A reciprocating placer system for selectively picking and placing articles includes a picking assembly that is moveable between one or more magazines in which the articles are each received and stored in a stacked configuration. The picking assembly can include a series of vacuum cups for engaging and selectively picking articles from one or more magazines and thereafter depositing the selected articles on a conveyor or within a receptacle. A drive system controls the transverse movement of the picking assembly with respect to the one or more magazines in order to control the movement of the picking assembly between the one or more magazines and for adjusting the position of the picking assembly, with a selected article engaged thereby, with respect to the conveyor or receptacle on which the article is to be deposited.

Automated apparatus and systems for picking articles such as trays, carton blanks, carton sleeves and/or other, similar articles having various shapes and dimensions and placing such articles on a conveyor or a receptacle have been used in the packaging industry for some time. For example, rotary carton feeders have been used for picking or removing substantially flat stock materials such as carton blanks or sleeves from a stack of cartons contained within a magazine, and thereafter transferring the cartons into flights of a product conveyor where the cartons can be loaded with products. Reciprocating placers typically are utilized for picking and placing flat as well as substantially three-dimensional articles such as plastic trays, boxes or other, similar articles that can have a depth as well as a length and width, and placing such articles onto a product conveyor or in a receptacle. In the past, such placers generally have been used for removing articles from a single magazine, thus often requiring frequent restacking of the magazine and/or change out of the stacks of articles held by the magazine to feed different articles as needed, and further typically are operated at a slower rate for picking and removal of three-dimensional articles than rotary carton feeders or placers.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of the following specification, illustrating various aspects, advantages and benefits of the present disclosure, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention as described in the following disclosure.
Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1A-8B illustrate various views of one example embodiment of a multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10 for selectively feeding articles 11A-11C from one or more magazines 12A-12C and for depositing the selected articles 11A-11C at a desired location, such as placing each article into a receptacle 13 or, as shown in FIG. 2B, within a series of flights 14 of a carton or product conveyor 15 passing through beneath. The articles 11A-11C are generally illustrated in the figures as being flat cards or similar stock material articles arranged in stacks each loaded onto a separate magazine 12A-12C. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that various types of articles, including articles having substantially two-dimensional and three-dimensional configurations, i.e., articles having a length, width and depth such as trays, boxes or other, similar stacked materials, also can be picked and placed using the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10 according to the principles of the present invention.
Still further, it also will be understood by those skilled in the art that while three magazines 12A-12C generally are shown in the present multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10, greater or fewer magazines also can be provided in spaced series across the multi-lane reciprocating placer system as needed or desired. The number of magazines provided can be varied based upon the size of the articles being stacked therein and/or on the size of the frame 16 of the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10 utilized for a particular picking and placing/feeding application. In addition, as previously noted, while a single receptacle 13 is illustrated for purposes of receiving the articles 11A-11C selectively picked and removed from one or more of the magazines 12A-12C, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that multiple receptacles or boxes 13 also can be used. It also will be understood that one or more conveyor or other product and/or receiving mechanisms also can be used. The multi-lane reciprocating placer system further is operable to selectively pick the articles from one or more of the magazines 12A-12C, including for collating the placement and/or stacking of different articles 11A-11C from the different magazines 12A-12C in a desired or programmed sequence, and thereafter place the articles within the flights of a carton or product conveyor moving below the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10 generally includes a frame 16, which can include one or more supports, and further can include cabinets, shelves or trays, such as shelf 17 on which the receptacle 13 is supported. The frame 16 also can have a substantially open configuration for mounting above a carton or product conveyor to enable passage of the flights of the product or carton conveyor therebeneath. As further illustrated in FIG. 1A, the frame also can include a series of guards or covers 18 that can be pivoted between an open position and an enclosed or covering position shown in FIG. 1A, so as to enclose an article picking area 19 defined in front of the magazines 12A-12C.
An operator control system 21 also can be provided adjacent or along one side of the frame 16, and can include a touch screen or other, similar controller as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The control system enables an operator to control the speed of operation of the multi-lane reciprocating placer system and various operative components thereof, as well as for selectively controlling the operation and both lateral/transverse and pivoting or rotational movement of a picking assembly 25 along/about the picking area 19 for selectively picking articles 11A-11C from the different magazines 12A-12C and thereafter placing such articles within one or more receptacles, or within the flights of a carton or product conveyor passing therebeneath, with the movements of the picking assembly being controlled so as to substantially match the movement of the conveyor flights passing therebelow.
For example, the picking assembly 25 can be controlled to selectively pick one article 11A-11C from each of the magazines 12A-12C in a predefined sequence, such as picking an article from magazine 12A, then magazine 12B, then magazine 12C, or picking multiple articles from one or more of the magazines, such as picking a first article from magazine 12A, loading it in the receptacle, and picking a second article from magazine 12A and loading it into the receptacle, before picking an additional article from either magazine 12B or 12C. Other operational sequences also can be performed. Thus, the picking assembly 25 can be controlled as needed for performing a variety of feeding operations including collating stacks of articles from each of the different magazines to form discrete stacks of different articles from each of the different magazines. Alternatively, the multiple magazines can be supplied with the same articles and the picking assembly 25 controlled to pick the articles from one magazine at a time, thus using the additional magazines as further article storage areas so that the multi-lane reciprocating placer system can be provided with an expanded supply of articles for picking and placing in the receptacle or conveyor flights, with its storage capacity being up to two to four times or more the storage capacity of placer systems having only one magazine.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4B and 6A-7, each of the magazines 12A-12C generally can include a series or pair of rails or guides 31 moveably mounted on adjustable front and rear supports 32 and 33 of the frame 16. Each of the rails 31 is generally shown in one example embodiment in the figures as including substantially L- or C-shaped configurations each having an upper surface 34 on which the articles 11A-11C can be stacked and will progressively slide, and further can include upwardly extending side guide portions 35. Each of the support rails 31 generally will be moveable laterally toward and away from each other along their front and rear supports 32/33, and the front and rear supports 32/33 themselves further can be adjusted vertically to enable raising and lowering of the magazines, as well as tilting or reorienting of the magazines at a desired angle. Still further, the rails 31 defining the magazines 12A-12C also can be removed and/or additional sets of rails mounted on the frame supports 32/33 as needed to expand or provide additional or fewer magazines for the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10 as needed or desired depending upon the size and/or type of articles being picked and placed.
As additionally shown in FIGS. 3-6B, a series of adjustable clips 36 also can be mounted along the upper and lower front supports 32 adjacent the front or proximal ends of the magazines. Each of the clips 36 generally can include plastic, metal or other, similar material strips adjustably received in holders 37 and will engage and bear against the upper and front surfaces of the foremost articles in each stack of articles contained within each magazine, as generally illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6A-6B. The clips thus will provide frictional engagement for holding the articles in place in a stacked configuration within the magazines until they are picked or removed therefrom by the picking assembly 25.
As further generally illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 6A-7, one or more applicators or other, similar operative devices or systems 40 can be mounted along the frame supports 33 adjacent or between one or more of the magazines 12A-12C. For example, an adhesive applicator 41, such as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-7, can be mounted adjacent one or more of the magazines, in a position so as to apply an adhesive material to a rear surface of an article (e.g., article 11A as shown in FIGS. 6A-7) after the article has been picked or removed from its magazine. As the picking assembly 25 moves the article adjacent the adhesive applicator 41, the adhesive applicator can apply an adhesive, such as in a spray or bead form, against the rear surface of the article for attachment of the article to a previously stacked article or other product or component. While one adhesive applicator 41 is shown mounted between the magazines 12A and 12B, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that additional adhesive applicators also can be used, and can be positioned at different locations across the width of the frame, with the articles being selectively presented to the adhesive applicator(s) as needed for application of a glue or adhesive material thereto.
