Frequency synchronizing a local oscillator in a remote unit in a distributed antenna system (DAS) used for frequency shifting communications signals based on a received digital pulse signal from a central unit. A remote unit receives a frequency shifted downlink communications signal and a reference pulse signal indicative of a frequency of a reference oscillator from a central unit. To recover the original signal, a mixing frequency signal generated by a local oscillator is used. To recover a signal having the same frequency as the original signal, the local oscillator should be the same or substantially the same frequency as the frequency used to create the frequency shifted version. A time difference signal indicating the frequency difference between the oscillators is calculated. A frequency adjustment signal is provided to the local oscillator based on the time difference signal to decrease the frequency difference between the oscillators.

The disclosure relates generally to synchronizing local oscillators, and more particularly to providing devices, systems, and methods, including in distributed antenna systems (DASs), to synchronize local oscillators.
Wireless communication is rapidly growing, with ever-increasing demands for high-speed mobile data communication. As an example, local area wireless services (e.g., so-called "wireless fidelity" or "WiFi" systems) and wide area wireless services are being deployed in many different types of areas (e.g., coffee shops, airports, libraries, etc.). Distributed communications or antenna systems communicate with wireless devices called "clients," "client devices," or "wireless client devices," which must reside within the wireless range or "cell coverage area" in order to communicate with an access point device. DASs are particularly useful to be deployed inside buildings or other indoor environments where client devices may not otherwise be able to effectively receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a source, such as a base station for example. Example applications where DASs can be used to provide or enhance coverage for wireless services include public safety, cellular telephony, wireless local access networks (LANs), location tracking, and medical telemetry inside buildings and over campuses.
A DAS is a type of communications system that may distribute analog communications signals. In a DAS, communications signals can be distributed from a central unit (which can also be referred to as a head-end unit) to one or more remote units forming remote coverage areas. Local oscillators (LO) may be provided in communications components in a DAS to frequency down convert or up convert distributed communications signals for distribution. In this regard, FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary DAS 10 that provides distribution of communications signals to provide communications services to coverage areas 12(1)-12(N) in the DAS 10, where N is the number of coverage areas. These communications services can include cellular services, such as a cellular service operating using the Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular protocol, for example. The coverage areas 12(1)-12(N) may be remotely located. In this case, the remote coverage areas 12(1)-12(N) are created by and centered on remote units 14(1)-14(N) coupled to a central unit 16. The central unit 16 may be communicatively coupled to a base station 18. In this regard, the central unit 16 receives downlink communications signals 20D from the base station 18 to be distributed to the remote units 14(1)-14(N). The remote units 14(1)-14(N) are configured to receive the downlink communications signals 20D from the central unit 16 over a communications medium 22 (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic cable) to be distributed to the respective coverage areas 12(1)-12(N) of the remote units 14(1)-14(N). Each remote unit 14(1)-14(N) may include one or more RF transmitters/receivers (not shown) and respective antennas 24(1)-24(N) operably coupled to the RF transmitters/receivers to wirelessly distribute the communications services to client devices 26 within their respective coverage areas 12(1)-12(N). The remote units 14(1)-14(N) are also configured to receive analog uplink communications signals 20U from the client devices 26 in their respective coverage areas 12(1)-12(N) to be distributed to the base station 18.
The communications medium 22 in the DAS 10 of FIG. 1A may be limited in bandwidth capability. For example, if the communications medium 22 is CΔT5 cable, the communications medium 22 is limited to or rated for 100 Megahertz (MHz) bandwidth at 100 meters (m) distance. As such, if the downlink communications signals 20D require greater bandwidth capacity than the bandwidth capacity of the communications medium 22, the downlink communications signals 20D may be frequency down shifted by the central unit 16 to an intermediate frequency (IF) before transmission over the communications medium 22 to the one or more remote units 14(1)-14(N). The downlink communications signals 20D at the IF can then be frequency shifted back to their original frequency in the remote units 14(1)-14(N) before being transmitted over the respective antenna 24(1)-24(N).
In this regard, FIG. 1B illustrates exemplary internal components of the central unit 16 and a remote unit 14 in the DAS 10 of FIG. 1A for frequency shifting communications signals. Only downlink communications signals 20D are shown as being frequency shifted in the DAS 10 in FIG. 1A, but the uplink communications signals 20U can also be frequency shifted. The central unit 16 receives the downlink communications signals 20D and mixes the downlink communications signals 20D in mixer 28 with a frequency signal 29 generated by local oscillator 30 to generate IF signals 32D. The frequency signal 29 generated by the local oscillator 30 is controlled by a frequency signal 33 generated by a reference oscillator 34, which may be a highly stable oscillator to in turn provide for the frequency signal 29 generated by the local oscillator 30 to be highly stable. The IF signals 32D are filtered by a filter 36 and amplified by power amplifier 38 before being transmitted over the communications medium 22 to the remote units 14(1)-14(N).
To recover the original frequency of the downlink communications signals 20D at the remote unit 14 to be radiated by the antenna 24, local oscillator 40 is provided in the remote unit 14. The local oscillator 40 generates a frequency signal 41 of the same frequency as the local oscillator 30, which is mixed with the IF signal 32D in mixer 50. Thus, the mixing of the frequency signal 41 with the IF signal 32D frequency shifts the IF signals 32D back to the original frequency of the downlink communications signals 20D to recreate the downlink communications signals 20D To ensure that the frequency of the frequency signal 29 generated by the local oscillator 30 and the frequency of the frequency signal 41 generated by the local oscillator 40 are the same or substantially the same, the frequency signal 33 generated by the reference oscillator 34 is combined with the IF signals 32D in the central unit 16 by combiner 42 as a frequency tone 44 and distributed on the communications medium 22 to the remote unit 14.
In the remote unit 14, the IF signals 32D are passed through a narrow bandpass filter 46 to recover the reference oscillator 34 frequency tone 44. The local oscillator 40 in the remote unit 14 can then be synchronized to some ratio of the recovered reference oscillator 34 frequency tone 44 by employing a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit 48 or by other means such that the frequency of the frequency signal 29 generated by the local oscillator 30 and the frequency of the frequency signal 41 generated by the local oscillator 40 are the same or substantially the same. With the local oscillator 40 of the remote unit 14 synchronized to the local oscillator 30 in the central unit 16 used to create the IF signals 32D, the IF signals 32D received by the remote unit 14 can be mixed at mixer 50 with a frequency generated by local oscillator 40 to recover the downlink communications signals 20D. The downlink communications signals 20D are filtered by filter 52 and amplified by power amplifier 54 before being transmitted by antenna 24.
As transmission signals are sent over the communications medium 22 to the remote unit 14, interference can occur between the IF signals 32D and the reference oscillator 34 frequency tone 44. Therefore, a more precise bandpass filter 46 may be required to recover the reference oscillator 34 frequency tone 44. The more precise bandpass filter 46 can be expensive and/or large.
No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of any cited documents.

CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS WIRELESS LTD


A multi-layered fire-resistant roofing underlayment is disclosed. The roofing underlayment has a core of aluminum foil. On each side of the aluminum foil is a layer of nonwoven material. A lamination coating is between the aluminum foil layer and the layers of nonwoven material. At the bottom of the roofing underlayment is a backside coating layer. The roofing underlayment may be utilized in bats or rolls.

Synthetic roofing underlayments are used for replacement of asphalt felts. Synthetic underlayments offer various value added features including light weight, long exposure times, high tear strength, ease of installation and slip resistance. Traditionally, synthetic roofing underlayments are based on polypropylene and polyethylene coated multilayered structures. The structures can be based on woven, spunbond non-woven, polymeric films and combinations thereof. All these synthetic roofing underlayment products are either non-breathable or breathable. Synthetic underlayments are generally lightweight, thin, have high tensile, tear and burst strengths, and are superior to felts in UV resistance and resistance to drying and cracking over time.
Roofing underlayments are covered with various different type of coverings including Asphalt shingles, metal shingles, concrete tiles, clay tiles, cedar shakes, polymeric roof shingles and many others.
Therefore one of the most critical properties required by a roofing underlayment is to pass fire test of roofing system as required by Building code approvals. ASTM E108/UL 790 test is typically performed on roofing system including roofing underlayment and roof coverings to meet different fire ratings including Class A, B or C. Synthetic roofing underlayment alone does not meet Class A requirements especially when tested with lightweight asphalt roofing shingles and many other roof coverings. Therefore, there was a need in roofing industry to develop a synthetic roofing underlayment to pass Class A fire test consistently when tested with light weight asphalt roofing shingles Class A, Class B, or Class C and other roof coverings. Synthetic Underlayment could be Breathable or Non-breathable.

