Novel coatings are disclosed prepared by electropolymerization of non-fluorinated conducting pre-grafted hydrophobic electropolymerizable monomers onto a conducting layer of a substrate, where the electropolymerized coating exhibit both unique reversible wettability and electro-optical properties. The coating may also include one or more layers of polymer particles upon which the non-fluorinated conducting pre-grafted hydrophobic electropolymerizable monomers are polymerized imparting a submicron structure to the coating. Methods for making and using the coatings are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relates to designs, fabrications, characterizations, and uses of new types of electrodeposited polymer coatings that offer both unique reversible wettability and electro-optical properties.
More specifically, embodiments of the invention enable the formation of superhydrophobic and superlipophilic conducting surfaces made from non-fluorinated conducting polymers. Such surfaces are built following a two-step approach, which is capable of being applied to a variety of materials. The precursor reagents or agents include non-fluorinated conducting polymers of pre-grafted hydrophobic chains that are first electrodeposited by anodic electropolymerization or chemical oxidative methods onto layers of polymer particles such as polystyrene particles pre-assembled on an electrode surface such as a gold (Au) surface. The layering of the particles such as latex microspheres provides the submicron size roughness of a biomimetic surface imitating a geometrical microstructure of a surface of a lotus leaf for example. The overall coatings described herein exhibit both tunable electrochromic and wettability properties that are tuned by applying an electric potential across the surface. Electro-optical properties may be controlled based on a level of doping and type of chemical structures utilized. Moreover, the use of surfactants on top of such coatings allows one to further tune the wettability behavior. While this work emphasizes the use of conducting polymers by anodic polymerization, the design may be extended to non-conducting polymers such as acrylate, styrene, vinyl functional groups using cathodic electropolymerization or chemical reductive methods instead of anodic electropolymerization. Also, the coating can be done on a variety of metallic, metal alloy, metal-oxide and non-metallic substrates of various size, shape, and geometry, provided the requirements for deposition of particles and polymers can be accomplished. Important applications of such coatings may be in the form of anti-wetting, filtration, anti-corrosion, de-icing, anti-microbial, electrochromic, and electrophoretic or electro-wetting applications, where the wetting properties of the film play an important role.
2. Description of the Related Art
The water-repellent behavior of a lotus leaf is a wonder of nature that marvels many scientists of diverse backgrounds. A lotus leaf will give a water contact angle greater than 150° with only 2-3% of the water drop to come into contact with its leaf, and is therefore considered a superhydrophobic surface. This property is attributed to the synergistic effect of two important factors such as (1) hierarchical roughness, which are the nanometer scale asperities within the micron scale geometrical structures and (2) low surface energy wax epicuticula on the surface of the leaf. Its high water resistance property is well worth mimicking because of the many industrial and practical applications namely self-cleaning, anti-fouling marine coatings, stain-resistant fabrics, oxidation resistant surfaces, anti-adhesive coatings, nano-battery, microfluidics, anti-biofouling, etc.
With the basic understanding of the natural design of a lotus leaf, an artificial superhydrophobic surface can be accomplished by developing a dual-scale roughness structure and tuning the surface energy of the surface. Recently, electrically conducting polymers with fluorinated functional group has been used extensively to make a surface that would confer water and also oil resistance. Conducting polymers have been also used to develop various types of industrial coatings for anti-corrosion and anti-static purposes. Furthermore, conducting polymers have unique electro-optical properties making them useful for display materials, semi-conductors, electrochromic devices, fluorescent materials, non-linear optical materials, electromagnetic shielding, etc.
Unlike the other methods of creating polymer coatings such as electrospinning, lithography, and layer-by-layer assembly, the electrochemical deposition offers the following advantages like inexpensive, fast and easy to use. It has been used on a variety of electrode surfaces mostly based on metal or semi-conductor and transparent substrates such as Au, Ag, Al, stainless steel, indium tin oxide (ITO), etc. This includes similarly, the vertical deposition method also called the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) like-technique used for the layering of polystyrene particles on conducting surface, which does not necessarily require a sophisticated technology.
Thus, there is a need in the art for new efficient and cost effective techniques for making a highly-ordered and closely packed arrays of the latex microspheres on flat surfaces having unique electrochromic and wettability properties.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Types of electrodeposited polymer coatings with reversible wettability and electro-optical properties


A barrel for an automatic firearm which cycles on recoil action is provided with a transverse pin extending across the top of the rearward portion of the chamber. This pin nests within the extraction groove of a cartridge sing during firing. On cycling, the transverse pin deflects the spent case downwardly towards an ejector which effects ejection of the casing.

In military and police firearms applications almost all of the ammunition consumed is used for training. For some training purposes, however, normal ammunition is not adequate. An alternative type of known training ammunition, represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,937 (adopted herein by reference), fires a low-mass projectile relying on a special, low-energy cartridge designed to provide cycling of suitably-modified, recoil-operated automatic weapons.
An advantage of the low-energy training ammunition is that it has a shorter range and lower penetration capacity than standard ammunition. This permits use of smaller, less secure firing ranges as training facilities. If standard ammunition were accidentally employed in these facilities, unexpected dangers would arise from the increased striking power and range of such standard ammunition.
The weapon modifications required to permit cycling while firing low-energy training ammunition generally include replacing or modifying the barrel, and sometimes replacing or adding certain other components, depending on the weapon involved. These modifications also take safety into consideration. For example, in 9 mm automatic firearms, the caliber of the substitute barrel may be smaller than the diameter of the projectiles in standard 9 mm ammunition. If an attempt is made to chamber a standard round in such a training-adapted firearm, the design of the chamber and barrel will not normally permit entry of the standard projectile. This ensures that such modified weapons cannot fire standard, live ammunition.
The low-energy cartridge represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,937, in combination with a substitute training barrel, allows normal recoil and cartridge case ejection through a blow-back action. Such a system, when firing appropriate marking cartridges, makes up an effective close-range, force-on-force training system. Hits, which are non-lethal, are denoted by red, blue or other coloured marks. This system enhances the realism and training value of interactive scenario tactical training because it allows trainees to use their service weapons in a representative manner in exercises simulating, for example, counter-terrorism, close quarters combat, urban fighting, protection of dignitaries, trench clearing, and fighting in wooded areas.
When firing standard ammunition, with its abundant associated energy, it is necessary in many weapons, particularly handguns, to lock the barrel to the slide during the beginning of their rearward motion for a period long enough for the projectile to exit the barrel muzzle while the breech is still closed. This allows the chamber pressure to drop before the breech opens to eject the spent cartridge case. A locking mechanism couples the slide and barrel together for the first portion of the recoil, and then releases the slide. Upon unlocking, the slide continues its rearward travel while the barrel stops in the proper position to receive the next round from the magazine to be chambered.
Associated with the barrel locking and unlocking with the slide in a standard weapon, there may also be an up-and-down vertical movement of the chamber end of the barrel. This pivoting motion may be caused by a cam located under the barrel. When in battery, the barrel is in its most upward position such that the center of the primer of the chambered round is aligned with the firing pin. After firing, the chamber end of the barrel drops to its most downward position, which brings it in line with the ejector.
In a training barrel it is necessary to omit this barrel-locking mechanism and, by so doing, the recoil action becomes pure blow-back with no up-and-down motion of the barrel. This must be done because there is not enough energy in low-energy training cartridges to precipitate sufficient recoil to unlock the barrel and the slide in their standard configurations. A training barrel of the type addressed by this invention is similar in most aspects to the standard barrel for a particular pistol with a barrel locking mechanism, but is modified, in part, by removing this locking mechanism, which holds the barrel and the slide together for the first portion of the recoil cycle.
In some 9 mm pistols, after the locking mechanism has been removed and the barrel pivoting/cam system deactivated so that the weapon can fire low-energy ammunition as represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,937, the training barrel is out of line with respect to the ejector during the recoil cycle. Since barrel pivoting is no longer present, the barrel chamber must be positioned in such a way that the cartridge can be fed easily into the chamber and also be in line with the firing pin for firing. Therefore, due to this feature (of being in line with the firing pin) the chamber is out of line with the ejector in the modified weapon. This misalignment means that the spent cartridge case may not come into proper contact with the ejector, thereby causing jamming due to failure to eject.
It is, therefore, an objective of this invention to provide a training barrel system for this class of firearms that will ensure reliable ejection of the spent case upon firing.
The invention in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principal of the invention and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this specification.

Ejection-assist mechanism for automatic firearms

SNC Industrial Technologies Inc./Les Technologies Industrielles SNC Inc.