In addition, other operative devices or systems 40 such as one or more sensors or scanner, including a bar code or other, similar scanner, can be positioned along the forward frame supports 32 in place of or in addition to the adhesive applicator(s) 41. For example, a sensor or scanner can be placed adjacent each of the magazines in a position so as to read a bar code or similar indicia applied to a surface of the articles to provide feedback and inventory control and tracking of the articles as they are picked and placed by the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10. In still another possible embodiment, one or more print heads such as ink jet or laser jet type printer heads can also be used, either in conjunction with one or more scanners and/or one or more adhesive applicators, for applying printing to the articles as they are picked from their magazines prior to placement thereof within a receptacle or onto a conveyor. Such operative devices or applicators 40 can be controlled by the control system 21. It further will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other operative elements or applicators also can be utilized within the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10 according to the principles of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 4A-6B, the picking assembly 25 generally will include a vacuum cup assembly 45 including one or more vacuum cups 46 each connected to a vacuum supply 47, and mounted along an adjustable frame 48 so as to enable adjustment of the horizontal and vertical positions of the vacuum cups with respect to the articles 11A-11C being picked. Other picking mechanisms such as grippers, clamps and/or other devices also can be used for picking the articles. The vacuum cup assembly 45 generally is coupled to a pivot mechanism 50 that controls the pivoting movement of the vacuum cup assembly 45 toward and away from the magazines for picking and removal and placement of the articles from the magazines and into the receptacle or onto a conveyor therebelow. A plenum 49 or other vacuum control further will be mounted along the adjustable frame 48 of the vacuum cup assembly 45 for routing and controlling the application of the vacuum or suction pressure through the vacuum cups to the articles for picking of the articles from the magazines and thereafter holding the articles against the vacuum cups during transport to the receptacle or to a flight of the carton or product conveyor.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the frame 48 of the vacuum cup assembly 45 will be mounted on a transversely or laterally moveable bracket or carrier 51 that is slidably mounted on guide rails 52 so as to be moveable laterally or transversely with respect to the magazines. The guide rails 52 are part of a pivoting frame 53 of the pivot assembly 50 and support the vacuum cup assembly during the pivoting movement thereof. As FIGS. 2A, 4A-4B and 6A illustrate, an enlarged bearing 54 is mounted to one end of the slide bracket 51. The bearing is further shown as having a central bearing portion 56 of a reduced diameter, with end plates 57 of a larger diameter bordering each side thereof.
As additionally shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, 3 and 4, the vacuum supply 47 generally can be provided adjacent the frame 16 of the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10 for applying a vacuum or suction to the vacuum head via a hose or supply line 58. As further generally illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 3 and 4A, the pivot assembly 50 includes a drive system 60 for controlling the pivoting motion of the frame 53 of the pivot assembly 50 and vacuum cup assembly 45. In one embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the drive system 60 of the pivot assembly 50 generally will include a variable speed, reversible motor 61 that typically is linked to a drive sprocket 62, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 8A. It further will be understood that various mechanisms or systems such as air cylinders, other types of motors and/or other drives also can be used in place of motor 61. The drive sprocket 62 is connected via a drive belt 63 to an idler sprocket 64 which is coupled to one end of a pivot shaft or rod 66 as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 5 and 6B. The ends of the pivot shaft 66 further are attached to side supports 67 of the pivoting frame 53, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4A and 5 so as to cause the pivoting movement of the frame 53 as the pivot shaft 66 is rotated. The motor 61 is controlled by the control system 21 so as to drive the belt 63 in forward/rearward directions indicated by arrows 68/68′, in response to which the pivot shaft 66 is rotated in a reversible manner to provide the pivoting motion of the vacuum cup assembly 45 toward and away from the magazines 12A-12C and the articles stacked therein.
As also illustrated in FIGS. 4A-8B, in addition to its pivoting motion, the vacuum cup assembly 45 further generally is moveable laterally across the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10 so as to be moveable back and forth, in a transverse direction with respect to the magazines 12A-12C so as to enable the selective movement of the vacuum cup assembly between each of the different magazines as needed for the selected picking and removal of articles therefrom. The lateral or transverse movement of the vacuum cup assembly further enables the placement of the articles, once picked from their magazines, in a desired location or within a flight of the carton or product conveyor passing therebeneath, with the movement of the vacuum cup assembly in both a lateral or transverse direction and in a pivoting motion being controlled to substantially match the speed of the flights of such a carton or product conveyor as needed for placement of the articles therein.
As indicated in FIGS. 2A, 5 and 6A-6B, the lateral movement of the vacuum cup assembly 45 is controlled by a lateral drive system 70, which includes a forked support arm 71 that generally will engage the bearing 54 so as to couple the lateral drive system 70 to the vacuum cup assembly 45. The support arm 71 generally will have a first or proximal end 72 that fits over the pivot rod or shaft 66 of the pivot assembly 50 with a clearance thereabout so as to be movable along the pivot rod, and a second or distal end 73 having a pair of spaced fingers or gripping portions 74 that are received about and engage the central bearing portion 56 of the bearing 54. Each of the fingers 74 can further include a bearing plate or cushion 76, generally formed from a soft, reduced friction material. As a result, as the vacuum cup assembly is pivoted toward and away from the magazines, the bearing 54 of the vacuum cup assembly can rotate between the fingers 74 of the support arm, enabling the support arm to pivot with the pivoting movement of the vacuum cup assembly without disrupting the contact or coupling engagement between the support arm and the bearing.
As generally illustrated in FIGS. 4A-8B, the lateral drive system 70 further generally includes a variable speed, reversible drive motor 81 (FIGS. 5 and 8A), which is connected to and drives a horizontally extending linear drive belt 82. Other mechanisms such as air cylinders, other types of motors and/or other drive systems also can be used in place of motor 81. As indicated in FIG. 7, the linear drive belt 82 generally is mounted in a vertically oriented, upstanding arrangement, extending about pairs of sprockets or drive rollers 83 and 84 mounted on opposite sides of the frame 16 of the multi-lane reciprocating placer system. The linear drive belt further can be contained within a housing or cover 86, such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8B, which can include slots or openings along the front surface thereof. The control system 21 can control the motor 81 so as to move the linear drive belt in a reversing, back and forth motion.
A carriage 90 is mounted to the drive belt, as indicated in FIGS. 6A-7 so as to be moveable laterally in a transverse direction back and forth across the multi-lane reciprocating placer system 10, in the direction of arrows 91 and 91′ with the movement of the linear drive belt. The carriage 90 is coupled to the vacuum cup assembly by the pivoting support arm 71 for moving the vacuum cup assembly 45 in the direction of arrows 91 and 91′ as indicated in FIGS. 4A and 5-6B. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, a pair of spaced brackets 92 are attached to a front face carriage 90 and include bearings 93 that are received over the pivot shaft or rod 66, with a guide shaft or sleeve 94 being received between the bearings and brackets. The bearings maintain the brackets at a clearance over and out of contact with the pivot rod 66, centering the pivot axis of the pivoting frame 53 of the pivot assembly 50 and the vacuum cup assembly 45 about the pivot shaft 66.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6B, the pivoting support arm 71 engages one of the bearings 93 so as to be moveable along the pivot shaft 66 with the lateral movement of the carriage 90, while remaining pivotable with respect to the pivot shaft with the pivoting motion of the vacuum cup assembly. As a result, as the pivot shaft 66 is rotated by operation of the drive mechanism 60, the pivoting frame 53 moves the vacuum cup assembly toward and away from the magazines, while the pivoting support arm is maintained in contact with the bearing 54 of the slide bracket 51 of the vacuum cup assembly, so as to maintain a connection between the vacuum cup assembly and the lateral drive system 70. This also enables further lateral or transverse movement of the vacuum cup assembly by operation of the lateral drive system 70 even as the vacuum cup assembly is being pivoted toward and away from the magazine.
As a result, the multi-lane reciprocating placer system of the present invention can be utilized for selectively feeding a variety of different size and configuration articles from multiple magazines arranged in spaced series across the frame of the multi-lane reciprocating placer system. The vacuum cup assembly can be moved to various locations across the multi-lane reciprocating placer system and controlled so as to selectively pick and thereafter place articles from different ones of the magazines, including picking articles from one magazine only, and/or selectively picking articles from each of the magazines in a desired sequence. The movement of the vacuum cup assembly in both transverse and vertical pivoting directions further can be adapted or controlled so as to match the feed speed of the flights of a carton or product conveyor passing therebeneath for depositing of the articles in timed relation with the movement of the conveyor. As a result, the multi-lane reciprocating placer system can be provided with additional capacity in terms of additional magazines, and can be utilized for collating and/or selective stacking or feeding of various configuration articles to desired/programmed locations including depositing the articles in one or more discrete stacks or receptacles or in the flights of a carton or product conveyor.
The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present invention. The examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, aspects, applications or modifications of the present disclosure. It will, therefore, be understood by those skilled in the art that while the present disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary aspects, the present disclosure can be practiced with various changes and modifications which can be made to the above-discussed construction of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the present invention as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.