Fire resistant non-breathable roofing underlayment


A clamp device for transferring a construction material capable of eliminating manual handling of the construction material prior to transferring of the construction material, leading to labor saving. First and second brackets are connected to each other through a joint and a second bracket is engaged with a clamp. The first bracket is suitably mounted on an arm of a civil engineering machine such as a hydraulic shovel and the second bracket is provided with guide slits, in which shafts or pins of the clamp are engagedly fitted.

This invention relates to a clamp device for transferring a construction or building material, and more particularly to a clamp device which is adapted to be mounted through any suitable means on an arm of a civil engineering machine such as a hydraulic shovel or the like; a bracket attached to the arm or any other attachment attached to the arm such as a bucket; a clamper or the like to transfer a construction or building material such as a U-shaped gutter; a block; or a Hume pipe or the like to a desired target location while holding or clamping it.
In general, work on a construction or building material (hereinafter referred to as "construction material") such as a U-shaped gutter or the like usually involves arrangement or storage of the construction material; loading and unloading of the construction material with respect to a truck or the like in a manufacturing factory; and a constructor. This work is generally carried out manually. However, it is very hard or substantially impossible to manually handle a construction material which weighs between 500 to 1000 kg such as a large-sized U-shaped gutter or the like. Therefore, a system which uses any convenient means such as a hook would aid in the handling of the construction material. Typically, a wire and a clamp is employed for handling and transferring of the construction material.
Such a handling and transferring system as described above, as shown in FIG. 8, includes a hook 11 which is fixedly mounted by welding on any attachment, such as a bucket 14, connected to an arm 1 of a hydraulic shovel. A wire 13, held at a proximal end thereof on the hook 11, has a clamp 12 mounted on a distal end thereof. The clamp 12 is actuated in association with vertical movement of arm 1, to thereby transferring a construction material 10 while suspending and automatically clamping it.
More specifically, initially, a worker manually operates clamp 12, keeping clamp 12 open so as to permit clamp 12 to get astride construction material 10. Then arm 1 is raised, so that wire 13 is stretched to close clamp 12, resulting in the clamp 12 holding construction material 10. The more construction material 10 weighs, the more clamp 12 is pulled upwardly, through wire 13, to firmly hold construction material 10. Thus, the system permits construction material 10 to be positively transferred to any desired place irrespective of the weight of construction material 10.
The conventional handling and transferring system smoothly accomplishes a normal operation of satisfactorily actuating arm 1 to gradually stretch wire 13 to increase a holding force of clamp 12. This is because of wire 13. However, excessive or violent actuation of arm 1 or sudden inclination or falling of construction material 10, due to unbalanced clamping of construction material 10 by clamp 12, causes the stretching of wire 13 to be suddenly varied. This results in the clamping force of clamp 12 being suddenly decreased or a large magnitude of the force being accidentally applied to hook 11, wire 13 and/or clamp 12. This often causes releasing of construction material 10 from clamp 12; cutting of wire 13; and damage to hook 11 or the like, which, in turn, may lead to serious trouble or accident.
Therefore, it would be desirable to develop a novel and improved device which is capable of eliminating the above-described disadvantages encountered with conventional handling and transferring systems.

Clamp device for transferring construction material


Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with computing, including processing of image frames, are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include an accelerometer and an image processing engine having an object tracking function. The object tracking function may be arranged to track an object from one image frame to another image frame. The object tracking function may use acceleration data output by the accelerometer to assist in locating the object in an image frame. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
The objective of video tracking is to locate a moving object in consecutive video frames. Both the movement of the object and the movement of the video camera can make the imaged object move in the video frame. The tracking requirement of a large number of vision applications can be categorized as tracking in the video stream an object caught by a moving camera in a static scene. For example, in an example scenario of augmented reality, a man with a video camera may point at a static picture having an angry bird in it. The augmented reality module on the device (e.g., a smartphone or a computing tablet) may detect the bird and its sword; then the augmented reality module may overlap a fighting samurai girl upon the detected area. In this example, only the motion of the camera causes the movement of the imaged angry bird. Other examples may include faces of the audience in a meeting room, or an ant crawling on a wall. In these scenes, the impact to the imaging position applied by movement of the object itself is negligible compared to the movement of the video camera.
In a typical prior art method, an object may be located in an image frame by first identifying a target object area in a current image frame, based on the fore knowledge learned in a prior image frame. Thereafter, a search for the object may be launched, moving a search window around a neighborhood encompassing the target object area. However, these kinds of neighborhood search tend to be non-trivial, requiring non-trivial amount of computations and power.

Image frame processing including usage of acceleration data in assisting object location


A holding device and method of use with a peelable or otherwise splittable introducer sheath or catheter through which a cardiac pacing lead or other elongated flexible instrument extends into the body of a living being. The introducer is arranged to be grasped by a user to pull the introducer in the proximal direction so that can be withdrawn out of the being""s body. The holding device comprises a first or xe2x80x9cgripperxe2x80x9d portion and a second or xe2x80x9csplitterxe2x80x9d portion. The gripper portion includes at least one gripping member, e.g., a pair of jaws or at least one recessed engagement surface, to grasp or frictionally engage a portion of the periphery of the elongated flexible member to enable the user to hold the pacing lead at a desired position within the being""s body. The splitter portion of the holding device is arranged to cause the introducer to separate longitudinally, e.g., the second portion includes a sharp edge portion for engaging the introducer member to split it longitudinally when it is pulled proximally with respect to the holding device as the holding device is held in place with the gripper portion gripping the pacing lead. Once the introducer has separated, e.g., split longitudinally, it can be removed from the pacing lead, leaving the pacing lead in place at the desired position within the being""s body.

This invention relates generally to medical devices, and more particularly to devices and methods of use for removing an introducer sheath or other elongated tubular member which has been used to place a cardiac pacemaker (pacing) lead or other elongated intravascular instrument at a desired position within the body of a patient and without disturbing that pacing lead or instrument.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,469 (Osypka) there is disclosed a hand-held slitter device for slitting a splittable introducer sheath used to place a cardiac pacing lead to permit the sheath to be removed without having to withdraw it over an end of a pacemaker lead.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,867 (Morris) there is disclosed an introducer system including a kink-resistant sheath for use in placing a cardiac pacing lead. The sheath is constructed so that it can be readily split longitudinally utilizing a hand-held slitter device to permit the sheath to be removed without having to withdraw it over the proximal end of the pacemaker lead.
In current electrophysiology practice, the physician typically uses both hands to grasp and peel or split an introducer sheath to remove it from a cardiac pacing lead that has been positioned through the sheath to a desired location within the patient""s body. A second person is sometimes used to hold the pacing lead in the desired position while the sheath is removed to ensure that the pacing lead is not displaced or moved. Alternatively, and more commonly, the physician holds the pacing lead with one hand, and withdraws the introducer sheath a short distance with the other hand. Then the physician grasps each half of the split peel-away hub and peels the sheath apart a short distance further. Once this is accomplished the physician again holds the pacing lead a little further up, and withdraws the introducer sheath a short distance further. This incremental series of motions is repeated several times until the introducer sheath is completely removed from the patient and the pacing lead, to minimize any displacement of the pacing lead.
As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art a primary concern of the physician during this repetitive procedure centers around the numerous manipulations necessary to remove the introducer from the pacing lead, and the significant potential for moving the freshly placed tip of the pacing lead, since some pacing leads exhibit a tendency to move out of position if the lead is pulled or otherwise disturbed.
Thus, need presently exists for a device for stabilizing or holding a cardiac pacing lead or any other elongated intravascular instrument at a desired position within a patient""s body to facilitate the removal of a tearable or otherwise splittable introducer, without disturbing that pacing lead or other elongated intravascular instrument.
In accordance with one aspect of this invention a holding device is provided for use with an elongated flexible member, e.g., a cardiac pacing lead, and a tubular introducer member, e.g., a peelable or tearable introducer sheath or catheter. The tubular introducer member is arranged to be extended into the body of a living being, with the elongated flexible member arranged to extend through the tubular introducer member into the being""s body for location at a desired position. The tubular introducer member is arranged to be withdrawn proximally from the being""s body after the elongated flexible member is in the desired position. The elongated flexible member has a proximal portion that deters the tubular introducer member from being withdrawn out of the being""s body while the elongated flexible member is in place extending through the tubular introducer member.
The holding device comprises a first portion, e.g., a xe2x80x9cgripperxe2x80x9d portion, and a second portion, e.g., a xe2x80x9csplitterxe2x80x9d portion. The first portion of the holding device is operable, e.g., includes at least one contoured engagement surface or jaw, to grasp a portion of the periphery of the elongated flexible member to hold the elongated flexible member at the desired position within the being""s body. The second portion of the holding device is arranged to cause the tubular introducer member to separate longitudinally, e.g., the second portion includes a sharp edge portion for engaging the tubular introducer member to split the tubular introducer member longitudinally, when the tubular introducer member is withdrawn, e.g., pulled proximally with respect to the holding device, as the holding device is held in place gripping the elongated flexible member. Once it is separated, e.g., split, longitudinally, the tubular introducer member can be removed from the elongated flexible member leaving the elongated flexible member at the desired position within the being""s body.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention a method is provided for holding an elongated flexible member, e.g., a cardiac pacing lead, in place extending into the body of a living being to a desired position through a tubular introducer member extending into the being""s body, and for enabling the tubular introducer member to be withdrawn from the being""s body when the elongated flexible member is held in place. The tubular introducer member includes a proximal portion. The elongated flexible member has a proximal portion that deters the tubular introducer member from being withdrawn out of the being""s body while the elongated flexible member is in place extending through it.
The method comprises the steps of providing a holding device having a first portion and a second portion, longitudinally separating the proximal portion of the tubular introducer member to expose a portion of the periphery of the elongated flexible member, utilizing the first portion of the holding device to grip the exposed portion of the periphery of the elongated flexible member to hold the elongated flexible member at a desired position within the being""s body, and withdrawing the tubular introducer member in the proximal direction to bring portions of it into engagement with the second portion of the holding device. This action causes the tubular introducer member to separate longitudinally along its entire length so that it can be removed from the being""s body, leaving the elongated flexible member at the desired position within the being""s body.

