A cutting edge cart is disclosed that provides an improved means for replacing the replaceable cutting edges on bladed equipment such as road graders and snow plow. The cart allows a single user to retrieve, transport, and position a replacement cutting edge relative to a mold board of the bladed equipment. Generally, the cart contains a frame, two or more transport assemblies attached to the frame, such as wheels, a movable carrier assembly that contains a cutting edge support assembly, and an adjuster. The adjuster is operable to move the carrier assembly between first and second positions relative to the frame allowing the vertical position of a supported cutting edge to be adjusted. The frame and transport assemblies are disposed such that the cart may be rotated or pivoted from a first generally vertical position to a second generally horizontal position. In this horizontal position, a cutting edge may be received within the cutting edge support and the cart rotated back to the generally vertical position.

Earth working and snow removal equipment generally utilize a blade that is contacted with the ground to scrape away or "grade" a desired surface. Generally, the blade can be defined as having two main parts; a long support member, also referred to as a mold board, and a replaceable cutting edge interconnected to and extending downwardly from the lower edge of the support member. The mold board is generally made of steel and is typically concave on its forward side and may be adjustable about a vertical and/or horizontal axis for directing earth/snow removed from a surface. The cutting edge is generally bolted to the lower surface of the mold board and projects downward beneath the bottommost surface of the mold board. In this regard, when the blade is used for plowing/grading, the cutting edge contacts the ground and withstands most of the impact and abrasive wear to which the blade is subjected during use. Though made from durable steel, these cutting edges wear with usage. Upon reaching a predetermined amount of wear, these cutting edges must be replaced to prevent the bottom edge of the mold board from contacting the ground during use, thus causing permanent wear/damage to the permanent structure of the mold board.
Earth and/or snow moving equipment, and particularly earth and/or snow moving equipment utilized to grade/plow roads (i.e. a "road grader" or "patrol") are especially susceptible to heavy wear of their cutting edges, as they are often used to move highly abrasive materials such as gravel and asphalt. In this regard, the cutting edges of these machines must be frequently changed to prevent permanent structural damage from occurring. As a result, operations that utilize this type of equipment, such as road construction firms and governmental entities that are responsible for maintaining existing roads, spend a considerable amount of time replacing these cutting edges. The replacement of blade edges is generally time consuming and represents down time for the equipment. Further, on larger earth moving equipment, the blade may be up to about 24 feet in length and contain two or more sections of replaceable cutting edges. Even though these cutting edges may be separated into several sections, they may still be up to about 12 feet long and, as a metal plate, be quite heavy and awkward to handle. Often, two or more workers are required to hold the replacement cutting edges relative to the mold board for attachment thereto.


The apparatus and method for eliminating ground water infiltration while stabilizing the ground and repairing underground pipe/conduit and connections is taught in this art. The steps are to first inject, under pressure, expandable structural foam in the space adjacent and outside the pipe while blocking any infiltration of the foam into the interior of the pipe, conduit or connection. Concurrently or separately the inside diameter of the pipe is receiving a structural repair. The result is stabilized ground, elimination of ground water infiltration and repair of the host pipe conduit or connection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an "insitu" method to repair underground pipes and conduits to reduce or eliminate ground water infiltration while stabilizing the proximate ground formation surrounding the pipes.
2. Background of the Invention
The Clean Water Act has mandated that ground water infiltration into our sewer systems be substantially reduced or eliminated. Many methods of repair have been devised over the last thirty years. Some of those repair methods include slip lining, pipe bursting, cured in place pipe lining (CIPP), fold and form thermoplastic lining, spot repairs, as well as the traditional dig and removal/replacement of pipelines.
It is a known fact that the federal interstate highway system has met and in certain cases exceeded its design life by controlling or reducing incidents of pavement collapse, settling and irregular surfaces. This has been achieved with the development of techniques for the injection of grouts or placement of epoxy patches. In addition, the concrete repair industry has developed and refined the utilization of expandable structural closed cell foams to raise, level and stabilize concrete slabs, foundations, pavements and buildings.
The "insitu lining" repair of pipes has been the most effective alternative to pipe "dig and replacement" for many year. Occasionally an existing annular space or void adjacent to the outside surface of the pipe or conduit has been injected with gelatinous grout materials to eliminate water infiltration into the pipe. This repair has been only temporary since the gelatinous material is not dimensionally stabile and often requires later replacement. The grout is not capable of stabilizing the ground around the pipe even if the entire annular space is filled with the gelatinous grout. The lack of stability and support can result in additional stress on the pipe structure, with eventual degradation of the pipe and resulting water infiltration.
Injection of expanding closed cell foams has seldom been used to repair pipes. Where the closed cell foams have been used to level or reinforce pipe sections, there has been migration of the foam into the pipe/conduit joint that, if left in place, can cause an occlusion or blockage. When this migration into the interior diameter of the pipe does occur, a cutting or grinding device must be inserted as a subsequent step to remove the excess foam.
Another issue is the typical foams being used today are polyurethane's which often contain isocyanate, a groundwater contaminant. Some research has been conducted to determine if the closed cell foam chemistry could be used with grout packers. The blowing agents in the foam, however, create a near immediate reaction that will not allow the annular space to be filled with the foam.
There are hybrid polyester/urethanes expandable closed cell foams that could be used and avoid isocyanate. However, these alternate foam formulations have not been well suited to curing in the ambient underground soil conditions.
The measure of physical properties of materials relevant to the present invention include ASTM D1621 Compressive Strength, ASTM D790 Flexural Strength, ASTM D1622 Density, ASTM C 273 Shear Strength, ASTM D 2126 Dimensional Stability, ASTM D696 Coefficient of expansion, ASTM D 543 Chemical Resistance, and ASTM D 2842 Water Absorption.