System, method, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for integrated diagnosis and debugging of content distribution systems. A system includes a networking module that receives, from a central server system, instructions for running network diagnostics on a cable headend. A diagnostics environment module is configured to perform diagnostic operations based on the received instructions. The networking module transmits results of the diagnostic operations to the central server system.

Technical Field
This application relates to network management generally, and in particular, to diagnosis and debugging in cable distribution systems.
Background
Monitoring content distribution systems can be difficult due to the size and extent of networks and their components. For example, cable distribution systems reach many locations, including remote and sparsely populated areas, and individually maintaining and monitoring all of them can be a costly and non-trivial task. A technical failure in one component can affect a large extent of the network, and locating the cause of the failure can require substantial information gathering and diagnosis effort.
The difficulties of network monitoring in turn complicate the rollout of upgrades and new software to network components. Testing new releases in a real-world environment risks causing costly failures, and therefore developers may need to spend substantial effort ensuring software is deploy-ready before releasing it on the network.

Integrated diagnostic and debugging of regional content distribution systems


Expansion tools used to centralize a casing-casing annulus in a wellbore. Providing an elongate body having a first force multiplier case coupled to an expansion tool case. A piston may be arranged within the first force multiplier case and configured to translate axially therein. A ram may be arranged within the expansion tool case, the ram being coupled to the piston and configured to translate axially within the expansion tool case in response to a force applied by the piston. One or more lug assemblies are arranged within the expansion tool case and configured to radially expand once engaged by the ram as the ram translates axially.

The present invention relates to centralization tools, and more particularly, to the use of expansion tools comprising an expander and an actuator configured to centralize a casing-casing annulus in a wellbore.
The development of directional drilling technologies allows for strongly deviated boreholes. The use of horizontal or otherwise deviated drilling provides several advantages including making it possible to reach reservoirs miles away from the wellhead. This is especially useful if the reservoir is located in an area where vertical drilling is not possible or is undesirable such as under a lake or an environmentally sensitive area. In practice, true vertical wellbores are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. In other words, vertical wellbores typically have at least some intervals or sections that are deviated.
In some cases, directional drilling may be used to drill a new wellbore originating from an existing wellbore. For example, one may insert a kick-off device, such as a whipstock assembly, vertically down to a kick-off point and then initiate directional drilling within the existing wellbore. Directional drilling is often desirable because it increases the exposed section length through the reservoir and allows more wellheads to be grouped together at one location at less cost, which should result in fewer rig moves, and less surface area disturbance.
Over the past several decades, drilling operations have left many wells depleted or economically unviable. Some of these wells have been left uncemented but still contain nested casing strings having an inner casing or tubular arranged within an outer casing or tubular. For example, FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional top view of an inner casing 14 longitudinally arranged within an outer casing 16, and FIG. 1B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the inner casing 14 as arranged within the outer casing 16. An annulus 15, oftentimes being referred to as the casing-casing annulus (CCA), is generally defined between the inner and outer casings 14, 16. When the inner casing 14 is not properly centralized or cemented within the outer casing 16, the inner casing 14 is effectively free to move radially within the outer casing 16. Because true vertical wells rarely exist in practice, over time, the inner casing 14 may tend to lean towards the outer casing 16 at certain points due to factors such as gravity, thereby resulting in a non-concentric annulus 15.
As depicted in both FIGS. 1A and 1B, the inner casing 14 has come into contact with the outer casing 16. As a result, at least a portion of the annulus 15 exhibits zero clearance or stand-off distance between the outer radial surface of the inner casing 14 and the inner radial surface of the outer casing 16. As used herein, "clearance" or "stand-off distance" refers to the minimal distance between casings in a casing-casing annulus. For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms "clearance" and "stand-off distance" may be used interchangeably. Non-concentric annuli may lead to gas channeling problems during subsequent intervention operations (e.g., kickoff, lateral, etc.). Moreover, an annulus 15 exhibiting poor clearance or stand-off will also suffer from poor displacement efficiency of fluids.
One way to maximize the clearance of a casing-casing annulus is to use centralizers configured to center the inner casing 14 relative to the outer casing 16. Typical centralizers include bow springs and solid centralizers. The use of bow springs, however, is often limited to vertical and low angle wells since they have high associated running forces and may collapse under casing weight in higher angles. Solid centralizers were introduced largely because of the shortcomings of bow springs. Unfortunately, however, the use of solid centralizers is often time consuming, expensive, and waste apparent.

Expansion tool for non-cemented casing-casing annulus (CCA) wellbores


Methods, compositions and kits are provided for treating a subject exposed to or at risk for exposure to a disease agent, methods, compositions and kits having a pharmaceutical composition including at least one recombinant binding protein or a source of expression of the binding protein, wherein the binding protein neutralizes at least one or a plurality of disease agents that are toxins, for example at least one of a Botulinum toxin or an Anthrax toxin.

The disease, Anthrax is caused by the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus anthracis and is a major bioterror concern. Following introduction into a host in spore form and germination of the spore, the bacterium divides and manifests disease and lethality primarily through the action of two toxins, anthrax lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET). Anthrax toxins have a common receptor-binding component, protective antigen (PA), which is responsible for transport of the lethal factor metalloprotease (LF) or edema factor adenylate cyclase (EF) or both into the host cell cytosol. Injection of the toxins into animals replicates symptoms of anthrax disease.
PA acts as a 'gateway' that allows translocation and action of both LT and ET toxins and hence PA has been the primary target of therapeutics including antibodies developed for treatment of anthrax. PA binds to two cellular receptors as an 83 kDa polypeptide (PA83) and is rapidly cleaved by cell surface proteases such as furin to a 63 kDa (PA63) form which associates as heptamers or octamers that provide the binding sites for LF or EF. The oligomer bound to one or more molecules of LF/EF is then rapidly translocated. PA63 form of the Anthrax toxin is competent for endocytosis. When PA is cleaved prior to exposure to cells, or produced as PA63, it rapidly oligomerizes and the pre-formed oligomer binds and transports LF/EF into cells. The PA63 oligomer undergoes a conformational change in acidic endosomes to a heat and SDS-stable form, which allows the translocation of LF and EF through a central pore into the cytosol. LF and EF then act on their substrates and manifest toxic effects.
During anthrax infection, the accumulation of anthrax toxins in the blood leads to lethality. Antibodies against PA are considered a primary therapeutic for treatment of the disease. The majority of neutralizing antibodies developed against PA act on the receptor-binding domain to inhibit interaction of the toxin with cells. A few antibodies have been identified which neutralize PA by other mechanisms.
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin is released by C. botulinum spores, which are commonly found in soil and water. The C. botulinum spores produce botulinum toxin on exposure to low oxygen levels and certain temperatures. Botulinum toxin can cause Botulism, which is a serious and life-threatening paralytic illness in humans and animals. The early symptoms of Botulism are weakness, trouble seeing, feeling tired, and trouble speaking followed by weakness of the arms, chest muscles and legs. Botulinum toxin is an acute lethal toxin with an estimated human median lethal dose (LD-50) of 1.3-2.1 ng/kg intravenously or intramuscularly and 10-13 ng/kg when inhaled. Antibodies against Botulinum toxins are considered a primary therapeutic for treatment of the disease.
A need exists for generating high affinity binding agents that treat both routine incidents of disease and toxicity. The production of antibodies and their storage is a costly and lengthy process. In fact, development of a single antibody therapeutic agent often requires years of clinical study. Yet multiple, different therapeutic antibodies are necessary for the effective treatment of patients exposed to a bio-terrorist assault with a potential weapon such as Anthrax or Botulism. Developing and producing multiple antibodies each of which can bind to a different target (e.g. microbial pathogens, viral pathogens, and toxins) is often a difficult task because it involves separately producing, storing and transporting each of the multiplicity of antibodies of which each is specific for one pathogen or toxin. Production and stockpiling a sufficient amount of antibodies to protect large populations is a challenge and has not currently been achieved. The shelf life of antibodies is often relatively short (e.g., weeks or months), and accordingly freshly prepared batches of present therapeutic antibodies have to be produced to replace expiring antibodies.
Accordingly, there is a need for a cost effective and efficient way to provide alternatives to current therapeutic agents. Further a need exists for alternative therapeutics that are easier to develop and produce, have a longer shelf life, and bind as a single agent to multiple targets on the same disease agent, as well as to different disease agents.

VHH based binding antibodies for anthrax and botulinum toxins and methods of making and using therefor


An insulator for a spark plug comprises a first segment surrounding the terminal, a second segment extending from the first segment, and a third segment extending from the second segment. A gap is disposed between the third segment of the insulator and the outer shell. At least one coating having a least one layer is disposed on a surface of the third segment.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to spark plugs and, more particularly, to methods for applying coatings to insulators of spark plugs to minimize fouling.
2. Description of the Background
Spark plugs used as igniters in internal combustion engines are subjected to a condition known as "fouling." Over time, carbon and other products of combustion can accumulate on the spark plug, including the surface of an insulator tip of the spark plug, which is typically positioned at or near a boundary of unmixed fuel, or at or near the center electrode tip. The products of combustion of a gasoline engine include particles of fuel additives such as Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT) and Ferrocene, which are often added to gasoline as an octane enhancement. Normally, accumulated soot that is located near the spark point of the spark plug would be burned off from the heat of the combustion process. However, because the exposed surface of the insulator tip may not be located in or about a spark gap between the center electrode tip and ground electrode, accumulated combustion soot along the insulator tip may not be burned off. If significant amounts of these combustion products accumulate, the spark may not properly form between the center and ground electrodes. More particularly, the accumulated combustion soot creates an electrical short circuit such that the electrical charge from the center electrode travels across the surface of the insulator and back to the outer metal shell instead of across the spark gap to the ground electrode. This process is called "fouling."
As noted above, MMT and/or other additives have been added to gasoline or fuel to increase the octane numbers instead of using a more expensive refining process. MMT added to the fuel generates conductive combustion residual that deposit on the internal surfaces of the combustion engine, including the insulator of a spark plug that extends into the engine combustion chamber. It has been found that MMT deposits on a surface of the spark plug insulator significantly reduce the resistivity of the spark plug insulator and may cause instances of side-firing or misfiring during ignition events. In turn, the MMT deposits have dramatically reduced the useful life of spark plugs, leading to high costs due to frequent replacement of spark plugs. MMT deposits may also reduce fuel mileage and/or increase hydrocarbon emissions. While some methods have been developed to reduce or minimize MMT deposits, the current methods have their challenges.