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HOLDING AND MAINTAINING THE POSITION OF A MEDICAL DEVICE SUCH AS A CARDIAC PACING LEAD OR OTHER INTRAVASCULAR INSTRUMENT AND FOR FACILITATING REMOVAL OF A PEELABLE OR SPLITTABLE INTRODUCER SHEATH


The present invention provides methods and apparatus for flexible and reproducible control of quantum cascade laser frequency scans having short (nanosecond) pulse excitations. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of digital frequency control for pulsed quantum cascade lasers includes digitally synthesizing a sub-threshold current, converting the sub-threshold current to analog form, and generating laser pulses. Preferably, the sub-threshold current is synchronized to the laser pulses.

Infrared laser absorption spectroscopy is an extremely effective tool for detecting trace gases. The demonstrated sensitivity of this technique is at the parts per billion (ppb) level. Presently, the usefulness of the laser spectroscopy approach is limited by the availability of convenient tunable sources in the spectroscopically important "fingerprint" region from 3 to 20 μm. The available options include cryogenically cooled lead salt diode lasers and coherent sources based on difference frequency generation (DFG). Sensors based upon lead salt diode lasers are typically large in size and require consumables because the diodes operate at temperatures below 90 K. DFG based sources (especially PPLN based) are shown to be very robust, but they generate inherently low IR power. DFG based sensors are suitable for many atmospheric monitoring applications. However, their spectral coverage is currently limited to wavelengths shorter than 5 μm by the optical transparency of suitable nonlinear optical crystals such as periodically poled LiNbO3.
The recent development of quantum cascade lasers with distributed feedback (QC-DFB) fabricated by band structure engineering offer an attractive option for IR absorption spectroscopy. Compared to Pb-salt diode lasers, QC-DFB lasers allow the realization of very compact narrow-linewidth mid-IR sources combining single-frequency operation and substantially higher powers (tens of mW) at mid-IR wavelengths (3.5 to 24 μm). Pulsed DFB QC lasers are semiconductor lasers able to emit mid-IR radiation at room temperature (continuous wave, or "cw", operation requires temperatures below 150K at this time). The higher power of QC lasers permits the use of advanced detection techniques that improve S/N ratio of trace gas spectra and decrease the apparatus size. For example in Cavity Enhanced Spectroscopy (CES) and Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS) an effective absorption pathlength of hundreds of meters can be obtained in a laptop-size device. The large wavelength coverage available with QC lasers allows numerous molecular trace gas species to be monitored. Recent measurements with QC-DFB lasers have demonstrated the usefulness of these devices for sensitive, highly selective real time trace gas concentration measurements based on absorption spectroscopy with sensitivities of several parts per billion (See K. Namjou et al, "Sensitive absorption spectroscopy with a room-temperature distributed-feedback quantum-cascade laser", Optics Letters, V. 23, n. 3, Feb. 1, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference).
Pulsed operation of QC-DFB lasers gives a unique opportunity to design a liquid nitrogen-free mid-IR spectroscopic sensor. However, specific problems are associated with this mode of operation. The peak power in pulsed mode is essentially the same as for cw operation, but the duty cycle has to be less then 1 percent to avoid an overheating of the device. Therefore, the average power is less than the power generated by the cw operation. This difference requires either more sensitive detection of average power or gated detection of peak power. Another problem is laser frequency chirping during the current pulse. This effect causes broadening of laser linewidth, limiting the spectral resolution and complicating data processing. These features associated with pulsed operation should be considered in the design of a trace gas sensor.

Frequency scanning pulsed laser having synchronously set subthreshold current


The present invention provides an improved aqueous solution for suspending and storing red blood cells. The solution includes sodium citrate, a combination of sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate dibasic, adenine, and mannitol. The solution is formulated at a low osmolarity and has a physiological pH of approximately 7.4. The solution simultaneously maintains stored red cells ATP and 2,3-BPG. Also disclosed is a method for storing red blood cells comprising adding an anticoagulant with a reduced citrate concentration compared to a CPD solution comprising 26.3 g/l, sodium citrate and 3.28 g/l citric acid hydrous to whole blood, separating the red cells and adding a storage solution comprising sodium citrate, sodium diphosphate, sodium phosphate dibasic, adenine and mannitol.

The present invention relates generally to the storage of blood cell components. More specifically, the present invention relates to the storage of the red blood cell component of blood.
It is known to centrifuge collected blood to remove plasma and the buffy-coat layer. The residue is a mass of red cells that is substantially separated from the plasma referred to as "packed red cells." The separation of the red cells from the plasma is desirable for a number of reasons. By separating the red cells, it is possible to collect the plasma and use the plasma for separate therapeutic uses.
Additionally, it is desirable in many disease states to administer red blood cells in a purified or semipurified form, thereby avoiding to transfer to the recipient such constituents of blood as plasma and white cells, when these are unsuitable.
Accordingly, it is known to store packed red cells separately and apart from at least a substantial portion of plasma. These red cells are later administered to a patient during major surgery and the like.
Although it is desirable to separately store and utilize the red cell component of whole blood, it was discovered that, unless special precautions are taken, packed red cells do not survive as well as red cells that are stored in the presence of an increased amount of plasma. Accordingly, to promote the long term storage of packed red cells, it has been suggested to admix packed red cells with at least a small amount of blood plasma.
It is known to store packed red cells in a 100 ml of a protein-poor solution containing for each unit of packed red cells, 877 mg of sodium chloride, 16.9 mg of adenine, and 900 mg of glucose (SAG) to increase the storage life of the red cells. See, Hogman et al, New England Journal of Medicine, Dec. 21, 1978; 229 (25); 1377-82.
It has also been suggested to use mannitol as a reagent to improve the viability of stored blood cells and create a storage solution. See, U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,509. The patent discloses a storage solution which includes both glucose (in an amount of 990 mg/ml) and mannitol (in an amount of 500 mg/ml). The solution provides an improved viability of the packed red cells stored in contact therewith.
European Published Patent No. 0 044 864 discloses a storage solution that provides improved storage time. Pursuant to the solution disclosed, the concentration of glucose (or fructose) is increased and mannitol is added to a conventional SAG solution. In an embodiment, an aqueous red blood cell storage solution is provided that contains per 100 ml of solution, substantially from 1500 to 2500 mg of sugar comprising glucose and/or fructose; from 500 to 1500 mg of mannitol; from 20 to 30 mg of adenine; and from 500 to 1000 mg of sodium chloride.
One difficulty that is encountered with storage solutions is the sterilization of the solutions. Glucose is known to degrade under autoclaving (heat) sterilization conditions unless it is maintained in an acidic medium. If glucose is not in an acidic medium, when heated, glucose will carmelize.
In collecting blood, specifically red cells, it is known to add to the whole blood collected from the donor an anticoagulant. The anticoagulant typically includes citrate. After the anticoagulant is added to the whole blood, the blood can be separated into components, including plasma and red blood cells. An example of an anticoagulant is citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD). During the separation process of the whole blood, typically much of the citrate separates with the plasma, leaving the red blood cells with lower citrate levels when they are then mixed with a storage solution.
It is known to include in the anticoagulant a surplus of citrate in order to obtain good binding of ionized calcium which otherwise may initiate plasma coagulation at blood collection or blood storage. However, a disadvantage with this procedure is poor stability of Factor VIII and reduced yield of this factor in subsequent blood component preparation.
It is known that reduction of the concentration of citrate in the anticoagulant improves the stability of Factor VIII, provided conditions during collection are optimal. This is a way to improve the yield of Factor VIII in plasma, when separation of the blood into components has to be carried out after a delay of several hours. Reduction of citrate in the anticoagulant has the additional advantage, when the red cells are stored in an additive solution based on citrate, that the citrate load in a recipient of massive volumes of both red cells and plasma will not be disturbingly high.
There is therefore a need for an improved red blood cell storage solution.

