have been devised to better the pay table returns in an attempt to be more appealing to the player.
Some poker variations change only the pay table and are known by such names as bonus poker or double bonus poker. They still play by the same rules of draw poker and pay according to a single, fixed pay table. The common thread in these games is that the pays for individual hands vary from the normal ranking. Four deuces might offer a better pay than 4 kings, for example. The drawback of these games is that what is normally a greater hand pays less than what is normally a lesser hand. Another drawback is that any single, fixed pay table game can become boring after awhile.
Many offer a bonus for playing more coins. On the royal flush hand it is common to pay 250 for 1 if wagering from 1 to 4 coins, but 800 for 1 if betting the maximum 5 coins. One drawback of this game is that in order to accommodate the bonused hand pay, the pay table returns for the other winning hands are reduced. (This is required to retain a house advantage.)
Another variation of video poker includes a progressive jackpot pay. A progressive increases the pay for a given hand based on the amount that the game has been played until the progressive award is paid out, whereupon it is reset to its starting value. For example, many video poker machines have a progressive royal flush award. The pay for the royal flush might start out at the reset value of 800, but then increase at a typical rate of 1% of moneys wagered. Assuming that $1000 has been wagered since reset, then 1% ($10) is added to the pay for a royal flush so that 810 is the value on the pay table (shown on a mechanical meter or video display). Note this example assumes one credit or one coin is worth one dollar. (Poker games are offered in various denominations.) As soon as the royal flush is won and paid, its pay returns to its reset value, and it starts over, incrementing again based on the amount of money wagered.
Some video poker machines have multiple progressives. They may offer a progressive jackpot pay on 4-of-a-Kind and a Royal Flush hand, for example. It is also common to link several machines such that the total amount wagered on all machines contributes to the progressive pay. When it is won and paid on any machine on the link, the pay is restarted at the reset value on all linked machines. By linking multiple machines in this manner, the progressive usually increases much faster which builds player interest and excitement. One drawback of progressives, is that in the non-progressive portions of the pay table hand pays must be reduced to compensate for the additional percentage paybacks granted in the progressive hand wins to ensure the house advantage.
Double down stud, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,413, has no conventional draw. It does, however, permit a player to raise the bet in an attempt to receive a greater return. A drawback of this game is that is requires an additional wager to yield a greater return.
Triple play poker, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873, allows held cards to be played as multiple hands and each drawn to independently, usually resulting in 3 different hands. Although each hand pays according to the single pay table, a drawback of this game is that to play each additional hand requires an additional wager.
The poker game described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,311 may include a bonus multiplier where obtaining a special symbol multiplies any winning payout by a fixed integer. This game also allows multiple hand play for a single wager. A drawback of this game is that the pay table must be reduced to compensate for the bonus multipliers and multiple hand winners, again to ensure the house retains its advantage. Another drawback is that multiplying any winning payout by a fixed integer does not allow for more subtle variations in the pay table returns.
The gaming device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,897 may include a poker hand as a bonus feature on a traditional slot machine. One drawback of this game is that the poker pay table offered thereby (and the related expected value) is a function solely of the triggering base game outcome. Therefore, once triggered it becomes, in effect, a single fixed pay table.
A drawback of all fixed pay table games is that to be played optimally, they require the same strategy be employed. That is, once you know the correct strategy for a certain pay table, you play that strategy over and over again and the game eventually becomes boring, monotonous and routine.
Other video card games include rummy, where the pay table pays for runs and sets, video blackjack, other poker variations such as 7-card stud, and community card games such as Texas hold 'em, Omaha and pai gow poker, for example.
Gambling operators try to offer the most entertaining and exciting gambling games possible to stimulate greater play and increase profits. A common theme in new games is the attempt to offer a greater return for a given wager in a manner that appeals to players. Since the house must retain its advantage, however, game designers are limited in what they can do and many new games result in a simple tit-for-tat exchange of pays within the pay table. That is, one hand pays more while another hand pays less. Due to the repetitive nature of traditional game play, operator's desires to increase play and the proliferation and acceptance of gambling worldwide, the need for new and exciting video card games is greater than ever. The present invention is directed to satisfying these needs.

Method for playing a video gaming machine


A coaxial via structure is adapted to transmit high speed signals or high intensity current through conductive layers of an electronic device carrier. The coaxial via structure comprises a central conductive track and an external conductive track separated by a dielectric material and is positioned in a core of the electronic device carrier or in the full thickness of the electronic device. The coaxial via structure can be combined with a stacked via structure so as allow efficient transmission of high speed signals across the electronic device carrier when a manufacturing process limits the creation of a full coaxial via structure across the entire electronic device carrier.

Electronic packages used in high speed applications have an important function beyond the classical mechanical protection for the semiconductor devices that are packaged thereon. These types of packages should maintain semiconductor device performance during operation. When the switching speed of the devices goes above the 1 Gigahertz (GHz) clock rate, there is the need to consider the transmission of an electrical signal as the propagation of an electromagnetic wave, supported by current in a circuit trace, as a performance factor. This electromagnetic wave propagation is affected by the electronic packaging material properties such as dielectric constant as well as dielectric loss. There are other performance factors related to the electronic packaging structure (construction). One such performance factor has to do with the way electrical circuits are positioned in proximity to one another (tightly or widely spaced conductors). The sum of all these different factors affects the propagation of the electromagnetic waves in the electronic package. It is known that even if a material and a module structural configuration are defined there still may be unexpected low performance. It has been proven by simulation and measurements that propagation of an electromagnetic wave can also be severely affected by many kinds of discontinuities along its propagation path. These discontinuities can comprise changes in structure, material properties, and/or design features that the electrical signal encounters as it travels through the structure. These discontinuities can translate into electrical impedance (Z0) mismatches that are known to cause reflections of the signal.
All high speed electronic packages need to preserve the integrity of electromagnetic wave propagation, and this is achieved by designing and building circuit structures that have a well controlled transmission line impedance value. Controlling the impedance may not be sufficient due to the presence of other structures called parasitic elements (that may be capacitive, inductive and resistive) that become embedded within the package by the association of materials and electrical structures. These parasitic elements have very negligible effects in low speed digital applications but they can severely affect the signal propagation in high speed applications. As power levels decrease the effects of the parasitic elements become more pronounced (from the old TTL 5 V, down to 3.3 V, 2.5 V, 1.8 V, 1.2 V), leaving a very low margin to discriminate between the "up" level from the "zero" logical status.
A good way to visualize these effects is by analyzing the eye diagram of a measurement of a transmitted train of signals. By the size of the opening in the diagram it becomes easy to appreciate the quality of the transmitted information, as illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The more the "eye" closes, as illustrated on FIG. 1, the more difficult it is to determine whether switching transition has taken place or if the shift of the signal baseline is due to background noise.
It is possible to characterize all the "transitions", also known as discontinuities, along the signal path and to understand and rank their negative contribution (detraction) to the overall package performance. In the ranking of negative effects the plated through hole (PTH) transition is one of the major detractors. The PTH transition effect has an inductive nature mated by a capacitive behavior when a portion of its structures is positioned close to other circuits. Such a combination acts, at high frequencies, as a low pass filter and therefore reduces the transmission line bandwidth.
In high speed applications, a design is accomplished in such a way that the transmission line has a known impedance (tailored to about 50 ohms). This is done by placing a reference ground plane under the layer that carries the transmission line circuit.
Impedance value is determined as follow:
                                          Z            0                    =                                    60                                                ɛ                                      r                    1                                                                                ln                                            (                                                      5.98                                                                                H                      2                                                                                0.8                                            W                                        +                    T                                                  )                                                                                with          ,                                    (        1        )                                          ɛ                      r            1                          =                              ɛ            r                                          [                          1              -                              exp                                                  (                                                                                -                        1.55                                                                                H                        1                                                                                H                      2                                                        )                                                      ]                                              (        2        )
wherein εr is the epoxy laminate dielectric constant, T is the copper thickness after plating, H1 is the dielectric thickness plus solder mask coating thickness, H2 is the dielectric thickness and W represents the line width as illustrated in FIG. 2.
These relationship's of the equations above can be applied to regular lines and surface circuit features. Unfortunately the traditional vertical transition (PTH) does not have the possibility to offer the same referenced structure with the current standard processes in place today.
To enhance the high speed performance in Surface Laminar Circuit (registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation) products and Hyper BGA (registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation) products, it is necessary to optimize the electric path for the electromagnetic wave. Design efforts have reduced and optimized circuit discontinuities affecting the propagating wave with low pass filtering effects reducing power and distorting shapes of the propagating waves. So far, the only exception, to the optimization work has been the vertical transition, PTH, or Resin Filled Plated Through Hole, RFP, used in the Surface Laminar Circuit technology.
FIG. 3a shows a partial perspective view of an electronic device carrier illustrating a standard PTH, wherein conductive layers 300 and 305 are separated by a core 310 of a electronic device carrier that may comprise conductive layers. Core 310 is made of dielectric material such as epoxy. Conductive layer 300 comprises a track 315 for transmitting a high speed signal that is shielded by conductive track 320. Likewise, conductive layer 305 comprises track 325 that is shielded by conductive track 330. Conductive tracks 315 and 325 are electrically connected to PTH 335. PTH 335 can be formed by drilling core 310 and filling the drilled hole with conductive material or plating the drilled hole vertical wall.
FIG. 3b depicts a partial cross section view of an electronic device carrier illustrating a known PTH and RFP. For sake of illustration, a core 350 of an electronic device carrier comprises two internal conductive layers and a conductive layer on each side, i.e. core 350 has 2 signal layers and 2 power planes also known in the industry as a 2S2P core. Each side of the core is covered with a dielectric material 355, e.g. epoxy, on which external conductive tracks may be designed, e.g. conductive track 360. Electrical connections between tracks on core 350 can be accomplished by either a PTH or RFP. In this example, RFP 365 connects several conductive tracks of core 350. An RFP is formed by drilling core 350, plating the hole wall with conductive material to form a cylinder and filling the cylinder with dielectric material such as epoxy, as illustrated. Likewise, PTH 370 connects several conductive tracks of core 350.
These vertical transitions can affect 100% of high speed signals that need to go through the central core of laminate electronic device carriers. Therefore these transitions have the highest impact on signal transmission.
Accordingly there is a need in the art for an improved multiple layer high density electronic device carrier that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art as described above.