Spark plug insulator having an anti-fouling coating and methods for minimizing fouling


In a sewing operation robot (1), a simple harmonic motion device (2) is mounted on a wrist portion (12) thereof, and a sewing machine (5) is fixed on a sliding portion (3) of the simple harmonic motion device (2) to position the sewing machine (5) arbitrarily in a three-dimensional space and to operate the sewing machine (5) in an inching mode. A counter weight having the same weight as that of the sewing machine (5) is provided on the simple harmonic motion device (2) to prevent vibrations from occurring. Since the sewing machine is operated in the inching mode without inching the entire sewing operation robot, even a robot of low rigidity can perform sewing operations without causing friction between the sewing machine and the cloth and, further, a compact lightweight sewing operation robot can be provided.

Sewing operations have evolved from a method wherein a sewing machine is fixed and a sheet of cloth is moved on a flat surface so that it is continuously brought into contact with a reciprocating needle, and there has been developed a sewing machine for industrial use which is moved on a sheet of cloth fixed on a flat surface. However, this type of sewing machine has failed to sufficiently perform a variety of sewing operations required for clothes having puffs and the like. In order to solve this, a sewing operation robot has been developed wherein a sheet of cloth is temporarily fixed on a model simulating a human body: a sewing machine is mounted on an industrial robot capable of arbitrarily positioning in a three-dimensional space and causing the needle thereof to assume arbitrary attitudes: and sewing is carried out by moving the sewing machine freely around the model and the like.
Sewing operations include an inching operation wherein seam pitches are repeatedly operated and stopped at very short intervals (during which the needle is moved up and down). However, conventional general-purpose robots have been subjected to vibrations due to insufficient rigidity and have been unusable in some cases.
There is another problem in that sliding friction occurs between the needle and cloth resulting in breakage of the needle due to the increase in the temperature of the needle.
There is still another problem in that the configurations of the mechanical components are enlarged in order to improve the mechanical rigidity of the robot, for which the weight of the robot and the capacity of the motor driving it must be thus increased and, as a result, the configuration is enlarged and the weight of the entire robot is increased.


A zoom lens system, for use in a copying apparatus, is provided with, from the object side, a first lens unit of a negative power including a negative lens element, a second lens unit of a positive power including a positive lens element and a negative meniscus lens element concave to the image side, an aperture stop, a third lens unit arranged symmetrically with the second lens unit with respect to the aperture stop, and a fourth lens unit arranged symmetrically with the first lens unit with respect to the aperture stop. The second lens unit and the fourth lens unit are moved in a same direction in association with each other so that the total length of the zoom lens system is minimum at unity magnification. The aperture stop moves so that the symmetry of the entire zoom lens system is maintained. An object-image distance is maintained constant by moving the entire zoom lens system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens system, and more particularly, to a zoom lens system, for use in a copying apparatus, where zooming is performed with a constant conjugate distance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a conventionally-used copying apparatus, in order to vary the magnification, the conjugate distance is varied by moving a mirror as a projecting lens moves. For such a copying apparatus, since the mirror is moved in order to vary the conjugate distance, a mechanism for moving the mirror is required. For this reason, the copying apparatus is disadvantageous in reducing size and cost.
In resent years, zoom lens systems have been proposed which are used for varying the magnification in a copying apparatus.
For example, Japanese laid-open Patent Application No. S59-67512 discloses an orthometa-type zoom lens system for use in a copying apparatus which lens system is arranged symmetrically with respect to an aperture stop and includes six lens elements grouped into four units. In the lens system, the most object side lens element and the most image side lens element are negative lenses. The half view angle thereof is 14.degree. to 18.degree..
U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,773 discloses a zoom lens system for use in a copying apparatus which lens system is arranged symmetrically with respect to an aperture stop and includes four lens elements grouped into four units. In the lens system, the most object side lens element and the most image side lens element are negative lenses. The half view angle thereof is 17.degree. to 21.degree..

Zoom lens system for use in copying apparatus


A method, system, and program for managing failover of J2EE compliant middleware in a high availability system are provided. A primary node and a secondary node each run the same J2EE compliant middleware stack comprising layers including a load balancer, a web server, a web application server, a message control server, a monitoring server, and a database control server. In the primary node, all layers are active. In the secondary node, part of the layers are active and part of the layers are in standby. A data replication partition shared between the primary node and the secondary node includes persistent resource data accessible to a selection of the layers of the primary node. A heartbeat controller monitors each node, including the middleware stack, and upon detection of a failure, controls transfer of the services provided by the primary node to the secondary node by transferring virtual IP addresses from the primary node to the secondary node, remounting the data replication partition for access by the secondary node, and activating the standby layers which require access to the data in the data replication partition.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to improved high availability cluster management in particular to improved high availability (HA) cluster management during failover. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to managing failover of J2EE compliant middleware in a HA system.
2. Description of the Related Art
For retailers, banks, and other on-line services where load and demand constantly fluctuate and where handling each customer request is of utmost importance, high availability (HA) systems have been developed to handle mission-critical operations. In general, an HA system is a system designed to eliminate or minimize the loss of service due to either planned or unplanned outages among components of a network system. The key method of providing an HA system is through redundant hardware and software components grouped into a cluster of servers.
Redundancy is important in an HA system because when a failure occurs in one node of the cluster, the system transfers the processes performed by one node to another. In a two-node HA cluster, for example, one node is typically designate as the primary node and the other node is typically designated as the backup node. In general, the primary node initially runs an application when a cluster is started. In addition, in general, a backup node is designated that will run the application if the primary node fails. The HA cluster system will typically implement a cluster manager process that periodically polls (or checks the heartbeat) of the primary node to determine if it is still active. If a "heartbeat" is not detected, then the cluster manager moves the software process to another server in a cluster.
In general, HA systems can be configured in an active-active state or an active-standby state. For a two-node HA cluster in an active-active state, both nodes are active. Thus, the standby node shares some state with the active primary node. For a two-node HA cluster in an active-standby state, the backup node is in standby mode. In standby mode, the components of the backup node must be initialized and brought online with the failover occurs.
An important characteristic of an HA system is the recovery time. In general, the recovery time in a HA system is the time taken for a backup node to take over an application from a failed primary node. Recovery time may be effected by whether an HA system is configured in active-active state or active-backup state.
Recovery time is particularly important in a sales based HA system because retailers may lose valuable business if a customer is not able to complete transactions quickly. A delay of even 30 seconds used for the recovery time diminishes a retailer's business transactions.
Another important characteristic of an HA system is to achieve little or no loss of data during failover. In particular, it is important to achieve little or no loss of committed data. For example, it is not advantageous to lose valuable information about a customer order or customer information during failover.
To address the issues of recovery time and loss of data, many developers have developed customized HA software services to control applications in a custom environment which often requires new hardware. These solutions are often expensive and do not take advantage of open source technologies that allow for portability of applications across multiple platforms.
Alternatively, in an effort to further open source technology and portability across platforms, Java™ 2 platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) provides a reusable component model for use in building web applications. J2EE defines a standard application model, a standard platform for hosting applications, a compatibility requirement and an operation definition of the J2EE platform. An advantage of this open source model is that multiple developers can implement the J2EE model with additional components and configurations, yet all J2EE applications will run on a J2EE based system.
Many developers, such as International Business Machines, Corp. (IBM™), have developed software that implement the J2EE model. This software often fills in gaps not specified in the J2EE framework. IBM™, in particular, has developed a middleware stack of J2EE compliant software products that when implemented on a cluster of servers, support J2EE applications. In general, the middleware stack includes a web server, a database server, and a universal Internet application server. Specifically, this stack may include products such as the IBM DB2™ UDB Enterprise Edition, the IBM HTTP Server, and the IBMWebSphere™ Application Server.
In addition, in an effort to further the impact of open source technology and portability across platforms, Linux provides an inexpensive, platform independent operating system. Developers of Linux continue to add functions to the operating system that can be implemented in an open source manner by other developers. Some of these functions, such as "heartbeat" and distributed replicated block device (drbd), are implemented with the Linux operating system to assist in configuring HA systems.
In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a method, system, and program for implementing an open source based HA system that delivers mission-critical services with a minimized recovery time and loss of data. In particular, it would be advantageous to implement a HA system supporting failover of a J2EE compliant middleware stack through an efficient configuration of open source functions, such that as additional components are added to the middleware stack, efficient failover of each component is supported.