Apparatus and method for the repair and stabilization of underground pipes


Ridge cap means adapted to secure one or more roof panel members to a modular building structure. Such a ridge cap means has a horizontally disposed base portion that is adapted to engage a supporting member incorporated in, and presented from, the modular building. An inclined, plate portion is supported from the base portion. The plate portion is adapted to receive, and support, the roof panel. A locking member frictionally secures each roof panel to one or more inclined plate portions.

It is well known in the construction industry that significant economic savings can be realized by reducing the amount of work required at the construction site. To achieve this objective, prefabrication has been adopted on a large scale in the construction industry, both with respect to general purpose buildings and with respect to personal housing. For example, some sources have estimated that as many as forty percent (40%) of the homes now being built use some form of pre-manufactured structural components. Moreover, four and seven-tenths percent (4.7%) of all housing starts in the U.S. in 1991 are homes that are completely modular, and this percentage is expect to rise. The ultimate goal to be achieved in building modular structures has been to produce, at a remote site and in a factory environment, as many of the components of a given structure as possible, leaving only site preparation and final assembly to be done at the actual location where the building is to be situated.
There are a number of advantages to be achieved by prefabrication. The most obvious of those advantages is the significant reduction of time and labor required at the job site, where labor costs are normally the highest. In addition to the reduced time required for actual erection of the building, other time savings are also possible. For example, the reduced amount of work time at the job site reduces the potential for interruptions resulting from inclement weather. Reduced time at a job site can also drastically reduce the potential for work-related injuries and/or deaths. A controlled factory atmosphere is inherently amenable to measures for reducing injuries and increasing safety.
Furthermore, increased uniformity of the structural components resulting from the enhanced quality control possible in a factory atmosphere and the economic advantages of mass production techniques are also achievable with the prefabrication approach. As is often the situation, the use of standardized, prefabricated structural components not only improves the uniformity of the end product but also greatly simplifies the actual erection process. This last feature also makes it possible to produce quality buildings with unskilled, or minimally skilled, personnel. Thus, the overall results of prefabrication in the construction industry include greatly improved efficiency, significantly reduced costs, lower accident rates and better safety records.
These advantages are, of course desirable in any type of construction, but are believed to be especially important in the production of individual dwellings, particularly in economically distressed areas and in third world countries where cost is one of the most significant obstacles to overcome.
There are a wide variety of practical ways of to effectuate the prefabrication concept.
For example, the U.S. patent to Crowe--U.S. Pat. No. 1,988,448--discloses the factory prefabrication of steel frame panel units of standard dimensions which are filled with cementitious material and assembled so as to leave vertical spaces between adjacent vertical walls for utility connection and with laterally adjacent panels being joined by cover strips or slabs which are interconnected thereto.
The U.S. patent to Wagner--U.S. Pat. No. 2,850,771--discloses a prefabricated construction system wherein wooden panels are interconnected to vertical posts or columns with the vertical edges of the wooden wall panels and the posts having grooved areas and with spline blocks being used to interconnect the two.
The U.S. patent to Paul--U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,431--is indicative of another approach wherein a so-called "frameless" modular multi-story building is constructed from self-contained prefabricated modules which are simply set on a building foundation and attached thereto by anchor bolts secured in the foundation.
The U.S. patent to Bolt--U.S. Pat. No. 3,284,966--is of general interest in showing a prefabricated building which can be readily assembled or erected at the job site and which is collapsible for transportation purposes.
The U.S. patent to Moore--U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,563--discloses a prefabricated building constructed of panels formed of molded plastic material, reinforced with glass fibers, and wherein the panels have channels or ribs on their edges adapted to mate with complementary structures of connector members.
Other examples of prefabricated construction components utilizing various plastics materials can be seen in the U.S. patent to Kennedy--U.S. Pat. No. 2,918,151; the U.S. patent to Espeland--U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,507; the U.S. patent to Sohns--U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,496; and, the U.S. patent to Farge--U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,185.
The foregoing patents are believed to be generally representative of the prior art, and that art does illustrate some diverse approaches to the prefabrication of buildings using various materials. However, none of the aforesaid prior art patents, nor any other prior art with which the inventor is aware, either alone or in combination, achieve the several objects of the present invention.

Ridge cap connector means for joining roof panels in a modular building structure


A device, method and system for estimating elevation in images from camera devices is provided. The device detects humans at respective positions in images from a camera device, the camera device having a fixed orientation and fixed focal length. The device estimates, for the humans in the images, respective elevations of the humans, relative to the camera device, at the respective positions based at least on camera device parameters defining the fixed orientation and the fixed focal length. The device associates the respective elevations with the respective positions in the images. The device determines, using the respective elevations associated with the respective positions, a function that estimates elevation in an image from the camera device, using a respective image position coordinate as an input. The device provides the function to a video analytics engine to determine relative real-world positions in subsequent images from the camera device.

Video analytics engines may be used to analyze images from camera devices to determine, for example, real-world feet-to-head heights of humans in the images and/or distances between humans in the images. Such analysis become more challenging when the terrain on which the humans are positioned, in the images, is not level.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.
The system, apparatus, and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Device, method and system for estimating elevation in images from camera devices


Embodiments of the present disclosure include a harmonic power amplifying circuit with high efficiency and high bandwidth and a radio-frequency power amplifier. The circuit comprises an input matching network (11), a transistor (M), and an output matching network (12); a gate of the transistor (M) connected to an output end of the input matching network (11), a drain thereof connected to an input end of the output matching network (12), and a source thereof being grounded; wherein the output matching network (12) enables a lower sideband of the harmonic power amplifying circuit to work in a continuous inverse F amplification mode and an upper sideband of the harmonic power amplifying circuit to work in a continuous F amplification mode; wherein the output matching network (12) and a parasitic network of the transistor (M) form a low pass filter. By transitioning from the continuous inverse F power amplifier working mode to the continuous F power amplifier working mode, the efficiency of a continuous harmonic control power amplifier is effectively improved to be higher than 60%, a relative bandwidth is improved to be higher than 80%, and the harmonic impedance is simple to match and easy to realize.