Coaxial via structure for optimizing signal transmission in multiple layer electronic device carriers


In an information processing apparatus, a first communication unit receives encrypted data from a portable terminal device when the portable terminal device is within a first communication range, a second communication unit receives decryption information from the portable terminal device when the portable terminal device is within a second communication range shorter than the first communication range, and a decryption unit decrypts the encrypted data with the decryption information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A technology is widely used in which wireless communication is established between a plurality of devices based on Bluetooth (registered trademark), and data is communicated therebetween. This technology allows a user to conveniently connect two devices by wireless. In this technology, it is possible to transmit an electronic document (hereinafter, "data") via a network from an information processing apparatus to a printing apparatus and print the electronic document with the printing apparatus. However, if unencrypted data is transmitted via the network, it can leak to a malicious third party. Particularly, in wireless communication, a malicious third party can obtain data without physically accessing a wired network.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-341600 discloses storing print-target data in a portable medium in an encrypted manner. To print the encrypted data, a user connects the portable medium to a printing apparatus and inputs a password to the printing apparatus via an operation panel of the portable media or the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus decrypts the encrypted data with the password and prints the data thus obtained. Thus, the data cannot leak to a malicious third party. However, a user must perform operations such as connecting a portable medium to a printing apparatus, and inputting a password, etc., which is burdensome.

Information processing apparatus and information processing method


A handle device for carrying shopping bags includes a frame, a bag handle carrying member extending outward from each side of the frame, and a handle extending in a direction perpendicular to the hag handle carrying member. Preferably, the bag handle carrying member is pivotally mounted so that it can be brought into alignment with the handle and frame, with the device additionally including a retaining member movable into a position holding bag handles on the carrying member.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a handle device for carrying shopping bags and, more particularly, to a handle device for carrying two or more shopping bags, each having handle loops or apertures centrally located along the upper edge of elongated sides.
2. Summary of the Background Art
Traditionally, shopping bags have been given to customers by retail stores to carry items purchased within the stores, or have been sold or otherwise provided for use by customers within shopping malls. Additionally, some customers bring their own shopping bags to fill with purchased items. Typically, a shopping bag is formed with a pair of sides, and with a pair of ends, substantially narrower than the sides, extending between a closed bottom and an open top, with loops or openings, centrally located along the upper edge of each of the sides, being provided so that the bag can be easily carried. However, a shopping trip may often result in the accumulation of several shopping bags, which are difficult to carry simultaneously. Thus, what is needed is a device providing a handle for conveniently carrying a number of such shopping bags.
A different type of bag has been developed for use in stores, such as grocery stores and discount stores, where shopping carts are generally used to carry items to be purchased within the store and to carry purchased items from the store to the parking lot. This type of bag, which is made from a very thin sheet of flexible plastic, typically has an open top, a closed bottom, a pair of sides, and a pair of ends, substantially narrower than the sides, and a loop extending upward from each of the ends. The loops are provided so that the bag can be held open within a frame at the checkout station to load purchased items into the bag. Usually, the loops are then tied together to seal the bag. The loops are not designed to be used as handles for carrying the bag, as a number of the bags are typically carried from the store within a shopping cart.
The patent literature includes a number of examples of devices providing handles for carrying one or more of these plastic bags by means of the loops provided at the ends of the bag. Since the loops are at the narrow ends of the bag, each of the devices includes a bag loop support bar extending parallel to the handle. When both of the loops of a bag are hooked over the support bar, the elongated sides of the bag extend parallel to the handle, so that the bag and handle together form a package that is ergonomically acceptable for carrying in the conventional way, by a person's side. Suitcases, briefcases, and other packages designed to be carried in this way all have handles centrally located to extend parallel to their elongated sides. Devices having support bars or hooks extending parallel to carrying handles, for the attachment of loops of bags over the support bars or hooks, are shown and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,507,542 and 5,615,921, and in U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D458,130 and D469,015. What is needed is a device having a handle and a carrying member arranged so that it be placed to extend through the loops or handle openings of a shopping bag having such loops or handle openings extending along its elongated sides, with the handle and carrying member being arranged so that the handle extends parallel to the carrying member.
The patent literature also includes a number of examples of devices to be fastened over the portions of a shopping bag sides extending above a central apertures within the sides to provide a larger or more comfortable handle than that provided by the portions of the sides themselves. Such devices are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,846,519, 5,881,432, and 5,487,582. However, such devices are not readily adaptable for carrying multiple shopping bags simultaneously, and are somewhat more difficult to use than a device having a carrying member that can merely be inserted through the openings in loops.

Handle device for carrying shopping bags


When one of first to third power supply circuits breaks down, a change-over switch performs switching of electrical connection such that drive voltage is allowed to be supplied from normal one of the first to third power supply circuits also to one of the inkjet heads connected to the breakdown power supply circuit. Consequently, the power supply circuits are partially sharable with a plurality of inkjet heads, causing no necessity of stopping the apparatus for replacing one breakdown power supply circuit. As a result, suppression in decrease of throughput of the apparatus is obtainable.

