An active matrix image sensing panel comprises a substrate and an image sensing pixel. The image sensing pixel is disposed on the substrate and comprises a scan line, a data line crossing the scan line, a photo sensing element and a TFT element. The photo sensing element includes a first terminal electrode and a second terminal electrode, and the voltage of the first terminal electrode is higher than that of the second terminal electrode. The TFT element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode. The first electrode is electrically connected to the data line, the second electrode is electrically connected to the first terminal electrode, the first gate electrode is electrically connected to the scan line, and the second gate electrode is electrically connected to the first or second terminal electrode. An active matrix image sensing apparatus is also disclosed.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an image sensing panel and apparatus and, in particular, to an active matrix image sensing panel and apparatus.
2. Related Art
In the conventional X-ray imaging technology, images are produced by applying X-ray exposure to photographic film. In recent years, however, with the well development of semiconductor technology, X-ray imaging is improved to the so-called digital radiography (DR) technology that uses a flat and digital image sensing panel to produce images.
The principle of the digital radiography technology is briefly illustrated as below. When X-ray enters into an image sensing apparatus, a scintillator will convert X-ray into visible light that is then sensed by photo sensors and thus converted into electric signals read out by data lines through thin-film transistors (TFT), and the images will be produced after the electric signals are processed. As for the current DR technology, the photo sensor is improved to a silicon-based photodiode from a charge coupled device (CCD), and also, X-ray can be directly converted into electric signals without the scintillator.
In general, a commonly-used TFT device is such as a metal oxide TFT, and a commonly-used photo sensor is such as an NIP amorphous silicon (a-Si) photodiode. The gate electrode of the metal oxide TFT is generally operated by a voltage of negative polarity (e.g. −5V), and the bias polarity of the NIP a-Si photodiode is also negative polarity. Therefore, the electrons generated by the photo sensor due to the illumination will move towards the bottom electrode of the photo sensor, so that the levels of the bottom electrode and the source electrode of the TFT will drop off. However, if the levels of the bottom electrode and the source electrode of the TFT continuously descend because of the illumination of high-intensity light, the voltage difference between the gate and source electrodes will continuously ascend. Accordingly, when the voltage difference exceeds the threshold voltage of the TFT, the TFT will be turned on and thus the source electrode starts to leak electricity to the data line. Therefore, the image produced by the processing of the image processing module will be distorted.
Therefore, it is an important subject to provide an active matrix image sensing panel and apparatus that can prevent the leakage current problem to keep the image sensing undistorted.

Active matrix image sensing panel and apparatus


A gel electrophoresis apparatus for receiving a gel cassette is adapted to receive the gel cassette inclined to such an extent that the upper edge of the gel can be seen at an angle from above through the liquid surface in the upper buffer container.

In gel electrophoresis apparatuses known so far, the gels are received either vertically or horizontally, i.e. the gels either stand upright in the gel electrophoresis apparatuses or lie horizontally in the gel electrophoresis apparatuses. Usually, the necessary electrophoresis buffer is provided from two connecting liquid tanks or buffer containers, thus for a vertical gel an upper and a lower buffer container.
A disadvantage of receiving a gel in a gel cassette vertically in a gel electrophoresis apparatus is that the working position for the person who loads the gel with samples is very uncomfortable in that the refraction of light in the glass plates of the gel cassette makes it very difficult to clearly see the gel edge without placing one's eyes closely by the gel cassette at the same time as the pipette with which the wells are loaded, has to be brought up above eye-level in order for the samples to be applied in a correct manner into the wells without the pipette tip contacting and damaging the gel. Neither is it possible to instead look at the gel edge straight from above through the liquid surface in the upper buffer container to which the gel cassette is connected, since the vertical position of the pipette tip in relation to the gel edge can then not be determined.
The disadvantage of horizontally mounted gels is that present systems for loading of samples restrict the resolution which is the reason why horizontal systems cannot be used when a high resolution is required.
EP-A-339 975 discloses a gel electrophoresis apparatus where the gel cassette is inclined between 5.degree. and 10.degree. relative to the vertical plane. The purpose of the inclination is to facilitate the handling of the apparatus in that the inclination prevents the gel cassette from tipping when it is being clamped to the electrophoresis apparatus. The above difficulty of clearly seeing the gel edge is neither mentioned nor overcome by means of this inclination.


A composition which provides for sustained energy and nutrition to support an anabolic physiological state in humans comprises a blend of simple sugars and more complex carbohydrates, partially hydrolyzed protein, and, at least, magnesium in the form of an amino acid chelate. Preferably the carbohydrate source is a blend of about 5-45% crystalline fructose and 55-95% glucose polymers by weight. Other ingredients, including lipids, bioavailable minerals in the form of amino acid chelates, anabolic nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and lipotropic agents may be added as desired to provide an optimal sustained energy and anabolic nutrition formulation. When administered, the carbohydrate blend, protein source, and amino acid chelates facilitate sustained energy and delivery of nutrients to appropriate sites within the body for efficient utilization in anabolic physiology.

It is well known that both negative energy balance and muscle catabolism are consequences of physiological stress that often accompanies protein calorie malnutrition, strenuous physical exercise, physical trauma, burn injury, surgical trauma, malnutrition, maldigestion, malabsorption, hyperthyroidism, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, anorexia, cachexia, short bowel syndrome, old age, and sepsis. It is also known that maintaining a positive metabolic energy balance can help to alleviate such problems and also has a sparing effect on muscle catabolism that occurs during strenuous physical exertion causing fatigue.
To properly combat the above symptoms and permit muscle growth, it is essential that appropriate amounts of nutrients be available to supplant those which are utilized. For example, during periods of physiological stress, the body may burn large amounts of energy and may also be depleted of body fluids and minerals. Proper food energy (available calories), hydration, and mineral bioavailability are essential to enable the body to maintain a proper balance in both intracellular and extracellular fluids and to also maintain proper enzymatic functioning, pH balance, osmotic pressure, and the like. Therefore, to promote endurance and facilitate muscle anabolism it is necessary, in addition to water, to provide a sustained source of energy, and also a source of minerals that can be directed to proper cellular and/or tissue sites in the course of the anabolic process.
Currently, many types of sustained energy and anabolic formulas are marketed which are generally made up of different carbohydrates, including corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, fructose, and maltodextrin; proteins, including casein and other proteins from milk and soybean; and lipids, including corn, soy, safflower, and canola oils and medium chain triglycerides. Additionally, many of these prior art formulas contain relatively insignificant quantities of magnesium and are generally high in sodium chloride content. Though these formulas are generally suitable as nutritional supplements, they possess certain inherent deficiencies which detract from their overall utility.
Prior art formulas typically do not contain an adequate carbohydrate balance between readily assimilated simple sugars, for immediate utilization for energy and rehydration, and more complex carbohydrates for sustained endurance over a period of time. Further the prior art formulas do not contain proteins formulated to be optimally absorbed in the small intestine. Moreover, these formulas do not contain appropriate bioavailable forms of minerals for intestinal absorption and transport for utilization as electrolytes, enzyme cofactors, and the like. Additionally, though many prior art formulas contain electrolytes, the electrolytes are not ratio proportioned so as to mimic the levels found in metabolically active cells. Further, the prior art formulas do not contain physiological significant levels of magnesium in bioavailable form. Though magnesium is essential to maximum endurance and many athletes are magnesium deficient, potent levels of magnesium are not included in the prior art formulas since such levels are in a form not readily assimilated by the body and usually cause diarrhea or other gastrointestinal disorders. Further, most of these formulas do not contain anabolic nutrients such as L-carnitine, vanadyl sulfate, pyridoxine .alpha.-ketoglutarate, and inosine. Further, most of these formulas do not contain antioxidants, such as selenium, N-acetyl cysteine, and lipoic acid, to counteract harmful free radicals and oxidants. Further, most of these formulas do not contain lipotropic agents, such as choline, inositol, pantetheine, and betaine hydrochloride, to enhance utilization of lipids.
It would therefore be beneficial to provide a composition that contains an optimal balance of carbohydrates, protein, and bioavailable minerals and, optionally, specific anabolic nutrients, antioxidants, lipids, and lipotropic agents. Importantly, the inclusion of sufficient levels of magnesium and other minerals in bioavailable form without producing the aforementioned undesirable side effects would be of great advantage.