Method for storing red cells using reduced citrate anticoagulant and a solution containing sodium, citrate, phosphate, adenine and mannitol


This invention features methods for characterizing antigenic reactivity of biological samples by contacting a biological sample with two or a plurality of monoclonal receptor molecules raised to an immunogen containing a polypeptide of about 7 to about 40 amino acid residues and comparing the ensuing reaction pattern with a pattern generated with a known biological sample.

Retroviruses are viruses that contain a single strand of RNA as the genetic material rather than DNA. The single-stranded RNA genome of each of these viruses gives rise to a double-stranded DNA molecule after the virus infects a susceptible host. This DNA replica of the viral genome then introduces itself permanently into a chromosome of the successfully infected cell and replicates in that host chromosome.
The retroviruses discussed hereinafter and in the claims may be further defined as being replication-defective retroviruses. Thus, these viruses do not themselves contain a gene encoding the reverse transcriptase usually required to permit the viral RNA genome to be translated into a DNA that can be introduced into a chromosome of the infected host. Rather, the retroviruses discussed hereinafter typically must be complimented in their infection by a so-called helper virus that is replication-competent. That second virus contains the gene that encodes the reverse transcriptase enzyme that incorporates the genomic materials from both viruses into the successfully infected host cells to transform those cells.
For ease in understanding, the replication-defective retroviruses will be discussed hereinafter and in the claims merely as retroviruses with the understanding that they are replication-defective and require the assistance of a helper virus for successful infection and transformation of host cells. This usage of the term retrovirus is known in the art and has been used in the art as such without further explanation.
Some members of the retrovirus family are highly oncogenic as judged by their ability to cause the formation of solid tumors within a short period of time after being inoculated into the host. These viruses can also cause "cancerous" changes in cells grown and cultured in the laboratory; such changes are called "transformations" and provide a reliable in vitro biological assay for oncogenic viruses. Several such viruses have been isolated from chickens, turkeys, mice, rats, cats and monkeys.
A single gene, the oncogene, located on the genome of these highly oncogenic viruses is responsible for the tumorgenic potential of the virus. In the case of several viruses, the protein products of their oncogenes, referred to herein as oncoproteins, have been immunologically identified by taking advantage of the fact that serum from an animal bearing a virus-induced tumor contains antibodies directed against those oncoproteins.
A rapidly growing body of evidence indicates that the oncogenes of retroviruses are closely related to and are derived from specific genetic loci in the normal cellular genetic information of all vertebrates.
Interest in oncogenes has steadily risen in the last decade. Although RNA tumor viruses have been implicated as the causative agents of experimentally induced neoplasia in chickens for over 50 years, it was not until the mid 1970s that mechanisms of virally induced neoplasia began to emerge [Bishop (1983) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 52:301-54]. According to one such mechanism, replication-competent avian viruses and defective mammalian viruses had captured cellular genes that provided the viruses with a transforming potential.
Molecular hybridization studied using specific nucleic acid probes, followed by genetic cloning of viral oncogenes and their cellular relatives by recombinant DNA technology, have established the kinship between retroviral oncogenes (v-onc) and cellular oncogenes (c-onc) found in all normal vertebrate cells. Molecular analysis of the several retroviruses thus far isolated has revealed more than two dozen different oncogenes. In most cases, a corresponding cellular to the retroviral oncogene or oncoprotein has been isolated.
For example, the human EJ or T24 bladder carcinoma oncogene was identified as the homolog of the transforming gene of Harvey murine sarcoma virus (ras.sup.Ha) and also of the BALB sarcoma virus (bas) [Parada et al., Nature, 297, 474-478 (1982); Der et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 79, 3627-3634 (1982); and Santos et al., Nature, 298, 343-347 (1982)]. In addition, the oncogene of the human carcinoma cell line LX-1 was found to be homologous to the transforming gene of Kirsten strain of murine sarcoma virus (ras.sup.Ki) [Der et al., above]. Still further, the v-onc for a c-onc designated fps of avian origin is represented at least twice among a limited number of avian retrovirus isolates; its mammalian cognate designated fes in feline species is found in two different strains of feline sarcoma viruses.
The homology [Doolittle et al., (1983) Science 221:275-277; Waterfield et al., (1983) Nature 304:35-391] between the gene product of the sis oncogene and one of the chains of platelet-derived growth factor provided the most solid link between malignant transformation by oncogenes and stimulation of normal cell division by growth factors. This identity between oncogene products and growth factors and cellular receptors was further substantiated with sequence analysis of the epidermal growth factor cellular receptor [Downward et al., (1984) Nature 307, 521-527; Ullrich et al., (1984) Nature 309:418-425] that was found to be the normal homologue of erb B. Furthermore, immunological cross-reactivity of fms antibodies with colony stimulating factor-1 receptor [Sherr et al., (1985) Cell: 665-676] as well as protein kinase homology with the insulin-receptor [Ullrich et al., (1985) Nature:313, 756-7611] and platelet derived growth factor receptor [Yarden et al., (1986) Nature 323; 226-232] indicated the kinase activity of many of the sequenced oncogenes would be important in the signal transduction of several growth factors.
Sequencing of oncogenes captured by retroviruses or identified via transfection experiments greatly extended the number of kinase family members. [Hunter et al., (1985) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 54:897-930.] This sequence analysis suggested the number of kinase-related proteins would be large and the family members could be divided into subgroups based upon sequence homology and overall structural similarities. The kinase family can be conveniently divided into gene products that do or do not have extracellular (hormone/growth factor) binding domains.
The close similarity between the kinase portion of src and yes has been apparent for several years. [Kitamura et al., (1982) Nature 297:205-208.] Recently, sequencing of additional genes has extended this homology to fgr, [Naharro et al., (1984) Science 222;63-66] lck, [Marth et al., (1985) Cell 43:393-404. syn, [Semba et al., (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:5459-54631 ] and lyn [Yamanashi et al., (1987) Mol. and Cell Biol. 1:237-243]. All six of these genes encode proteins of approximately the same size 55-65 kd, and the genes share intron/exon borders indicating they evolved from the same ancestral protooncogene. However, each gene is located on a separate chromosome and expresses different proteins in different tissues.
Many additional kinase family members can also be placed into subgroups. Mos [Van Beveran et al., (1981) Nature 289:258-262] is closely related to pim-1 [Selten et al., (1986) Cell 46:603-611], one of the preferred integration sites of Moloney leukemia virus. Abl [Reddy et al., (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:3623-3627] is closely related to arg [Kruh et al., (1986) Science 234:1545-1547]. Fes [Hampe et al., (1982) Cell 30:775-785] and fps [Shibuya et al., (1982) Cell 30:787-795]. represent the mammalian and avian counterparts of the same gene. Similarly, raf [Sutrave et al., (1984) Nature 309:85-88] and mil [Mark et al., (1984) Science 224:285-289] are mammalian and avian homologues of the same gene. They are closely related to A-raf/pks [Huleihel et al., (1986) Mol. and Cell Biol. 6:2655-2662; Mark et al., (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:6312-6316].
A subgroup that does not have a viral counterpart contains genes that encode protein kinase C, the receptor for phorbal esters. There are at least three closely related genes comprising this subgroup [Coussens et al., (1986) Science 233:859-866; Knopf et al., (1986) Cell 46:491-502]. Moreover, one of the genes can encode two proteins via alternative exon usage [Ohno et al., (1987) Nature 325:161-166]. Other more distantly related cytoplasmic kinases include cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase [Shoji et al., (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 78:848-851; Takio et al., (1984) Biochemistry 23:4207-4218], as well as myosin light chain kinase [Takio et al., (1985) Biochemistry 24:6028-6037]. Several transmembrane kinases have also been sequenced in the past few years.
A gene closely related to the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) has also been found in humans (HER-2) [Coussens et al. (1985) Science 230:1132-1139] and rats (neu) [Bargmann et al., (1986) Nature 319:226-230]. The growth factor that binds to ros [Neckameyer et al., (1985) J Virol. 53:879-884] is not known although the sequence is most closely related to the insulin receptor (HIR) [Ullrich et al., (1985) Nature:313, 756-761]. The colony stimulating factor 1 receptor, FMS [Hampe et al., (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:85-89], forms a subgroup with kit [Besmer et al., (1986) Nature 320:415-421] and the receptor for platelet-derived growth factor, PDGF-R [Yarden et al., (1986) Nature 323:226-232]. In addition, sequences for the trk [Martin-Zanca et al., (1986) Nature 319:743-748] and met-8 [Dean et al., (1985) Nature 318:385] oncogenese have been published, although the corresponding growth factors are not known.
A similar although not as extensive expansion has also been seen for the nucleotide binding proteins represented by the ras oncogene family. Sequence data indicate bas [Reddy et al., (1985) J. Virol. 53:984-987] is the mouse form of H-ras [Dhar et al., (1982) Science 217:934-937], and that the H- and K-ras products differ principally at the carboxyl region [Tsuchida et al., (1982) Science 217:937-939]. Through alternative exons K-ras can encode 2 proteins (4A and 4B) [McGrath et al., (1983) Nature 310:501-506]. A third member, N-ras, also diverges from H- and K-ras in this region [Taparowsky et al., (1983) Cell 34:581-586]. Another closely related gene is R-ras [Lowe et al., (1987) Cell 48:137-146], although this gene is closely related to the three ras genes that have evolved from the same ancestral gene, R-ras has different intron/exon boarder. Another gene, rho [Madule et al., (1985) Cell 41:31-40], has scattered regions of homology with ras. Furthermore, a third group, ral, also has similar regions of homology [Chardin et al., (1986) EMBO J. 5:2203-2208]. Moreover, a yeast gene ypt [Gallwitz et al., (1983) Nature 306:704-707] has regions of homology with ras and this gene is distinct from the two yeast genes that have extensive homology with ras; i.e., they are more like R-RAS.