Examples of such a conventional apparatus include one with a plurality of inkjet heads configured to discharge ink droplets, and a plurality of power supply circuits configured to supply voltage for driving the inkjet heads respectively. See, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-285998A (FIG. 6). Specifically, each of the inkjet heads is connected to any one of the power supply circuits, and receives the voltage from only the connected power supply circuit.


A package inspecting apparatus including a yarn end processing section for exerting suction air on the surfaces of packages while rotating trays on a running passage for trays on which packages are fitted, a package inspecting section in which a plurality of optical type package winding-form inspection devices are received in a dark room, and a weighing section provided with a weight measuring unit, the sections being arranged in series in the above order are integrated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a package inspecting apparatus for effectively carrying out yarn end processing, winding-form inspection and weight inspection for packages produced by an automatic winder.
2. Prior Art
Packages produced by an automatic winder are subjected to yarn end processing, winding-form inspection and weight inspection prior to shipment. These inspections often rely upon manual operation, and various apparatus for automatically carrying out these inspections have been proposed. For example, an apparatus in which winding-form inspecting devices are received in a dark room has been proposed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 13965/1988.
However, in the conventional apparatus, the yarn end processing, winding-form inspection and weight inspection are performed independently. There was a problem in that a considerable change of the system has to be made in order to incorporate such inspection apparatus into and between the automatic winder and the shipment packing line.
Furthermore, the inspecting apparatus is located on the same floor as that of an automatic winder from which fluff scatters. This gives rise to a problem in that the fluff tends to enter the dark room, or box in which inspection is performed, and the fluff becomes adhered to a slit of a light projector which projects light into the package being inspected, a lens of a camera and the like to degrade the inspection accuracy.

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A radar detection technique in a WLAN device can include a short pulse detection technique and a long pulse detection technique that can be performed using multiple receive chains. Short pulse detection is particularly effective when the incoming signal includes one or a limited number of main pulses and some residual pulses. In contrast, long pulse detection is particularly effective when the incoming signal is longer, thereby allowing various characteristics of the incoming signal to be accurately measured.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and in particular to multiple antenna radar signal detection.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Wireless local area network (WLAN) devices coexist with radar systems in the 5 GHz frequency bands. Radar systems could be used by military, aviation, meteorological, and other governmental agencies. Because of the importance of these radar systems, interference mitigation techniques are required to enable WLAN devices to share these frequency bands. In general, WLAN devices are required to detect an interference with a radar source and avoid using the frequencies used by that radar source.
To this end, various regulatory standards (e.g. the draft European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) EN 301 893, version V1.2.1, published 2002) require that a dynamic frequency selection (DFS) feature be incorporated in 5 GHz WLAN devices. This DFS feature should switch operating channels in the presence of co-channel radar and uniformly spread operation across a wide frequency range.
Various guidelines for radar detection have been proposed. For example, one proposed guideline includes detecting and avoiding only radar signals above a certain pre-defined threshold, such as −62 dBm. In one implementation, detection is based on a simple algorithm to determine whether there are any instances of signals above the −62 dBm threshold during a ten second startup listening period. Another proposed guideline includes periodically suspending all network traffic during normal operation and listening in a startup mode for any signals above the −62 dBm threshold level. Unfortunately, because of increased network traffic in the 5 GHz frequency band and the need for increased bandwidth among WLAN devices, these proposed guidelines are generally unsatisfactory.
Therefore, a need arises for improved radar detection and avoidance techniques.

Multiple antenna radar signal detection and estimation


A range which includes a mounting system for securing the heating element to the range so that the heating element is maintained against an underside surface of the glass plate with a substantially constant force over a broad temperature range is described. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a first swing leaf spring and a second swing leaf spring for engaging to the cooktop and to the radiant heating element for positioning the radiant heating element within the radiant heating element opening. More particularly, the cooktop includes at least one radiant heating element opening and a rim extending from an underside surface of the cooktop surrounding the radiant heating element opening. The rim includes a first slot and a second slot, and the first and second slots are located approximately about one hundred and eighty degrees apart in the rim. The first swing leaf spring has a spring hook portion at least partially inserted into the first rim slot, and the second swing leaf spring includes a spring hook portion at least partially inserted into the second rim slot. Each swing leaf spring also includes a lead-in portion for engaging to the heating element. Specifically the lead-in portion includes a spring barb for inserting into a slot in the heating element and an angular offset section for facilitating engagement between the spring and the heating element. Each swing leaf spring also includes an extension portion which, in one embodiment, is u-shaped.

In at least some known radiant cooktop ranges, the heating elements are secured to the cooktop below a cooktop glass plate. The heating elements are held against the cooktop glass plate by a mounting assembly including a bracket secured to the range cabinet and a brace which extends the width of the cooktop. The heating elements are mounted to the brace by a compression coil spring and stud assembly. The compression coil spring and stud assembly provides that the heating elements are forced against the cooktop glass plate with a desired force so that heat from the heater elements is efficiently transferred through the glass plate.
In operation, as the heating element heats up, the heat is transferred through the cooktop glass plate to, for example, a cooking bowl located over the heating element on the glass plate. In addition, some heat is transferred to the compression coil spring and stud assembly. For most efficient operation of the heating element described above, it is known that the heating element preferably is forced against the cooktop glass plate at a substantially constant force of about fourteen pounds. As the compression coil spring and stud assembly is heated, however, the force applied by the spring and stud assembly on the heater element may decrease. Of course, when the force of the spring and stud assembly decreases, the heating element may not be forced against the cooktop glass plate at the desired force.
Although the known mounting assembly described above adequately locates and supports the radiant heating elements, such assembly includes numerous parts and is complex to assemble. As a result, assembling the heating elements in the range is time consuming and tedious, which is particularly undesirable in a high volume manufacturing operation.
In addition, and to assemble the mounting assembly described above, tools are used for mounting the bracket to the cooktop, securing the braces to the bracket, and engaging the spring and stud assemblies to the braces and heating elements. The cooktop glass plate, however, is susceptible to scratching, and when using the tools for assembling the mounting assembly, there is a possibility that the glass plate will be scratched by a tool. Of course, scratching the glass plate is highly undesirable since such a scratched plate is more susceptible to breaking than a plate with no scratches.
It would be desirable to provide a mounting system for mounting heating elements to cooktops so that over a wide range of operating temperatures, the heating elements are forced against the cooktop glass plate with a desired force, e.g., fourteen pounds. In addition, it would be desirable for such a system to have a reduced number of parts as compared to known mounting assemblies and to be simple to assemble. Further, it would be desirable to substantially eliminate a need for the use of tools to secure the heating element to the cooktop so as to facilitate avoiding scratching the glass cooktop.