The embodiments provide a process for easily producing an electrode having low resistance, easily subjected to post-process and hardly impairing the device; and also provide, as its application, a production process for a photoelectric conversion device. The process comprises the steps of:                coating a hydrophobic substrate directly with a dispersion of metal nanomaterial, to form a metal nanomaterial layer,        coating the surface of the metal nanomaterial layer with a dispersion of carbon material, to form a carbon material layer and thereby to form an electrode layer comprising a laminate of the metal nanomaterial layer and the carbon material layer,        pressing the carbon material layer onto a hydrophilic substrate so that the surface of the carbon material layer may be directly fixed on the hydrophilic substrate, and        peeling away the hydrophobic substrate so as to transfer the electrode layer onto the hydrophilic substrate.

According to recent increasing of energy consumption, demand for alternative energy replacing fossil fuels has been rising as measures to cope with global warming. As a source of the alternative energy, solar cells have been attracted the attention and hence progressively developed. They are studied for various practical applications. From a practical viewpoint, it is particularly important to improve their flexibility and durability so that they can be installed on various places. However, single crystal silicon solar cells, which are the most basic solar cells, are expensive and it is difficult to produce flexible ones. On the other hand, organic solar cells and organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells, in which many researchers have been lately interested, have room for improvement in durability.
In addition to the above solar cells, other photoelectric conversion devices, such as organic EL devices and photosensors, have been also researched with the aim of improving their flexibility. For the purpose of producing flexible devices, flexible polymer materials are preferably employed. However, they are generally poor in heat resistance and hence devices are produced preferably by coating processes. Accordingly, materials for forming electrodes in the devices are also preferably suitable for coating processes. For example, dispersions of metal nanomaterials are practically employed. The metal nanomaterials are known to have various shapes, and those in nanowire shape are known to be suitably used for transparent electrodes. Those in nanowire shape are characterized in that light-transparency and electric resistance can be controlled by the coating amount thereof. On the other hand, those in granular shape and in planar shape are often used for non-transparent electrodes, and are particularly adopted when low resistance is necessary. However, if they contain silver, there may be problems in that the devices are impaired by diffusion of silver atoms and/or by reactions of silver with oxygen, halogen, sulfur and the like.
In contrast, electrodes formed by use of carbon materials are characterized in that the devices are scarcely impaired by diffusion of carbon atoms and/or by reactions thereof. However, they generally tend to have high electric resistance. They can be formed by processes in which underlying substrates are coated with dispersions of carbon materials. In that case, however, the dispersants may influence to impair the substrates and the devices. It is also known to combine silver nanowires with carbon materials, such as graphene and polymers, for producing transparent electrode films, which are then laminated to produce devices. However, depending on the polymers used as the underlying substrates, it is often difficult to further process the electrodes thus produced. It is still also known to produce an electrode by transferring a graphene film formed by CVD method. However, this process generally comprises many steps and further tends to cost a lot because it is necessary to form a sacrificial layer of copper foil.

Process for producing electrode and process for producing photoelectric conversion device

TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION


Systems and methods for providing communications path through a selected communications network in the event of a transmission failure on the initial, real-time, communications network are presented. The selected network operates in a non-real-time manner and is configured such that communications may be scheduled for transfer, rather than requiring instantaneous access. The use of the selected network reduces both the loading of and access costs to the real-time network. For example, a user who places an unanswered long-distance call may leave a message for the recipient, and that message is transferred to the recipient over the alternate network as time is available on the network, rather than over the primary long-distance voice network. The selected network may be a network that is entirely separate from the real-time network or, the xe2x80x9ctwoxe2x80x9d networks may be a single coextensive network having voice and data attributes.

This invention relates to the transmission of communications over a communications network. More particularly, this invention relates to providing communication transmissions through an alternate network that is exclusive of the initial network, in the event of a failure during the transmission through the initial network.
Long-distance voice communications (i.e., communications between two different local exchange carriersxe2x80x94xe2x80x9cLECSxe2x80x9d) are typically accomplished through an inter-exchange service provider (xe2x80x9cIXPxe2x80x9d) that utilizes traditional analog transmission circuitry and signals. For example, assume a person in New York wishes to call someone in Texas. The New Yorker dials the Texas phone number on a phone serviced by NYNEX (i.e., the LEC in New York). NYNEX directs the call to the New Yorker""s long-distance provider (e.g., ATandT) who utilizes conventional fiber-optic networks to connect the caller to the LEC in Texas (i.e., Southwestern Bell). The Texas LEC completes the call by directing the call from the long-distance provider (via an xe2x80x9caccess tandemxe2x80x9d) to the central office (xe2x80x9cCOxe2x80x9d) that the Texas phone number is connected to.
The communication is completed in a normal fashion provided the person on the receiving end answers the phone. However, if the call goes unanswered, a failure occurs in the communication. A typical solution to the failed communication occurs when the called party subscribes to xe2x80x9ccall answerxe2x80x9d service through his/her local LEC, in which case the call xe2x80x9cgoes through,xe2x80x9d but to the service instead of the called party. Another solution provides an alternate way for the caller to leave a message, for when the called party does not have an answering service. For example, the caller could leave a message on a local server of the long-distance provider, which would periodically attempt to call the recipient to deliver the message. This solution, however, requires multiple transmissions through the networks, which are relatively expensive and may often be heavily loaded.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a technique in which the caller of a failed long-distance call could provide a communication to the recipient without producing additional, expensive, communications through the traditional analog/fiber-optic transmission networks.
In accordance with the principles disclosed herein, systems and methods for improving communication transmissions are provided. Advantages of the disclosed system and method are obtained by utilizing an alternate network in which communications transmission may be made on a scheduled basis instead of real-time as is normally used for communications. This results in reduced loading on the real-time voice network, enhanced loading of the alternate network, and reduced access costs (i.e., from the LEC to the IXP networks).
A local server at the caller""s location of the IXP detects the failed communication attempt and notifies the caller that the call did not go through. The caller is able to leave a message for the recipientxe2x80x94even if the recipient does not have an answering machine or subscribe to xe2x80x9ccall answeringxe2x80x9d from the local LECxe2x80x94in a manner that increases the efficiency of the traditional voice network. The message, which is initially stored on the local server, is sent to a server of the IXP that is local to the recipient""s location on a scheduled basis, rather than in real-time, through an alternate network. The alternate network may be a digital data network in which message packets and the like provide further improvements in efficiency; however, the alternate, separate, network may be formed from the same components as a traditional voice network. While it may be said that packet networks inherently forward packets in non-real time manner because a node may congested and packets may be delayed or re-routed, what is meant by stating that the message is forwarded in non-real time manner is that even the commencement of the sending of the message may be delayed. Moreover, it may be delayed a substantial amount of time, relative to the delay that normally occurs in packet networks. A two seconds, or even a few minutes, delay normally would not matter to a caller who was unable to reach a called party and chose to leave a message. The caller""s insensitivity to delay allows the xe2x80x9cluxuryxe2x80x9d of forwarding the message when the alternate network is not busy, or has spare capacity. To clearly distinguish between the two types of non-real time transmissions, the type contemplated herein is called xe2x80x9cdelay permissible non-real timexe2x80x9d transmission.

Systems and methods for providing communications through an alternate communication network