Other genes that also have homology with ras include the G proteins [Itoh et al., (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:3776-3780] as well as transducin and elongation factor, Tu [Lochrie et al., (1985) Science 228:96-99]. The G proteins are composed of subunits that stimulate (G.sub.s) and inhibit (G.sub.i) adenylate cyclase. Another related protein (G.sub.o), has an unknown function. These proteins exists in a variety of different forms that have closely related sequences.
The nuclear proteins myb [Rushlow et al., (1982) Science 216,1421-1423], myc [Colby et al., (1983) Nature 301:722-725] and fos [van Straaten et al., (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:3183-3187] comprise another family of oncogenes that are related more by cellular location than sequence. However, additional genes related to these oncogenes have been identified. N-myc [Stanton (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:1772-1776] and L-myc [Nau et al., (1985) Nature 318:69-73] sequences have been published, and unpublished related sequences have been identified. Moreover, the sequences are distantly related to fos. A related fos (r-fos) [Cochran et al., (1984) Science 226:1080-1082] sequence has been published, and unpublished data indicate a phosphorylase inhibitor has limited homology as does the jun oncogene.
Another group of nuclear oncogene-related proteins include steroid and thyroid hormone receptors. Although only one sequence related to erb A has been published [Sap et al., (1986) Nature 324:635-640; Weinberger et al., (1986) Nature 324:641-646], hybridization studies indicate at least two related sequences are present in the human genome [Weinberger et al., (1986) Nature 324:641-646]. Steroid receptor sequences indicate erb A (the thyroid hormone receptor) is part of a superfamily that includes several receptors (estrogen, glucocorticoid, progesterone, aldosterone) [Greene et al., (1986) Science 231:1150-1153; Hollenberg et al., (1985) Nature 318:635-641; and Connelly et al., (1986) Science 233:767-770].
In the growth factor group only the PDGF-1 chain [Doolittle et al., (1983) Science 221:275-277 and Waterfield et al., (1983) Nature 304:35-39] has sequence homology to sis (PDGF-2). However, other growth factors [Gregory (1975) Nature 257:325-327; Marguardt et al., (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80: 4684-4688] (EGF and TGF) bind to the product of the erb B protooncogene, and CSF-1 [Kawasaki et al., (1985) Science 230:291-296] binds to the fms protooncogene. Moreover, TGF [Derynk et al., (1985) Nature 316:701-705], forms another subgroup by virtue of homologies with Mullerian inhibitory substance [Cate et al., (1986) Cell 45:685-698], and the three chains that are found in the various forms of inhibitin [Mason et al., (1985) Nature 318:659-663 and Vale et al., (1986) Nature 321:776-779].
Finally, sequences representing two of the preferred integration sites of MMTV have been published [Van Ooyen et al., (1984) Cell 39:233-240 and Moore et al., (1986) EMBO J. 5:919-924].
Thus, in the past few years, the number of related published sequences has increased dramatically. These sequences suggest that a limited number of pathways controlling cell division and differentiation exist but that many different members may participate in this control.
An example of transduction of only a portion of a cellular gene by a retrovirus is the erb B oncogene. The erb B oncogene is highly homologous to a portion of the ECG receptor [Ullrich et al., Nature 309:418 (1984)], as already noted. Sequence analysis of the entire receptor gene demonstrates the relatedness of erb B with the entire intracellular domain, the transmembrane domain, and a portion of the extracellular doman.
The protein encoded by the viral oncogene and the corresponding, homologous protein within the host cell are both referred to herein as oncoproteins, although the cellular oncoprotein is typically larger and is present in small quantities in normal cells, and thus need not only be associated with neo-plastic states. In addition, oncoproteins encoded by related oncogenes can have different molecular weights, e.g., the p85 and p108 oncoproteins encoded by v-fes.sup.ST and v-fes.sup.GA, respectively, and the 100-105 kilodalton (also kd or K dalton) protein of normal mink cells thought to be encoded by the c-fes gene. [Sen et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 80, 1246-1250 (1983).] The term oncoprotein is thus used generally herein for proteins whose genes and amino acid residue sequences are homologous, at least in part, as discussed hereinafter.
The oncoprotein is generally not present in the virus particle that infects the cell, but is only expressed after infection and transformation. The corresponding cellular oncoprotein is expressed at most minimally in normal cells and to a greater extent in neoplastic cells. Thus, the oncoprotein cannot typically be obtained from the virus. In addition, isolation of oncoproteins from cells is made difficult because of small amount present, the complex mixture of proteins found in normal cells, and the relatively small amount of such proteins present even in transformed cells.
Oncoproteins encoded by v-onc and c-onc genes thus typically contain large sequences of amino acid residues that are homologous, but nevertheless are not usually identical. In addition, oncoproteins encoded by genes of different viral strains, each of which contains ostensibly the same oncogene, have been found to have slight variations in their amino acid residue sequences as exemplified above, and by the four published sequences of the ras gene which differ at the position of the twelfth amino acid residue. Thus, even when oncoproteins are in hand, it may be difficult to distinguish among them.
Immunologically induced receptor molecules such as monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies or the idiotype-containing portions of those antibodies are useful in purifying protein ligands to which they bind, as diagnostic reagents for assaying the presence and quantity of the protein ligands, as well as for distinguishing among homologous protein ligands.
The difficulties associated with obtaining quantities of oncoproteins typically militate against the preparation of receptors to those oncoproteins, although whole cell-induced monoclonal antibodies to v-fes and v-fps encoded oncoprotein have been reported by Veronese et al., J. Virol., 43, 896-904 (1982). In addition, even were whole proteins available for use as immunogens for inducing the production of such receptors, the use of large protein molecules as immunogens produces antisera containing polyclonal antibodies to the numerous epitopes of the large protein molecules.
Hybridoma and monoclonal antibody techniques utilizing whole proteins or large protein fragments as immunogens have been useful in narrowing the immunological response to such immunogens. However, such technology as heretofore practiced has been extremely time consuming and has provided only a relatively small number of hybridomas that secrete useful antibodies that recognize the immunogen. Moreover, even when successful, such techniques cannot be predictive of the chemical identity of epitope to which the receptor molecules are raised. Consequently, even after immunogen-recognizing receptors are produced, the obtaining of receptors to specific, chemically identified epitopic portions of the protein ligand has been a hit or miss operation that still further reduces the number of useful hybridomas that are ultimately produced.
Arnheiter et al., Nature, 294, 278-280 (1981) reported on the production of monoclonal antibodies that were raised to a polypeptide that contained 56 amino acid residues and corresponded in amino acid residue sequence to the carboxyterminal portion of an intact interferon molecule. The 56-mer polypeptide thus corresponded to approximately one-third of the sequence of the intact molecule.
Arnheiter et al. reported on the production of eleven monoclonal antibodies. However, only one of those eleven monoclonal antibodies bound both to the polypeptide immunogen and also to the intact interferon molecule. In addition, that binding was not very strong as judged by the 3000-fold excess of intact interferon required to compete the antibody away from the synthetic polypeptide. None of the other monoclonal antibodies bound to the intact molecule.
In addition, the production of the hybridomas secreting those monoclonal antibodies required the spleens from three immunized mice. The low yield of the desired interferon-binding monoclonal antibodies, and the fact that three mouse spleens were needed for the preparation of those hybridoma cell lines indicates that those workers were relatively unsuccessful in their efforts.
Lerner et al. have been successful in obtaining protection of animals by the use of vaccines against pathogens by utilizing synthetic amino acid residue sequences of short to moderate length as immunogens. See Sutcliffe et al., Science, 219, 495-497 (1983).
However, it must be understood that until the present invention, successful preparation of hybridomas and their secreted monoclonal receptors differs from the successful preparation of a vaccine containing oligoclonal receptors. Thus, for a high yield monoclonal antibody preparation, it is necessary to stimulate B-cells to secrete large amounts of avid antibodies. On the other hand, for a synthetic vaccine, a wider spectrum of oligoclonal antibodies may be produced in smaller amounts and with lower avidities. In addition, protection of an animal against a pathogen typically requires both T-cell and B-cell activations so that a cellular response and a humoral response, respectively, can be induced in the animal.
A popular explanation for the success of synthetic polypeptide-containing vaccines in generating antibodies that recognize intact proteins and protect animal hosts involves a stochastic model in which the diversity of the immune response allows the observation of an infrequent event; i.e., the polypeptide adopting the confirmation of its corresponding sequence in the native molecule. The concept that moderate-length polypeptides can frequently conform to native structures is contrary to theoretical and experimental studies. Rather, such polypeptides are thought to exist as an ensemble of a large number of transient conformational states that are in dynamic equilibrium. T-Cell activation by, and B-cell production of antibodies raised to, some of that conformational ensemble have been believed sufficient to provide protection upon vaccination.