At present, the fifth generation mobile communication system requires communications compatibility to be more powerful and therefore requires the efficiency of a radio-frequency power amplifier to be correspondingly higher. Meanwhile, with the further development of green economy, the market also requires the efficiency of a power amplifier to be higher. Generally, a power amplifier with high efficiency and high bandwidth is designed largely based on the structure of class-E power amplifier and the structure of harmonic-control power amplifier.
However, although class-E power amplifier is simple in structure and has high efficiency, class-E power amplifier in theory has an upper limit operating frequency, which limits application of class-E power amplifier in a higher frequency range.
With respect to harmonic-control power amplifier appropriate for higher working frequency, e.g., class-F power amplifier and inverse class-F power amplifier, it needs to implement precise harmonic impedance control in the drain of a transistor and have narrow bandwidth. In order to broaden bandwidth, a continuous harmonic-control power amplifier has been developed based on the structure of harmonic-control power amplifier, which comprises a continuous F power amplifier and a continuous inverse F power amplifier. However, when providing an efficiency greater than 70% and a relative bandwidth greater than 50%, the continuous F power amplifier and the continuous inverse F power amplifier need to meet impedance conditions of second harmonic and third harmonic, at the same time and within certain bandwidth, which brings a significant challenge to the design of matching circuit. The complex matching circuit reduces efficiency to a certain extent.

Harmonic power amplifying circuit with high efficiency and high bandwidth and radio-frequency power amplifier

CHINA COMMUNICATION MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

CHINA COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An obtaining unit of a moving control device obtains a first contact position and a second contact position on a touch panel. A determination unit determines information about a trajectory of a moving object in a virtual space based on the first contact position and second contact position. A moving control unit moves the moving object in the virtual space based on the information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a moving control device, a moving control method, and an information recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been known a moving control device for moving an object to be moved (hereinafter referred to as "moving object") (for example, a ball) in a virtual space. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-37664, for instance, describes a game device for executing a video game in which a character moves a ball by kicking when a user presses a button on a controller.

Moving control device, moving control method, and information recording medium


A phosphor mixture includes a first phosphor and a second phosphor, wherein an emission spectrum of the first phosphor has a relative intensity maximum in a yellow spectral range and an emission spectrum of the second phosphor has a relative intensity maximum in a red spectral range, the first phosphor corresponds to the following chemical formula: (LuxY1−x)3(Al1−yGay)5O12:Ce3+, where x is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1 and where y is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.4, and the phosphor mixture is formed from a plurality of particles, which includes a plurality of particles of the first phosphor and a plurality of particles of the second phosphor.

There is a need for a phosphor mixture which has a long lifetime and is suitable for generating warm-white light with high efficiency. In particular, there is a need for a phosphor mixture suitable for use at high temperatures, as well as an optoelectronic component and a street lamp comprising such a phosphor mixture.

Phosphor mixture, optoelectronic component comprising a phosphor mixture, and street lamp comprising a phosphor mixture


Systems and methods for responding to a subscriber's text-based request for content items are presented. In response to a request from a subscriber, word pieces are generated from the text-based terms of the request. A request embedding vector of the word pieces is obtained from a trained machine learning model. Using the request embedding vector, a set of content items, from a corpus of content items, is identified. At least some content items of the set of content items are returned to the subscriber in response to the text-based request for content items.

Search systems and recommender systems are both online services that recommend content to a computer user (or, more simply, a "user") in response to a query. Search systems respond to a query with a focused set of results that are viewed as "answers" to a query. In contrast, recommender systems are not necessarily tasked with responding with "answers," i.e., content that is specifically relating to the query. Instead, recommender services respond to queries with recommended content, i.e., content calculated to lead a requesting user to discovering new content. Roughly, search engines provide a focused scope to a specific topic while recommender services provide a broadened scope. For both types of services, however, it is quite common for the requesting user to submit a text-based query and, in response, expect non-text content items.
There are online hosting services whose primary focus is to maintain non-textual content items for its users/subscribers. These content items are maintained as a corpus of content items and often become quite large. Indeed, at least one existing hosting service maintains a corpus that includes over a billion content items that have been posted to the hosting service by its users/subscribers.
To facilitate access and/or discovery of its content items, a hosting service will employ a search system, a recommender system, or both. To manage and understand the content items of its corpus, as well as determine what content items are related and/or similar, a hosting service will often maintain the content items of its corpus in a content item graph with each node in the graph representing a content item. Additionally, the hosting service will implement the use of embedding vectors, associating an embedding vector with each content item in the content item graph. Generally, embedding vectors are the expressions or output of an embedding vector generator regarding a specific content item of a corpus of content items. More particularly, an embedding vector is the expression of how the embedding vector generator (an executable module) understands or views a given content item in relation to other content items of the corpus of content items. In a logical sense, embedding vectors allow the corresponding content items to be projected into a multi-dimensional embedding vector space for the content items, and a measurement of the proximity of the projection of two content items within the content item embedding space corresponds to a similarity measurement between the two content items. Generally, embedding vector generators trained on text queries generate embedding vectors for text queries into a text query embedding space, and embedding vector generators trained on images generate embedding vectors for images into an image embedding space.
As those skilled in the art will appreciate, an embedding vector generator accepts a specific content type (or specific aggregation of content types) as input, analyzes the input content, and generates an embedding vector for the input content that projects the input content into the embedding vector space. Thus, if an embedding vector generator is trained to accept an image as the input type, the embedding vector generator analyzes an input image and generates a corresponding embedding vector for the image into an image content item embedding space.
Since subscribers typically communicate with a hosting service via text, the search and recommender services of a hosting service must perform an indirect mapping of a text-based query to content items, as projected in the content item embedding space, in identifying the sought-for content items.