This disclosure presents a non-contact precision optical device, including methods for measuring distances to an arbitrary target and various configuration geometries, for using polarization maintaining (PM) optical fiber components in a polarization diplexing scheme to construct a version of a dual chirp coherent laser radar that is immune to environmental effects.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is a non-contact precision optical sensor for measuring distances to objects (targets) using coherent optical detection and two laser sources in a counter-chirp frequency modulated (FM) laser radar configuration
2. Description of the Related Art
Many optical systems exist which measure a distance to a target. Such systems utilize an open beam propagated through free space between the laser source and the target. However, when the target location is such that limited free space is available for beam propagation, such known systems are of limited use. Thus, known systems may be able to perform distance measurements, but the open beam optical sensor head prevents application in limited access areas and tight places. For example, precision measurement of dimensions inside a chassis cannot easily by accomplished with known open beam systems. While it is known to transfer light through optical fibers, precision is compromised due to the environmental effects on the fiber itself. These environmental effects change the optical path length and the polarization of the light in the fiber, adversely affecting measurement precision.
A known optical measurement system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,304 to Massie. Massie discloses an interferometic method and system for detecting defects in the surface of a mirror. Massie discloses a polarizing beamsplitter, a quarter-wave plate, and a target (test mirror). However, Massie is an open beam system and thus incapable of accessing limited space targets.
The advantages of coherent optical detection are fundamental. The information carrying capacity of the optical beam reflected from the target is orders of magnitude greater than other available systems. Simply put, the use of optical heterodyne detection allows for optical radiation detection at the quantum noise level. As such, coherent optical systems provide greater range, accuracy, and reliability than many known prior art measurement systems. Coherent optical systems can also provide a greater scanning range, a greater working depth of field, and may also operate in ambient light conditions. Furthermore, in a coherent system the target beam is not required to dwell upon the target for very long in order to obtain sufficient information about the characteristics of that target location.
Briefly, optical heterodyne detection provides a source light beam which is directed to a target and reflected therefrom. The return light beam is then mixed with a local oscillator light beam on a photo detector to provide optical interference patterns which may be processed to provide detailed information about the target. Optical heterodyne techniques take advantage of the source and reflected light beam reciprocity. For example, these light beams are substantially the same wavelength and are directed over the same optical axis. This provides an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and heightened sensitivity. The SNR is sufficiently high so that a small receiving aperture may be used, in contrast to known direct detection systems. A small receiver aperture may be envisioned as a very small lens capable of being inserted into limited access areas. Since a small receiver aperture can still provide detailed information about the target, the optical components of a coherent system may be made very small and provide related increases in scanning speed and accuracy. For example a coherent optical system using a one-half inch aperture can obtain more information about a target than a four inch aperture used in a direct optical detection system.
Key technologies of Al Ga As laser diodes and fiber optical components are currently enjoying a burst of development for applications in telecommunications. Because of these efforts, recent improvements in the quality of injection laser diodes provide the coherence length and wavelength turning range needed for precision, coherent optical measurement system. The small size of the injection laser diode and high-technology integrated optical assemblies make possible the development of a new family of small, low cost, precise distance measuring devices which are orders of magnitudes more accurate and more reliable than their more conventional counterparts.
High precision, non-contact measurement devices, having a resolution on the order of 25 to 250 nm, are needed to inspect high precision machined components. In contrast, measurement of large objects (e.g., automobiles, airplanes, etc.) may be carried out using coordinate measurement machines (CMMs) and laser trackers. Such precision devices have a resolution in the 1 to 10 micron range.
Laser radar devices for precision measurement applications within this range have been described by Goodwin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,486, and Slotwinski and Kenyon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,251. Goodwin, for example, discloses frequency modulating a laser, splitting the beam into reference and target components, recombining the beams to create a beat signal (heterodyning) and determining properties of the beat wave by analyzing a pattern of fringes obtained on a detector. Both patents describe fiber optic embodiments of the method.
The principle of operation of an FM heterodyne interferometer for making high precision distance measurements is described in Chien, et al., "Distance and velocity-detection interferometer by using a frequency-modulated triangular-modulated laser diode," Applied Optics, 1 Jun. 1995, vol. 34, no. 16, (2853–2855), and Imai et al., "Optical-heterodyne displacement measurement using a frequency ramped laser diode," Optics Communications, 15 Aug. 1990, vol. 18, no. 2, (113–117). These and similar instruments work well for measuring the displacement of ideal reflecting surfaces such as mirrors. The devices which have been demonstrated that are made in accord with the teachings of Chien et al., and Imai et al., and are slow, taking several seconds to integrate data to obtain a usable fringe image. This overly lengthy time for analysis results in these devices being very sensitive to alignment and vibration. When applied to the measurement of position of non-ideal surfaces such as anodized aluminum or the flanks of a tread, which are typically at a 30 degree angle of incidence to the interferometer beam, the signal-to-noise ratio becomes too small to make a reliable high resolution measurement.
As indicated above, the prior art shows that a number of frequency-modulated heterodyne interferometric systems have been experimentally developed for high precision measurement.
The existing art in precision FM laser radar incorporates a single chirp laser source and a polarization maintaining fiber optic geometry with separate local oscillator (LO) and signal paths. The present invention incorporates two major improvements over the art. First, a counter-chirp configuration provides for a much greater insensitivity to vibration induced range errors by providing for a more accurate Doppler correction. Second, by combining the LO and signal paths for two lasers into a single fiber, the fiber optic circuit is both less complicated and less expensive due to fewer components and completely immune to error caused by changes in the LO and signal path lengths due to environmental factors such as temperature changes. For example, it is envisioned that the need for this technology resides in the manufacturing industry (e.g., factories) in which both background vibrations and changing environmental conditions exist. This combination of LO and signal paths provides the additional benefit that the sensor head portion of the unit can be placed in areas of restricted volume since it can be remoted arbitrarily far from the rest of the unit.
Thus, what is needed is a practical optical precision measurement system capable of great accuracy, rapid measurement time, access to tight spaces, flexibility, and reliability. The present invention discloses such a system.

Compact fiber optic geometry for a counter-chirp FMCW coherent laser radar


A method of performing an integrity check on a plurality of video surveillance cameras includes retrieving a recent video frame from each of the plurality of video surveillance cameras, determining a integrity score for each of the recent video frames and determining which of the integrity scores failed to meet a predetermined criteria. When at least one of the integrity scores fails to meet the predetermined criteria, an integrity check report is created that includes an camera identifier along with the recent video frame for each of the plurality of video surveillance cameras that had a recent video frame with an integrity score that failed to meet the predetermined criteria. The integrity check report is displayed to a user for manual verification.

Known video surveillance systems often include a large number of video cameras that are used to provide video surveillance across a site. The performance of a video camera may degrade over time for a variety of different reasons. A video camera may accumulate dust on its lens, for example. For a video camera that is mounted outdoors, its aim may be impacted by weather, such as wind, rain and snow. In some cases, a video camera may be negatively impacted by either too much light or not enough light in the immediate vicinity of the video camera. A video camera that is mounted at a height that is reachable by an individual may be accidentally or intentionally obscured, or its field of view may be changed. These are just a few examples of how the performance of a video camera may degrade over time. In systems that include tens, hundreds or even thousands of video cameras, performing integrity checks on all of the cameras typically require substantial manual resources by security personnel. What would be desirable is a method and system that can efficiently perform integrity checks on each of a plurality of such surveillance cameras on a routine basis.

Camera integrity checks in a video surveillance system


A device for extracting heat from gas, particularly combustion gas, containing dust and/or condensable substances, for recovering condensates, and including at least one heat exchanger including a shell having a symmetry of revolution surrounded by a cooling jacket. The device includes an opening for passage of a surfactant for treating the internal surface of the shell, the shell including at least one mechanism creating a substantially helicoid rotating gas stream in at least part of the shell.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of the treatment of hot gases, particularly combustion gases, in order to recover, on the one hand, the heat conveyed by these gases and, on the other, the condensable materials present therein. It relates more particularly to the treatment of gas containing dust and/or condensable substances, which may in particular be produced in a furnace, such as a furnace for melting glass or similar mineral material.
II. Description of Related Art
In a glass furnace, the glass batch material is heated to the molten state at a temperature of about 1200 to 1300° C. using heat energy provided in particular by gas burners. The combustion gases escape from the furnace at a temperature of about 1000 to 1200° C., entraining a certain quantity of gaseous materials deriving from volatile components of the glass batch, such as boron.
The furnace gas exit zone is generally equipped with a cooling tower for recovering part of the heat of the combustion gases, for reuse to heat the primary combustion air, and also to condense the volatile materials in order to separate them and discharge the cooled gas to the atmosphere.
The cooling tower generally comprises a first stage in which the cold fluid is atmospheric air, which issues from the heat exchanger at a temperature of about 600° C. and can be recycled to the burners as oxidizing air, a stage in which the combustion gases treated issue at a temperature of about 700° C., and a second stage in which the cold fluid is water sprayed directly into the treated combustion gases, causing the solidification into dust of the condensable substances. The mixture of cooled gas, steam and dust is then separated by an electrostatic filter which traps the dust and discharges a gas at a temperature of about 400° C.
This discharge to the atmosphere represents a substantial loss of energy that may amount to several megawatt.hours of operation of an industrial glass production installation.
However, the presence of condensable materials, which represents several grams of material per cubic meter of hot gas, precludes the treatment of this gas in a conventional heat exchanger, because it would be very rapidly clogged by the condensed dust. It would only be capable of operating in short cycles interrupted by cleaning cycles which raise real intrinsic technical difficulties and which are also liable to disturb the production of glass.
In fact, the discharge to the atmosphere of condensable material is due to be prohibited shortly by environmental legislation. It is therefore becoming necessary for the flue gases to be stripped of condensable material before discharge.

Device for extracting heat from gas and for recovering condensates


An insulated gate semiconductor device includes a relatively highly doped epitaxial JFET region. The epitaxial JFET region forms a P-N junction with the base region of the device, but is spaced from the insulated gate electrode by a more lightly doped epitaxial accumulation region. The use of a spaced JFET region provides a number of important performance advantages over prior art power MOSFETs or IGBTs. By spacing the highly doped JFET region from the top face, the devices of the present invention are, among other things, capable of sustaining higher breakdown voltages without a significant increase in forward on-state resistance. For example, by using a more lightly doped accumulation region underneath the gate electrode, in place of a more highly doped JFET region, the punch-through voltage of the device is increased and electric field crowding at the base junction at the top of the face is decreased. In contrast to those JFET regions in the prior art which are formed by performing a high dose implant and/or high dose diffusion of first conductivity type dopants, the devices according to the present invention reduce the adverse influences on threshold voltage caused by high dose implants of ions adjacent the periphery of the base regions.