Managing failover of J2EE compliant middleware in a high availability system

International Business Machines Corporation


In one embodiment, a method includes receiving playback statuses from a first user computing device and a second user computing device that are in a synchronous presentation session. Content presented on the first and second user computing devices may be determined to be out of synchronization. User behavioral rules associated with the first user computing device may be accessed. The user behavioral rules may be learned based on past behavior of the first user in the synchronous presentation session. A synchronization message may be generated to send to the first user computing device based on the user behavioral rules. The synchronization message may include instructions for the first user computing device to perform an action to cause the content being presented by the first user computing device to be synchronized with the content being presented by the second user computing device.

Conventionally, users who wanted to consume digital content like a movie or a TV show would be limited to watching that content on conventional display devices such as phones, personal computers (e.g., a laptop or desktop), or TV sets. These conventional display devices are often only appropriate for individual or small groups of users because of the small size and limited display abilities of the screens associated with these devices. In some cases, users could gather in a movie theater or a friend's house for a more social viewing experience, but in all cases the viewing experience is limited to a physical setting (e.g., a movie theater, living room, etc.).
To resolve some of these limitations, methods for consuming digital content in a virtual reality (VR) environment have been developed. VR devices, which allow users to consume digital content in any virtual environment, may provide users with a more immersive and varied viewing experience. For example, instead of watching a movie on a TV set in one's living room, a user may watch the movie in a virtual theater over the ocean. But conventional VR devices suffer from the distinct disadvantage that they are solitary devices. Because VR devices are usually headsets aimed at providing a visual and auditory experience for just one user, the typical content-viewing experience through VR lacks social interaction between users in the VR environment (e.g., each user would be watching a movie alone).

Synchronization of digital content consumption


A printing unit for a web-fed rotary printing machine is provided including a plurality of cylinders; a corresponding drive motor for each of the cylinders; a machine frame includes at least one load bearing wall, including two mutually facing wall surfaces perpendicular to a plane through end faces of the cylinders, wherein the at least one load bearing wall is arranged laterally beside an end of the cylinders; a guide means including a plurality of guide elements arranged on the at least one load bearing wall; a plurality of carriages, wherein each carriage is operably attached to at least one of the plurality of guide elements; at least one driven screw spindle mounted on the machine frame; and a permanently threaded nut engaged by an associated driven screw spindle for setting the location of the carriages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing unit for a web-fed rotary printing machine having a plurality of printing unit cylinders that each have their own drive motor. A carriage guide means allows the cylinders to be set in relation to one another.
2. Description of the Related Art
German reference no. 195 34 651.3 discloses a printing unit having two frame walls running parallel to ends of the printing unit cylinders. The printing unit cylinders can be fitted with different diameter sleeves for altering the length of the printed image. A carriage is provided on the frame walls on both sides of the printing unit cylinder for mounting the ends of a printing unit cylinder onto the printing unit. The carriages are adjustable by means of pressure operated working cylinders. This design is relatively complicated.
The object of the present invention is to provide a generic printing unit having a simple, cost effective structure and being relatively narrow in width.
A further object of the present invention is to avoid oscillations from one printing unit cylinder from being transmitted to other printing unit cylinders via the means for setting the carriages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide long carriage guide systems to accommodate wide carriages.
The present invention is a printing unit for a web fed rotary printing machine comprising a plurality of cylinders; a corresponding drive motor for each of the cylinders; a machine frame which includes at least one load bearing wall, including two mutually facing wall surfaces perpendicular to a plane through end faces of the cylinders, wherein the at least one load bearing wall is arranged laterally beside an end of the cylinders; a guide means including a plurality of guide elements arranged on the at least one load bearing wall; a plurality of carriages, wherein each carriage is operably attached to at least one of the plurality of guide elements; at least one driven screw spindle mounted on the machine frame; and a permanently threaded nut engaged by an associated driven screw spindle for setting the location of the carriages.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

Printing unit for a web fed rotary printing machine


Methods and oligonucleotide reagents for diagnosing chikungunya virus and Zika virus infections are described. In particular, the invention relates to quantitative assays that can detect all lineages of chikungunya virus and Zika virus and distinguish chikungunya virus and Zika virus from each other as well as dengue virus and other arbovirus pathogens.

Over the past decade, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has emerged from being a relatively rare arbovirus that caused sporadic outbreaks of human disease in Africa and Asia to the cause of a pandemic that has affected millions of people across five continents (Powers (2010) Clin. Lab. Med. 30:209-219). As a result, CHIKV has spread to new regions where dengue virus (DENV) is endemic, including, since December 2013, tropical and subtropical regions of the Western Hemisphere (Leparc-Goffart et al. (2014) Lancet 383:514). This has created a new challenge for health care systems that care for patients living in or returning from affected areas, as the clinical presentation of dengue and chikungunya overlap significantly (Cleton et al. (2015) PLoS Negl Trop Dis 9:e0004073; Hochedez et al. (2008) Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 78:710-713; Lee et al. (2012) PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 6:e1786; Mohd et al. (2013) J. Clin. Virol. 56:141-145). The differentiation of infections with DENV and CHIKV is important not only for epidemiologic surveillance but also for clinical care, such as initiating appropriate management and providing prognostic information. While certain clinical and laboratory findings have been associated with dengue (thrombocytopenia, leukopenia) or chikungunya (arthralgia/arthritis), these are not sufficiently accurate to determine the cause of illness in all cases without specific testing (Cleton et al., supra; Hochedez et al., supra; Mohd et al., supra).
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in a rhesus monkey from the Zika Forest of Uganda in 1947. Prior to 2007, very few cases of human infection with ZIKV had been identified and all had occurred in Africa or Asia. In 2007, a large ZIKV outbreak occurred on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia. Patients presented with a rash, fever, arthrlagias and conjunctivitis, and it was estimated that 73% of the Yap population older than 3 years of age was infected during this outbreak. The virus has since spread to islands of the South Pacific, and in May 2015, a large ZIKV outbreak began in northeastern Brazil. The virus has spread to at least six states in Brazil, with an estimate of 500,000-1,000,000 infections to date. Importantly, the virus has also been temporally linked to cases of microcephaly in Brazil and neurologic malformations in babies born during outbreaks in the South Pacific.
ZIKV emergence in Brazil has coincided with an increase in cases of DENV infection and ongoing CHIKV transmission. Human infection with ZIKV often presents with symptoms that overlap with both of these viruses, which has created a new challenge for health care systems that care for patients living in or returning from affected areas. The differentiation of infections with these viruses is important not only for epidemiologic surveillance but also for clinical care, such as initiating appropriate management and providing prognostic information. While certain clinical and laboratory findings have been associated with dengue (thrombocytopenia, leukopenia) or chikungunya (arthralgia/arthritis), these are not sufficiently accurate to determine the cause of illness in all cases without specific testing. Clinical and laboratory findings in acute ZIKV infections have not been thoroughly studied owing to its recent emergence over the last few years.
Molecular tests are the most sensitive diagnostics for DENV, CHIKV, or ZIKV in the acute setting. Serologic testing is also frequently performed on paired acute and convalescent serum, but this can only confirm a diagnosis in retrospect. Also, high rates of false-positive DENV serologic results have been reported in patients with ZIKV. A number of molecular tests have been published for the detection of DENV and CHIKV, but only two real-time reverse transcriptase PCRs (rRT-PCRs) have been reported for ZIKV. Both of these assays are run as individual reactions. Molecular testing for all three viruses, using recommended assays, can entail performing up to six amplification reactions for a single patient sample followed by detection using gel electrophoresis. This results in increased costs, prolonged turn-around times, and decreased rates of detection as all samples often cannot be tested for each virus.
Thus, there remains a need for the development of effective strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chikungunya, Zika, and dengue viral infections. The availability of nucleic acid diagnostic tests capable of efficiently detecting chikungunya, Zika, and dengue viruses in human specimens such as plasma, serum and respiratory secretions will assist the medical community in better diagnosing and treating these arbovirus infections.

Methods and reagents for detection of chikungunya virus or chikungunya virus and dengue virus

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY


A saponified marigold extract having a zeaxanthin content between about 20% to 80% of the total xantophylls, as well as a formulation and a method of dosing, comprising incorporating about 10 to 55 ppm. of the saponified marigold xantophylls having a zeaxanthin content of about 20% to 80% in the bird feed or beverage, for the pigmentation of the broiler skin and yolk egg, to impart them the right hue as the market requires.

A. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the pigmentation of broiler skin and egg yolk and more particularly, to an extract, a formulation that can be used as broiler feed or drink, and a method for the dosage of such formulation, in order to achieve the right hue that the market requires in the pigmentation of broiler skin and egg yolk.
B. Description of the Related Art
The right color of the broiler skin, and of the egg yolk is widely known as an important quality attribute, which has been taken as synonymous of healthy of the broilers and eggs. However, each region of the world has established its own particular specifications for this parameter. So that the optimum pigmentation for the broiler skin and the egg yolk depends on cultural traditions or preferences (Fletcher, 1992, Poultry Science 71:733-743)).
Therefore, different methodologies to measure the color of both the broiler skin and the egg yolk, have been adopted. As examples of these methodologies are The Roche Colour Fan (RCF) methodology, that is considered a subjective determination, and The Reflectance Chromameter methodology, which is used to make precise objective determinations.
A great effort has recently been made to standardize the available High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methodology (Hamilton, 1992, Poultry Science 71:718-724), in order to be able to quantify with more precision the xantophylls contained in the skin of broilers, as well as in the feed and in the egg yolk. However, notwithstanding the advancement of such techniques, it is still difficult to avoid the subjective evaluation of color in the above mentioned products.
Traditionally, the poultry keepers have been incorporating red and yellow pigments (natural or synthetic), in the birds feed.
Synthetic cantaxanthin has been used for decades as active pigment to provide a yellow-orange color to the broiler skin, and to provide intense orange and even rose hues to egg yolk (Geisendorf, 1965).
Rosenberg, in his U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,686 issued in November 1970, demonstrated that it is possible to obtain a wide range of tones going from yellow to red hues in broiler skin and egg yolk, by using blends of xantophylls or zeaxanthin with one or more pigments such as cantaxanthin, beta-apo-8-carotenal, ethyl ester of the beta-apo-8-carotenoic acid, and extracts from paprika and red peppers. Rosenberg work determined that it is a requirement to use a red pigment in order to obtain more intense orange or reddish hues, as compared with the hues obtained if only yellow xantophylls were used, because of the synergistic effect obtained when both pigments are used.
A great amount of research has been carried out tying to determine the different proportions of yellow xanthophylls and red pigments in order to obtain specific hues in the broiler skin and in egg yolk (Boushy, Foodstuffs, January, 1989). Among them, the works of Quackenbush (1965 Journal of the .A.O.A.C., 48(6):1241-1244) and Marusich (1976 Poultry Science, 55:1486-1494) are of importance because they shown that the zeaxanthin is a more efficient pigmentation than lutein, besides of imparting an orange hue to the broiler skin.
According to the requirements of specific markets for broilers and egg yolk pigmentation, different strategies are observed. For instance, in Mexico it is preferred to saturate the broiler skin with yellow pigment and then supplement with red xantophylls in order to obtain orange hues. To obtain the desired orange hue, a dosage of 60 to 70 ppm. of marigold xantophylls, together with 5 to 10 ppm. of yellow corn gluten xantophylls, and from 2 to 5 ppm. of cantaxanthin or an equivalent red pigment, are added to the feed.
In other countries, such as in the USA, Argentina, Chile, Spain, Portugal, France and Austria, the market prefers a more yellowish tone taking advantage of red xantophylls to obtain a more intense hue. This is obtained by dosing from 10 to 15 ppm. of yellow corn gluten xantophylls, 5 to 22 ppm. of marigold xantophylls, and 0 to 3 ppm. of cantaxanthin or an equivalent red pigment in the broiler feed.
Traditional sources of yellow xantophylls are: alfalfa, yellow corn, yellow corn gluten, and marigold meal concentrates, wherein it has been demonstrated that the saponified natural pigment has a better bioavailability than the non saponified pigment (Wagstaff, 1984; Fletcher, 1986, Poultry Science 65:1708-1714).
The synthetic red pigment more frequently used, is cantaxanthin (Hoffman-La Roche, BASF), but this is very expensive and the pigmentation obtained with it, is not satisfactory. The use of this pigment in Japan and Australia seems to be limited. There are also natural red sources as the capsanthin (paprika or red pepper) and synthetic yellow sources, like the ethyl ester of the beta-apo-8-carotenoic acid (Hoffman-La Roche) and the synthetic citranaxanthin (BASF).
It has been recently reported the preparation of a saponified marigold extract with a high content of zeaxanthin called Hi-Gold which is a trademark of industrial Organica, S.A. de C.V., obtained by a process for the isomerization of lutein contained in the extract, as is described in Torres et al U.S. Pat. No 5,523,494 issued in June 1996.
That patent describes the application of Hi-Gold for broiler skin and egg yolks pigmentation purposes eliminating the use of red pigments. Besides, it is demonstrated that by using Hi-Gold, deeper hues are obtained in broiler skin and egg yolk than those obtained when only the traditionally yellow pigments are used alone.

Broiler skin and egg yolk pigmentation by using saponified marigold extracts with a high content of zeaxanthin


A lock detection circuit (2) for a phase lock loop (PLL) for detecting when a signal generated by the PLL is substantially locked to a reference signal (REFERENCE). The lock detection circuit includes a circuit for generating first (UP) and second (DOWN) pulses, the first and second pulses respectively representing positive and negative differences between a parameter, such as phase, of the PLL signal and a parameter of the reference signal, and a first counter (4) for counting sets of first and second, pulses, each set comprising a first pulse followed by a second pulse, the first counter on counting a predetermined number of sets of pulses providing a first count complete signal. The lock detection circuit further includes a second counter (6) for counting transitions of the reference signal (REFERENCE), and being coupled to the circuit for generating whereby the second counter is reset by the first (UP) or second (DOWN)pulse, the second counter (6) on counting a predetermined number of transitions of the reference signal providing a second count complete signal, and a logic circuit (20) for generating a signal (LOCK) indicating lock has been achieved in response to the receipt of either the first or second count complete signal. Preferably, the lock detection circuit further includes a pulse width detection circuit (30) for detecting the widths of the first and second pulses and in response to detecting the width of either of the first or second pulse is greater than a predetermined value for providing a reset signal which resets the first and second counter.

Phase lock loops (PLLs) are well known in the field of electronics. Their function is to provide an output signal which is locked to the frequency of an input signal. Such `locking` is achieved by using amongst other things a phase detector which compares the phase of the input signal with that of the signal generated by the PLL.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,249 discloses a PLL circuit comprising a phase detector having fast start up capability and stable operating characteristics. In this circuit, a reference clock is compared with a clock generated by the PLL. Control signals are generated by the phase detector having a pulse width proportional to the phase difference between the two clocks. If a falling edge of the reference clock precedes the PLL generated clock, a signal UP is generated. The UP signal is negated by a falling edge of the PLL generated clock. If a falling edge of the PLL generated clock precedes the reference clock, a signal DOWN is generated. The DOWN signal is negated by a falling edge of the reference clock.
Each time an UP signal is generated, an input signal COUNT of a T-type flip-flop is set. Each time a DOWN signal is generated, the signal COUNT is reset. A counter which counts up to a predetermined number of UP-DOWN transitions is formed by coupling a plurality of these T-type flip-flops together, the predetermined number of transitions depending on the number of flip-flops used. If there is a very large frequency shift between the reference clock and the PLL generated clock, the counter is reset. Once the counter reaches the predetermined count, it is assumed that lock has been achieved. A LOCK signal is then asserted and the chip incorporating the PLL commences normal operation.
Fig. 1 shows how the frequency of a PLL generated signal changes as the PLL attempts to lock to the reference signal for an overdamped loop and an underdamped loop. Curve A represents an underdamped loop and curve B represents an overdamped loop.
For the underdamped loop (curve A), the PLL counter counts the UP-DOWN transitions. If the count is completed at time X, then the asserted LOCK signal correctly indicates that lock has been achieved. However, if the count is completed at time Y, the loop is not locked and the asserted LOCK signal falsely indicates that lock has been achieved. Thus, for severely underdamped loops, the prior art PLL suffers from a problem of inaccurate lock detection.
For the overdamped loop (curve B), no UP-DOWN transitions occur so that the prior art PLL circuit cannot detect lock for a PLL in this state. In loops that are overdamped, it has been difficult devising a mechanism that detects the lock state in a timely and reliable manner. In extremely overdamped PLLs, lock notification does not occur so that chips with overdamped PLLs are normally discarded as faulty.
The prior art PLL circuits also suffer from problems arising during the locking process due to production tolerances. The production tolerances cannot be controlled by the chip designer.
There is therefore a significant need for a PLL which can detect lock for both overdamped and underdamped states and can operate in an optimal fashion irrespective of process variations and tolerances.

Lock detection circuit for a phase lock loop


A management scheme compares a source address included in a received solicitation with an address for a registered endpoint. A communication including a management prefix is communicated to the endpoint when the source address matches the registered address.