Identifying content items in response to a text-based request


A method for fabricating a semiconductor device having improved short channel effects is disclosed. The method includes operations such as, forming a hard mask layer on the surface of a semiconductor substrate, printing a photoresist mask above the hard mask layer, performing an etch of trenches in the semiconductor substrate and removing the hard mask layer and the photoresist mask. Moreover, the method includes forming a first polysilicon layer, etching the first polysilicon layer, forming a spacer layer and forming a second polysilicon layer. In addition, the method includes performing a stacked gate etch on the second polysilicon layer, performing an SAS etch, performing a shallow source implant and forming the spacer between the first polysilicon layer and the second polysilicon layer. A silicide line is subsequently formed to connect device source regions.

Many conventional semiconductor device fabrication processes produce semiconductor devices that exhibit short channel effects. Consequently, the development of processes that yield devices where the short channel effect is controlled in the devices that are produced is one of the biggest challenges confronting device manufacturers. The primary impact of the short channel effect is to cause an increase in the leakage or "off" current that is exhibited by a device when the device is in the off state. This leakage impacts the capacity of the device to perform ideally as a switch. A conventional process that illustrates this problem is shown in FIGS. 1A–1F.
FIG. 1A shows a diagram of a semiconductor wafer that is patterned using a conventional fabrication process. The diagram shows polycrystalline gate structures 101A–101D, source regions 103A and 103B, drain regions 105A and 105B, and shallow trench isolation (STI) regions 107A and 107B. An illustration that depicts a perspective view of the wafer as seen when cut along lines BB″ (see FIG. 1A) is shown in FIG. 1B. An illustration that depicts a perspective view of the wafer as seen when cut along lines AA″ (see FIG. 1B) is shown in FIG. 1F.
FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a wafer as is seen when cut in the direction of line BB″ shown in FIG. 1A. Referring to FIG. 1A, after the formation of a Si3N4 layer on a Si substrate, the Si3N4 layer is patterned using photoresist (e.g., PR). Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1C, trenches are etched in the substrate and a layer of SiO2 is formed in the trenches and over the remaining portions of the Si3N4 layer. Next, as shown in FIG. 1D, a CMP operation is performed in order to remove the Si3N4 layer.
A first layer of polysilicon 120 is then deposited on the surface of the remaining material (e.g., see FIG. 1D, TOX layer 122). Subsequently, as is shown in FIG. 1E, an etch of the first polysilicon layer 120 is performed and a layer of ONO 124 thereafter deposited. This is followed by the deposition of a second polysilcon layer 121. Finally, a stacked gate etch is performed resulting in the structure shown in FIG. 1F.
As is shown in FIG. 1F, a stacked gate structure may result from the process outlined in FIGS. 1A–1F. The illustration of FIG. 1F depicts a perspective view of the wafer as seen when cut along lines A″ of FIG. 1A as was mentioned above. The first and second polysilicon layers (e.g., 120 and 121) are vertically aligned with the ONO layer in a stacked gate configuration. A VCI implant 123 is performed to connect all of the sources together. A very heavy VCI implant 123 is needed to form a low resistance line.
Problematic short channel effects result from the heavy VCI implantation 123 needed to form conductive lines that have low resistance. It should be appreciated that the effective channel length (e.g., Leff) of the fabricated device is decreased as a result of the lateral diffusion of the source junction caused by such heavy VCI implantation 123. This lateral diffusion may significantly degrade the performance of the device.

Method for providing short channel effect control using a silicide VSS line


An over-voltage protection device includes a substrate including an upper surface and a lower surface; a first electrode provided on the upper surface of the substrate; a second electrode provided on the lower surface on the substrate; a first conductive layer overlying the lower surface of the substrate, the first conductive region being a conductive region of a first type; a plurality of first conductive regions provided proximate the upper surface of the substrate, the plurality of first conductive regions being conductive regions of the first type; and a plurality of second conductive region provided proximate the upper surface of the substrate, the plurality of second conductive region being conductive regions of a second type. The plurality of the first conductive regions are provided in an alternating manner with the plurality of second conductive regions. The first electrode is contacting the plurality of the first and second conductive regions.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor power device, more specifically, a an over-charge protection device.
In some applications for laser-diodes (e.g. welding) high laser power is necessary. This is achieved by electrically connecting many laser-diodes (e.g., 10 or more) in series, a solution that requires one power source or current source.
With series connection, one requires more acceptable, readily available voltage range for driving these laser diodes in series, 10 volts or more, rather than the low voltage, 1 volt to 3 volts that one such diode will need. The same argument holds for the series connection of light emitting diodes, (LED's), for lighting applications.
Another advantage of a series connection is higher power output compared to higher current in a parallel connection. For same power output in a parallel connection, the current is higher. For example, for 10 diodes in parallel, the current is 10 times higher than in a series connection, thus the conduction losses in the associated conductors are 100 times higher (power loss increases by the square law of current). A problem arises, however, when one of the laser-diodes, (or LED's) in a series-connection fails and is destroyed. This may make the entire device unusable although other nine diodes are in good operational condition.