A critical parameter in the design of insulated gate semiconductor devices such as insulated gate field effect transistors (e.g., MOSFETs) and insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) is the forward on-state resistance because it determines the maximum current rating of the device. With respect to power MOSFETs, the on-state resistance is the total resistance between the source and drain terminals during forward conduction. This total resistance can be determined by summing the resistance contributions of the MOSFET's source region, channel region, accumulation region (which accounts for current spreading), JFET region, drift region and drain/substrate region. Determination of the total resistance for DMOS-type power MOSFETs is more fully described and illustrated in section 7.4.4 of a textbook by B. J. Baliga entitled Power Semiconductor Devices, PWS Publishing Co. (ISBN 0-534-94098-6) (1995).
However, while it may be advantageous to reduce the resistance of each of these regions to minimize forward on-state resistance, the resistance of the drift region generally cannot be minimized without significantly reducing the breakdown voltage of the device. Thus, to reduce on-state resistance, attempts have typically focused on reducing the resistance of the JFET and accumulation region by doping both these regions to relatively high levels. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,853 to Lidow et al. discloses a power MOSFET having a highly doped JFET and accumulation region 130 which is formed by performing a blanket implant of phosphorus ions at a dose in the range of 1.times.10.sup.11 to 1.times.10.sup.14 atoms/cm.sup.2. Unfortunately, such blanket implant can reduce the punch-through voltage of the devices, adversely effect the characteristics of the channel region and reduce control over obtaining preselected threshold voltages. A prior art power MOSFET which is similar to FIG. 22 of the '853 patent to Lidow et al. is disclosed at FIG. 1. This power MOSFET includes a drain region 10, drift region 20, accumulation region 100 and JFET region 200 (shown collectively as region 22), base region 50, source region 52, source contact 72, drain contact 74 and insulated gate electrode (regions 60-80). FIG. 3A also discloses a prior art substrate which can be used to form the device of FIG. 1.
Thus, notwithstanding the above described attempts to improve performance of insulated gate semiconductor devices such as power MOSFETs, there continues to be a need for devices which have both low on-state resistance and high punch-through and breakdown voltages and can be formed without loss of control over device threshold voltage.

Methods of forming insulated gate semiconductor devices having spaced epitaxial JFET regions therein


In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising maintaining attachment of an apparatus to a macro cell, directing searching for, or scanning for, small cells during attachment of the apparatus to the macro cell. Responsive to detecting a first small cell with a received signal characteristic exceeding a predetermined first threshold, the method comprises causing searching for further small cells other than the first small cell to be interrupted, wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate with and attach to cells comprised in a heterogeneous network, and the macro cell, the first small cell and the further small cells are heterogeneous network cells.

Wireless mobile communication devices may be configured to maintain connectivity to a wireless network while they move, or are moved, in a coverage area of a wireless network. Connectivity may be maintained to cells comprised in the wireless network, each cell corresponding roughly to a certain cell coverage area.
As the wireless device moves, or roams, in the coverage area it may seek to remain connected to an optimal cell at each time. As the wireless device moves, the optimal cell can change as the wireless device moves from one cell coverage area to the next. In order to discover the optimal cell, the wireless device may conduct measurements of signal strengths transmitted by cell beacons or reference signals broadcasted by the cell, for example. When the wireless device discovers that a strength of a received signal associated with a cell the wireless device is attached to becomes weaker than that of a signal associated with another cell, the wireless device may be configured to report this to the wireless network to trigger handover to the cell with the stronger signal.
In some deployments, wireless networks comprise different types of cells. For example, large cells, known also as macro cells, may be used to serve highly mobile users and provide large-area coverage with a smaller number of cells. Similarly, small cells may be used to provide improved coverage or higher capacity to certain areas, more limited in size, where communication is frequently needed.
Femtocells, or in general small cells, may be deployed for various reasons. Smaller cells in general have been used to increase network capacity by allowing frequencies to be re-used to a higher degree over a given geographic area. A large cell allows for a set of frequencies to be used only once, which limits capacity. By splitting a large cell into smaller ones that may operate with a lower transmit power, the same set of frequencies may be used more than once, allowing a network operator to serve a larger number of subscribers in the same area and by using the same frequency band. Other names for small cells include picocells which may be seen as larger than femtocells, and microcells which in turn may be seen as larger than picocells.
Small cells may also be used where transmission power limits don't allow installing a cell of larger radius. This is due to the fact that a base station serving a large cell must transmit to the edge of the large cell, which is further away than an edge of a smaller cell.
Another reason for using small cells is to allow a limited subset of subscribers to access an alternative cell, which may be comprised in a larger network, the larger network being open to a larger set of subscribers. Such a cell may be known as a closed subscriber group, CSG, cell. To define a CSG cell, a corresponding set of subscribers that have access to the cell may be defined. A CSG cell may be considered to be a special type of femto-pico- or microcell, for example. Alternatively access to a small cell may be open and traffic may be directed to the small cell based on a type of the traffic, for example.
In heterogeneous network deployment, macro cells and small cells may be deployed on different frequencies, even where they form part of the same operator's network. Macro cells may form an area of continuous coverage on one or more frequencies, or carriers, and small cells may provide local enhancements to capacity and/or coverage of the network on one or more other frequencies at certain areas. Thus, there may be no interference between macro cells and small cells due to frequency separation. In this case interference coordination is not necessary between macro cells and small cells and mobiles don't always need to connect to a strongest available cell to avoid interference.

Method and apparatus for connection management


Resilient exercise board comprising a generally planar platform having a laminated structure comprising a substantially rigid substrate and a pad of resilient material on one side of the substrate, and a plurality of resilient feet on the side of the substrate opposite the pad for supporting the platform in a predetermined position relative to a supporting surface. The resilient feet have upper sections affixed to the substrate and lower sections which can be swung between positions beside and beneath the upper sections to adjust the height of the feet and thereby position the platform in different planes relative to the supporting surface. The resilient pad is covered by a flexible cover having a skid resistant upper surface. In one embodiment, the platform has resilient reinforcing elements on the under side of the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a trampoline-type exercise board that can be used for a variety of exercises such as running in place, aerobic exercise and jumping.
2. Description of Related Art
Trampolines and like devices generally have a strong flexible mat suspended from a plurality of peripheral springs. Since the mat does not provide a solid surface, feet impacting on the mat during exercise such as jumping and running in place have a tendency to move sideways, which can result in injuries to the ankles and/or legs.


A radio base station has a baseband unit (BB) and multiple RF heads (RH1, RH2), which are interconnected by means of a bi-directional two-fiber optical ring (R). Each RF head (RH1, RH2) has a delay counter (31) for determining a propagation delay (tL) on the ring (R) and a variable delay circuit (16, 26) for compensating a difference between the propagation delay on the ring and a predefined target delay (tRR). The delay counter counts (31) the delay between a test signal sent on the first fiber (F1) of the ring to the baseband unit and a received test signal looped back by the baseband unit on the second fiber (F2) of the ring.

In a cellular radio network, a certain service area is covered by several radio base stations, which are connected to a mobile switching center to serve calls to and from mobile users within the service area. In the new UMTS standard, such a radio base station is also termed a "node B". A radio base station contains a baseband unit and at least one antenna unit. In order to increase radio coverage and capacity, modern base stations use several sector antennas.
In order to increase flexibility of the base stations, it is desirable to allow the antennas to be located remote from the baseband unit. This has led to the development of active antenna systems which are also termed radio frequency heads (RF heads). Typically, one RF head contains one sector antenna, but systems are also known which have RF heads with more than only one sector antennas. RF heads must, however, be located quite close (distance up to 30 m) to the baseband unit to limit the losses occurring on the RF cables connecting the two. Moreover, the use of longer interconnections would lead to problems with different propagation delays between baseband unit and the several RF heads.
The recently published Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) Specification V1.0, 30.09.2003, describes an internal interface of radio base stations between the baseband unit, which is termed Radio Equipment Control (REC), and the RF head, which is termed the Radio Equipment (RE). The document defines an optical interface for base stations with remote radio equipment and a delay calibration procedure, which estimates the path delay between REC and RE by measuring the round trip delay and divide it by 2. The specification assumes, however, bi-directional point-to-point connections between the REC and each RE, which may be cumbersome and expensive to implement for a base station with multiple RF heads.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,395 describes a radio base station where the antennas are associated with active antenna systems and the active antenna systems are connected to the base stations utilizing broadband transmission by means of a fixed bi-directional signal distribution network.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a radio base station with multiple RF heads which are connected to a baseband unit in a simple and efficient way.