Mounting system for radiant cooktop heating elements


This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an articulated, multi-segment sled body having, on each segment, a pair of runners each having opposing convex side edges. These convex side edges allow turning to occur on each of the appropriate inside and outside edges of opposite runners in each segment with the rider leaning into the turn, rather than away from it. A detachable and flexible joint connector is provided between each segment. This connector allows (with respect to a sled longitudinal axis) both yaw-direction rotation between segments as well as axial roll-direction rotation between segments (e.g., two-axis rotation) so as to provide the rider better control and more conformance over bumps and uneven terrain. In an illustrative embodiment, the runners of each segment include a gently sloped (relatively low angle relative to the ground) leading end. The front segment, along its top, also includes a pair of T-shaped handles for better grip and steering control. The bottom sliding surface of each of the runners can be provided with one or more a molded-in, metal edges that provide further strength, stiffness and carving ability on hard-packed snow and ice. The connectors include a relatively thin web joining opposing cylindrical ends in the manner of a “dog bone” shape.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to recreational sleds and more particularly to sleds having segmented body structures adapted to be steerable.
2. Background Information
Sleds constructed with molded plastic bodies have become highly popular in recent years. Many of these sleds feature sculpted underbody shapes with runners and/or grooves molded into their bottom to define the sliding surface. The geometry of the sliding surface may facilitate steering of the sled through shifting of the rider's weight distribution to allow certain steering structures of the surface to pressurably engage to snow while other opposing steering structures disengage—thereby forcing a turn to be carved in the prevailing turn direction of the engaged steering structure.
Often, steering structures are formed on the sled bottom as one or more outwardly facing concave edges in a manner similar to modern "shaped" skis and snowboards. Such structures enable steering by a rider such that the rider must lean in a direction opposing the turn in order to carry out the turn. In other words, steering in a particular direction is carried out by shifting one's weight onto an opposing outer edge from the direction into which the turn is to be made.
Modern molding techniques and materials have made possible highly complex and ergonomic sled designs that define carefully contoured sliding surfaces and body-conforming tops. One such modern sled is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,919 entitled ARTICULATED BODY-STEERABLE SLED WITH ADD-ON MODULES by Krent, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. This sled relies upon molded body modules or segments, joined by flexible hinge joints to derive a multi-segment sled (essentially a coupled "train" of segments) that can be ridden by one or more riders in either a seated or head-first, prone position. Steering is facilitated (in part) by the fact that the segments can be turned with respect to each other within a horizontal plane (e.g., a yaw direction).
While the sled shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,919 effectively deals with control and turning in a long, molded sled body, it still provides largely conventional runners having substantially parallel edges along their entire length. Hence, this sled is still limited in its ability to steer sharply and accurately, requiring the rider to lean away from the direction of the turn, in a largely conventional fashion.
It is desirable to provide a sled, having multiple segments, which incorporates a more natural steering motion, such as one that requires to rider to lean into the direction of the turn, like a bicycle. In addition, such a sled should afford the user more range of motion in multiple axes when traversing uneven terrain and obstacles.


Disclosed are compounds having the formula:

Natural product synthesis continues to be a fertile area and proving ground for the development of new synthetic methods. On occasion, certain classes of natural products with a rich combination of promising biological activity and intriguing structural architecture become highly attractive synthetic targets.
A class of compounds that is generating much current interest is a super-family of diterpenes, several members of which have been isolated from gorgonian chorals (Heckrodt et al., J. Topics in Current Chemistry, 244:1-42 (2005); Coleman et al., Tetrahedron, 56:9569-9574 (2000); Rodriguez et al., Org. Lett., 2:507-510 (2000); Nicolaou et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 40:2482-2486 (2001); Nicolaou et al., Chem. Eur. J., 7:5359-5371 (2001); Kim et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 42:1267-1270 (2003); Harrowven et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 44:1221-1222 (2005); Boezio et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 44:6046-6050 (2005); Harrowven et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 42:8709-8711 (2001); Chaplin et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 1:1842-1844 (2003); Rodriguez et al., J. Org. Chem., 65:1390-1398 (2000); Waizumi et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125:13022-13023 (2003); Rodriguez et al., Nat. Prod., 64:100-102 (2001); Cesati et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 126:96-101 (2004); Davies et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 44:1733-1735 (2005); Harmata et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 46:3847-3849 (2005); Heckrodt et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125:4680-4681 (2003); Zanoni et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 43:4837-4841 (2004); Johnson et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 123:4475-4479 (2001); Davidson et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125:13486-13489 (2003); Harmata et al., Org. Lett., 6:2201-2203 (2004); Harmata et al., Org. Lett., 7:3581-3583 (2005), which are hereby incorporated by reference.
For example, this diverse family of diterpenes can contain from bicyclic to hexacyclic systems, and a large number are derived biosynthetically from elisabethatriene. Examples of these natural products are (−)-colombiasin A, (−)-elisapterosin B, and (+)-erogorgiaene. Many members of this super-family display substantial biological activity as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitubercular, and/or general antibacterial agents (Rodriguez et al., J. Nat. Prod., 67:1672-1680 (2004), which is hereby incorporated by reference). Due to the common biosynthetic ancestry of these natural products, all of these natural products have three distinctive stereocenters. As some of the above-cited references evidence, from a synthetic perspective, these three stereocenters have represented considerable challenges because there are no convenient neighboring functional groups available to assist in their stereocontrol.
A need continues to exist for synthetic methods for the preparation of erogorgiaene, colombiasin A, elisapterosin B, and other erogorgiaene congeners, and for intermediates useful in such methods. The present invention is directed to addressing this need.

Erogorgiaene congeners and methods and intermediates useful in the preparation of same

Abstract: wherein R21 is an alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, hydroxy, or amino group or a halogen atom; wherein R2 is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or amino group; wherein R23 and R24 are independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, hydroxy, or amino group, and a halogen atom or wherein R23 and R24, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are bound, form a ring; wherein R25 is hydrogen, an alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, hydroxy, or O-silyl group or a halogen atom; wherein Z, taken together with the carbons to which it is bonded, forms a 5-12 membered ring; and wherein Y is an electron withdrawing group. These compounds can be used to prepare erogorgiaene congeners, such as erogorgiaene, pseudopterosin A, helioporin E, pseudopteroxazole, colombiasin A, elisapoterosin B, elisabethadione, p-benzoquinone natural products, ileabethin, sinulobtain B, sinulobtain C, and sinulobtain D.

The Research Foundation of State University of New York


A printing apparatus (10) comprises a plurality of ink distributor rolls (20) supported for rotation about their axes (48, 50, 52), a rotatable shaft (90), and a vibrating means (32) for reciprocating the rolls (20) axially in response to rotation of the shaft (90). The vibrating means (32) comprises a plurality of eccentric members (116) fixed to the shaft (90) for rotation with the shaft (90). Each of the eccentric members (116) applies an individual torque to the shaft (90) in response to axial movement of a respective one of the rolls (20) when the eccentric member (116) rotates with the shaft (90). The fixed positions of the eccentric members (116) relative to each other on the shaft (90) minimize the sum of the individual torques and the fluctuations in the sum of the individual torques during rotation of the eccentric members (116). The detrimental effects of the torques on the printed image are thereby minimized.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,222 discloses a printing unit having ink distributor rolls which rotate to distribute ink in the printing unit. The printing unit disclosed in the '222 patent also has a vibrator mechanism for vibrating the ink distributor rolls by moving them back and forth along their axes. The vibrating movements of the ink distributor rolls assist in evenly distributing the film of ink on the rolls. The vibrator mechanism includes a rotating shaft and a plurality of eccentrics which are mounted on the shaft to rotate with the shaft. The rotating eccentrics operate a lever mechanism which moves the ink distributor rolls back and forth along their axes. Axial movement of the ink distributor rolls is resisted by the inertia of the ink distributor rolls, and by the friction between the ink distributor rolls and the other rolls which they slide against when moving axially. Such resistance is transmitted by the rotating eccentrics to the rotating shaft in the form of torques which resist rotation of the shaft. Because the shaft is rotated by the same gear train that rotates the printing cylinders in the printing press, the torques applied to the shaft by the eccentrics can be transmitted through the gear train to the rotating printing cylinders. Such transmitted torques can mar the printed image.


A method for producing a weak resistance injection element for introducing ases into molten metals.. The injection element includes an assembly of at least two high density refractory components. At least the upper high density refractory component is made by isostatic pressing of ceramic powders followed by a double heat treating process which are selected according to the liquid metal to be melted/refined in the metallurgical vessel where the injection element is going to operate.