Method for characterizing antigenic reactivity of biological sample


Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a secure software resume from low power mode are described. According to one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to enter a low power mode. In response to the request, the method includes storing a data section in LPDRM, performing a validation function on the data section to compute a validation value, and constructing a resume package that includes the validation value and a location of the data section in the LPDRM. The resume package is stored in the LPDRM for use in resuming operation after exiting low power mode.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor(s), to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Low power consumption and response times are important requirements in today's mobile device market. With the increasing popularity of mobile devices such as smart phones, tablet devices, etc. which are capable of handling various computation tasks, battery life has become a major differentiating factor. In order to provide efficiency in power usage (and hence in battery life), these devices provide a suspend feature which will minimize power consumption by putting the device into a low power (e.g., sleep or hibernation) mode when it is not being used. At the same time, these devices also provide a resume process which will take the device out of low power mode and put it into its original state as quickly as possible.

Method for secure software resume from low power mode


An impeller assembly including a motor that rotationally drives an impeller is balanced. The impeller assembly is balanced without physically indexing the impeller to determine the rotational position of the impeller while impeller is rotated. For example, the system does not employ an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall sensor), a mechanical indexing sensor, and/or other sensors that physically index the impeller.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to balancing an impeller assembly that includes an electric motor driving an impeller. In particular, the impeller assembly is balanced without including a dedicated sensor for detecting rotational position of the impeller or motor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Medical respiration systems typically implement impeller assemblies that include a motor and impeller or fan to generate pressurized flows of breathable gas. These impeller assemblies are typically balanced with relative precision to avoid the generation of vibration and/or noise. In order to detect the rotational position of the motor and/or impeller in an impeller assembly for balancing purposes, conventional systems for balancing these impeller assemblies tend to rely on dedicated sensors included in the impeller assembly and/or components or physical features provided on the impeller assembly for physically indexing the rotation of the impeller. This increases the cost of the impeller assembly by the cost of the sensor(s) and installation, the manufacturing costs associated with creating the physical features during manufacture, and/or other costs. Additionally, some conventional techniques that rely on physical indexing of the impeller and/or motor to determine rotational position may not provide sufficient accuracy and/or precision.

System and method for balancing an impeller assembly


In one aspect, a server computer is configured to facilitate operation of a movable barrier operator using voice commands. The server computer includes a processor configured to receive a request for a first rolling voice identifier from a communication apparatus in response to receipt of a voice command of a user requesting a state change of a movable barrier. The processor is configured to send the first rolling voice identifier to the communication apparatus causing the communication apparatus to provide a first physical stimulus to the user based at least in part on the first rolling voice identifier and user account information. The processor is configured to receive a communication indicative of a user voice response to the first physical stimulus and determine whether to instruct the movable barrier operator to change a state of the movable barrier based on the user voice response to the first physical stimulus.

Access control platforms are employed to open, close, and/or secure an movable barrier such as a garage door or a door of a house. Some access control platforms move a movable barrier, such as a garage door opener, while others secure movable barriers, such as lock of a door. Conventionally, control of some movable barriers such as garage doors and gates are provided by remote controls that employ radio frequencies to transmit control signals. Often, these remote controls are utilized in a vehicle and require the operator of the vehicle to take her hands off the steering wheel to operate the remote control. A voice-activated control system can eliminate the need to manipulate the remote control to control the access control platform in order to operate an movable barrier, such as a garage or the interior of a house.
However, many traditional access control platforms operated by a remote control, whether by operated voice or manipulation of a push button, have the same fundamental problem. Specifically, if an unauthorized third party gains possession of or access to the remote control, the third party will be able to operate the access control platform to operate the associated movable barrier.
One prior voice-activated system attempts to solve the problem of unauthorized third-party use of a voice-activated remote control by using a static or single-factor verification method to authenticate a user. For example, a user speaks a command to an access control platform that includes a personal identification number (PIN). However, the use of a PIN is problematic in voice-activated systems for a number of reasons. For example, if a third party is present when you speak PIN, the PIN becomes known to the third party which decreases the security of the access control platform. Similarly, active microphone and other recording devices have become ubiquitous in our society and may be used by a third party to obtain the PIN. Active microphones and other recording devices can be found in our homes, our vehicles, and in our personal telecommunication devices.
In today's connected world where humans interface directly with their electronic devices through voice commands, a more robust user authentication is required to secure access control platforms and prevent unwanted intrusion in the home or other secured areas.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for voice-activated control of an access control platform