A portable carpet binding machine comprising a housing defining an interior region, a drive mechanism supported by the housing and at least partially disposed in the interior region, a prime mover operatively coupled to the drive mechanism for providing motive power to the drive mechanism, a sewing assembly driven via the drive mechanism for sewing a strip of material to a piece of carpet. The portable carpet binding machine includes a carpet feeding assembly including a feed driver mechanism and a coacting puller mechanism operating in substantially synchronous movement to linearly feed the piece of carpet relative to the sewing assembly. The feed driver mechanism includes a feed-dog driven via the drive mechanism that intermittently engages the bottom of the piece of carpet to thereby advance the piece of carpet forward. The coacting puller mechanism includes first and second feed rollers driven via the drive mechanism. The first feed roller engages the top of the piece of carpet and the second feed roller engages the bottom of the piece of carpet. The first and second feed rollers pull the piece of carpet forward substantially simultaneously with respect to the advancement by the feed-dog of the feed driver mechanism.

Carpet binding machines are used to sew binding material, or tape, to the top and bottom of a piece of carpet to bind the edge of the carpet. Oftentimes, in a wall-to-wall carpet installation, a four or six inch strip of contrasting carpet will be used as coving instead of wood or rubber cove molding. In such an installation, the upper edge of the carpet cove needs binding material sewn thereon to present a finished appearance and so that the edge does not unravel. The stitch utilized by most carpet binding machines is the federal stitch type 401 chain stitch because of its streamlined appearance and effective binding capability.
Carpet binding machines are generally classified as being portable or stationary. Stationary machines are heavy, often weighing between 55 and 65 pounds. The weight of such machines forces them to be used at a single location, for example, in a carpet installer's warehouse, to sew binding material onto a carpet edge. While such machines tend to be durable, their lack of portability limits their usefulness in situations where the carpeting cannot be precut into appropriate length pieces for the job and bound in the installer's warehouse. Also, such stationary machines tend to be costly compared to their portable counterparts.
Portable carpet binding machines have the advantage of being capable of being transported and used at installation sites by installers. They do not require the carpeting to be precut and prebound as with a stationary machine and are lower in cost than stationary machines. However, the durability and reliability of most prior art portable carpet binding machines has been unsatisfactory.
Portable carpet binding machines are manufactured by modifying a standard household sewing machine. While such sewing machines are suitable for sewing clothes and similar light fabrics, subjecting such machines to the rigors of sewing carpeting characterized by heavy backing material and a plush pile results in an undesirable rate of skipped or otherwise malformed stitches, carpet feed problems, or even sewing machine breakdowns.
A skipped or malformed stitch can be corrected at the installation site. However, because such problems recur with frequency, oftentimes taking the time to restitch a piece of carpet can result in substantial delays and inconvenience.
A skipped stitch may occur in a type 401 stitch sewing cycle, for example, if the needle loop is not properly formed and the looper misses the opening of the needle loop as a result. Because portable carpet binding machines typically use a plastic needle thread, there is a greater tendency for the needle thread to flex in an unpredictable manner and, therefore, create unpredictable sewing results. Oftentimes, a single skipped stitch will cause the succeeding stitch to be missed because the previously improperly formed needle loop generates additional slack in the needle thread making it difficult to form the next needle loop. A series of missed stitches can cause an unsightly gap in the stitching of the binding material and a risk of the carpet edge unraveling.
A malformed stitch may occur, for example, if there is too much slack in the needle thread or looper thread. A household sewing machine incorporates thread take-up mechanisms to remove slack in the threads. These thread take-up mechanisms, however, are not designed to be used in a portable carpet binding machine. Some prior art portable carpet binding machines that modify such household sewing machines fail to adequately modify the thread take-up mechanism, which, in turn, can cause such malformed stitches.
A malformed stitch can also occur when the piece of carpet is not fed properly through the sewing machine. Portable carpet binding machines that are made from a modified household sewing machine utilize what is known in the art as a presser foot and feed-dog to feed the carpet. It has been found that this single feed assembly is unsatisfactory for feeding a piece of carpet. Furthermore, the rigors of carpet binding may subject components of the machine to undue stress and cause excessive wear or failure in the components.
Since most carpet installers can only afford a single carpet binding machine, a breakdown of the machine requires the installer to quit working on the installation, take the machine to a repair shop, procure needed repairs and then return to the installation site to finish the job. The downtime of a portable carpet binding machine, whether due to restitching or repairing, results in downtime of the installer in addition to the expense of repair of the machine. Since most installers are paid by the job, downtime has a direct impact on the number of jobs completed by the installer and his or her net income.
Because of the thickness and stiffness of the carpet being bound, another problem with prior art carpet binding machines is their tendency to pull or angle away from the carpet edge while the machine moves along the carpet. This is typically caused by an insufficient carpet feeding assembly and results in poor appearance of the resulting bound carpet edge. When the binding machine angles away from the carpet edge as is moves along the carpet, the stitching and binding material are angled with respect to the edge of the carpet. Moreover, instead of the binding material being snugly pulled and stitched around the edge of the carpet, excess binding material gathers loosely around the carpet edge providing an unsightly appearance and poor durability.
One portable carpet binding machine that represented a significant advance in the art was the machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,723 to Lobur. The '723 patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The '723 patent disclosed a portable carpet binding machine that included a novel carpet feeding assembly with a feed driver mechanism and coacting puller mechanism acting in synchronization to pull the carpet through the sewing mechanism.
While the carpet binding machine disclosed in the '723 patent proved to be a lightweight, yet rugged and durable machine, certain improvements were desirable to further improve the feed drive mechanism such that even the heaviest and thickest carpet would be pulled linearly through the sewing mechanism and the machine would not tend to pull away from the edge of the carpet.
What is needed is a portable carpet binding machine that is adapted to sewing light or heavy pile carpeting and that includes a carpet feeding assembly that feeds the carpet linearly through a sewing assembly and that moves the machine uniformly along an edge of the carpet. What is further desired is an upper direct drive mechanism within close proximity to the existing puller mechanism, wherein the upper direct drive mechanism is capable of vertical movement to compensate for varying thicknesses in the carpet material. It is desirable to accomplish such vertical movement of the upper drive mechanism through a direct connection with a minimal number of parts, such as universal joints, linkages, and bushings, which increase the cost of the machine and decrease efficiency. What is also needed is a portable carpet binding machine that is lightweight and that is more durable and reliable than prior art portable carpet binding machines. Such a machine must also be easy to manufacture and repair and be competitively priced with prior art portable carpet binding machines.