The Internet has changed society and is as much a part of modern culture as television and telephones. People are becoming increasingly connected to share and access information. This interconnectivity promotes improvements in the computing and communication infrastructure.
Much of this infrastructure was designed for entertainment or communication, but is being adapted to deliver general data. The addition of general information and data transmission over the legacy infrastructure has necessarily been somewhat restrained by the need for the infrastructure to continue its initial functions. Furthermore, legacy technical characteristics of this infrastructure influence the various solutions to include information storage and transmission. Most major entertainment and communication channels now include computer networking capabilities.
Many people get their television service through cable television (CATV). CATV was initially developed to deliver television signals to areas where antennas had difficulty picking up television broadcasts. Coaxial cabling is the primary type of cabling used by the cable television industry because it is much less susceptible to interference and can carry large amounts of data.
An example use of data over a cable television network was approved by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which includes interface requirements for high speed data communication, and is called the data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS).
According to DOCSIS, placing upstream and downstream data onto the cable television network requires special equipment. On the customer end, a cable modulator/demodulator (Cable Modem, or CM) transmits and receives data over the cable television infrastructure and on the cable provider end a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) is used to place and retrieve data from the cable television network. The CM then provides cable network access to a multitude of Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) devices.
Historically, the CPE devices sent data according to Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) through a CM and a CMTS to communicate with the Internet. Recently Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) became available and offers several advantages over IPv4. One advantage is the increased address space offered by IPv6, which is necessary for the deployment of large cable networks. Another advantage is the ability for a device to determine its own IPv6 address through StateLess Address AutoConfiguration (SLAAC). Accordingly, for this and other reasons, there is a need to adapt cable networks to use IPv6 communications.
Regardless of whether IPv4 or IPv6 is used, the CMTS needs to configure associated CMs and CPE devices. IPv4 provides stateful provisioning methods to configure CMs and CPE devices. Under stateful provisioning, the CMTS assigns addresses based on stored and predefined profiles for the CM and CPE devices.
In contrast, IPv6 provides the option to use both stateful provisioning and SLAAC. SLAAC generally requires less management by the CMTS. For example, the aforementioned profile for each CM and CPE device is not used by a CMTS under SLAAC. SLAAC also does not require the CMTS to maintain state for the provisioned devices. Accordingly, SLAAC generally scales better when a CMTS has to configure a large number of CM and CPE devices. SLAAC is therefore preferred.
Under SLAAC, instead of assigning the full address to the CM and CPE device based on individual stored profiles, a CMTS provides only the IPv6 prefix being utilized on the link. The devices then prepend the IPv6 prefix to their own unique identifiers to configure the full IPv6 address.
The lack of the profile in the CMTS makes it difficult to determine whether a particular address belongs to a CM or CPE device. This can be problematic for Multiple-System Operators (MSOs) because, for management and security reasons, they need an easy way to determine whether an address belongs to CM devices they manage or to CPE devices they do not manage.
Because of the forgoing limitations SLAAC of CMs and CPE can be impractical despite its benefits. The disclosure that follows solves this and other problems.

Controlling advertisement of management prefixes


A data management apparatus, according to a request of an application program, lends a pointer for reading out a data from a data field stored a plurality of data. An address of the data field corresponding to the lent pointer is stored a lending pointer table. When the application program accesses a data stored in the data field, the data management apparatus receives the pointer from the application program, reads out an address corresponding to the received pointer from the lending pointer table, and reads out the data corresponding to the read address from the data field. The read data is given to the application program.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data management apparatus of switching system for managing data used by an application program for executing service about communication.
2. Description of the Related Art
Service about communication (for example, exchange service) is realized when an application program mounted on an switching unit for composing an switching system is executed by a CPU or a processor. The data used in the application program is saved in a data field created in a main memory or the like of the switching unit, and the data stored in the data field is managed by a data management module.
Recently, as the communication market is being opened, the competition among communication operators is intensified, and the operators have been trying to expand the share by discriminating or diversifying the service to be presented to the subscribers. Along with the discrimination or diversification of the service, the function and performance of the application program for presenting the service are sophisticated, and the variety and size of the data used in the application program are expanding. Accordingly, the data management module mounted on the switching unit is required to have the following features.
(1) The data management module should execute allocation and/or release of data in the data field during operation of the switching unit.
(2) The data management module should relocate the data stored in the data field, and avoid scattering of unused areas caused in the data field by repetition of allocation and/or release of data.
In order to realize the requirements of (1) and (2), the data management module is required not to exert effects on the performance and quality of the application program (for example, data reading of application program).
Hitherto, by adopting the following method, it has been attempted to enhance the performance of the data access by the application program, and assure the quality of the data being read out.
As shown in FIG. 18, the switching unit comprises a main memory and a hard disk in order to enhance the performance of exchange service processing, and the data necessary for exchange service (for example, exchange office's unique data) is saved in the data field provided in the main memory, while the hard disk stores the backup data of the data held the data field in the main memory.
The data management module updates the content of the data held in the data field whenever according to the request from the application program. As a result, the application program can read out the latest data from the main memory.
The data management module synchronizes the held content in the main memory and the held content in the hard disk. Hence, the quality of the data being read out from the data field is assured. On the other hand, in the case the switching unit is down, when by restarting of the switching unit, the content of the data being read out from the hard disk to the main memory is guaranteed.
As shown in FIG. 19. since the data field of the main memory stores data in a large quantity and in a wide variety, it has a multi-stage tree structure. Further, in consideration of enhancement of performance of reading out data from this data field, a data link using a direct address is built up.
When the data is read out from the data field shown in FIG. 19, as shown in FIG. 20, the data field is searched with an index value specified from the application program, and the searched data is given to the application program.
Further, when there is a specific data accessed repeatedly by the application program in the data field, as shown in FIG. 21, the data management module gives the direct address (pointer) of the specific data to the application program according the request from the application program. The application program informs the data management module of the pointer when reading out the specific data. The data management module directly accesses the specific data by using this pointer. As a result, the redundant processing of searching data every time by using the index value is omitted, and the data reading performance is improved. FIG. 22 is a composition diagram of the conventional data management module.
On the other hand, in order to assure the quality of the data held in the data field, that is, to avoid racing between data reading from the data field by the application program and maintenance and operating service of the data management module for adding, updating and deleting data in the data field, the following prior arts have been known.
(1) Racing control method by information (data identifier, address, etc.) for identifying the data (racing control).
(2) Method of preparing a first data field to be accessed by the application program and a second data field to be accessed by the data management module and storing the same data that is stored in the first data field (data field separation).
(3) Method of preparing a first data field to be accessed by the application program and a second data field to be accessed by data management module and storing the same data that is stored in the first data field. If the second data field is updated, thereafter, when the application program does not access to the first data field, the first data field is similarly updated (data updating time adjustment).
The switching system is required to present the maintenance and operating service to the data field by the data management module, without exerting effects on the performance and quality of the application program. The data management module, when managing the data field, allocates or releases the data dynamically in the case of adding or deleting data in or from the data field. Such data management module relocates the data in order to utilize the data field effectively.
In the conventional methods, however, the following problems have been known. First, in the prior art shown in FIG. 21, the data management module merely gives the pointer value to the application program according to the request from the application program, and does not have the function of managing the pointer value. Accordingly, if the data management module relocates the data in the data field and the content of the data in the address corresponding to the pointer given to the application program is changed, the application program cannot read out the desired data by using the pointer. As a result, the application program may malfunction. Therefore, the data management module has been required to have the function of managing the pointer to be given to the application program.
In the direct address link system shown in FIG. 19, when a data is stored in plural areas in the data field so as to range between the plural areas, and part of the stored data is relocated, the link is cut off between part of data being relocated and part of data not relocated. Accordingly, the part of data not relocated is detected, and a new link must be formed with the part of relocated data. However, since the data field in the main memory is large in capacity and it takes a lot of time to search and change the data, adverse effects may occur in the data reading quality of the application program. It has been hence required to match the link following data relocation in a short time.
In the management system of the data field shown in FIG. 18, the data field on the hard disk must be synchronized according to the relocation of data of the data field on the main memory. The conventional disk feedback function for feeding back the changed data on the main memory to the hard disk shown in FIG. 18 has a function of absorbing the difference in the processing speed of data access on the main memory and disk access.
However, in the management system in FIG. 18, in addition to the disk feedback data relating to the data change by request from the application program, the disk feedback data relating to the relocation occurs in a large quantity. As a result, the contents are not matched between the main memory and the hard disk, and such system unstable state may continue for a long period. It has been hence required to minimize the disk feedback amount, that is, the relocated data quantity.
Further, when the above-mentioned racing control is executed, the performance may be lowered due to operation restriction of the maintenance and operating service. When the above-mentioned data field separation is executed, it requires measures for expansion of the first and second data fields and data matching between the first data field and the second data field. Also when the above-mentioned data updating time adjustment is executed, it requires measures for expansion of the first and second data fields, and assurance of quality of data being read out at an intermediate interval of data updating timing. These methods are, therefore, inappropriate as the configuration for operating by synchronizing between the main memory and the hard disk without causing adverse effects mutually between the application program and the data management module.