An apparatus for and method of estimating a one-way delay time between two hosts and an apparatus and method of clock synchronization using the same. The two hosts are connected to a network and communicate a predetermined packet; k-th, (k+1)-th, and (k+2)-th transmission times are measured at the first host, and k-th, and (k+1)-th transmission times are measured at the second host; a time difference of the m-th transmission time is measured at the first and second host, where m is k or k+1, and by using the measured transmission times, an m-th one-way delay time is calculated. If the time difference is identical to the calculated one-way delay time, a value equal to or less than the calculated one-way delay time is determined as the estimated one-way delay time. Accordingly, the estimation error of a one-way delay time is reduced for both symmetrically and asymmetrically connected hosts.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate to estimation of a one-way delay time between two hosts, and more particularly, to a method of and an apparatus for estimating a one-way delay time, by which if an m-th one-way delay time obtained by using a round-trip delay time is identical to the time difference of the m-th transmission times measured in respective hosts, a value equal to or less than the obtained m-th one-way delay time is determined as the one-way delay time desired to be estimated, and to a clock synchronization method and apparatus using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Clocks of two hosts disposed at a distance may be synchronized with each other or not. As a method of synchronizing the clocks of two hosts that are not synchronized, two hosts may receive identical timing information from a base station of a satellite or a cellular phone, and synchronize the clocks according to the received timing information. However, in this method, in order to receive the timing information, expensive reception equipment such as an antenna is necessary. Accordingly, utilization of the method is low.
As another method of synchronizing the clocks of two hosts that are not synchronized, a one half value of a round-trip delay time measured in one host may be estimated as a one-way delay time of the two hosts, and by using the estimated one-way delay time, two clocks of the hosts may be synchronized. The mid round-trip value method may be usefully employed to synchronize the clocks if two disposed hosts are under an environment where timing information from a satellite or a base station that can be a reference cannot be received. However, the mid round-trip value method has a limitation in that the accuracy of synchronization cannot be guaranteed to be higher than one half the value of the round-trip delay time. Accordingly, an improved method to overcome this limitation is needed.

One-way delay time estimation method and apparatus and clock synchronization method and apparatus using the same


A boosted supply voltage generator is selectively activated and deactivated to allow operations that are sensitive to variations on the boosted voltage to be performed with a stable boosted voltage. Techniques for deactivating and reactivating the voltage generator are also disclosed that enable more rapid recovery from deactivation such that subsequent operations can be commenced sooner. Such techniques include storing state information corresponding to the voltage generator when deactivated, where the stored state information is used when reactivating the voltage generator. Stored state information can include a state of a clock signal provided to the voltage generator.

Resistive memory devices store information by varying the resistance across the memory device such that a read current through a memory cell in the memory device will result in a voltage drop having a magnitude that is based on the information stored in the memory cell. For example, in certain magnetic memory devices, the voltage drop across a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) can be varied based on the relative magnetic states of the magnetoresistive layers within the memory cell. In such memory devices, there is typically a portion of the memory cell that has a fixed magnetic state and another portion that has a free magnetic state that is controlled to be either parallel or antiparallel to the fixed magnetic state. Because the resistance through the memory cell changes based on whether the free portion is parallel or antiparallel to the fixed portion, information can be stored by setting the orientation of the free portion. The information is later retrieved by sensing the orientation of the free portion. Such magnetic memory devices are well known in the art.
Writing magnetic memory cells can be accomplished by sending a spin-polarized write current through the memory device where the angular momentum carried by the spin-polarized current can change the magnetic state of the free portion. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that such a current can either be directly driven through the memory cell or can be the result of applying one or more voltages where the applied voltages result in the desired current. Depending on the direction of the current through the memory cell, the resulting magnetization of the free portion will either be parallel or antiparallel to the fixed portion. If the parallel orientation represents a logic "0", the antiparallel orientation may represent a logic "1", or vice versa. Thus, the direction of write current flow through the memory cell determines whether the memory cell is written to a first state or a second state. Such memory devices are often referred to as spin torque transfer memory devices. In such memories, the magnitude of the write current is typically greater than the magnitude of a read current used to sense the information stored in the memory cells.
In order to selectively apply the currents used to sense the stored information in memory cells and write information to those memory cells, selection transistors are often included in series with each memory cell. When the selection transistor is selected by applying the appropriate voltage to its control node, current is allowed to flow through the memory cell for the sensing and writing operations. As discussed above, the various sensing and writing operations in memory devices can require currents of different magnitudes and directions to flow through the memory cells. Therefore, it is desirable to provide circuits and methods for selection of memory cells for such operations that promote accurate and effective sensing and write operations.

Boosted supply voltage generator and method therefore


A patient monitoring system and a method of operating same, including automatically detecting a seizure in the patient, by detecting an electrical discharge in the patient's brain; converting the detected electrical discharge into a digital signal; inputting the digital signal into a microprocessor; detecting a seizure by dividing the digital signals into time segments, preprocessing each time segment including standardizing the signal, reducing the signal in each time segment to a feature, the feature providing information about whether a seizure is occurring using the feature from each time segment; and indicating that a seizure is occurring.