Digital precoding filter for a transmission filter (6) for minimizing the chrest [sic] factor of the signal (y) output by the transmission filter (6), having a modulo adder (22) of the source data symbols which are received from a data symbol source (2) at a signal input (15) of the precoding filter (4), and added with fedback filtered transmission data symbols to transmission output data symbols (p) which are output to the downstream transmission filter (6) via a signal output (41) of the precoding filter (4); and a digital feedback filter (36) which filters the transmission output data symbols present at the signal output (41) and feeds them back to the modulo adder (22), and that [sic] a digital correction filter (39) is connected to the signal output (41), the filter coefficients of the digital correction filter (39) being set as a function of the normalized pulse response of the transmission filter (6) in the case of that sampling phase (τ) for which the output signal of the transmission filter (6) has a maximum value.

FIG. 1 shows a transmitter according to the prior art. A data source generates source data symbols which is [sic] output by the data symbol source via a line to what is termed a Tomlinson precoding filter. The Tomlinson precoding filter is generally a non-recursive digital filter whose filter coefficient [sic] are set as a function of the properties of the data transmission line. The Tomlinson precoding filter receives the source data symbols d from the data source with a symbol clock frequency fT. The source data symbols d are generally multi-level symbols and have a number of levels N. The Tomlinson precoding filter processes the received source data symbols d with the symbol clock frequency fT and outputs output values p to a downstream digital transmission filter. As a result of the Tomlinson precoding filter, the output values of the output signal p lie only within a prescribed value region, and so the peak value is also limited to this overload point of the value range. This has the consequence that the requirements made of the circuitry at the downstream line driver within the transmitter do not become excessively high.
The line driver, which is used in the case of an SDL (symetrical [sic] digital subscriber line), for example, is of complex design in terms of circuitry, since because of the data transmission in upstream and downstream directions in the same frequency band is performed [sic] and there is a consequent need for echo compensation in the receiver. Consequently, the line driver must exhibit a linearity which in part is more than 80 dB. The line amplifier carries out signal amplification of the transmission signal, the transmit power generally being prescribed by the standardization.
The outlay on circuitry for the line driver increases for a prescribed transmit power with an increasing peak valve of the output voltage of the transmission signal. In this case, the crest factor defines the ratio of the peak voltage to the r.m.s. voltage, and is mostly specified in decibels. The crest factor can assume values of up to 10 dB and more, depending on pulse shaping. The crest factor increases with increasing output voltage peak value of the transmission signal, and therefore rises with the magnitude of the dynamic range.
FIG. 2 shows a Tomlinson precoding filter according to the prior art, which is installed in the conventional transmitter as it is illustrated in FIG. 1. This conventional Tomlinson precoding filter includes a modulo adder, which adds the source data symbols d, which are received from the data symbol source with the symbol clock frequency fT at a signal input E of the precoding filter, with fedback filtered transmission data symbols r, which are filtered by a feedback filter, to transmission data symbols p which are output via a signal output A of the Tomlinson precoding filter to the downstream transmission filter. Given a number of levels N for the source data symbols N, the transmission data symbols output by the precoding filter assume the following values:
  P  =            1      N                  {                        -                      (                          N              -              1                        )                          ,                                            (                              N                -                3                            )                                                                                …                    -          1                ,                  1                                                              …                                                                          (                          N              -              3                        )                          ,                              (                          N              -              1                                }                    In the case of a four-level transmission, for example, the following values are yielded: 0.75, −0.25, 0.25, 0.75.
The modulo addition of the modulo adder is performed as follows:
                              p          =                      d            +            r                                                        p          =                      d            +            r            -                          n                            .2                                                                    p          =                      d            +            r            +                          n                            .2                                                                          if                                                    |                      d            +            r                    |                      ≤            1                                                                    if                                                              |            d                    =                      r            |                          >              1                                                                                if                                                              |                          d              +              r                        |                          <                              -                1                                              ,                    n being integral and selected such that the output value p lies only within a dynamic range of −1 to +1.
FIG. 3 shows the amplitude distribution downstream of the Tomlinson precoding filter and of the downstream digital transmission filter in the case of the conventional transmitter as it is illustrated in FIG. 1. The dynamic range of the Tomlinson precoding filter is between −1 and +1, while the dynamic range of the digital transmission filter is between −1.7 and +1.7. The amplitude distribution downstream of the transmission filter, and thus the peak values of the output signal, are relatively high. Owing to the spectral shaping because of the downstream digital transmission filter, the dynamic range and thus the crest factor of the output signal is [sic] relatively high. The circuitry arrangement according to the prior art as it is illustrated in FIG. 2 therefore has the disadvantage that, owing to the high crest factor of the output signal output by the digital transmission filter, the requirements made on the circuitry of the line driver are likewise relatively high.