Radio base station with multiple radio frequency heads


A conformal, load bearing, phased array antenna system having a plurality of adjacently positioned antenna aperture sections that collectively form a single, enlarged antenna aperture. The aperture sections are each formed by intersecting wall panels that form a honeycomb-like core having a plurality of electromagnetic radiating elements embedded in the wall panels that form the core. The aperture wall panels are assembled onto a single, multi-faceted back skin, bonded thereto, and then machined to produce a desired surface contour. A radome formed by a single piece of composite material is then bonded to the contoured surface. Antenna electronics printed wiring boards are also bonded to an opposite side of the back skin. The contour is selected to match a mold line of a surface into which the antenna system is installed. The antenna is able to form an integral, load bearing portion of the structure into which it is installed.

Present day mobile platforms, such as aircraft (manned and unmanned), spacecraft and even land vehicles, often require the use of an antenna aperture for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic wave signals. The antenna aperture is often provided in the form of a phased array antenna aperture having a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an X-Y grid-like arrangement on the mobile platform. Typically there is weight that is added to the mobile platform by the various components on which the radiating elements of the antenna are mounted. Often these components comprise aluminum blocks or other like substructures that add "parasitic" weight to the overall antenna aperture, but otherwise perform no function other than as a support structure for a portion of the antenna aperture. By the term "parasitic" it is meant weight that is associated with components of the antenna that are not directly necessary for transmitting or receiving operations.
Providing an antenna array that is able to form a load bearing structure for a portion of a mobile platform would provide important advantages. In particular, the number and nature of sensor functions capable of being implemented on the mobile platform could be increased significantly over conventional electronic antenna and sensor systems that require physical space within the mobile platform. Integrating the antenna into the structure of the mobile platform also eliminates the adverse effect on aerodynamics that is often produced when an antenna aperture is mounted on an exterior surface of a mobile platform. This would also eliminate the parasitic weight that would otherwise be present if the antenna aperture was formed as a distinct, independent component that required mounting on an interior or exterior surface of the mobile platform.
With various mobile platforms, there is also a need to provide an antenna array having one surface with a curvature that matches an outer mold line of the structure into which the antenna system is to be integrated. For example, on aircraft and spacecraft, where it would be desired to integrate an antenna system onto an area having a curving contour, such as a wing, it would be necessary to form the antenna system with one surface (i.e., a radome) having a curvature that will match the outer mold line of the structure at the area where the antenna system is to be integrated. This is often necessary for preserving the aerodynamic qualities of the mobile platform. This requirement becomes especially challenging when the antenna system is required to incorporate a large number of antenna elements that must be integrated into an area having a curving or otherwise non-linear contour.

Design and fabrication methodology for a phased array antenna with integrated feed structure-conformal load-bearing concept


Immune cells (Z cells) activated by zinc finger-like protein that regulates apoptosis (Zfra) and uses thereof in cancer treatment.

Zinc finger-like protein that regulates apoptosis (Zfra) is a naturally-occurring small peptide consisting of 31 amino acid residues. Zfra regulates tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated cell death by binding to and inhibiting proteins involved in the TNF signaling pathway, including tumor suppressor WWOX (through the first WW domain and ADH/SDR domain), TNF receptor- or Fas-associated death domain proteins (TRADD and FADD), and receptor-interacting protein (RIP). Hong, et al., 2007, BMC Mol Biol, 8, 50. Moreover, Zfra sequesters cJun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), p53, WWOX, nuclear factor NF-κB and phosphor-ERK in the cytoplasm. Hong et al., 2007; and Hsu et al., 2005, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 327, 415-23.
Zfra may also participate in cell death regulation via the mitochondrial pathway. Dudekula et al., 2010, Aging (Albany N.Y.), 2, 1023-9; and Hsu et al., (2008) Cell Signal, 20, 1303-12. Overexpression of Zfra induced cell death, while the S8G-Zfra mutant could not induce cell death, suggesting that Serb phosphorylation is essential for Zfra translocation to the mitochondria, and is important for Zfra-induced cell death. Zfra blocks WOX1-induced cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, and induces apoptosis through dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), indicating a novel death regulation in mitochondria pathway. Dudekula et al., 2010; and Hsu et al., 2008.

Z cells activated by zinc finger-like protein and uses thereof in cancer treatment


An optical system has a plurality of optical surfaces including a rotational-symmetrical optical surface and a reflection-type varaible optical-property element. The reflection-type variable optical-property element is interposed on the optical path between two optical surfaces, and a deflection angle θ of the optical axis caused by the reflection-type variable optical-property element satisfies the following condition:10°<θ<67°.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a variable optical-property element such as a variable mirror, a variable focal-length lens, a variable focal-length diffraction optical element, or a variable deflection-angle prism, and to an optical apparatus such as a digital camera, a TV camera, an endoscope, spectacles, a video projector, a telescope, a camera finder, an imaging apparatus of a mobile phone (a digital camera or TV camera of a mobile phone), an optical information processor, or an optical interconnection apparatus, provided with an optical system including the variable optical-property element.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional lenses have been manufactured by polishing glass, and focal lengths cannot be changed by the lenses themselves. Thus, for example, to carry out focusing of a camera or the magnification change of an optical system, lens units must be moved along the optical axis, and a mechanical structure becomes complicated.
Because a motor or the like is used to move a part of the lens units, this conventional practice has disadvantages that power consumption is large, noise is produced, response time is long, and much time is required for moving lenses.
For shake prevention as well, mechanical movement of the lenses by a motor or a solenoid causes defects such as large power consumption and a complicated mechanical structure, resulting in a higher cost.
In order to obviate these defects, lenses using variable mirrors are proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Kokai Nos. 2000-298237, 2002-189173, 2002-233006, 2002-233007, 2003-29150, 2003-98435, 2003-233008, 2003-302578, 2003-77921, 2003-102219, and 2004-109694.