Improved sustained energy and anabolic composition and method of making


The electromagnetic frictional engagement apparatus includes a housing member in which a housing space is formed, a clutch portion that couples the housing member in a disengageable manner to a shaft disposed so as to be rotatable relative to the housing member, and an electromagnetic coil that generates a magnetic force that actuates the clutch portion. The clutch portion has an outer clutch plate and an inner clutch plate that forms a magnetic path for a magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic coil. Lubrication grooves through which a lubricant flows are formed in the inner clutch plate. Among the lubrication grooves, the total of groove areas of a portion of the lubrication grooves that is included in the magnetic path is 90 to 110% of a maximum lubrication groove area, so that magnetic flux density resulting from saturation of the magnetic path with magnetic fluxes is not reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electromagnetic frictional engagement apparatus that causes a frictional force to be generated between a plurality of soft magnetic bodies by a magnetic force.
2. Description of the Related Art
Clutch apparatuses that cause a frictional force to be generated between a plurality of soft magnetic bodies by a magnetic force have been used, for example, for vehicles.
A driving force transmitting apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-3167 (JP 2005-3167 A) includes an electromagnetic frictional engagement apparatus including an electromagnetic pilot clutch and a main clutch. The main clutch has a cam mechanism that converts a torque transmitted by the pilot clutch into an axial thrust, and a main outer clutch plate and a main inner clutch plate that are pressed by the thrust from the cam mechanism. The pilot clutch and the main clutch are disposed in a housing space in a bottomed cylindrical housing. A lubricant is sealed in the housing space.
The pilot clutch includes a pilot outer clutch plate and a pilot inner clutch plate that are soft magnetic bodies, and is disposed between a rear housing and an armature that are magnetic-path forming members. An electromagnetic coil and a yoke are disposed in a recessed portion formed in the rear housing. When a magnetic force of the electromagnetic coil attracts the armature toward the rear housing, the pilot outer clutch plate and the pilot inner clutch plate come into frictional contact with each other. A magnetic flux resulting from conduction of a current through the electromagnetic coil passes through the yoke, the rear housing, the pilot outer clutch plate, the pilot inner clutch plate, and the armature. A air gap is formed between the yoke and the rear housing and is contained in the magnetic path of the magnetic flux resulting from conduction of a current through the electromagnetic coil.
In the pilot outer clutch plate, lubrication grooves are formed through which a lubricant flows. The lubricant flowing through the lubrication grooves suppresses friction when the pilot outer clutch plate and the pilot inner clutch plate rotate relatively while frictioning each other, and also inhibits possible seizure of the pilot clutch.
The electromagnetic clutch (pilot clutch) configured as described above may be subjected to a slight torque transmitted even in an inoperative state where conduction of a current through the electromagnetic coil is blocked, that is, what is called a drag torque. The drag torque results from the viscosity of the lubricant when the distance between the relatively rotating members is short.
The inventors of the present invention have made earnest effort to reduce the drag torque and found that the drag torque can be reduced by increasing the width or the number of lubrication grooves to make the groove area of the lubrication grooves larger to allow a sufficient amount of lubricant to be fed to between the relatively rotating members. However, the increased groove area may increase resistance of a magnetic circuit to reduce the frictional force that can be generated between these members.

Electromagnetic frictional engagement apparatus


A ship drive system includes a first and one second drive shaft for driving a respective propulsion unit, wherein each of the electric drive shafts includes at least one speed-variable generator driven by an internal combustion engine for generating a motor voltage having a variable amplitude and variable frequency, and at least one speed-variable drive motor that is supplied with the voltage and coupled to the propulsion unit. The first and second drive shafts can be switched from a first operating state, in which they are electrically disconnected from each other, to a second operating state, in which they are electrically coupled to each other such energy can be transmitted from the at least one generator of the one drive shaft to the at least one drive motor of the other drive shaft. To this end, the at least one generator includes a superconductor winding.

Electric drive systems on ships (e.g. on all-electric ships) typically comprise one or more electric drive motors, each of which is provided for driving one propulsion unit (e.g. a propeller), which are fed in each case by way of a converter from an electrical power network of the ship (often also referred to as a "propulsion network"). The electrical power network is in turn fed by one or more diesel generators. In this case the electrical power network has a voltage of predetermined fixed amplitude and frequency, e.g. a medium voltage having a rated voltage of 6.6 kV at a rated frequency of 60 Hz. A transformer may also be connected into the circuit between the converter and the electrical power network. The converters convert the (where necessary down-transformed) supply voltage into a voltage required for operation of the drive motors and having a different amplitude and frequency from the supply voltage.
Low-voltage power-consuming loads on board a ship (e.g. navigation and control equipment, public address system, lighting) are supplied by means of a separate electrical onboard power network that typically has a rated voltage of 400 V at a rated frequency of 50 Hz or 440V at 60 Hz. The electrical onboard power network can be fed with electrical energy by dedicated electrical onboard power network generators independently of the propulsion network. Alternatively the electrical onboard power network can be supplied from the propulsion network by way of an electrical onboard power network converter and where necessary a transformer. The electrical onboard power network converter, in combination with the transformer where necessary, converts the voltage of the propulsion network into a voltage having the amplitude and frequency of the electrical onboard power network.
A great advantage of this solution is that backlash effects on the propulsion network due to sudden load shocks (e.g. when a propeller lifts out of the water and is reimmersed in heavy seas) can be avoided by way of the converter if the latter is dimensioned with a commensurately large capacity. Apart from many other advantages, however, these drive concepts have the disadvantage that they require a comparatively large number of converters for converting the voltage in the propulsion network, with corresponding space requirements and costs.
A further known electric drive solution which manages without converters of such a type resides in coupling the generators and the drive motors to each other without intermediately connected converters. In a drive solution of such a type, one or more speed-variable drive motors without intermediately connected converters are operated directly with the voltage of variable amplitude and variable frequency that is generated by one or more speed-variable generators.
The open- and/or closed-loop control of the motors and consequently of the propulsion units is therefore accomplished indirectly by way of open- and/or closed-loop control of the internal combustion engines for driving the generators. In this case the drive motors are permanently electrically coupled to the generators, i.e. a rotational movement of the generators effects a correspondingly proportional rotational movement of the electric drive motors. The function of a mechanical shaft is therefore replicated with the aid of electric machines. A drive solution of this type is frequently referred to as an "electric shaft".
It is also known here to couple out electrical energy from the electric shaft by way of an electrical onboard power network converter and where necessary a transformer, i.e. an electrical onboard power network converter, in combination with a transformer where necessary, converts the voltage of variable amplitude and variable frequency generated by the generator(s) into a voltage having constant amplitude and constant frequency for an electrical onboard power network.
Multihulled vessels such as e.g. catamarans or trimarans capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots are particularly suitable for express ferries and navy applications in which high speeds are important. They enjoy increasing popularity for that reason. For propulsion purposes these vessels have waterjets, for example, which are mechanically coupled directly to diesel engines or gas turbines and are driven by the latter. The mechanical direct drive does however lead to vessel design constraints which prevent the vessel being designed in an optimal manner (in respect, inter alia, of hydrodynamic and functionality aspects).

Ship drive system having a plurality of electric drive shafts


A first tire includes a tread having a circumferential center rib and a circumferential intermediate rib laterally adjacent the center rib, the intermediate rib being separated from the center rib by a first circumferential groove, a second circumferential rib bordering the intermediate rib opposite the first circumferential groove, the tread further including two other circumferential grooves; at least one stiffener element disposed within each of the four circumferential grooves, the stiffener elements having a reduced height relative to a height of the center and intermediate ribs; and the stiffener element having a circumferentially oriented cut extending into an upper surface of the stiffener element toward a bottom of the stiffener element, the cut extending circumferentially through the stiffener element with the cut bounded by opposite laterally inward facing cut sides.

Conventional commercial truck tires are required to provide a suitable level of wet and snow performance, while rolling resistance performance and fuel mileage efficiency achieved by the tire are at least maintained. Moreover, it is desired that such tires provide a high level of cornering stiffness and resistance to tread wear in order to prolong the useful life of the tire tread. Accordingly, there is a need for a commercial truck steer tire having a tread pattern that functionally meets such competing objectives, such as snow grip performance, to thereby provide the commercial truck user with acceptable overall tire performance.


The present invention relates to monitoring of oxidative metabolism and is, particularly, directed to a method for estimation of the lipid peroxide load or the consequent inflammatory state of a subject by measuring the concentration of the subject's oxidized HDL (high density lipoprotein) lipids. In addition, the invention is also directed to methods for the elimination of lipid peroxidation products, and attenuation of the resulting oxidative stress and inflammatory state in the human body by increasing the lipid peroxide transporting capacity of HDL.