In pneumatic metallurgy, the injection elements play an important role in the melting and refining operations.
There are several designs and arrangements for gas injection devices from single pipe tuyeres up to sophisticated combinations of metallic and ceramic components.
The main objective of these devices is to deliver predeterminated gas flow rates with the minimum vessel refractory wear.
High performance has been observed in devices manufactured from a metallic tuyere contained in a high density refractory component, withstanding better the erosion at the hot face of the injection element.
Good results have been obtained manufacturing the refractory components by isostatic pressing of ceramic powders followed by a sintering thermal cycle.
The main problem to solve has been to maintain the same mechanical properties on each point in the complete refractory component.
Anisotropy is always present and the higher anisotropy is observed with higher length/diameter ratio.
On the other hand, it has been observed in the case of interchangeable elements that the upper part of the injection elements, should be wear resistant. Properties on the rest of the refractory element should be oriented toward lower electrical and thermal conductivity and having high thermal shock resistance which is the property that controls the high performance of the injection elements.

Method of manufacturing a gas injection element

Corporation Mexicano de Investigacion en Materiales, S.A. DE C.V.


A method for extending a console for housing equipment to provide space for housing additional equipment. An extender frame is provided which has a platform for supporting additional equipment and an appearance which is complementary to the console frame. An extender support structure is also provided. One of a plurality of console support structures is removed from a first end of the console and the extender support structure is installed proximate the first console end. In addition, the method includes the steps of installing the removed support structure proximate a first extender frame end, and connecting the extender frame to the console to form a unitary extended console for simultaneously housing the equipment and the additional equipment.

This invention relates generally to a console for housing equipment such as audio equipment. In particular, the invention relates to a method and kit for extending a console to form a unitary extended console for housing additional equipment.
Many different types of equipment are used in recording and staging music and other sound or visual related presentations (e.g., theatrical performances, sports events, and news broadcasts). This equipment may include multi-channel audio mixers, amplifiers, graphic equalizers, video recording and playback devices, ancillary computer equipment, as well as other stage and studio equipment. Special consoles frequently are used to house the equipment. One such console is a 90 Series Mainframe sold by Argosy Console, Inc. of Osage Beach, Miss. The various equipment is placed in the console so it is organized in a compact unit which gives the equipment a neat and professional appearance. The console also protects the equipment from damage and presents it for convenient use. However, as more equipment is needed and used, more console space is required to house the equipment. In the past, separate consoles frequently were used to house the equipment which no longer fit in a single console. In addition, auxiliary tables sometimes were set up to the sides of the console to hold the equipment. However, these alternatives detracted from the appearance of the console. Further, when auxiliary tables were used, the equipment was exposed and thus more susceptible to damage. To overcome these disadvantages, some users replaced the original console with a longer console. However, discarding the original console was wasteful and not cost effective.

Method and apparatus for extending consoles


In an engine which starts using a recoil starter, ignition chance during inertia rotation is not missed. If the engine 42 is rotated by the recoil starter 41, output of a power generator which is directly connected to the engine 42 is increased, and a CPU 27 is reset at timing t0. At timing t1, if pulse P1 is input from a revolution number sensor 29 to the CPU 27, the CPU 27 outputs first ignition instructions when predetermined time T1 is elapsed (t2). At timing t3, second pulse P2 is input. At that time point, since the CPU 27 is normally operated, ignition timing is obtained from an ignition timing map 30 in accordance with the revolution number calculated by a time interval between the pulses P1 and P2, and the ignition instructions are output at timing t4 in accordance with the ignition timing. Thereafter, the ignition timing is determined using the ignition timing map 30.

In a small engine such as a general purpose engine and an agricultural purpose engine having a manual operation starting device such as a recoil starter, ignition timing of the engine is preset mechanically, and the ignition position (ignition timing) is typically changed by adjusting an electric circuit constant.
Furthermore, in recent years, it is proposed to provide the engine with an ignition device which digitally controls the ignition timing using a microcomputer (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-236071).
Patent Document 1: JP 09-236071 A


A person tracking method and apparatus using a robot. The person tracking method includes: detecting a person in a first window of a current input image using a skin color of the person; and setting a plurality of second windows in a next input image, correlating the first window and the second windows and tracking the detected person in the next input image using the correlated results.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a person tracking method and apparatus using a robot, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for detecting a person from an input image and tracking the motion of the detected person using a robot.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, a robot has been spotlighted as a system to replace humans for simple tasks in a home or in a place hard to access in person. Currently, the function of the robot is only to perform simple repeated tasks. A prerequisite for performing more intelligent works is an interaction with the person who employs the robot. For smooth interaction, the robot needs to be able to locate and track the user so that it stays in the vicinity of the user.
One way a robot can locate and track a user is by face detection. Most existing face detecting devices locate a person indoors or outdoors using a method of storing a background image and then detecting motion of the person using a difference image obtained by subtracting the background image from the input image, or a method of tracking the location of the person using only shape information. The method using the difference image between the input image and the background image is very efficient in a case of using a fixed camera, but not for a continuously moving camera arranged in a robot, because the background image continuously changes. On the other hand, the method using the shape information of the person takes a long time to locate the person by matching a plurality of model images, similar to a person shape, to the whole input image.

Person tracking method and apparatus using robot


A shoe insole structure which includes a non-springy, acceleration-rate-sensitive viscoelastic cushioning layer carrying, on its upper surface, a low-friction, abrasion-resistant, load-distributing, moisture-wicking overlayer.