Optical system and optical apparatus provided with the same


A sterilizable biopharmaceutical packaging includes an opening for inserting biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized, the opening being separate from a sterilization gas conveyance channel so that the opening can be closed independently and before closing the sterilization gas conveyance channel. The opening is directly adjacent to an inner space for receiving the biopharmaceutical contents so that the contents to be sterilized are inserted directly into the inner space from outside the packaging. The elements for controlling the distribution of the sterilization gas open/close the sterilization gas conveyance channel independently of the opening or closing of the insertion opening. After sterilization, the outer wall, the sterilization gas conveyance channel, and the opening/closing element are capable of remaining rigidly connected therebetween so as to form a sterilized biopharmaceutical packaging that contains the sterilized biopharmaceutical contents and can be subjected to one or more integrity tests at any desired time after the sterilization.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to sterilizable biopharmaceutical packages, and its object is more particularly a biopharmaceutical packaging that can be sterilized on the inside, a process for implementing such a packaging, and, finally, a unit that comprises a biopharmaceutical packaging and its sterilized biopharmaceutical contents.
2. Description of the Related Art
Here, biopharmaceutical is defined as that which relates to biotechnology or pharmacy.
It is known that, in the biopharmaceutical field, it is necessary to package biopharmaceutical contents that are brought in the sterile state in disposable, flexible packages for purposes of storage, shipping, handling, and transfer, for example into or from sterile chambers.
Biopharmaceutical contents such as those concerned here are in the solid state and capable of being handled and transferred. They may involve, for example, a sterile object such as a container, a container element such as a stopper, a syringe, but also elements for environmental control that are used within the framework of the biopharmaceutical process.
A first type of biopharmaceutical packaging that can be sterilized on the inside, capable of enclosing such biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized comprising a flexible outer wall consisting of a part that is sealed against gases and pathogenic germs and a part that is permeable to a sterilization gas in the direction from the outside to the inside (namely, the direction extending from the outside to the inside of the packaging), is already known. Before sterilization, the sterilizable packaging comprises an opening for introduction of the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized from the outside to the inside of the packaging, with this introduction opening then being in the open state. This introduction opening is capable of being closed in an airtight manner once the biopharmaceutical contents are brought into the inside receiving space of the packaging. It is provided that after sterilization and at the time when this is desired, the sterilized packaging comprises an opening for extracting the sterilized biopharmaceutical contents, with this extraction opening then being in the open state, in such a way as to release the biopharmaceutical contents from the packaging for the purpose of the desired use. Previously, this extraction opening was closed in an airtight manner or was non-existent. It is also provided that the part of the outer wall that is permeable to sterilization gases is capable of being associated with, i.e., brought into communication with, a suitable source of sterilization gas, for example the sterilization gas of a sterilization chamber, in such a way that the sterilization gas that comes from the source in question is able to penetrate into the packaging by this permeable part. For implementing such a packaging, the biopharmaceutical contents that are to be sterilized are put into the inside receiving space of the packaging designed to enclose it, via the introduction opening previously opened and subsequently sealed in an airtight manner. Then, the sterilization gas is injected into the inside receiving space where the biopharmaceutical contents are located, via the part that is permeable to sterilization gas, which thus ensures the desired sterilization. At the time desired after sterilization, the opening for extracting the sterilized biopharmaceutical contents is opened in such a way as to extract said contents from the packaging so as to use them as desired.
In a nonlimiting manner, sterilization is defined here as the processes for sterilization by saturated water vapor, by dry heat, or else by toxic gases such as ethylene oxide (ETO), vapor-formaldehyde or else hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). During the sterilization of the biopharmaceutical contents, the environment surrounding the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized and the inside receiving space of the packaging that encloses the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized are filled with suitable sterilization gas, in such a way as to destroy, to a certain desired measure or in the required measurement, the pathogenic germs.
Sealed closing is defined as a closing sealed against gases, including water vapor, and pathogenic germs.
A part that is permeable to sterilization gas is defined as the capability of a separation element such as a wall, including a flexible wall such as a membrane, to allow the passage, at least in one direction, of a suitable sterilization gas, including in the form of vapor, such as water vapor.
In a first embodiment, the sterilization is carried out on the site of use of the biopharmaceutical contents, these thus packaged and sterilized contents then being ready for use and having to be used shortly after sterilization, in hopes that the integrity of the packaging has been preserved. Actually, with such an embodiment in which the permeable part remains permeable and in contact with the ambient atmosphere, even after sterilization, it is not possible to implement a process for monitoring the integrity of the packaging because of the presence of this permeable part. However, with such an embodiment, monitoring of integrity would be all the more necessary as the risk of deterioration of the permeable part after sterilization becomes high, in particular in the case of shipping or handling.
In a second embodiment, monitoring of integrity is done by placing the packaging that encloses the sterilized biopharmaceutical contents in an outer packaging pouch, with a differential pressure being created between the very interior of the packaging and the inside part of the outer packaging pouch that is outside of the packaging. This second embodiment has the drawback of requiring complicated handling and a significant amount of operating time to be able to detect a differential pressure change that signifies a loss of integrity.
It is known that in the biopharmaceutical field, it is essential to ensure that the flexible pouches are airtight, or at least have a degree of sealing that is deemed satisfactory. There are several integrity monitoring processes of such pouches.
The standard F 2095-01 of ASTM International whose title is "Standard Test Methods for Pressure Decay Leak Test for Nonporous Flexible Packages With and Without Restraining Plates" relates more specifically to the so-called pressure drop process. This process is envisaged according to two possible embodiments: with expansion limitation plates or without such plates. The document WO 2009/095572 relates to an integrity monitoring process in the case of a pouch with side gussets.
It is also known that in the biopharmaceutical field, it is common to use either pouches whose two large walls are directly joined to one another in such a way that once expanded, they have a limited volume and remain relatively thin, or pouches with gussets such that once expanded, they have a volume that can be much larger.
Consequently, with the first type of sterilizable biopharmaceutical packaging described above, the problem of the monitoring of integrity of the packaging is encountered, with the induced consequences: necessity of implementing sterilization on the site of use of the biopharmaceutical contents, necessity of quickly using the packaged and sterilized contents, or else implementation of a long and complex integrity monitoring.
A second type of packaging that corresponds to a closer state of the art is described in the document U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,485. Here, the packaging comprises a flexible outer wall, sealed against gases and pathogenic germs; an opening for introduction of the packaging of the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized from the outside to the inside, subsequently capable of being closed in an airtight manner; an inside space capable of receiving the biopharmaceutical contents; a sterilization gas conveyance channel from the outside of the packaging, comprising at least one upstream opening for intake of sterilization gas, toward the outside of the packaging, able to be associated in communication with a sterilization gas source, at least one downstream opening for distribution of sterilization gas that empties into the inside space, and a communication between the at least one upstream intake opening and the at least one downstream distribution opening; and, finally, means for control of the distribution of sterilization gas into the inside space.
In this second type of packaging, the outer wall is a sheath that comprises a first segment and a second segment that are adjacent to the location of a side that is open before sterilization and closed during sterilization. On one of its two surfaces, the first sheath segment comprises a part that is permeable to sterilization gas belonging to a sterilization gas conveyance channel from the outside of the packaging. The first sheath segment also comprises an end opening for introduction into the packaging of the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized, then in the open state. This introduction opening is located opposite the open side. The second sheath segment is closed on its periphery, except for the open side before sterilization, and closed during sterilization. The second sheath segment forms an inside space for receiving biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized. The packaging also comprises means for control of the distribution of sterilization gas in the inside space so that it accesses or it can access the environment enveloping the contents to be sterilized and the inside space of the packaging that encloses it. For the implementation of such a packaging, the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized are introduced into the packaging by passage through the end introduction opening, and then by crossing the first segment, namely passage in front of the segment that is permeable to sterilization gas and passage through the open side. Thus, the biopharmaceutical contents access the inside receiving space in which it is placed for sterilization. The end introduction opening is then sealed on itself and thus closed, while the side is kept open. The sterilization gas is then introduced into the packaging, from the outside of the packaging, through the permeable part. Thus, the sterilization gas penetrates into the first sheath segment and then, passing through the open side, penetrates into the second sheath segment. The sterilization of the biopharmaceutical contents is thus ensured. The open side is then sealed on itself and thus closed. The packaging is then split into two, with the two sheath segments being separated, the sheath being cut crosswise toward the open side that was previously sealed.
Thus, with this second type of packaging, the open side serves both in the introduction of the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized and in the sterilization gas conveyance channel. Consequently, the open side that is adjacent to the inside space cannot be closed independently and before the closing of the sterilization gas conveyance channel.
In contrast, the opening for introduction of the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized is separated from the inside space for receiving the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized and the sterilized biopharmaceutical contents, in such a way that the biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized are introduced into the inside space from the outside of the packaging only in an indirect manner. Such an embodiment is therefore problematic to implement in some cases, taking into account the shape or the size of the packaging or the nature, the shape and the size of the biopharmaceutical contents.
The same drawback is encountered with the packages described in the documents WO 2004/039419 and FR-A-2820118.
Also, the control means for the distribution of sterilization gas are opening/closing means of the side that participates in the introduction of contents to be sterilized in the packaging, in such a way that the sterilization gas conveyance channel cannot be opened or closed independently of the opening or closing of the introduction of the contents to be sterilized.
Finally, once the sterilization is done, the outer wall, the sterilization gas conveyance channel and the opening/closing means are necessarily separated into two. Taking into account that in the sterilized packaging, there is no longer a permeable part, the latter having been removed, it is possible to implement a process for monitoring the integrity of the packaging whose wall is made airtight in manufacturing and which is expected to remain airtight. However, this possibility of implementing an integrity monitoring process is achieved only at the expense of cutting the packaging for separating the two sheath segments. However, such an operation for cutting the sheath is always difficult because, specifically, it may compromise the integrity of the packaging.
Consequently, with the second type of sterilizable biopharmaceutical packaging described above, the problem of the difficulty of passing the biopharmaceutical contents into the inside space and the problem of the risk of deterioration of the integrity of the packaging as a result of its being cut are encountered.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,643 that describes a flexible packaging designed to receive items that can be automatically sterilized in such a way as to ensure their integrity is also known from the state of the art. The flexible packaging has a first module that forms a valve and an actuator positioned on the upper wall and a second module that forms a valve and an actuator positioned on the lower wall. Each of these modules that forms a valve and an actuator is equipped with a support part that comprises a large number of holes acting as openings so as to allow the passage of a fluid flow inside and outside of the flexible packaging and a valve that is used to reclose the holes.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,862 that describes a part that is designed to constitute a sterile barrier so as to keep the interior of a packaging device under sterile conditions is known.
The document WO 03/068274 that relates to a system that makes it possible to inject ozonized gas inside a packaging that contains an object to be disinfected or sterilized is also known. The packaging comprises coupling means that make it possible for it to be combined with said injection system to ensure the introduction of ozonized gas into the chamber that receives the object to be sterilized, as well as closing means that make it possible to ensure the sealing of the chamber when the packaging is no longer associated with the system.
Furthermore, the document EP 1 520 795 that describes a packaging for pharmaceutical products that is formed from a first impermeable foil, a second impermeable foil welded to the first, and a permeable clasp welded to the second foil and able to be welded to the first foil is known. These three foils form an inside space into which an object can be introduced for the purpose of its sterilization. When said sterilization operation is terminated, the portion of the packaging containing the permeable clasp is cut into sections, and the first and second impermeable foils are welded to one another in such a way as to constitute an inside space delimited only by these first and second impermeable foils. As above, such a cutting operation is dangerous because it can compromise the integrity of the packaging.