The physiological function of lipoprotein particles is to transport lipids and lipid soluble material in the bloodstream to and from the liver. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is the main transporter of cholesterol to the peripheral tissues, while excess tissue cholesterol is returned to the liver by reverse cholesterol transport mediated by HDL. In parallel with the transport functions, high LDL cholesterol is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, while high HDL cholesterol appears to be protective.
Along with the native lipids, LDL and HDL particles are known to contain products of lipid peroxidation. Oxidized LDL lipids may be derived from endogenous lipid peroxidation reactions, or directly from peroxidized dietary lipids. Oxidized HDL lipids, in turn, may be received directly from LDL, or from endogenous lipid peroxidation. Products of lipid peroxidation are toxic, and in many ways involved in the development of atherosclerosis. They are directly linked with macrophage accumulation, regulation of macrophage activity and foam cell formation in vessel wall, and with activation of atherosclerosis-related gene groups1.
Peroxidized lipids are also the cause of intracellular oxidative stress and inflammatory response: Oxidative stress results in activation of nuclear factor κB (NFκB), leading to production of cytokines and other mediators of the inflammatory response. These will then elicit in the liver the synthesis of acute phase proteins, which are the common indicators of inflammatory response (FIG. 1). Interestingly, experimental studies seem to indicate that cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides in HDL can be taken up by the liver2. In addition to the central role in lipid metabolism, recent studies have shown that HDL can have anti-inflammatory effects by counteracting the proinflammatory effect of oxidized LDL3. The anti-inflammatory effect of HDL has been attributed to attenuation of the NFκB activation by oxidants3.
Oxidation of HDL can be assayed either in lipid or apolipoprotein moieties of HDL. Various publications disclose measurement of the levels of oxidised apolipoprotein A-I moiety of HDL4-6, and discuss the meaning of said levels in certain diseases. However, determination of the oxidation of the lipid moiety of HDL has not been disclosed or discussed earlier.

Estimation and biological consequences of oxidative metabolism


A signaling assembly is described and which includes a semitransparent mirror; a reflector housing, defining a cavity, and which is juxtaposed relative to the semitransparent mirror; and an electromagnetic radiation emitter positioned in the reflector housing and which, when energized, predominantly emits visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation which travels substantially, laterally, outwardly relative to the emitter, and which is reflected by the reflector housing so as to subsequently pass through the semitransparent mirror to form a visibly discernable signal.

The prior art is replete with numerous examples of various visual warning devices which have been utilized on overland vehicles, and the like, and which are effective to provide a visual signal which indicates to adjoining vehicles that the overland vehicle is about ready to change lanes, brake or otherwise engage in a maneuver which might effect the adjoining vehicle. Examples of prior art visual signaling devices are seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,014,167; 5,481,409; 5,361,190; 5,788,357; 6,045,243; and others. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,005,724 and 6,076,948, the inventors have disclosed other arrangements for visual signaling assemblies which include providing a semitransparent mirror having a region through which an emitted visual signal may pass. The mirrors as described in these two patents have an acceptable amount of reflectivity while providing a region which passes visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation in an amount so as to form a visual signal that can be seen by adjacent drivers.
While all the prior art references noted above have worked with a great deal of success, the inventor has endeavored to continually develop new visual signaling assemblies which are lighter in weight; have a reduced thickness dimension; and which utilize various light emitting devices to provide a number of benefits which were heretofore, unknown. Those skilled in the art have long recognized that the space available to position a visual signaling assembly within a mirror housing, for example, is quite limited. Further, the dissipation of heat generated by any light emitting assembly within a mirror housing continues to be a concern in the design of such assemblies.
Therefore, a visual signaling assembly which avoids the shortcomings attendant with the prior art assemblies utilized heretofore is the subject matter of the present application.


In an information processing apparatus, a motion vector acquisition unit acquires the movement of a cursor of a pointing device as a motion vector. A display unit displays an execution screen for an application. The display unit displays an operation area for operating an operation target in the application in an area of a display screen different from an area for displaying the execution screen. A conversion unit obtains the moving direction and the amount of displacement of the display position of the operation target based on the motion vector, acquired by the motion vector acquisition unit, of the cursor of the pointing device in the operation area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an application provision system, an application provision server, an application provision method used thereby, and an information processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Outstanding progress is seen in computer technologies in recent years. For example, costly applications that require high computational costs such as game applications used to require specialized hardware for execution in the past. However, in recent years, a so-called game emulator that allows software to emulate hardware thereof so as to execute a game application is put into a practical use.
Games developed being designed to be executed on specialized hardware are often designed to be operated using specialized game controllers. On the other hand, in the case where a game is executed using a game emulator that operates on a versatile PC (Personal Computer) or a server, it cannot be guaranteed that a game controller is prepared as an input device. Therefore, there is a need for techniques that allow various games to be operated using a versatile input device such as a pointing device represented by a mouse.

Information processing apparatus, application provision system, application provision server, and information processing method


A method and device for determining the glucose level in living tissue are based on measuring the response of the tissue an electric field as well as temperature measurements. In order to improve accuracy, it has been found that measurements in at least three frequency ranges between 1 kHz and 200 kHz, 0.2 MHz an 100 MHz as well as above 1 GHz should be combined since the response of the tissue in these different frequency ranges is ruled by differing mechanisms.

WO 02/069791 describes a device for determining the glucose level of living tissue. The device comprises an electrode arrangement mounted to a substrate, as well as a control unit adapted to determine the response of the tissue to the electric field generated by the electrodes. This type of device exploits the fact that the glucose level affects the dielectric and electric response of the same.
Similarly, WO 2005/053523 and WO2005/053526 describe hardware and measurement methodology to be used in such a device.
Since glucose level is not the only state variable of the tissue that affects its electric and dielectric response, accuracy with such device can only be achieved by measuring and combining appropriate measured parameters.

Wide band field response measurement for glucose determination


A method and apparatus for detecting mobile phone in an Idle State are disclosed. A signal-generating unit generates a pseudo base station signal for transmission to a mobile phone in a detection area. A detecting unit detects a response signal that the mobile phone transmits in response to the pseudo base station signal. An alarm-generating unit generates an alarm when the detecting unit detects the response signal. Preferably, the pseudo base station signal includes new zone information, such that the mobile phone responds by transmitting a location registration signal which is detected by the detecting unit. The method and apparatus are advantageous in that they can apprise a mobile phone user within a specific area that the user""s mobile phone is turned on, by detecting the mobile phone in Idle State passing a detection area. The method and apparatus may prevent public injury or interference with electronic equipment by restricting mobile phone use in a building or airplane.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting a mobile phone in an Idle State, and in particular, for generating an alarm when the phone in Idle State enters an area where the usage of the mobile phone is prohibited.
A typical cellular telephone system includes a plurality of base stations, each of which services a geographical cell of a small-scale area, thereby providing coverage over a wide area encompassed by a multiplicity of such cells. The base stations are centrally controlled by a mobile switching center (MSC) so that a mobile phone subscriber can maintain communication when moving between cells.
Cellular phone systems are advantageous in that they provide service to mobile phone subscribers within any cell covered by the system. However, a drawback to the cellular system is that it may do harm to the public order in an area where usage of the mobile phone is prohibited. For example, if a mobile phone rings while receiving a call in a concert or exhibition hall, the resulting noise is a disturbance to the performance. Additionally, mobile phone signal transmissions may interfere with the operation of sensitive electronic equipment such as in a hospital or an airplane. Such electronic equipment can be adversely affected by traffic channel signals as well as control channel signals, such as those sent back and forth between mobiles and base stations during the call set-up process, or during the registration process when a mobile phone is first turned on.
One conventional technique to restrict use of a mobile phone in a specific area is to employ an apparatus for generating an interference signal to essentially xe2x80x9cjamxe2x80x9d the mobile phone and thereby prevent it from operating properly. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment illustrating a prior art apparatus for generating an interference signal for this purpose. An apparatus 11 generates an RF interference signal so as to prevent use of a mobile phone inside a building 10. However, in general, buildings have windows or other entrances for radio waves from the exterior. As such, with the approach of FIG. 1, it is impossible to completely shut out radio frequency entering from external base stations attempting to communicate and/or send control channel signals to mobile phones within the building. Another problem is that the RF interference signal generated by apparatus 11 may cause other electronic equipment to malfunction.
Another prior art technique for restricting mobile phone use involves the deployment of magnetic material detectors in selected locations to detect the presence of mobile phones, which have magnetic material therein. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an apparatus for detecting magnetic substances. When a body possessing an object 24 having magnetic components enters through an entrance 21, a magnetic detector 22 established inside the entrance 21 detects the magnetic components and transmits an alarm signal to an alarm generator 23, which then sounds an alarm. A drawback to this approach is that it will detect such phones and sound an alarm regardless of whether the phones are in use.
Traditionally, in such restricted use environments, announcements are made to the public exhorting mobile phone owners to shut off power to their phones, but inevitably, some phones remain turned on. Hence, there is a need for a system that automatically detects use of a mobile phone in the Idle State in public areas.
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a mobile phone in an Idle State, in which the mobile phone is powered up but not performing communication. Embodiments of the invention render it possible to detect, for example, a mobile phone in the Idle State within a specific indoor area, or upon entering an entranceway.
In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting a mobile phone in an Idle State, which apparatus includes a signal-generating unit that generates a pseudo base station signal for transmission to a mobile phone in a detection area. A detecting unit detects a response signal that the mobile phone transmits in response to the pseudo base station signal. An alarm-generating unit generates an alarm when the detecting unit detects the response signal. Preferably, the pseudo base station signal is an overhead channel signal that includes new zone information, such that the mobile phone responds by transmitting a location registration signal which is detected by the detecting unit. The method and apparatus are particularly advantageous in a code division multiple access (CDMA) system.
The apparatus may further include a GPS receiver for receiving time information from a satellite and generating a system reference clock, and circuitry for receiving and analyzing neighboring base station information transmitted by such base stations in overhead channels. In this case, the signal generating unit generates the pseudo base station signal using the system reference clock and neighboring base station information. The pseudo base station signal may be transmitted in a plurality of frequency channels of the communication system to ensure successful reception by the mobile station. In addition, the detection unit may sequentially tune to a plurality of access channels to ensure reception of the location registration signal.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon reference to the drawings.