Data management apparatus of switching system


Scroll bars conventionally used in a graphical user interface are replaced with "more" bars at each edge of a display bordering a direction in which more information is available for viewing. Actuation of a cursor on one of the more bars scrolls the display in the direction of the more bar. The more bars provide an intuitive mechanism for controlling the display of graphical user interface.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to data processing systems and in particular to control mechanisms for graphical user interfaces to data processing systems. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an intuitive scrolling or window display control mechanism for a graphical user interface.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Internet has become a cultural fixture as a source of both information and entertainment. Many businesses are creating Internet sites as an integral part of their marketing efforts, informing consumers of the products or services offered by the business or providing other information seeking to engender brand loyalty. Many federal, state, and local government agencies are also employing Internet sites for informational purposes, particularly agencies which must interact with virtually all segments of society such as the Internal Revenue Service and secretaries of state. Operating costs may be reduced by providing informational guides and/or searchable databases of public records online.
The largest segment of the consuming public does not currently have access to these resources. Such consumers are typically either unable or unmotivated to acquire both the requisite hardware and software and the necessary computer skills for taking advantage of these resources. There is a need for low cost data processing systems which are simple to operate, allowing users without computer skills the opportunity to access the Internet. This need is being addressed, to some extent, by "WebTV" systems.
In designing a low cost, simple data processing system, however, it is necessary to presume that the target user is unsophisticated and/or inexperienced. Therefore the operation of the data processing system must be both simple and intuitive, requiring little or no technical sophistication on the part of the user. In this regard, it would be advantageous to provide an intuitive mechanism for scrolling or window display control. Some users of these data processing systems will not be aware that more information is available for viewing when the display cannot contain all available information.
Conventionally scroll bars, such as those depicted in FIG. 6, are employed in the graphical user interface of a data processing system. These scroll bars may appear vertically, horizontally, or both. Typically the scroll bars contain arrows at either end for scrolling in the direction of the arrow and a slider for quickly moving the display to a given portion of the total available information.
Computer literate users are familiar with the scroll bar, its significance, and its operation. However, novice or inexperienced users who are utilizing a data processing system simply to access the Internet may have little or no computer knowledge and are unlikely to understand the scroll bar mechanism. Children, in particular, will tend to lack sufficient experience or intuitive capacity to learn to operate the scroll bar mechanism without external assistance.
Unformatted text typically does not require scrolling capacity. However, information available on the Internet consists largely of spatially arranged information, including tables, graphical images, and iconic controls. The spatial arrangement of this information is typically provided using the hypertext markup language (HTML).
It is critical in data processing systems intended for non-computer users or novice users to eliminate the scroll bar and provide the user with a intuitive, meaningful mechanism for controlling the display contents of a graphical user interface in a data processing system. It would be desirable for such a mechanism to both intrinsically inform the user that more information is available for viewing in a particular direction and enable the user to intuitively operate the mechanism.

Replacement of traditional scroll bar with a "more" bar

International Business Machines Corporation


This invention relates to an unpleating system for machines for molding, filling, and automatic closing of flexible-film-based wrappings, characterized by the fact that it comprises two units capable of sequenced travel toward and away from the transverse welding plane, which units each hold at least one flexible jack bearing a pulling mechanism, the jack being slanted in relation to the transverse welding plane and the direction of travel of the units so that at the time of approach of the units toward the transverse welding plane, the jacks will be retracted and the pulling mechanisms automatically moved toward the outside.

Numerous machines for this purpose have already been proposed. Examples of the latter may be found in documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,975, U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,842, U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,300, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,208.
Most of the known automatic machines for the molding, filling, and closing of wrappings based on films of a thermoplastic material comprise:
a molding collar which receives the intake film in a flat state from an unwinding device, and provides film formed into a tube at the output; PA1 a filling spout which opens into the molding collar and consequently into the tube; PA1 means for longitudinal welding so as to weld the edges of the film and close the tube longitudinally; and PA1 suitable means for sequentially generating an initial transverse weld before a product is introduced into the tube by means of the filling spout, then a second transverse weld when the product has been introduced into the tube so as to close the wrapping around the product.
The film may be pre-equipped with closing profiles prior to its arrival on the collar or, as a variant, the machine may comprise means for feeding the film with a closing profile, preferably profiles with complementary male and female grooves, and suitable means for attaching the profiles to the film by welding.
These machines have already been very useful.
Nonetheless, they are not completely satisfactory.
In particular, especially in thermoplastic material, the presence of pleating in the sheets making up the sides of the wrapping obtained is sometimes noted.
On the one hand, such pleating hinders the transverse welding operations by reason of the excessive thicknesses which it produces, and because of this may create shortcomings in imperviousness.
On the other hand, such pleating degrades the esthetics of the wrappings obtained.
Different arrangements have already been proposed to attempt to eliminate such pleating.
In particular, means comprising tongs have been proposed, most often controlled by jacks or the equivalent, to stretch out the film in its widthwise direction. On this point, reference might be made, for example, to documents FR 2638419, EP 0319995, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,745.
The Applicant itself proposed, in document FR 2716160, an improvement consisting in an unpleating system comprising at least two suction-cups positioned on both sides respectively of the wrapping bags and capable of relative travel in a general direction parallel to the transverse welding lines.

Unpleating system for machines for molding, filling, and automatic closing of flexible-film-based wrappings


An agricultural combine having an internal combustion engine for driving the various assemblies on the combine. An electronic engine controller is used to monitor and control the operation of the engine. Sensors provide inputs to the electronic engine controller. In response to the inputs from these sensors the electronic engine controller controls the output of the engine. The straw chopper, the propulsion assembly, the separating assembly and the harvesting assembly are provided with on/off switches that are in communication with the electronic engine controller. These on/off switches located in the operator's cab of the combine which are used to activate these crop processing assemblies. In response to an off signal by one or more of these switches the maximum power level is decreased accordingly.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a combine powered by an internal combustion engine that is controlled by electronic engine controller wherein the engine controller derates the engine if certain crop processing assemblies are not used.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Combines are large agricultural machines used to harvest, thresh, separate and clean an agricultural crop. Combines are provided with a grain tank for temporarily storing clean grain before it is unloaded to a grain cart or truck by an unloading auger. These machines are usually self propelled and maybe provided with additional crop processing assemblies like straw choppers and chaff spreaders.
Controlling and managing the residue the combine deposits on the ground is becoming a more significant issue. Many times this requires finer/shorter straw length which requires more straw chopper power and thus more engine power. In addition, the farmer's desire for increased machine productivity also requires more engine power, much of which is consumed in propelling the combine and powering the harvesting equipment.
When these systems are not in use and are not consuming their usual power, this power is available for other machines functions, notably separating. Such a situation may exceed the capacity of the separator drives causing damage to the separator. At the present time a combine designer overcomes this potential problem by designing separator drives to handle full engine power in all occasions when the straw chopper is not being used or the machine is stationary with the harvesting equipment disengaged, as when powering out a plug of crop material caught in the separator. The separator typically consumes about one third of the total engine power under normal operations. Designing for this worst case scenario with today's higher engine powers adds to machine weight and cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,553 discloses a combine with a power boost arrangement wherein the engine power is boosted by the electronic control unit when operation of the unloading auger is detected.

Derating the engine of a combine in response to usage


The present invention relates to assigning addresses to communication devices in a radio access network and notifying communication devices of scheduled uplink transmission time periods. Related methods, communication devices and control units are disclosed. A method of assigning an address to a communication device in a radio access network for use in notification of scheduled uplink transmission time periods for the communication device is provided. The method comprises assigning to the communication device an uplink state flag (USF) value. Furthermore, the method comprises assigning to the communication device an extended USF (eUSF) value. The address assigned to the communication device is a combination of the assigned USF value and the assigned eUSF value. By means of the eUSF value, the normal address range provided by the USF is extended, thereby facilitating use of more communication devices in the radio access network.

So far, the traffic generated in mobile networks such as e.g. GERAN (GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Network), and UTRAN (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access Network) has mostly been dominated by services that require human interaction, such as e.g. regular speech calls, web-surfing, sending MMS (Multimedia Service Messaging) messages, doing video-chats etc. The same traffic pattern is also anticipated for E-UTRAN (Evolved-UTRAN). As a natural consequence, these networks are designed and optimized primarily for these "Human Type Communication" (HTC) services.
There is however an ever-increasing market segment of Machine Type Communication (MTC) services, which do not necessarily need human interaction. MTC includes a very diverse flora of applications ranging from e.g. vehicle applications (automatic emergency calls, remote diagnostics and telematics, vehicle tracking etc.) to gas- and power-meter readings and also network surveillance and cameras, just to give a few examples. The requirements these services put on the serving network, e.g. in terms of the number of communication devices to be served in the network, will likely differ from what is provided by today's HTC-optimized mobile networks.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.