This invention relates to a new and advantageous shoe insole, and in particular to such an insole which is usable in many shoe environments as, for example, in "sporting" shoes to offer a unique and superior combination of cushioning support, shock-absorbing response, moisture wicking, and related cooling. The invention, in relation to its cushioning and shock-absorbing qualities, rests in part on the concept that a superior insole structure can be formed utilizing a material which (a) flows with heat to conform topographically and fittingly to a generally "continuously" applied deforming force, such as that presented by weight on the foot, and (b) when deforming and responding in reaction to rapidly applied, shock-like forces, exhibits essentially no spring-like behavior in doing so. While the choice of a heat-flowable conforming material in a shoe is recognized to be advantageous in many settings, the selection of a material offering such a low rebound reaction, i.e., one without any appreciable spring-like behavior to shock-like events, is largely counter-intuitive today in the world of shoe construction.
A preferred embodiment of the proposed insole includes two cooperative layers—a lower layer formed of a microcellular, acceleration-rate-sensitive, viscoelastic, urethane material, and approximately joined thereto, an upper overlayer formed of a low-friction, wear-resistant, moisture-wicking fabric material, which also includes elongate fibres that contribute to shock load distribution.
The various important structural and performance features of the invention will become readily apparent as the description which now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A decoder which is adapted to receive a frame of coded data consisting of multiple slots including intra-frame position information indicating positions of the slots in the frame to decode the coded data, and which adaptively applies appropriate ones of plural error control methods depending on the position of the slots in the frame. An estimated value of the intra-frame position information of a current slot and a fixed amount of variation per slot of the intra-frame position information are generated in accordance with an estimated value of the intra-frame position information of an immediately preceding slot. Synchronization is established between a received value and the estimated value of the intra-frame position information. An error control method to be applied to the current slot in the synchronous state of the received value and the estimated value is determined in response to the estimated value of the intra-frame position information of the current slot generated. The decoder can achieve error control of received data correctly even if an error occurs with the received value of the intra-frame position information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a decoder for decoding coded data, which is preferably applied to a digital control channel receiver of a TDMA cellular system in accordance with the North American Standard of TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), such as TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association)-TDMA (IS-136).
2. Description of the Background Art
The digital channels of the TDMA cellular system in accordance with the North American Standard include digital control channels (DCCHs hereinbelow) for conveying information required for call control from a base station to mobile stations, and digital traffic channels (abbreviated DTCs hereinbelow) for conveying user's information.
The down link communications from the base station to the mobile stations using the DCCHs is carried out on a superframe basis. The superframe consists of 32 time slots in full-rate transmission, and 16 time slots in half-rate transmission. Information describing the position of a slot in the superframe is called a superframe phase (abbreviated SFP hereinbelow). The SFP consists of an 8-bit code of modulo 32 (although a 5-bit code is enough, the 8-bit code is used for the purpose of simplifying a processing circuit). In the half-rate superframe, only odd- or even-numbered slots are used.
As shown in FIG. 2, the superframe consists of a fast broadcast channel (abbreviated F-BCCH hereinbelow), an extended broadcast channel (abbreviated E-BCCH hereinbelow), a short message service broadcast channel (abbreviated to S-BCCH hereinbelow), reserved slots and Smsch, Pch and Arch channels (abbreviated SPACHs hereinbelow).
The F-BCCH is a channel used for transmitting known information such as structure variables of the DCCHs, parameters needed for access to a system, or the like. Parameters NTH1, NTH2, and DVCC which will be described later are transmitted from the base station to the mobile stations over the F-BCCH. The E-BCCH is used for transmitting information less critical in time than that transmitted over the F-BCCH. The S-BCCH is used for short message broadcast services The SPACHs are used for calling or transmitting orders (PCH), responding to the access from the mobile stations (ARCH), and point-to-point short message services (SMSCH).
Although the number of slots of the F-BCCH, E-BCCH, S-BCCH and SPACHs differ from superframe to superframe of respective frequencies depending on the purpose (chiefly, whether they are used for message services or waiting), the SFPs are assigned in any superframes in such a fashion that they change in ascending order from 00h (h is a hexadecimal notation) to 1Fh in the order of F-BCCH, E-BCCH, S-BCCH, reserved slots, and SPACHs, as shown in FIG. 2.
The SFP of the initial slot of the E-BCCH (called NTH1 hereinbelow), and the SFP of the initial slot of the SPACHs (called NTH2 hereinbelow) are obtained by decoding the F-BCCH followed by analyzing the obtained data.
As shown in FIG. 3A, each slot (consisting of 324 bits) in the superframe consists of a 28-bit synchronizing signal (SYNC), a 12-bit random access control signal (shared control feedback: SCF), 130-bit data (DATA), a 12-bit coded SFP (called CSFP below), 130-bit data (DATA), a 10-bit random access control signal (SCF), and two reserved bits (R).
As mentioned above, the 8-bit SFP is coded into a 12-bit CSFP. More specifically, the SFP is coded into a (12, 8) Hamming code, and the resultant 4-bit parity bits are inverted and added to the SFP to form the CSFP. Accordingly, the mobile station can find the location of the current slot in the superframe by obtaining the SFP by decoding the CSFP.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the data section (DATA) consists of information which is the body of the transmitted data, a CRC which consits of check bits for error detection or error correction of the information, and a tail bit representing the end of the data section.
The methods of calculating the CRC of the data sections at a receiver (mobile station) can be classified into three types A, B and C, depending on the types of channels to which the slot belongs. More specifically, the calculating methods of the CRC are classified into three types A, B and C as shown in FIG. 4, depending on the value of a check code (abbreviated to DVCC hereinbelow) and whether or not the parity bits are inverted when used. The DVCC determines the generator polynomial used for calculating the CRC, and varies depending on the frequency of the superframe. The calculating method A is used for the slots belonging to the F-BCCH, in which the DVCC with a value zero is used, and the parity bits are inverted. The calculating method B is used for the slots belonging to the E-BCCH, S-BCCH and reserved slots, in which the DVCC with a value designated by the base station (BS) is used, and the parity bits are inverted. The method C is used for the slots belonging to the SPACHs, in which the DVCC with a value designated by the base station is used, and the parity bits are not inverted.
The slots of the F-BCCH use the DVCC with a value zero because the value of the DVCC can be obtained for the first time after analyzing the F-BCCH data as in the case of the above-mentioned NTH1 and NTH2.
Thus, any of the methods of calculating the CRC of the received data is used depending upon the channels to which the slots belong. Therefore, the types of the channels (classified in terms of the methods of calculating the CRC) to which the slot belongs must be recognized before performing decoding, detection and correction of the received data in the slot. Here, the types of methods of calculating the CRC are conventionally recognized by obtaining the SFP of the slot by decoding the CSFP, and by comparing the obtained SFP with the parameters NTH1 and NTH2.
There is the possibility in the conventional method, however, that the type of the channel to which the slot belongs cannot be identified, and this will degrade the accuracy of decoding the data. The reason for this is as follows. As described above, the CSFP employs a Hamming code. On the other hand, the data section (DATA) uses convolutional codes. According to the Recommendations to the digital channels of the TDMA systems based on the North American Standard, the free space distance of the convolutional codes is greater than that of the Hamming code, which means that the error correction performance of the convolutional codes is greater than that of the Hamming codes. Thus, there is the possibility that the CSFPs consisting of Hamming codes cannot be correctly decoded, which will lead to errors in decoding, error detection and correction of the received data (DATA). This will cause degradation in the accuracy of decoding the data.
That problem arises not only with the digital control channels of the TDMA cellular system according to the North American Standard, but also with other digital communication systems which switch the error control methods depending on the slot location in the frame.

Decoder with an error control adaptively applied on the basis of the estimated position of a slot in a frame


An orthopedic casting article containing a fibrous backing stabilized with a water soluble binder and having a hardenable material applied thereto is described. Methods of making and using such orthopedic casting articles are also described.

A variety of orthopedic casting materials useful in the immobilization of broken or injured limbs are known in the art. Among the first materials developed for this purpose were plaster of Paris bandages, which provided good moldability and palpability of fine bone structure, but which suffered from a number of disadvantages, including a low strength-to-weight ratio and slow strength build-up. Casting materials were later developed that addressed the problems associated with plaster of Paris bandages. For example, knitted fiberglass fabrics coated with water curable polyisocyanate prepolymer resins were developed which provided higher strength-to-weight ratios and improved air permeability. These materials, however, are not as compressible as plaster, tend to mask fine bone structure as the cast is applied, and are expensive to make.
Efforts continue in the art to provide orthopedic casting materials having good moldability, good palpability of fine bone structure, good extensibility, and fast strength build-up during application, and also having good strength-to-weight ratios and good air permeability after curing.

Orthopedic casting articles containing backings having water soluble binders


Method and apparatus for locally caching rights management information for objects and operations in user sessions. A rights caching component may be implemented in network-based computer environments for which digital rights management (DRM) is applied to large collections of objects, such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) environments. DRM information may be stored and managed by a rights management server. A rights caching component on a workstation may create and manage a local cache of a subset of the DRM information for objects that may be used in a session. Determining the appropriate rights for operations and objects during the session may be performed by accessing the local cache of DRM information. The local cache of DRM information may be encrypted or otherwise protected. The rights caching component may periodically or aperiodically synchronize the local cache of DRM information with the DRM information managed by the rights management server.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to computer systems, and more specifically to the digital rights management of collections of objects such as CAD assemblies.
2. Description of the Related Art
In network-based computer environments, large collections of objects (e.g., files) may be stored and managed by server(s) on behalf of multiple users that may access objects in the collections remotely via workstations. In many such environments, digital rights of the objects in the collections may be managed via one or more servers, which may be, but are not necessarily, the server(s) that store and manage the collections of objects. When a user on a workstation initiates an operation that involves one or more objects in the collections, digital rights information related to the operation, user, and object(s) may be remotely accessed via the network from one or more of the server(s) that manage the digital rights for the collection. If such an operation happens to involve many such rights-managed objects, many separate accesses to the server(s) may be generated to access the digital rights information for the objects.
Network-based Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems are exemplary of a network-based computer environment in which digital rights management (DRM) of large collections of objects may be implemented. CAD systems may be used by architects, engineers, drafters, artists, and others to create precision drawings or technical illustrations. CAD software (referred to herein as CAD applications) may be used to create two-dimensional (2-D) drawings or three-dimensional (3-D) models. Closely related CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) is software used to design products such as electronic circuit boards in computers and other devices. CAD systems may range from low-end systems intended for personal use that may be implemented and executed as a CAD application on a personal computer to high-end, network-implemented systems, department-wide or possibly even enterprise-wide systems, with multiple high-end CAD workstations, CAD file servers, high-end printers, and possibly other infrastructure and components, and on which collections of CAD objects may be accessed by or shared among various users in the enterprise or possibly even accessed by or distributed to others outside the enterprise.