Apparatus and method for detecting a mobile phone in idle state


A multilayer microtip probe, and method of manufacture, having a microtip prepared for adhesion of a first overlayer for determining probe operating properties and a hardened protective overlayer for improving resistance to erosion and wear during probe use.

The present invention relates to an improved microtip probe, and a method of manufacture for microscopy uses such as scanning probe microscopy ("SPM"). More particularly, the present invention addresses a need to provide microtip probes with operating properties and shapes complimenting the probe's intended use. Further the present invention extends a probe's life by improving the probe's wear resistance, e.g., erosion resistance.
Microscopy probes desirably consist of a microtip shaped for a particular application. U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,375 to Shimada, et al., discloses a method of manufacturing a cantilevered noble metal microtip for a scanning tunneling microscope. While the Shimada noble metal microtip achieves surface observation at an atomic or molecular-scale resolution, noble metals are not highly wear resistant. U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,110 to Toda, discloses a method of making a cantilever chip for a SPM probe having an undoped silicon microtip. Toda relies on the selective use of different microtip shapes in order to measure samples having various shapes.
Prior art manufacturing methods also include the deposition of a gold or cobalt/chromium layer on shaped silicon microtips or the use of doped diamond microtips. The prior art metal coating suffers from low reliability due to microtip wear, especially in applications requiring the microtip to contact the probed surface. Doped diamond microtips may present an excessively hard tip for some applications and also suffer from having a high resistivity and therefore are not suitable for high frequency electrical response applications.
The present invention provides an improvement over the prior art by enhancing and tailoring probe operating properties and extending probe life through the use of a shaped microtip with a novel multilayer microtip treatment.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method of manufacturing a multilayer probe microtip having selectable operating properties during manufacture and enhanced wear resistance during use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel method of overlying a microtip with a layer to obtain selected microtip operating properties and subsequently applying a protective layer resistive to wear without adversely affecting said microtip shape and operation.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel method of preparing a microtip for adhesion of an overlayer by first chemically treating the microtip.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel method of preparing a microtip to bond an overlayer by depositing an adhesive layer to the microtip surface.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel scanning probe microscopy microtip having selected operating properties using a paramagnetic and/or selected conductivity overlayer.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved scanning probe microscopy microtip using a final hardened overlayer to reduce microtip wear during probe use.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a novel microtip having an overlayer directed to provide the microtip with specific resistive and/or magnetic properties during operation with improved wear characteristics resulting from a protective overlayer.
These and many other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains from a perusal of the claims, the appended drawings, and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.


A domino clocking method includes providing a domino logic circuit including first and second coupled domino gates, providing a first clock signal for clocking the first domino gate, and providing a second clock signal for clocking the second domino gate, wherein the first clock signal has a shortened positive phase duty cycle relative to the second clock signal. The positive phase of the first clock signal is shortened by an amount greater than or equal to a precharge time plus a falling edge skew between the clock signals. The footer transistor in the second domino gate can be eliminated. The first and second clock signals have the same frequency. The timing of the data presented to the first domino gate, and the first and second clock signals is adjusted so that there is no direct path between the power supply voltage and ground during the entire precharge phase of the second domino gate.

The present invention relates to domino logic circuits. More particularly, the present invention relates to a circuit and method of enabling the elimination of the clocked evaluation transistor (footer transistor) in traditional domino logic gates by using clocks with differing duty cycles to control cascaded domino gates.
A typical N-type prior art domino circuit 10 is shown in FIG. 1(a). Domino circuit 10 is made up of three distinct transistor arrangements. First, domino circuit 10 has one or two clocked transistors MNO and MPO. The first clock transistor is P-channel transistor MPO, which is the precharge transistor and its presence is mandatory in every domino circuit. The second clocked transistor is N-channel transistor MNO, which is the evaluation transistor or "footer" transistor and can be omitted from circuit 10 in certain cases, which is described in further detail below. If the footer transistor is present in the domino logic gate, it is known as a "footed" domino gate. If the footer transistor is omitted, it is known as an "unfooted" domino gate. The second element of a domino circuit is the output driver, which includes P-channel transistor MP1 and N-channel transistor MN3 as is shown in FIG. 1(a). The driver is shown as an inverter in the example of FIG. 1(a), but it can be any inverting function (e.g. NOR, or NAND). Finally, domino circuit 10 contains one or more N-channel transistors between node 'ZA' and ground (or between node 'ZA' and the footer transistor, if one is present). These transistors, which are shown as N-channel transistors MN1 and MN2 in FIG. 1(a), are known as the "pull down stack" (or "pull down network") and their arrangement determines the logic function realized by domino gate 10. The pull down stack is equivalent to the N-channel pull down stack in traditional static CMOS logic gates. The logic symbol for a domino AND logic gate 12 is shown in FIG. 1(b) corresponding to the circuit 10 shown in FIG. 1(a).
The basic operation of a domino gate consists of two phases. During the first phase, known as the precharge phase, the clock signal is low. Transistor MPO is active and allows node 'ZA' to charge to a power supply voltage level 'VDD'. A direct path to ground, which would prevent node 'ZA' from being charged fully is prevented by transistor MNO which is in the cutoff state during precharge. The presence of transistor MNO in circuit 10 guarantees correct operation of the gate independent of the voltage levels on the gates of the transistors MN1 and MN2 in the pull down network. During precharge, the output node 'Z' goes low in response to node 'ZA' being pulled high. The second phase of a domino circuit's operation is the evaluation phase, which starts when the clock goes high. The internal precharge node 'ZA' either remains charged or is discharged through the pull down stack and footer transistor, depending on the voltage levels on the gates of the pull down transistors. Hence, the output node 'Z' either remains low or goes high during the evaluation phase.
The purpose of the footer transistor MNO is to ensure that there is no direct path to ground during the time that circuit 10 is precharging (when the clock signal is low). However, the inclusion of a footer transistor is undesirable for three reasons. First, the domino logic circuit slows down due to having an extra series transistor through which node 'ZA' must be discharged. The second consequence of using a footer transistor is increased power consumption since the clock tree loading is increased by this transistor. Finally, the area of a footed domino cell may be larger, although layout constraints may dictate the same cell area for both a footed and unfooted version of a given domino gate.
As is known in the prior art, the footer transistor in a domino cell can be eliminated if at least one transistor in every path to ground is turned off at any given time, for the duration of the precharge cycle. If one of the paths to ground is turned on during the precharge cycle, then the cell may never precharge correctly and consequently it may evaluate a wrong value. Alternatively, the precharge time may increase significantly, creating a violation later on in the path. It has been suggested that it is safe to use unfooted domino logic in a configuration in which the inputs to the pull down network may go high during the second half of the precharge cycle. However, this condition causes excessive power to be consumed since there is a direct path from VDD to ground.
When using traditional domino clocking techniques, the conditions to eliminate the footer transistor cannot be guaranteed except in special cases. The footer transistor can be eliminated if the following conditions are met. Multiple overlapping phases must be used to clock the domino circuits and every path to ground must contain at least two transistors, each driven by domino gates that are clocked by a different phase. Specifically, one transistor must be driven by a cell clocked with the same phase that the unfooted cell is on, while the other transistor must be driven by a domino cell clocked by the previous adjacent phase (e.g., an unfooted cell clocked with Φ2 must have inputs driven by clock signals having phases Φ1 and Φ2). This is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a prior art domino logic circuit 20 in which the footer transistor is eliminated, and FIG. 3 is a timing diagram 30 associated with the prior art domino logic circuit shown in FIG. 2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, cascaded domino gates U1, U2, and U3 are shown with gate U1 being clocked by the Φ1 clock signal and gate U2 being clocked by the Φ2 clock signal. This is a typical prior art domino clocking scheme which makes use of overlapping, phase-shifted clocks. The input timing conditions to eliminate the footer transistor in domino gate U2 are satisfied since transistor MN1 is driven by a gate clocked by Φ1 and transistor MN2 is clocked by Φ2, and together these transistor constitute the only path to ground. When gate U1 enters the precharge phase, the input A to transistor MN1 goes low, thus preventing a direct path from VDD to ground when U2 enters the precharge phase. When Φ1 goes high and U1 evaluates, the A input to transistor MN1 goes high. However, the input B at transistor MN2 remains low since it is driven by domino gate U3 which is also clocked by Φ2. Hence, the footer transistor can safely be eliminated for domino circuit U2. While the use of unfooted domino is partially described in the prior art, the analysis does not include all conditions necessary to safely use an unfooted domino logic gate. This is because in every pull down path there must also be a transistor clocked by the same phase as the phase the unfooted domino gate to which it is assigned. As discussed above, if this condition is not satisfied, then when the gates clocked with the earlier phase signal go into evaluation mode, the unfooted gate is still in the precharge mode. Hence, there is a direct path between VDD and ground, which causes excessive power dissipation as well as causing the gate to evaluate during precharge.
What is desired, therefore, is use of unfooted domino logic gates and a corresponding method that does not have the power, speed, and die area penalties associated with prior art footed domino logic techniques.