The invention shows a method for connecting and sharing content over a plurality of devices, and over a plurality of networks public and private while respecting the content's Digital Rights by implementing a software layer (software alternately integrated into hardware component) that will assign a mac address and an ip address to each device and peripherals and where content can be assign to specific devices inside a network, and can be accessed directly, shared remotely, wireless, or physically connected. The software layer also integrates drivers, players, codec's that can be updated dynamically in order to keep them updated. This software layer can also “virtualizes” peripherals, devices or group of peripherals and devices into single addressable group of components that will act like one.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to sharing of digital content by network devices and, in particular, to network architecture of a digital audio/video distribution, while keeping and managing content digital rights.
2. Description of the Related Art
In today's current implementations of IP addressing, Mac addressing and overall networking implementations, IP address are assigned from the ISP usually based on the Mac address of the connected devices. The ability of assigning IP addresses is usually limited to networks devices. If we assume that a generic computer comprise one network card, one keyboard, one wireless network card, one mouse, one screen (monitor), multimedia sound card, . . . , each devices are addressed by both internal and external buses, where the internal bus connect all the internal components of a computer to the motherboard. This internal bus is a subsystem that transfers data between computer components inside a computer. This description applies from first to third bus generation, there is also another track that is integrated circuits being designed to allow devices on integrated circuits to talk to one another. In all cases network connections such as Ethernet are not generally regarded as buses, although this difference is largely conceptual than practical.
Typical existing network architecture is shown in FIG. 1. The Pay Per View (PPV) signal 102 is scrambled until the cable subscriber chooses to view the programming, at which time the subscriber contacts the provider 104 either by phone modem 106 in a set top box 110 or by interactive hand-held remote control to order a movie or event. Following the order, a computer 120 at billing subscriber management call center activates a video decoder/decryption system at the location of the subscriber that descrambles the ordered PPV program signal for the programs's duration. A smart card reader 122 may also facilitate decryption based on smartcard content 124. For example, the smart card may act as a cache memory for particular PPV transactions. In any case, the PPV purchases are totaled by the computer 120 and added to the cable subscriber's monthly bill.
What the need of the day is to assign ip address and mac address in a video/audio distribution system so as to enable them to share contents that is accessible to all the customers.

Method and system to use, share and manage digital content by assigning MAC and IP adress to each device and peripheral


A tool for cementing a liner to the glenoid cavity of a scapula. The tool comprises an elongated, hollow, rigid tube having distal and proximal ends with the distal end of the tube having either an angular portion or a curved portion which has a plurality of openings formed therein. The tube has a length such that the distal end thereof may be positioned in the glenoid vault and so that the proximal end of the tube may be placed in communication with a source of suction. An elongated sleeve member is slidably mounted on the tube and preferably has a sealing gasket at its distal end which may be moved into sealing engagement with the coracoid process around the opening formed therein. A flexible obturator is selectively extended through the tube to clear the tube of debris.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of cementing a liner onto the face of the glenoid cavity of a scapula and a tool which is used to perform the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Humeral endoprostheses were introduced for the treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus and arthritis of the shoulder joint in the early 1950s. This operation evolved into a complete shoulder replacement with the addition of a high density polyethylene surface to cover the glenoid cavity which is located on the scapular side of the glenohumeral joint. Firm fixation of the polyethylene to the small glenoid cavity with acrylic cement called Methyl Methacrylate has been a constant problem. The complex mechanics of the shoulder joint accentuate this problem and frequently leads to loosening of the polyethylene liner. This difficulty has led many surgeons simply to return to the early surgery of a humeral endoprostheses and omit the polyethylene liner despite its superior pain relieving qualities.

Method and means for cementing a liner onto the face of the glenoid cavity of a scapula


The present invention is directed to a method for preparing an anhydrous 18F-radiolabeled fluorinating agent by a nucleophilic reaction of a hydrated 18F-radiolabeled fluoride ion source with an unsaturated carrier compound; treating the 18F-radiolabeled carrier compound to produce a non-aqueous mixture of the 18F-radiolabeled carrier compound in a solvent; and reacting the 18F-radiolabeled carrier compound with a nucleophilic composition in a nucleophilic reaction to produce an anhydrous 18F-radiolabeled fluorinating agent. The present invention is also directed to an anhydrous 18F-radiolabeled fluorinating agent comprising the formula [QnM]x+(18F−)x. Additionally, the present invention is directed to an 18F-radiolabeled fluorinated radiopharmaceutical or an 18F-radiolabeled fluorinated radiotracer prepared by reacting the anhydrous 18F-radiolabeled fluorinating agent with a drug intermediate. The present invention is further directed to methods for treating a disease or imaging a subject using an 18F-radiolabeled fluorinated radiopharmaceutical or an 18F-radiolabeled fluorinated radiotracer.