Sterilizable biopharmaceutical packaging and method of making a sterilizable biopharmeceutical packaging


A method and system for identifying alternate contact information of a specific type; particularly, by providing an inputted Email address in a query, one or more alternate Email addresses can be returned to the query, using an automated database. The system is queried using an entity's known Email address, which, in turn, is associated with other contact information for the entity, such as name and postal address, and the other contact information is then used to identify alternative Email addresses for the targeted entity either at the time of the query or in preparation of the database, and the alternative Email address(es) are then outputted to the requestor from the system. The method uses knowledge of contact points of different types for the same entity to identify alternate contact points of a single type, within a database of contact information.

The present invention relates to the field of updating contact information, and more particularly to systems and methods for using databases of contact data and identifying alternate contact information for individuals, businesses, or households using relationships between contact data elements stored in the databases.
In today's highly dynamic and mobile environment for both business and personal communication, points of contact, such as postal addresses, telephone numbers, and internet electronic mail (Email) addresses, are continually changing. Points of contact, or personally identifiable information (hereinafter, "PII"), also include such items as birth date and governmentally-issued identification number (such as a drivers license number, social security number, or passport number) that don't often change, but can be used to identify a recipient. Such information is typically stored in fixed databases and address books of persons or businesses with which an individual has interactions, but these databases are usually not actively maintained and become quickly outdated. For purposes of this specification, the following definitions are used:
Recipient—a person, household, institution or business that changes their PII over time and with which communication is desired—this has the same meaning as "entity" which is used in the claims;
Personally Identifiable Information (hereinafter, "PII")—postal addresses, telephone numbers, and internet electronic mail (Email) addresses, birth date, and governmentally-issued identification number (such as a drivers license number, social security number, or passport number) used to identify a Recipient;
Sender—a person, institution or business desiring communication with the Recipient;
Data Processor—a person, institution or business that is receiving and processing data records to maintain a database of PII; and
Data Provider—a person, institution or business that provides data records to the Data Processor.
Further, "postal address" is defined as that set of geographic data used by postal or delivery services for delivering mail, including street, city, state, and zip codes.
Since updating such contact information is typically dependent upon a Recipient voluntarily providing timely, periodic, and correct notification to the Sender, the PII data in the Sender's database is not typically updated, and once contact is lost, it is difficult to re-establish. An area where particular deficiency occurs is in on-going maintenance of Email addresses, which tend to change more frequently than most other contact points due to situational changes, such as job changes, temporary or permanent relocation, Internet service provider (ISP) changes, and also due to the fact that a change of Email address does not require a change of physical location.
When the Email address is the principal means of communication with the Recipient, loss of contact through Email may not be repairable since there are only limited broad-based, national, or international archival systems or databases having updated Email addresses, unlike a reasonably-updated telephone book or a conventional postal-forwarding service. Most conventional address updating services are dependent on having a current and/or a historical postal address, which can be manually linked to the identity of a Recipient via a postal-service forwarding-address database.
In a postal-forwarding service, change of address forms at a post office may be filled out by the Recipient, thereby allowing mail to be forwarded to a new mailing address. In the United States, for example, the U.S. Postal Service maintains such a database and licenses the data to companies that then use this information to maintain National Change Of Address (NCOA) services, wherein Senders submit their existing list of customers and their last known postal addresses to the NCOA service provider. The NCOA service provider then returns updated customer records that include a new postal address. NCOA services are useful to Senders because there is one central administrator that collects all postal address updates, such as the U.S. Postal Service. Telephone books are similarly comprehensive because there are only a few phone system providers, and they share directory information with each other.
Alternatively, the Sender may internally update an address by identifying an instance when the Recipient changes a PII element. Most companies that maintain contact information for people they do business with have some sort of internal PII-updating mechanism. For example, a bank may encourage the Recipient to contact a customer service representative in order to update PII, or the bank's web site may have a customer profile area where the Recipient can update PII. Disadvantageously, this method is dependent on the time and resources that a Sender allocates to develop facilities for the Recipients to update their PII, and, more importantly, this method, like the Postal Service's change of address forms, is dependent upon Recipients being cognizant that the Senders desire updated PII, the Recipient wishing to provide Senders with their updated PII, and Recipients actually expending time and effort updating their PII with Senders.
Conventional Email Change of Address (ECOA) systems mimic NCOA systems. Similar to an NCOA system, ECOA systems rely on submission of change of address notifications from Recipients. However, unlike with postal mail that is primarily controlled by a government postal service, there is no central facility that maintains Email addresses. Each company, institution, or individual that manages an Email domain, or computers with Email addresses, determines the Email addresses that are permissible on that system, and there are millions of domains on the Internet. In using such systems, client companies typically provide the ECOA service provider (i.e., the Data Processor) with a customer Email list, and the Data Processor provides new Email addresses for as many people as possible. The data used by these services is typically derived from three sources: 1) Recipients explicitly registering change of Email address information with the service; 2) Recipients explicitly registering alternate Email address(es) they may be reached at if the primary Email address is no longer valid; and/or 3) specialty software programming modules capturing change of address information at partner (i.e., Data Providers or other Senders) web sites as the information is updated, and then sharing that information with the ECOA provider.
In this last case, specialty software programming modules are installed at the Data Provider location where a Recipient might update contact information. The mechanism will detect if an Email address is changed and either store such information for later use or forward it to the ECOA service provider. Disadvantageously, in order to automate the collection process, such specialty software programming modules, which need to be interfaced with or merged into the existing operational programming modules of the Data Provider, may have incompatible interfaces or may interfere with the normal business operation of the Data Provider's software modules. Thus, many companies are reluctant to install such systems, because the changes may adversely impact the operation of their other business software and their limited human resources may be insufficient to install and debug such modules.
Further, because ECOA service providers are not central authorities like the U.S. Postal Service with monopoly market presence, they must advertise themselves or otherwise make Recipients, Senders or Data Providers aware that the service exists, and these arrangements can be prohibitively expensive.
A third type of address change service method exists. By maintaining large databases of postal addresses and email addresses, Email "Append" service providers have the ability to provide one type of PII when presented with PII of a different type. For example, starting with a database containing the Email addresses and postal addresses of Recipients associated together, entering an Email address can yield a postal address and vice versa. Disadvantageously, if a Sender uses only one type of PII for contacting a Recipient, for example, solely an Email address, the service of an Email Append provider is of no use because these append service providers provide a different type of PII than the one presented to them.
The preceding methods are limited due to 1) the need for the Recipient to manually update and/or otherwise register their PII with the ECOA service provider, 2) the need to install specialized software programming modules to capture PII at multiple Data Providers, or 3) the need for the Sender to have a different type of PII, for example, a postal address, to get the PII desired.
Since no system currently exists that will generate alternate Email address outputs in response to an Email input query without the preceding limitations, there exists a demonstrated need for a system wherein an Email address database can be automatically maintained using non-intrusive data extraction means, wherein generation of alternate PII data for said database does not rely on the action of Recipients, and wherein queries with one type of PII can generate updated PII of the same type, such as an Email address query to the system can generate alternate Email address outputs.

System and method for identifying alternate contact information in a database related to entity, query by identifying contact information of a different type than was in query which is related to the same entity


The thermo-optically controlled optical couplers wherein the coupling region between the waveguides in the coupling section is filled with a material having a high dependence of refractive index on temperature thus making the thermo-optic control means more efficient and allowing a greater range of adjustment in the coupling coefficient for a given temperature change.

Directional optical couplers are key elements in planar lightguide circuits (PLCs). For example, directional couplers with coupling ratios which vary from zero to one are required for Fourier filters and ring filters, and directional couplers having a 50% power splitting ratio are needed in Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (MZI). Couplers are widely used in optical transmission systems.
In many of these applications, the coupling ratios in the coupler as fabricated must be very close to the design values so that the filter has the desired spectral response. An important evolution for silica based PLCs is for more compact devices, which require a higher refractive index difference (.increment.) between the core and cladding. A disadvantage of using high .increment. is that the fabrication variations on the coupling ratio increase. Typically, fabrication tolerances cause variations in the coupling ratios of .+-.5% for 3 dB couplers in silica with low .increment.s (.ltoreq.0.7%). A method for actively tuning the coupling ratios after fabrication would be beneficial by: 1) increasing device yield, and 2) providing additional functionality by allowing the coupling ratio to be chosen from a large range of coupling values after fabrication of the coupler. Silica waveguides offer low loss, but the only post-fabrication technique to actively tune the PLC is to use thermal heaters and rely on the thermal dependence of the refractive index (dn/dT). Heaters can be deposited on the surface of the waveguide and used to tune the coupling ratio. This technique can be used also to tune the phase in a MZI. See e.g. B. Zheng and C. Zheng, "A study of directional coupler modulator with thermo-controlled coupling coefficient, Integrated Optoelectronics, Beijing, China: SPIE Vol. 2891, 1996, pp. 178-182. However, the refractive index of silica is relatively insensitive to temperature, thus requiring a substantial temperature change to effect the desired adjustment. This requires both higher power and longer heating times. A tunable coupler with more sensitive and more rapid thermal response would represent a significant advance in the art.