Unfooted domino logic circuit and method


A sample cup insert has a tubular wall and a flange extending inwardly at an acute angle from the tubular wall. When the sample cup, into which the sample cup insert is inserted, is filled with sample and sealed by a film that forms a window through which the sample is analyzed, air bubbles collect under the film. The air bubbles are transferred under the flange of the sample cup insert, and out of the portion of the sample to be analyzed, by rotating the sample cup, and allowing the air bubbles to flow up the side of the sample cup insert over the flange, and then returning the sample cup to its original position, thereby trapping the air bubbles under the flange. The flange of the sample cup insert retains these air bubbles outside of the portion of the sample to be analyzed.

This invention relates to sample cups used to hold samples for analysis by X-ray fluorescence ("XRF") spectrometers. In particular, this invention relates to an insert for such sample cups, which insert aids in the elimination of bubbles from liquid samples.
Sample cups, typically, are made from a suitable material such as polyethylene, and have a cylindrical body that can be open from one end or both ends. A respective collar, generally made from the same material as the body, preferably is provided for closing each open end with a preferably transparent thin film. The collar locks into a suitable detent on the body. The sample cup with one open end is used by adding the sample to the body, covering the open end with the thin film, and fastening the thin film by snapping the collar over the film and into the detent on the body. This captures the thin film, creating a taut, preferably transparent window. If the cup has two open ends, one end is sealed with the film and collar prior to the introduction of the sample and sealing of the second end. The sample cup is then placed in the XRF spectrometer and analyzed. Depending on the type of instrument, the X-ray source directs a beam, preferably into the center of the sample cup, either from above or from below.
In such known sample cups, air bubbles may be trapped under the film during sealing of the cup. When the sample cup is used with instruments in which the beam is directed into the sample from above, if such bubbles rest near the center of the cup, they may interfere with the X-ray beam, thereby spoiling the analysis. In addition, regardless of the type of sample cup, even if the sample is initially bubble-free, bubbles may form as a result of outgassing from the sample. In one known attempt to deal with the problem of air bubbles, sample cups were constructed with special ports for the introduction of syringes for the purpose of removing the air bubbles. This method of air bubble removal, however, was time-consuming, difficult to reproduce from sample to sample, messy, caused the cell to become unbalanced due to the uneven distribution of the weight caused by the hole and seal, and risked contamination of the sample.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a sample cup insert that permits the user to substantially eliminate the air bubbles from within the portion of the sample to be analyzed.
It would further be desirable to provide a sample cup insert that permits the user to substantially eliminate the air bubbles from within the portion of the sample to be analyzed quickly and easily.
It would be still further desirable to provide a sample cup insert that permits the user to eliminate the air bubbles from the portion of the sample to be analyzed after the sample is sealed inside the sample cup, so that substantially no additional air bubbles can enter the portion of the sample to be analyzed.
It would yet further be desirable to provide a sample cup insert that is adapted for use in known sample cups, thereby allowing the user to use the invention with sample cups that can alternatively be used for powder and paste samples as well.


A radiant tube heater assembly includes a housing containing a blower and a burner, which is aligned with an opening in the housing through which a flame and products of combustion flow into a U-shaped burner tube. The closed downstream end of the burner tube is in close proximity to the housing. In order to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the products of combustion entering the blower, an exhaust tube is mounted in a downstream leg of the burner tube and extends outwardly through the U-shaped outer end of the tube remote from the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a radiant heater assembly, and in particular to a heater assembly for mounting in an overhead location.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, an overhead radiant heater includes a housing containing a blower for introducing air into the area of a burner and for carrying a flame and the by-products of combustion through an elongated burner tube. The burner tube is surrounded on three sides by a metal reflector, which directs heat from the tube downwardly into a room or outdoor area beneath the heater. Over the years, various changes have been made to such heaters to make them more efficient. For example, baffles or turbulators have been mounted in the burner tube. In this connection reference is made to CA Patent Application No. 2,122,221 (Rozzi), filed Apr. 26, 2994.
In order to make the heaters more compact, straight, elongated burner tubes have been replaced with generally U-shaped tubes. Examples of heaters with such tubes are seen in CA Patent Application No. 2,014,218 (Duverger), filed Apr. 9, 1990 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,673,348 (Riley et al), issued Jun. 16, 1987 and 5,628,303 (Ahmady et al), issued May 13, 1997.
A problem with some heaters incorporating U-shaped burner tubes is that the products of combustion are discharged from the tubes in the area of the blower housing. Thus, the gases being sucked into the blower are oxygen deprived which results in inefficient burner operation.


A method for estimating the magnitude of a tire force acting on a rolling tire is disclosed, wherein: using at least seven sensors mounted on a tire sidewall portion, surface strain is simultaneously measured at seven measuring positions; with respect to a combination of the seven measuring positions, a coefficient matrix representing correlation with seven force components is defined, and a equation including the coefficient matrix is defined; using the data on the surface strain measured with the sensors, the equation is computed to find at least one of the seven force components, e.g. air pressure. The estimated air pressure is compared with a reference pressure, to determine whether the tire pressure is dropped or not. Further, a secondary sensor is mounted in a peculiar region where the surface strain is substantially not affected by the vertical load.

The present invention relates to a method for estimating the magnitude of a force acting on a rolling tire based on the strain caused in the tire sidewall portion.
In recent years, computer-aided vehicle control systems (CAVCS), e.g. anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control system, vehicle stability control system, attitude control system, suspension control system and steer-by-wire system and the like, are widely used in various vehicles.
In order to improve the control accuracy of such control system (CAVCS) by providing the system with data on the force components acting on a rolling tire, a method for estimating the magnitude of the force components have been proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,498.
On the other hand, from the viewpoint of safe driving, it is important to monitor the tire air pressure and also important to be able to provide the estimated data even if some of sensors or data get out of order.