Method and apparatus for locally caching digital rights information


The present invention describes a socket of an electrical connector having at least one contact element. The contact element has a first end region, a contact area for electrical contact with a plug and a second end region. The first and/or the second end region according to the present invention is/are displaceable in the radial direction.

Electrical connectors of the aforementioned type are known, and generally involve plug-socket combinations. In the known sockets, the contact elements are usually designed in the form of segments extending in a curved fashion. If a plug is inserted into the socket, the plug comes in contact with the apex of the curved contact element. The dimensions are selected in such a manner that the plug deforms the segment by flattening the curve against an elastic reset force of the segment. Consequently, the segment is pressed in the radial direction against the plug using the said elastic reset force. If the plug is displaced inside the socket in a direction that is transverse to the direction of insertion, there will be at least one segment on which a lesser deformation force acts, due to which the pressing force is also reduced. Larger displacements of the plug inside the socket lead to the segment being lifted completely off the plug surfaces.

Radially displaceable connector and socket

ODU Steckverbindungssysteme GmbH & Co. KG


The manufacturing of footwear includes the joining of components. The joining may be accomplished with adhesive. The adhesive, such as a polyurethane, is applied as a single-sided adhesive to a footwear component. The application of the adhesive can contaminate the system that is applying the adhesive with intentional over spray of the footwear component. The over spray ensures adequate coverage of the footwear component to allow a sufficient bond. A masking platform of the system masks portions of the system to limit the contamination caused by the over spray. Additionally, material brushes and scrapers may engage with components of the system to remove or limit adhesive contamination on those components. A vision system maps a surface of the footwear component to ensure the adhesive is applied for the specific article.

Footwear components, such as a shoe sole, often have a material applied through spraying during assembly and manufacturing. For example, it is common to spray an adhesive and/or primer on a footwear component during an assembly process. However, this spraying process is traditionally a laborious process that relies on trained labor having throughput limitations.


A method is presented for generating test access procedures for digital circuits embedded within larger circuits. The method of the present invention utilizes logical implication techniques to restrict the set of initial possible signal combinations at the inputs of the circuit. The implications allow values to be calculated from input assignments already made. The implication step also allows the exclusion of other values as a result of other assignments already made. In addition, the method of the present invention includes the performance of a netlist transformation technique to model sequential circuits with iterative arrays for purposes of developing proper input signals and calculating expected output values in accordance with standard test synchronizing procedures.

Circuit testing is an essential step in the production of digital circuits. After the circuit is manufactured, and prior to shipping to users, the circuit is electronically tested by a computerized tester to verify that no faults exist in the circuitry. A sequence of test values are input to the circuit and the resulting values are sensed at the circuit outputs in order to verify the proper operation of the circuit.
The classical approach to testing a circuit is to represent the circuit to be tested as a network of logical primitive elements of a restricted set of types (i.e., AND-gates, OR-gates, inverters, NAND-gates, NOR-gates, flip flops, etc.). Modelling such circuits becomes impractical, however, when the circuit to be tested is large. The task of generating a test sequence becomes especially difficult when a complex functional block is embedded into the circuit. In such cases, in addition to the test sequence designer having to generate a suitable set of test signals for the embedded cell, the programmer must formulate appropriate access procedures. An example of such a circuit is a large memory array embedded within a microprocessor chip.
In order to streamline the process for generating test programs for digital circuits containing embedded functional blocks, circuit test designers have typically adopted the modular approach. This method entails designing test procedures for specific types of blocks and then merging these test procedures with a customized program for transferring the test sequences from the primary input pins of the digital circuit to the inputs of the functional block to be tested and then transferring the output values from the functional block to the primary output pins of the circuit.
In the aforementioned approach to test generation, once the test generation procedures for the types of embedded functional blocks have been designed, the primary problem faced by the test program designer is formulating the set of input signals to the primary inputs which will propagate the test input signals from the input pins of the circuit to the inputs of the embedded block and transport the output signals from the outputs of the embedded block to the primary output pins of the digital circuit.
The problem of generating test sequences for embedded functional blocks in a digital circuit has been given much attention. The testing of embedded blocks requires both verification of the function of the embedded block and identification of a path from the primary inputs of the digital circuit to the inputs of the embedded block and of a path from the outputs of the embedded block to the primary outputs of the circuit.
Several well known methods have been developed for identification of the paths for delivering input signals to the embedded functional block and transferring output signals from the embedded functional block to the output pins of the tested digital circuit. One known method for generating test access procedures, called the "I-path" method, requires the identification of paths by means of which the input test signals can be propagated identically through the circuit to the embedded block. The use of the I-path approach to generating test access procedures is, however, often impractical, since many embedded circuits are not connected to the primary circuit inputs or outputs by I-paths.
A second known method for generating test access procedures is called the "T-path" method. The T-path method allows for transformation of the input values over the access path to the embedded block and transformation of the output values over the access path from the embedded block to the primary output pins of the digital circuit. For each set of input values there is only one set of output values and for each set of output values there is only one set of input values.
Another well known method for generating test access procedure is called the "F-path" method. The F-path approach to identification of access paths to and from an embedded block broadens the acceptable set of input values to any set of inputs which provides a one-to-one dependency between the values input and output at the primary I/O pins of the digital circuit while testing the embedded functional block for operational defects.
Though the aforementioned I-path, T-path and F-path methods present standards for identifying paths from primary inputs to the inputs of an embedded cell and from the outputs of the embedded cell to the primary outputs of the circuit (as well as algorithms for implementing the standards), these well known procedures fail to address the problem of providing an efficient method for automatic generation of test access procedures.
In addition to the previously described software approaches to circuit testing, certain hardware design methods have been developed that implement the I-path or T-path methods of test access procedures by utilizing special test access hardware in the circuit. This specialized hardware is inactive during the normal operation of the circuit. This hardware approach to generating test access procedures is known at the board design level as well. These well known hardware approaches solve the basic problem of providing access to embedded blocks, but suffer from the disadvantage of increased complexity in the circuit, as well as creation of circuit delays which cause additional problems for the test designer.
Other known methods for generating test access procedures have disadvantages in that they will only work in circuits that do not contain feedback loops or reconvergent fanout paths.
One technique for modeling sequential circuits is by means of "iterative arrays." This modeling technique maps the time domain response of a sequential circuit into a space domain response of the iterative array. This approach has been generally adopted for modeling sequential circuits for generating test procedures. For a general description of the iterative array model, please see Digital Circuit Testing and Testable Design, by M. Abramovici et al, Computer Science Press, 1990. For iterative array test procedure generation, a synchronous sequential circuit S can be modeled by a pseudocombinational iterative array. This iterative array consists of n copies C1, . . . , Cn of the combinational part C of the circuit S. This transformed circuit corresponds to the original circuit in the following manner. If in response to an input sequence x(0) . . . , x(n) applied to the circuit S in time frames 1 to n, circuit S produces the output sequence z(0), . . . , z(n) and moves into the states y(1), y(2), . . . , y(n+1), then in the iterative array model, every circuit C1, . . . , Cn will receive signals x(i), y(i) and generate output signals z(i) and y(i+1).
A general method for generating test access procedures is also known, utilizing the well known D-algorithm scheme on an iterative array model of sequential circuits to determine the T-paths for the circuit. State transition diagrams are used to calculate the conditions for justifying the activated paths. However, this general method is highly inefficient for sequential circuits of any practical size and/or complexity.
In the aforementioned general method, complex circuits are handled by either additional test hardware or by describing the circuit at the level of large functional subsystems for which T-path activation procedures have already been formulated. Furthermore, the general method does not take into consideration the possible sequential nature of the embedded block which introduces further timing problems when transporting the output values of the embedded block to the primary output pins of the circuit. Finally, the general method does not account for complex clocking schemes which often accompany many digital circuits and preclude modelling the circuit by iterative arrays.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a more efficient method for automatically generating access procedures for embedded functional blocks than has been previously known in the art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a test access generation method which does not impose hardware design requirements on the tested circuit.