Tunable directional optical waveguide couplers


The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing a state transition time from a power saving state for a user equipment (18) in a communication network. The state transition time is reduced by retaining in the user equipment (18) one or more information parameter, such as the radio network temporary identifier for a high speed downlink shared channel (H-RNTI), when performing a state transition to said power saving state so as to enable a time reduction when said user equipment switches back from said power saving state.

In order to maintain a long battery life and save power, user equipments, e.g., in Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) systems can be switched from an active state to a power saving state. The battery life is maximized by switching to the power saving state frequently and quickly. However, if this switching is very frequently performed, the user equipments will often find themselves in the power saving state when they need to transmit data. If the switching is slow, it means that the user-perceived performance will suffer from the inertia that occurs every time a new transmission is commenced.
In the work item "Signalling enhancements for Circuit-Switched (CS) and Packet-Switched (PS) Connections" targeted by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for Release 7, some enhancements to optimize the signalling have been proposed. In general the focus has been in optimizing the connection set-up time from idle mode.
Also within the scope of High speed packet access (HSPA) evolution it is desirable to reduce the time for transitions from the power saving state. The power saving state can be either CELL_PCH or URA_PCH. The following description mainly focuses on the CELL_PCH state, but similar principles could be applied for the URA_PCH state as well.
The current sequences for an UE initiated transition from the CELL_PCH state to the CELL_PCH state are illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. FIG. 2a illustrates the sequence for a normal transition, while FIG. 2b illustrates the sequence for a direct transition to DCH. In direct transition the information contained in the Radio bearer reconfiguration message is already indicated by the Cell update confirm message (most likely using default parameter values).
In FIG. 2a the radio network controller RNC sends a paging message 210 to the user equipment UE. After a power ramping procedure 215 the UE sends a Cell Update message 220 to the RNC, which is confirmed in a Cell Update Confirm message 225 back to the UE. Then, the UE sends a UTRAN Mobility Information Confirm message 230 to the RNC. The RNC sends a Downlink User Plane Initialisation message 235 to the Node B whereas the Node B sends an Uplink Plane Initialisation message 240 to the RNC and provides a Downlink Transmitter Power On (DL Tx Power On) indication 245 to the UE. Then, the RNC sends a Radio Bearer Reconfiguration message 250 to the UE. If synchronisation in the UE is achieved 255, the UE provides an Uplink Transmit Power On (UL TX Power On) indication 260 to the Node B. If synchronisation has been achieved in the Node B 265, it sends an E-DCH scheduling grant message 270 to the UE. Finally, the UE sends a Radio Bearer Reconfiguration Complete message 275 to the RNC. The time TUE denotes the time interval from which the UE has received data until the Radio Bearer Reconfiguration Complete message has been transmitted to the RNC.
Accordingly, in FIG. 2b the radio network controller RNC sends a paging message 210 to the user equipment UE. After a power ramping procedure 215 the UE sends a Cell Update message 220 to the RNC, which is confirmed in a Cell Update Confirm message 225 back to the UE. Then the RNC sends a Downlink User Plane Initialisation message 235 to the Node B whereas the Node B sends an Uplink Plane Initialisation message 240 to the RNC and provides a Downlink Transmitter Power On (DL Tx Power On) indication 245 to the UE. If synchronisation in the UE is achieved 255, the UE provides an Uplink Transmit Power On (UL TX Power On) indication 260 to the Node B. If synchronisation has been achieved in the Node B 265, it sends an E-DCH scheduling grant message 270 to the UE. Finally, the UE sends a UTRAN Mobility Information Confirm message 280 to the RNC. The time TUE denotes the time interval from which the UE has received data until the UTRAN Mobility Information Confirm message has been transmitted to the RNC.
In both sequences, the Cell Update Confirm message is transmitted on the CCCH over the Forward Access Channel (FACH). In current art, it is not possible to use any other channel than CCCH for the transmission of the Cell Update Confirm message as the Cell Update Confirm message contains the identifier (C-RNTI or H-RNTI) that is needed to set up dedicated connections. C-RNTI is defined for the UE in the particular cell when it is using dedicated channels, while H-RNTI is for HS-DSCH.
The procedures described above in FIGS. 2a and 2b take significant amount of time due to the fact that it is necessary to use CCCH and FACH in order to receive the H-RNTI. It is further necessary to receive information on the allocated downlink and uplink channel (either by using Radio Bearer Reconfiguration or directly in the Cell Update Confirm) before initiating the synchronization procedure.
The main contributions to the switching time come from the transmission of the Cell Update message (including the power ramping), transmission of the Cell Update Confirm message (and, possibly, the UTRAN Mobility Information Confirm and Radio Bearer Reconfiguration message) and from the synchronization. The following shortly describes some known ways to reduce these delays:    1) The Cell Update message could be transmitted faster by either reducing the power ramping or by increasing the transmission rate of the RACH channel. However, these modifications would require significant changes to the existing random access procedure.    2) The data rate of the FACH channel could be increased or the Transmission Time Interval (TTI) shortened in order to reduce the time needed for the Cell Update Confirm message. However, as the size of the Cell Update Confirm message is not very large, an increase of the data rate does not significantly improve the total switching time. Changing of the TTI would require complete redesign of the FACH channel, which is disadvantageous.    3) The synchronization could be done faster by increasing the amount of hardware resources for this purpose. However, this solution increases the manufacturing costs of both the base station and the terminal, which is not desirable.
Thus, it is desirable to shorten the time needed for performing the above-described UE-initiated state transition procedures, in particular for transitions from a power saving state, e.g. the CELL_PCH state, to the CELL_PCH state, while avoiding the disadvantages mentioned above.

Method and arrangement in a communication system


The low-beam headlight has a reflector, in which a light source is mounted and a light-permeable disk which has optical elements. Light from the light source is reflected as a light beam by the reflector which would illuminate a region (62) of a measuring screen (60) placed in front of the headlight so that the region (62) has a horizontal light-dark boundary without being effected by or without action of the light-permeable disk. A first part of the light beam reflected by the reflector illuminates a first part (64a,64b) of the screen under boundary lines (65a,65b) inclined relative to the light-dark boundary (63). A second part of the light beam reflected by the reflector illuminates a second part (66) of the measuring screen between the light-dark boundary (63) and the boundary lines (65a,65b). A portion of the first part of the light beam is at least partially deflected by the optical elements of the light-permeable disk so that it produces the higher lying section of the light-dark boundary associated with the vehicle's own traffic side of the light beam from the low-beam headlight after passing through the disk.

The present invention relates to a low-beam headlight for a vehicle.
A low-beam headlight is described in German Patent document DE 33 41 773 A1. This low-beam headlight has a reflector, a light source and a light-permeable disk arranged in the path of the light rays reflected from the reflector. The light-permeable disk has at least one localized optical element, by which the light beam reflected from the reflector is deflected or guided during its passage through it. The light beam issuing from the low-beam headlight has an asymmetrical upper light-dark boundary with an approximately horizontal section directed toward the on-coming traffic side of the vehicle. It also has another section directed toward the side of the vehicle opposite the on-coming traffic side which is arranged at least somewhat higher than the portion directed at the on-coming traffic. The reflector is formed in such a way that a first part of the light beam reflected from a first part of the reflector produces both portions of the light-dark boundary without action of the light-permeable disk. The part of the light beam reflected from the remaining portion of the reflector should pass under the light-dark boundary necessarily by action of the optical elements of the light-permeable disk. The light-dark boundary which the light beam from the low-beam headlight has cannot remain the same for all traffic situations, but must be different for different situations, because of the varying legal regulations in different countries or different types of traffic, which means right-hand traffic and left-hand traffic. Different embodiments of the reflector and the disk are required for different situations with the known low-beam headlight. This requires comparatively large manufacturing costs, since a special manufacturing tool is required for each embodiment of the reflector and also large assembly and logistic expenses are required in order for the embodiment of the reflector required for this application to be maintained.

Low-beam headlight for a vehicle with same reflector used for different situations