Method for estimating tire force acting on rolling tire


The computer-implemented method for inspection of a sample includes defining a plurality of locations on a surface of the sample, irradiating the surface at each of the locations with a beam of X-rays, and measuring an angular distribution of the X-rays that are emitted from the surface responsively to the beam, so as to produce a respective plurality of X-ray spectra. The X-ray spectra are analyzed to produce respective figures-of-merit indicative of a measurement quality of the X-ray spectra at the respective location. One or more locations are selected out of the plurality of locations responsively to the figures-of-merit, and a property of the sample is estimated using the X-ray spectra measured at the selected location.

X-ray reflectometry (XRR) is a well-known technique for measuring the thickness, density and surface quality of thin film layers deposited on a substrate. X-ray reflectometers typically operate by irradiating an area on the surface of a sample with a beam of X-rays at grazing incidence, i.e., at a small angle relative to the surface of the sample, near the total external reflection angle of the sample material. Measurement of X-ray intensity reflected from the sample as a function of angle gives a profile of interference fringes, referred to as an XRR spectrum. Properties of the sample layers can be estimated by analyzing the XRR spectrum. Several X-ray reflectometers have been described in the patent literature, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,512,814, 5,619,548 and 5,923,720, whose disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.
XRR is sometimes used for inspecting patterned wafers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,305, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes XRR methods for measuring the thickness of thin films on patterned semiconductor wafers in which the feature size is smaller than the measurement spot.
XRR may also be used for in situ inspection, i.e., during the deposition of thin film layers on a wafer. Such a system is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2001/0043668 A1, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. A deposition furnace is provided with X-ray incidence and extraction windows in its side walls. The substrate upon which the thin film has been deposited is irradiated through the incidence window, and the X-rays reflected from the substrate are sensed through the X-ray extraction window.

Automated selection of X-ray reflectometry measurement locations


Switching cells and decoupling capacitors in an integrated circuit design may be assessed to ensure voltage stability during high-speed switching events. Assessment of the switching cells and decoupling capacitors may include identifying the locations of the switching cells and the decoupling capacitors and dividing the integrated circuit design into a number of equally sized bins. Selected bins for each switching cell may be identified. The selected bin for each switching cell may be assessed, along with one or more bins neighboring the selected bin, to determine if a sufficient number of decoupling capacitors are available in these bins to provide voltage stability for each switching cell in the integrated circuit design.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments described herein relate to integrated circuit layouts and designs. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to analyzing integrated circuit designs and modifying the integrated circuit design based on the design analysis.
2. Description of Related Art
For deep sub-micron technologies, IR drop (voltage drop across the device) in the power grid of an integrated circuit due to switching activity (e.g., high-speed switching activity) may have performance implications, especially for high-speed integrated circuits. Typically, in order to ensure voltage stability (and minimize IR drop) during high-speed switching events, an integrated circuit design may be analyzed to make sure there is a sufficient number of decoupling capacitors (dcaps) placed locally around each high-speed switching cell (e.g., clock buffers) in the design so that there is enough charge available for each high-speed switching cell. The design may also be analyzed to make sure that the dcaps associated with a high-speed switching cell are located within a certain distance from the cell. Having the dcaps closer to the high-speed switching cell increases effectiveness of the dcaps.
For a typical integrated circuit design, the number of high-speed switching cells (e.g., clock buffers) may be in the thousands while the number of dcaps, or dcap cells, may be in the millions. A conventional approach to analyzing the integrated circuit design is to check the location of each high-speed switching cell against the location of all the dcaps in the design using a computer processor. Such an approach may, however, be time consuming and cumbersome as it would require on the order of 1 billion checks between switching cells and dcaps in a typical integrated circuit design. For example, an integrated circuit design with 15,000 high-speed switching cells (clock buffers) and 5 million dcaps may take around 11 hours to check using the computer processor. Additionally, it may be difficult using this approach to ensure accuracy in associating dcaps with individual switching cells if neighboring switching cells are relatively close together (e.g., the neighboring switching cells are a distance apart that is less than the allowable distance between a switching cell and a dcap).


The present invention relates to a system and methods for preparing reports, such as medical reports. The system and methods advantageously can verbalize information, using speech synthesis (text-to-speech), to support a dialogue between a user and the reporting system during the course of the preparation of the report in order that the user can avoid inefficient visual distractions.

In many industries, reports are used to present, explain, or put into context various types of information including data, results of tests, information regarding procedures available or preferred, and the status of the project that may be the subject of the report. A report may include content in a variety of forms including static or dynamic images, text, and transcripts of verbal communications. For purposes of this application, this organized collection of content is termed a "report".
In the medical industry, reports pertaining to the treatment and care of a patient are regularly generated. For purposes of this application, the term "medical report" refers to any documentation related to the treatment and care of a patient including, but not limited to test reports, procedural reports, surgical notes, or clinical notes. Medical reports may include a variety of forms of content, such as that described above. For example, the content may be text or static or dynamic images providing information regarding the patient's medical condition, such as the patient's history, symptoms, and diagnoses. The report content may also include information regarding medical procedures, including the details of the procedures to which the patient was subjected or offered, or the results of the procedures and the complications, if any, which the patient experienced. The content of a medical report may include also data directed to a current procedure which a patient is undergoing including measurements and lab reports. Additionally, the content within a medical report may include the observations, interpretations and recommendations of a treating physician, a consulting physician, or other caregiver. Medical reports are typically organized into sections, such as according to anatomy, pathology, and/or the content or subjects mentioned above. Medical reports may include additional information regarding the patient's insurance, family members, and orders and directions relevant to the patient's care.
Medical reports are usually created by a medical professional such as a doctor or nurse or other caregiver or agent such as a technician. Those that prepare a medical report are termed "medical professional" in this application. The medical professional preparing such a report often reviews results collected, information gathered, and other content on or relevant to a patient prior to creating the report—including lab reports, prior medical reports, and pre-study paperwork such as orders, patient-supplied datasheets, clinical notes, and electronic medical records ("EMRs"), as well as information from and notes taken of conversations directly with the patient or one or more of his or her family members.
Medical reports are prepared by one or more of a variety of methods, including handwriting, typing, dictation, speech recognition, and structured reporting. Dictation allows a medical professional to speak the substance of a report into a recording device. From this recording, a transcript is later prepared, often manually. The medical professional typically must review the transcribed report for accuracy. After the professional is satisfied with the accuracy of the transcript, a final report is prepared.
There are a variety of disadvantages associated with the traditional approaches to preparing a report. For example, with respect to transcriptions, because typically someone other than the author of the report actually prepares the transcript from the recording made by the professional, errors result from the transcriber's inability to accurately identify what the professional said. Spelling and grammatical errors often also appear in the transcript. In addition, it takes time for a dictated report to be transcribed, reviewed, edited, and approved for final distribution. This delay is undesirable and can further impact not only immediate patient care—particularly when the patient is in a critical condition—but also long term healthcare costs.
Speech recognition technologies are known. These technologies permit a user, such as a medical professional, to speak into a recording device and, through the use of speech recognition software, a transcription for the medical report can be prepared. For purposes of this application, speech recognition is defined to be synonymous with voice recognition. The transcription or report that results from this process can then be revised by the professional, either on a display device (real-time or off-line) or on paper (off-line), and edited, if necessary. This approach, however, is not problem-free.
Problems with conventional speech recognition technologies include erroneous transcription. Transcription error rates typically range from 5% to 15% depending on the speaker's skill with the language used to prepare the report, the environment, and vocabulary. Equally important, speech recognition errors are unpredictable, with even simple words and phrases being misrecognized as completely nonsensical words and phrases. In order to prevent these recognition errors from appearing in the final report, the medical professional must very carefully review the transcribed report. Given the large number of reports that many medical professionals are required to prepare in a single day, they often attempt to review the transcribed text as it is produced by speech recognition software by glancing at the transcribed text on the display device while receiving or analyzing the data or image about which the transcription or report is being prepared. In some reporting environments, however, this approach is time consuming and can cause errors in the transcribed text to be overlooked and/or cause errors to creep into the report. For radiologists, the traditional approach to report preparation using speech recognition software is particularly problematic. It is not easy for a radiologist to go from examining the intricate details of an X-ray to reviewing written words, then returning to examining the X-ray. The radiologist invariably loses the exact spot on the X-ray he or she was examining before reviewing the text transcribed from his or her dictated observations. In addition, the displayed report occupies space on the display device, preventing it from illustrating other content, such as images.
Structured reporting technologies are known also. They permit, for example, a medical professional to record information using a computer user interface, such as a mouse and/or keyboard. The medical report is automatically generated from this information in real-time. Structured reporting may also include the use of speech recognition software to support navigation, data entry, and editing such as adding text or images to the medical report.
The primary problem with structured reporting technologies is that it may take a medical professional what they may view as an unacceptable amount of time to complete a structured report using a traditional computer user interface. Medical reports often require very large structured reporting data sets. As a result, navigating these data sets may be complex and entering findings may become a lengthy process that requires time that medical professionals could use more effectively attending to other tasks, such as seeing additional patients, preparing additional medical reports, or reading medical literature.
Attempts have been made to improve the efficiency with which reports, including medical reports are prepared. Often these methods use what are termed "macros". A "simple macro" is a text string identified by a name. For example, a macro corresponding to the text string "No focal liver mass or intrahepatic duct dilatation" may be identified by the macro name "Normal liver". "Macro templates" are macros that include a mix of text strings and placeholders, such as blank slots or pick-lists. The placeholders indicate where the user may—or must—insert additional text. Some technologies that record and transcribe the spoken word utilize macros. For example, by mentioning the name of the macro in a voice command or a user interface, the associated text and placeholders are positioned in the medical report. The text can be edited and any placeholders filled in by the medical professional to generate narrative text.
Certain simple macros and the names by which each is identified are shown in the following chart. Each string of text (right column of chart) can be orally identified to the system that is being used to prepare the report by simply mentioning the name of the macro (left column of chart).
Macro NameText String"Right dominant"The coronary circulation is right dominant."NormalThe     coronary arteries are patentcoronaries"without significant disease."LAD lesion"The left anterior descending artery has a    stenosis in the     segment.
FIG. 1 illustrates how a portion of a CT angiography report can be prepared from these macros. More specifically, portion a) of FIG. 1 illustrates how the three macros above can be organized to form a portion of the entire report directed to the condition of a certain patient. Portion b) of FIG. 1 illustrates how the medical professional may fill in the placeholders in the text. Portion c) of FIG. 1 shows that an edit can be made to the first macro statement. The edit is shown in italics. An addition of a new statement is shown as a fourth sentence (also in italics).
Some systems allow reports to be generated through the use of an extensive set of macros or macro library. A macro library may include tens, hundreds, or even thousands of macros created, for example, by individual users to match a specific reporting style, or by commercial vendors and licensed as "comprehensive" macro sets. While large macro sets can be advantageous and permit a wide variety of reports to be prepared more rapidly under a wider range of circumstances, the sheer size of the library can be a disadvantage. Memorizing all of the macro names may be simply infeasible for the user. To lessen this problem, large macro libraries may include a user interface that categorizes macros and provides for visual navigation of the extensive macro library. However, this navigation approach has all of the disadvantages of a structured reporting user interface. Navigating an on-screen interface that categorizes the macros in the macro library takes significant time. It also requires a medical professional to remove his or her visual focus from other clinical activities, such as reviewing the medical images which are the subject of the report or even attending to a patient. Navigating an on-screen interface may be a significant distraction that may lead to errors, as well as increase the time it takes to prepare a report.
In addition, macros alone are usually insufficient to complete a medical report. Many medical reports consist of a combination of text strings recorded as macros (and perhaps subsequently edited) and unstructured free-form statements entered directly by the user (transcribed or typed).
Overall, dictation, speech recognition, and structured reporting (including structured reporting using traditional macros) constrain medical reporting, for example, with respect to speed and visual focus. Medical professionals need to create reports quickly and efficiently, and transmit the resulting reports rapidly to other medical professionals (e.g., referring physicians). Again, with respect to radiology, a single user may need to produce many, perhaps over a hundred reports in a single day. Preparing the report requires intense visual focus on one or more images, such as X-ray images, computed tomography ("CT") scans, and ultrasound loops. Having to look away from an image to a computer user interface on which the text appears, is a significant time consuming distraction that again can lead to errors and longer reporting times.
As a result, there is a need for a reporting system that allows users, such as medical professionals, to create a report in an efficient manner while maintaining their visual focus on that subject about which the report is being written or on a subject or object different from that about which is the report is being prepared. More specifically, there is a need for a system that permits a user to receive information from a report aurally, thereby not requiring the user to distract his or her visual focus.