Method for generating test access procedures

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.


A system and a method of using dual-energy absoptiometry to estimate visceral fat metrics and display results, preferably as related to normative data. The process involves deriving x-ray measurements for respective pixel positions related to a two-dimensional projection image of a body slice containing visceral fat as well as subcutaneous fat; at least some of the measurements being dual-energy x-ray measurements, processing the measurements to derive estimates of metrics related to the visceral fat in the slice; and using the resulting estimates.

Although obesity in general can be predictive of morbidities such as coronary artery disease and diabetes, the anatomical distribution of adipose tissue (fat) can be a strong independent predictor of these and other medical conditions and outcomes. For example, overweight subjects with a larger proportion of fat stored as visceral adipose tissue (VAT) are believed to be at a higher risk that similarly overweight individuals with a larger percentage of fat stored as subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Studies have shown that VAT levels are a predictor of cardiovascular risk factors, e.g. HDL, LDL, triglyceride levels, and hypertension. [1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13]. (References are identified by numerals in square brackets and are fully cited at the end of this disclosure. The content of the references is hereby incorporated by reference in this patent specification.)
Currently, computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to measure or estimate VAT by differentiating it from SAT in abdominal cross-sections or slices. [4, 5, 9, 13] Typically, or at least frequently, this measurement is made at the level of the umbilicus, where SAT and VAT volumes typically are identified by an image thresholding algorithm. However, the relatively high cost of both examinations and the high radiation dosage of CT can discourage the use of these techniques as a screening tool for VAT levels. Further, the thresholding method lacks specificity, because areas or volumes above the threshold can have different amounts of % fat, and areas or volumes below the threshold may not be fat-free. Thus, systematic errors can be introduced by assumptions of % fat in areas or volumes above or below the threshold.
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) exams are widely available, rapid, relatively low dose, and much less costly than CT and MRI exams. Further, DXA is capable of measuring both global and regional fat mass because, for tissue paths that are projected as pixels in the x-ray image, a given dual-energy x-ray measurements pertains to a unique combination of fat and lean mass. [6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16] However, because DVA is a two-dimensional projection technique, its ability to distinguish between VAT and SAT has been limited.
Because of the predictive and other values of visceral fat as distinguished from general obesity and subcutaneous fat, and the expense and other disadvantages of known techniques for estimating visceral fat, such as CT and MRI, it is believed desirable to find a way to estimate visceral fat more efficiently and effectively, and this patent specification is directed to meeting that need.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Estimating visceral fat by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry


A fishing lure with separable sections for a head, a body extension, a main body, and a tail can be easily assembled and disassembled to provide the flexibility to make different types and lengths of lures. The present invention has provisions for securing various attachments to the head, the body extension, the main body, and the tail. The body extension is a device for changing the length of the lure. Both the head and the body extension have a chamber into which either a rattler or some kind of weight can be inserted. The rattler makes a rattling sound which will attract fish. The weight can keep the lure at a certain depth in the water to imitate a suspended bait fish. At least two of the head, the body extension, the main body, and the tail can be connected by a special securing device to create relative motion between them, thus imitating an injured fish being retrieved from the water. The head or the tail, when used with an attachment such as a plastic worm, can be used alone as a lure known as a jig. The main body can also be used alone as a lure known as a surface popper. Various attachments include treble hooks, weedless hooks, spinner blades, propeller blades, crank bait lips, wobbler blades, plastic skirts, and the like. Using the separable sections of the head, the body extension, the main body, and the tail with various attachments, an angler can assemble at least thirty (30) different combinations of lures.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to fishing lures and more specifically to a lure with the flexibility to make different types and lengths of lures using separable parts and various attachments.
2. Description of the Related Art
A preliminary patentability search located the following pertinent prior art references in Class 43, Subclass 42.09:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date ______________________________________ 1,477,864 Bolton 12/18/1923 1,867,458 Keuper 07/12/1932 2,573,399 Cannon 10/30/1951 2,883,785 Croft 04/28/1959 3,009,279 Jacobson 11/21/1961 3,172,227 Mackey 03/09/1965 3,359,674 Strumor 12/26/1967 4,619,067 West 10/28/1986 5,070,639 Pippert 12/10/1991 5,182,875 Righetti 02/02/1993 5,331,762 Banks 07/26/1994 ______________________________________
Of all the references cited above, only five previous inventions are somewhat similar to the present invention. As it will become apparent in the sections to follow, the present invention has more diversity and interchangeability than the other cited inventions.
For example, the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,762 to Banks relates to a fishing lure with interchangeable heads. This fishing lure does not have a single head with provision for securing various attachments. Thus, this arrangement is not convenient for fishermen to carry because many combination lures require many different heads. The body of the Banks' invention cannot be used by itself as a fishing lure due to its extending helical ramp and also cannot have any extension, thus further limiting any diversified use of the body. Additionally, there is no separable tail section for the Banks' invention to produce a fishing lure, such as an injured minnow. Moreover, the lure body of Banks does not have any provision for inserting either a rattler to produce a fish-attracting sound or some kind of weight to keep the lure at a certain water depth to imitate a suspended bait fish. Furthermore, the single split ring of Banks is not so easy to use to interchange hooks.
In the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,867,458 issued to Keuper, there is disclosed a fishing lure with detachable body sections that have tapered dovetail-shaped tongues and grooves to alter only the length of the lure. In Keuper's invention, there is no provision either for securing different attachments to make many combinations of lures or for using each part of the body as an individual lure, such as either a jig, a surface popper, or the like.
In the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,647 issued to Strumor, there is disclosed a fishing lure with adjustable sections. This lure provides for inserting weights into cavities in the body sections, but these cavities are not suitable for inserting rattlers to produce rattling sounds. Although the length of Strumor's invention is adjustable, it does not have any provision for securing various attachments to make many combinations of lures. Each adjustable body piece of Strumor's invention cannot be used as individual lure because of its extended studs, whereas the head, the main body, and the tail section of the present invention can be used as individual lures. Additionally, Strumor's lure does not provide any means for interchanging different kinds of hooks.
In the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,009,279 issued to Jacobson, there is disclosed a fishing lure with interchangeable mounting means for hooks. The mounting mechanism in Jacobson's lure is very complicated whereas, in the present invention, interchangeability can be accomplished by securing different kinds of hooks to different parts of the lure using simply the combination of a threaded eye screw and a split ring.
In the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,573,399 issued to Cannon, there is disclosed a fishing lure with separable head and body portions and a hook-mounting strip. However, the hook-mounting strip does not provide any interchangeability for using different kinds of hooks. Also, the two separable head and body parts are configured for inserting some kind of weight, but do not have any provision for securing various attachments to make many combinations of lures. Furthermore, the two separable head and body parts of Cannon cannot be used as individual lures due to the axially extending screw-threaded portion in the head.