There are an estimated two million people with epilepsy in the United States. Computerized analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG) data has been the goal of many investigators for years. Such an analysis system could be used for diagnosing seizures, for assessing the effectiveness of medical therapy or for selecting patients for epilepsy surgery.
A necessary component of accurate assessment of medical therapy, including safe and effective surgery, requires prolonged EEG monitoring to obtain recordings of seizure activity. One important reason for developing a system is to meet the needs of about one-third of the many patients with complex partial seizures who do not respond satisfactorily to anti-epileptic drug therapy.
Three devices can be developed to assist in the treatment of epilepsy. The first is a microcomputer-based system designed to process massive amounts of electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected during long-term monitoring of patients for the purpose of diagnosing seizures, assessing the effectiveness of medical therapy or selecting patients for epilepsy surgery. Such a device would select and display important EEG events. Currently many such events are missed. A second device would be a portable version of the first. This device would allow the patient to be monitored while away from the hospital. A third device could be implanted and would detect seizures and initiate therapy.
Computerized systems can be used to collect and store the data, but even with new mass-storage devices, it is not practical to store and review all of the data collected over days. Automatic spike and sharp wave detection and automatic seizure detection algorithms could be used to detect critical events and store just the relevant data for later examination by the neurologist and neurosurgeons. This information, in conjunction with clinical observation, is used to localize epileptic form discharges. Reliable automatic seizure detection is perhaps more challenging and would be a key element of any system designed for analysis of EEG data.
Five groups of investigators have pursued the goal of automatic seizure detection by implementing a system and publishing their results. Prior, et. al. (Prior, P. F., Maynard, D. E., "Recording Epileptic Seizures," Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium of Epilepsy, Berlin (West), Thieme Edition, Publishing Sciences Group, Inc., 325-377 (1975).) developed a simple system aimed at recording the timing and frequency of seizure discharges. They were able to detect severe seizures by looking for large amplitude signals sustained over a period of time. Their system used a single channel of data recorded on paper running at 5 to 6 cm/hour.
Babb, et al. (Babb, T. L., Mariani, E., Crandall, P. H., "An Electronic Circuit for Detection of EEG Seizures Recorded with Implanted Electrodes,"Electroencephalograph and Clinical Neurophysiology, 37, 305-308 (1974).) developed electronic circuits for recording and detecting seizures. Their system used implanted electrodes to detect seizures which might otherwise go unreported. The system identified as seizure high-amplitude EEG signals of sufficient duration. They reported monitoring four patients and detecting 66 seizures, 20 of which were false detections. During this same period of time, the nurses detected 28 seizures, two of which were false detections. Therefore, the automated system detected 20 unreported seizures.
Ives, et. al. (Ives, J. R., Thompson, C. J., Gloor, P., "Seizure Monitoring: A New Tool in Electroencephalography," Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 41, 422-427 (1976).) used implanted depth electrodes and a PDP-12 computer to remotely monitor patients. The system was adjusted or calibrated for individual patients using their seizure patterns. If the EEG signals fell within an amplitude window for a certain period of time, the algorithm identified the event as a seizure and recorded eight channels of EEG data. During two weeks of monitoring, thirteen seizures were detected and recorded by the computer. Only one seizure was reported by the nursing staff and only 3 were noted by the patient.
If Gotman (Gotman, J., "Automatic Seizure Detection: Improvements and Evaluations," Electroencephalograph and Clinical Neurophysiology, 76, 317-324 (1990).) designed a system to select, from largely uneventful EEG data, the sections which are likely to be of interest. Events, such as seizures, are recorded either because the program detects them or because the event button is pressed. His system was originally implemented in 1975 and has been in use since that time. It detects seizures using both surface and depth electrodes. His system is in use in many centers and has been updated. A study of his latest algorithm used 5303 hours of data and showed that 24 percent of the 244 seizures recorded were missed by the automatic detection system. However, in 41 percent of the seizures, the patient alarm was not pressed, but the computer made the decision to record the event. Like the other systems, Gotman's system detects many seizures which would otherwise be missed. The system experiences about one false detection per hour of recording.
Gotman's method uses digitally filtered data broken up into 2-second epochs. He compares features of this data to what he calls "background." The background data is a 16-second long section of data ending 12 seconds prior to the epoch being analyzed. This comparison allows the algorithm to self-scale to account for differences in montage or other settings and is a form of what we will refer to as calibration or standardization. Detection occurs when 1) the average amplitude of half-waves in the epoch is at least three times that of the background, 2) their average duration corresponds to frequencies between 3 and 20 Hz, and 3) the coefficient of variation (ratio of the variance to the square of the mean) of the half-waves is below 0.36. In short, the algorithm is based on amplitude, frequency, and the regularity of the half-wave duration. In 1990, Gotman reported modifications to his algorithm including the requirement to look 8 seconds ahead to verify that the amplitude remains high. This modification reduced false detections.
More recently Murro et al., (Murro, A. M., King, D. W., Smith, J. R., Gallagher, B. B., Flanigin, H. F., Meador, K., "Computerized Seizure Detection of Complex Partial Seizures," Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 79, 330-333 (1991).) developed a system using concepts similar to those of Gotman but used spectral concepts for feature development. They used three features from each of two channels. These six features are reduced to four using principal component analysis, and then statistical discrimination is used to develop a detection rule. Their algorithm was developed for intracranial data only.
Murro, et. al. address the issue of calibrating for patient differences partly in the way they define their features. They define reference power as the spectral power between 0.15 and 36 Hz averaged over four consecutive EEG epochs from 27 to 55.6 seconds prior to the event being evaluated. One of their features is relative power and is defined as the power between 0.15 and 36 Hz of the current epoch divided by the reference power. The second of their features is the dominant frequency. The third feature is rhythmicity, which is the ratio of the power associated with the dominant frequency to the relative power. Murro, et. al. use a segment of recent EEG data from the patient to influence the definition of their first and third feature. However, Murro, et al. also provide more in the way of custom tailoring their algorithm to the individual by building a separate decision rule for each patient. Their rule is based on normal data from the patient collected at different times and seizure data collected from other patients. These procedures allow for a more careful calibration for patient differences.
The algorithm of Murro, et. al. was tested using 8 patients and 43 seizures. Their system was evaluated using different detection thresholds. It detected all seizures allowing for a rate of 2.5 false detections per hour and detected 91% of the seizures with 1.5 false detections per hour.
The first seizure detection methods relied on amplitude and duration to identify seizures. Gotman's method tends to mimic the EEG readers. He characterizes the signals using features appearing to be motivated by those observed during seizure activity. His self-scaling and his detection rules are simple but effective.
The methods of Murro, et al. are similar to Gotman's but are more statistically sophisticated. Like Gotman, Murro, et. al., used recent epochs to self-scale their features. They characterize the epochs of data using relative amplitude, dominant frequency and rhythmicity and then use statistical discriminate analysis to develop a detection rule.
There are three important common elements in these two algorithms and in the algorithm of the invention:
1) standardization, calibration or self-scaling
2) feature selection
3) discrimination or a decision rule
The most critical element in discriminating seizure from other data is the definition and evaluation of features or feature selection. However, new standardization or calibration methods are also essential.

Automatic detection of seizures using electroencephalographic signals


A seismic sensor, having a body which incorporates means for detecting and/or measuring waves, and, in the extension of said body, a tip for insertion into the ground, said tip extending between an upper end and a lower end, wherein said tip has at least two wings which together give said tip a V-shaped profile, said wings having between them at least one cavity which extends from said upper end to close to said lower end.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is that of seismic data acquisition. More specifically, the invention relates to the design of the insertion tips with which seismic sensors are provided, in order to allow them to be installed and/or held in the ground.
The invention relates in particular to the industry of oil prospecting using the seismic method in a land-based environment, but may be applied to any field which uses a seismic data acquisition network.
2. Background of the Invention
The operations of acquiring seismic data on land conventionally use networks of electronic control units to which there are connected sensors for detecting movements of the ground. Sensors of this type, known as geophones, are generally interconnected as a group of sensors via cables so as to form clusters known as "strings". One or more of these strings are connected to said electronic control unit. The electronic control units, interconnected to one another by a wired digital network, or via a radio network, carry out the analogue/digital conversion of the signal from the groups of sensors and transmit these data to the recording truck via said digital network.
The lower face of the sensors is equipped with means for mechanical coupling to the ground. Depending on the nature of the land and/or the type of sensor, these mechanical coupling means may be a tip or a foot which is designed to be inserted into the ground.
In the case of tips, work has been carried out on the design thereof, and in particular on the length thereof, and it has been found that the longer the tip, the easier it is to insert it into the ground (knowing that these are traditionally pushed in by an operator's foot).
In parallel, new systems have recently been brought onto the market in which the sensors are annexed to the electronic conversion unit, which has the effect of eliminating the strings used with the geophones.
Sensors of this type are generally known as "digital sensors".
According to one or the other of the sensor techniques, in order to gather the geophysical data, one or more seismic sources in contact with the ground are activated so as to propagate omnidirectional seismic wave trains. The sources may include explosives, weight drops or vibrating devices.
The wave trains reflected by the layers of the ground are detected by the sensors, which generate a signal characteristic of the reflection of the waves at the geological interfaces below ground.
It will therefore be understood that one important parameter for the precision of the geophysical data gathered is the coupling of the sensors to the ground, and more specifically the coupling of the tip to the ground.

Seismic sensor providing a body and an insertion tip having at least two wings between which cavities extend, and corresponding insertion tip


In one aspect of the invention, a process chamber is provided. The chamber includes a plurality of sputter guns with a target affixed to one end of each of the sputter guns. Each of the plurality of sputter guns is coupled to a first power source. The first power source is operable to provide a pulsed power supply to each of the plurality of sputter guns. The pulsed power supply has a duty cycle that is less than 30%. A substrate support disposed at a distance from the plurality of sputter guns is included. The substrate support is coupled to a second power source. The second power source is operable to bias a substrate disposed on the substrate support, wherein the duty cycle of the second power source is synchronized with a duty cycle of the first power source. A method of performing a deposition process is also included.

Physical vapor deposition is commonly used within the semiconductor industry, as well as within solar, glass coating, and other industries, in order to deposit a layer over a substrate. Sputtering is a common physical vapor deposition method, where atoms or molecules are ejected from a target material by high-energy particle bombardment and then deposited onto the substrate.
In order to identify different materials, evaluate different unit process conditions or parameters, or evaluate different sequencing and integration of processes, and combinations thereof, it may be desirable to be able to process different regions of the substrate differently. This capability, hereinafter called "combinatorial processing", is generally not available with tools that are designed specifically for conventional full substrate processing. Furthermore, it may be desirable to subject localized regions of the substrate to different processing conditions (e.g., localized deposition) in one step of a sequence followed by subjecting the full substrate to a similar processing condition (e.g., full substrate deposition) in another step.
Current full-substrate PVD tools used in semiconductor industry utilize a large sputter gun and large target, i.e., the target is larger than a wafer for uniform film deposition on the wafer, even for wafers as large as 300 mm. Alternatively, some full wafer PVD tools use a smaller sputter gun, e.g., 3″ or 4″ diameter, with a rotating wafer, where the wafer may be 200 mm diameter or smaller and the sputter gun is pointed to the mid-radius of the wafer and the target-to-wafer spacing is relatively large, e.g., 200 mm. Combinatorial processing chambers typically include smaller sputter guns. In order to achieve high metal ionization to improve step coverage a relatively high power, e.g., greater than 10 kilowatts, may be needed to be applied to the sputter gun and the substrate is biased. However, this high power lasting a relatively long period of time can damage the sputter gun, especially the smaller diameter guns.
What is needed is the ability to achieve high metal ionization without damaging the sputter guns, especially the smaller diameter sputter guns. It is within this context that the current embodiments arise.