A Link Stacking Actuator is a scalable device that will contract or expand upon the application of rotational force. This rotational force is converted into linear force in contraction and this contraction can be released for expansion. Contraction and expansion are determined by the relative direction of rotational force applied. The device only generates linear force when contracting. Expansion is simply a relaxation of the device. The conversion of rotational force to contraction is achieved by mechanical stacking of interconnected links that fold or stack into a structure when rotational torsion is applied from a motor against a fixed mount-point or another counter-rotating motor. When used in oppositional pairs, these devices can be used to actuate hinged beams such as robotic arms, legs, and fingers. The device can also be used for direct lift applications when configured in multiple parallel sets.

Human kind has long sought to actuate mechanical systems using a number of specialized technologies, each with its own limitations. These limitations are becoming increasingly observable in a number of fields including technology miniaturization and extreme environment engineering.
Miniature and compact applications within the field of robotics and prosthetics require high strength, low weight, small form factor, and prefer high efficiency of operation. Extreme environment applications require operational temperature stability and durability in addition to the above. The goal of matching or exceeding human strength within a human envelope for terrestrial and space applications requires all of the above qualities for development in this industry.
Existing electroactive polymers are considered too weak and inefficient for most prosthetic applications. The high expense of their manufacture and their low efficiency deter much of the miniature robotics community as well. The weight and size of hydraulic systems are too great for many miniature and compact applications. Hydraulics are also difficult to incorporate into applications for use in many extreme environments such as space. Pneumatic artificial muscles suffer from many of the same pitfalls as hydraulics, while possessing the disadvantages of lower rigidity, strength, and durability. Direct gearbox drive systems suffer issues stemming from their relative size, weight, and usefulness of application. The appeal of twisted string actuators has been greatly dampened by the inherent and unavoidable durability and temperature stability restraints resulting from mechanical fatigue of the string media.

System and method for conversion of rotational motion into linear actuation by mechanical stacking or unstacking of connected links


A method for manufacturing a silicide layer in a hole formed across the entire thickness of a layer of a material deposited on a silicon layer, including: a first step of bombarding of the hole with particles to sputter the silicon at the bottom of the hole and deposit sputtered silicon on lateral walls of the hole; a second step of deposition in the hole of a layer of silicide precursor; a second step of bombarding of the hole with particles to sputter the silicon precursor at the bottom of the hole and deposit sputtered precursor on the internal walls of the hole; a second step of deposition in the hole of a layer of silicide precursor; and an anneal step to form a silicide layer in the hole.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to integrated circuit manufacturing, and more specifically to the manufacturing of trenches emerging on a silicon layer and having at least their bottom coated with silicide.
2. Description of the Related Art
Silicide is a compound comprising silicon and electropositive atoms, such as for example monosilicides like (Pt, Ni, Ir)Si, or metal-rich phases like (Pd, Mg, Ca)2Si or (Co, Ti, Ru, Cr, Er)Si2.
Nickel silicide (NiSi) is a material especially used to form an ohmic contact between the silicon and a metal. For example, nickel silicide is interposed between the silicon of a source and of a drain of a MOS transistor and metal contacts forming the transistor terminals, which results in decreasing the resistance of access to the source and to the drain and in providing a better ohmic contact.
Usually, nickel silicide is obtained by bringing together platinum nickel (NiPt) and silicon and by performing an anneal which forms the nickel silicide.
The quality of the ohmic contact especially depends on the nickel silicide volume between the silicon and the metal contact, on the presence of impurities and of residue between these different materials and on the contact surface area between the different materials.
Some advanced CMOS technology transistor manufacturing methods, especially methods for manufacturing transistors having a gate width equal to or smaller than 28 nanometers, form silicide at the bottom of holes or trenches emerging on the drain and source areas ("Hole salicide").
Now, the forming of holes generally is a source of impurities and of residue, mainly located at their bottom. Further, the forming of a nickel silicide layer having both a large volume and a large surface area at the bottom of the holes is more difficult as the form factor of the holes, that is, the ratio of the depth to their cross-section, increases.

Method for forming a silicide layer at the bottom of a hole and device for implementing said method


A method and apparatus for automatically filling in electronic forms online with a user""s personal data. A location identifier, such as a URL, of a form originating server and a form location on the server that corresponds to an online form is transmitted to a form filling server. A user identifier, such as one contained in a cookie, is also transmitted to the form filling server. The location identifier of the form originating server and the location of the form on the form filling server is decoded or parsed on the form filling server. This allows the form filling server to open a connection between the form filling server and the form originating server. The form originating server is then requested to provide the form filling server with the online form so that the form filling server has a similar view of the online form as the user does. The online form is then parsed on the form filling server to identify the fields in the form that can potentially be filled in with personal data associated with the user. The personal data associated with the user is then inserted into the fields of the online form on the form filling server. The personal data of the user is identified using the user identifier.

This invention relates to computer information systems, specifically to an improved process that allows an entity to automatically release personal data to other entities connected via a computer network.
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically filling in electronic forms online with a user""s personal data. In one aspect of the present invention, a method of automatically filling in an online form with data associated with a user is described. A location identifier, such as a URL, of a form-originating server and a form location on the server that corresponds to an online form is transmitted to a form-filling server. A user identifier, such as one contained in a cookie, is also transmitted to the form-filling server. The location identifier of the form-originating server and the location of the form on the form-filling server is decoded or parsed on the form-filling server. This allows the form-filling server to open a connection between the form-filling server and the form-originating server. The form-originating server is then requested to provide the form-filling server with the online form so that the form-filling server has a similar view of the online form as the user does. The online form is then parsed on the form-filling server to identify the fields in the form that can potentially be filled in with personal data associated with the user. The personal data associated with the user is then inserted into the fields of the online form on the form-filling server. The personal data of the user is identified using the user identifier.
In another aspect of the present invention, a selective proxy server for automatically filling in an online form is described. The selective proxy includes a location-data receiving component which receives a location-identifier, such as a URL, of a form-originating server and a form location of the online form on the form-originating server. A location-data decoder or analyzer decodes the location-identifier. i.e., URL, and the form location on the server thereby allowing the selective proxy server to open a connection with form-originating server. A form-data receiving component is able to receive the online form at the form location on the form-originating server and a form parser then parses the online form thereby identifying the fields in the form to be filled in with personal data. A personal data storage component stores personal data of multiple users registered with a service managing the form-filling server. A data inserting module then inserts personal data of the user into the fields of the online form.

Selective proxy approach to filling-in forms embedded in distributed electronic documents


A water manifold is usable in the construction of a fluid-based heat-transfer system for space heating, the supply and distribution of potable water, and other applications. The water manifold is formed from a number of elements in a flexible manner, in that the elements are assembled as needed for a particular application. A plurality of manifold segments 100, each supporting a pipe directed away from a main pipe, transfer heat to a specific area, and may be be connected in a linear manner, as required by the design of the application. A cross tee segment 300 is attachable to the manifold segments, and may be used to support a thermometer unit 200, an automatic air vent or other apparatus. A spigot 400 is attachable to the cross tee segment, adjacent to the thermometer. An open end cap 500 provides a male plastic fitting connected to a brass female fitting, thereby allowing connection of the manifold to metal plumbing. A closed end cap 600 allows the manifold to be terminated. A support bracket 700 is adapted to connect to the manifold segments for support.

It has long been known to use hot water or steam to transfer heat in space heating applications. Modern hot water heating systems have many advantages, including the ability to control the temperature of different rooms individually and the ability to use any of a variety of efficient central heat sources. Such heating systems typically warm the floor; however, wall or ceiling based heat may also be used.
In typical modern hot water heating systems, water manifolds allow regulation of water flow through pipes separating from the main line, thereby allowing better control over the fluid flow rate and heat transfer to specific areas. Such manifolds are typically assembled from cylindrical tubular pieces that are held in place by rods that must be custom manufactured and assembled for installation. The rod is inserted into and through channels defined in the manifold components. As a result, the cost of both the components and their assembly is greatly increased. In many applications this can be a significant obstacle to the use of a hot water space heating system.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a hot water space heating system having a manifold that can be manually assembled without the use of connecting rods, extensive tools, and that does not require components defining the channels associated with the rod assembly technique.

Distribution header for potable water and hot water space heating


Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method for scheduling a new task. The method comprises: receiving task data in respect of the new task, the task data comprising at least information enabling the new task to be uniquely identified and a target runtime for the new task; recording the received task data in a data structure and determining if a new job needs to be registered with an underlying job scheduler.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that are known to the inventors and could be pursued. They are not necessarily approaches that have been pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section, or that those approaches are known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
Many computer systems and applications make use of job schedulers to schedule future work.
Issue tracking systems are one example of such systems. Issue tracking systems (variously referred to as trouble ticket systems, support ticket systems, request management systems, and incident ticket systems) manage the creation and tracking of issues in a variety of contexts.
As one example, an issue tracking system may be deployed for use by a helpdesk. A busy helpdesk may manage thousands, tens of thousands, or even more issues. Each issue may have a different priority, require different actions, be handled by different people, and/or be handled by multiple different people over its lifecycle. Furthermore, the helpdesk may be trying (or obliged) to meet certain service level agreements (SLAs) applicable to the issues being handled.
In order to assist in managing issues an issue tracking system may identify tasks that need to be performed in the future and schedule those tasks by passing them to an underlying job scheduler to handle. Where large numbers of issues are being handled, however, the number of tasks that are generated and passed to the job scheduler can exceed the working capacity of the underlying job scheduler.


A torque wrench includes a mechanical structure and an electronic structure. The mechanical structure includes a tubular body, a flexible rod, an abutment member, an elastic member, a trip mechanism, an adjustment mechanism and a mechanical scale indication mounted in the tubular body for indicating the set torque of the wrench. The electronic structure includes at least one torque sensor and a display unit. When correcting the torque value of the mechanical structure, a force is applied to the wrench and the torque sensor detects the trip torque value of the wrench. The torque value of the mechanical structure is adjusted to match the torque value detected by the torque sensor so as to eliminate the error of the torque value of the mechanical structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a torque wrench, and more particularly to a torque wrench capable of correcting torque and a torque correction method of the torque wrench.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional torque wrench is settable in torque value. When the application force of the wrench reaches a set torque value, an alert effect is provided. The mechanical torque wrench has a trip mechanism. An elastic member abuts against the trip mechanism. The wrench further has an adjustment mechanism for changing the elastic force applied by the elastic member to the trip mechanism. The handle of the wrench is formed with a window with scales for indicating the set torque value of the wrench. In use, the wrench is forced to a bolt or a nut. When the application force of the wrench exceeds the set torque value, the trip mechanism trips to shock the wrench and emit a sound to immediately alert a user that the application force of the wrench has reached the set value.
After a long period of use, the trip mechanism of the wrench will be apparently worn. In this case, the set torque value of the wrench is not the true trip torque value of the wrench. That is, there is an error between the set torque value and the true trip torque value. For example, the set torque value of the wrench is 2 N·m, while the true trip torque value of the wrench is only 1.6 N·m. In this case, actually, the bolt or the nut is not tightened by a necessary torque. This will threaten the security of mechanical equipment or a building.
In case of error of the torque value of the mechanical torque wrench, it is necessary for a user to send the wrench back to the manufacturer or the retailer to replace the parts or correct the torque value. The user himself/herself cannot correct the torque value.

Torque wrench capable of correcting torque and torque correction method thereof


Instead of specifying actual transport layer IP addresses as a basis for a secure tunnel's security association, an approach described herein specifies virtual addresses. Then suitable network appliances intercept and modify packets in order to map between the virtual addresses and actual addresses. The virtual addresses satisfy IPsec or another authentication procedure that checks packets using the security association. The actual addresses are used by transport layer protocols. This overlay approach permits a session to failover from one network connection to another without requiring restoration of the session in a newly created secure tunnel after one of the network interfaces becomes unavailable, thereby obsoleting the security association based in part on the IP address of the now unavailable interface. This innovative approach also allows the use of parallel paths and the use of one-to-many or many-to-one path topologies, which would otherwise not be permitted.

A virtual private network, or VPN, is a private network which extends across a public network such as a portion of the Internet. It is a private network in that it uses a private IP address space, and it typically uses encryption or authentication or both to provide greater security than the public network. Some VPNs use security associations, which define endpoint pairs of links in the VPN. Internet Protocol Security, known as IPSec (or IPSEC or IPsec), includes protocols for establishing mutual authentication between agents at link endpoints and negotiating cryptographic keys to be used during communication sessions over links. IPsec can be used to create VPNs.

Persistent data communication sessions across WAN