The present invention relates to anhydrous 18F-radiolabeled fluorinating agents and methods for their production and use.
Nuclear medicine uses a variety of radionuclides incorporated into specific compounds for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications such as positron emission tomography and cancer treatment. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive, functional and metabolic imaging technique by which the decay of a radioactive drug, for example, a radiopharmaceutical or radiotracer, allows one to image body tissues in humans and animals. To conduct a PET scan, a short-lived radioactive tracer isotope that has been incorporated into a metabolically active molecule is administered to a patient or subject. Following a waiting period where the radiotracer becomes concentrated into the tissue(s) of interest, the patient or subject is placed in an imaging scanner. The decay of the radiotracer is monitored by detecting the gamma ray emission resulting from an annihilation event in which a positron collides with an electron giving rise to two photons. Since two gamma rays are produced from each decay event, and because these rays are emitted at almost 180° angles to one another, the location of the radiotracer drug molecule may be ascertained and a three dimensional image of the tissue distribution of the radiotracer drug molecule may be reconstructed. Therapeutic applications use radiopharmaceuticals that deliver a radioactive isotope to a target tissue. As the radioactive isotope decays, the tissue is destroyed.
Synthesis of the radionuclide is a critical component in the manufacture of the finished radiotracer or radiopharmaceutical. One commonly used radioisotope for PET is a radioisotope of fluorine, 18F. The 18F radioisotope of fluorine decays with a half life of about 110 minutes. One method for generating 18F is by bombarding an 18O labeled water target with a proton beam from a cyclotron causing a (p,n) reaction in the 18O to produce 18F as a labeled hydrofluoric acid (HF). The radioactive fluoride ion (18F−) must then be rapidly incorporated into a drug molecule by a series of chemical reactions, then purified and administered to a patient or subject. Speed and efficiency are essential for preparing radiopharmaceuticals and radiotracers because they dictate the amount of radioactive isotope available in the radiopharmaceutical or radiotracer and, consequently, the quality of the image and the radiotracer dose. Currently, fluorinated radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers are prepared most often from 18F salts, such as potassium fluoride, which are generally produced in a hydrated state after the nuclear reaction. Hydrated fluoride salts, however, are only weakly reactive. Because of the weak reactivity of hydrated fluoride salts, relatively harsh reaction conditions (for example, high temperatures, high boiling point solvents) and relatively expensive cation sequestering agents are employed to incorporate 18F into a radiopharmaceutical or radiotracer drug intermediate. Additionally, these salts are often "activated" by addition of cryptands, such as Kryptofix 222, to complex the cation and to boost fluoride nucleophilicity. Even using these harsh conditions and expensive agents, some classes of desirable drugs cannot be prepared using 18F within the extremely short time frame required for these drugs to be useful. Accordingly, there is a need for preparing 18F-labeled radiopharmaceuticals and radiotracers more efficiently and rapidly than current techniques allow.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,592,486 describes a novel method for producing anhydrous organic fluoride salts and reagents and novel anhydrous organic fluoride salts and reagents. Previously, there was a belief among those skilled in the art that it was unlikely that pure, anhydrous tetraalkylammonium fluoride salts had ever been produced in the case of ammonium ions susceptible to E2 eliminations. The method of U.S. Pat. No. 7,592,486 involves a one-step reaction carried out at low temperatures (−35° C.) to room temperature and uses a fluorinated compound with a large number of fluorine atoms per unit weight, for example, hexafluorobenzene, octafluoronaphthalene, pentafluorobenzonitrile, pentafluoropyridine, and decafluorobiphenyl, to synthesize an anhydrous fluoride salt. The object of the method and the organic fluoride salts and reagents described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,592,486, therefore, is to produce truly anhydrous organic fluoride salts.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Board Of Regents Of The University Of Nebraska


The present invention is directed to a portable, collapsible enclosure for use with a portable game console or computer for playing video games on a large screen television where the game involves tracking the position and movement of a moving object. The enclosure has a fabric cover and a frame which is movable between a collapsed position whereby the enclosure may be easily stored and an expanded position for playing a game. The fabric cover of the enclosure in the expanded position has an open front, side and top walls and a rear wall. The rear wall is provided as a netting material which is selected to arrest the movement of a moving object projected into the enclosure through the open front, while permitting a user to observe an image displayed on a large screen television placed to the rear or side of the enclosure.

Video games for playing on a personal computer or game console have become quite popular. A very popular type of video game is a sports simulation game simulating a sport such as golf, hockey, football, baseball, etc. These games are generally played by the user using a user interface device to interact with the video game console or computer. The output of the game console or computer is generally sent to a display device such as a monitor, television or projector which displays the image on a screen. The larger the output image of the game console or computer, the better the gaming experience is for the player.
A number of user interface devices have been developed to allow a user to interact with video games and computers. Examples of such user interface devices include a simulated surfboard shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,950, a method of playing racket and other types of games as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,953 and a treadmill-type arrangement as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,095. In addition, Published U.S. Patent Application No. 20070049374 by Nintendo describes a game system which utilizes a game controller having a motion detection capability. These other user interface devices have been developed to provide for a more realistic gaming experience when a user is playing games and in particular, sports simulation games. However, these user interface devices do not completely mimic the experiences the user would encounter if playing the real game particularly in a three dimensional spatial relationship.
The use of object tracking devices such as video cameras for tracking moving objects such as golf balls, baseballs, etc is also known. Examples of such systems are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,342,051; 5,768,151; 5,938,545, among others. In our earlier patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 11/848,956, filed Aug. 31, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, we describe an object tracking interface device for use with computers and game consoles where the device tracks the movement of a moving object within the field of view of the interface device and provides input to the computer or game console on the movement of the moving object. Similar to many such devices, the tracking devices may be provided as part of a frame enclosure which includes a screen at the rear of the frame onto which is projected the image for playing the game. The screen is constructed of a shock absorbing material suitable both for displaying the image as well as for stopping the moving object used in playing the game without being damaged.
While such a frame enclosure with an attached screen is common in many such apparatus, such an arrangement is not entirely suitable for home use. In order to provide the necessary support for the screen, the enclosure is generally a permanent installation. Most people do not have the space required for such a permanent installation. In addition, many such enclosures are relatively large and will not be easily accommodated in a residential space.
In the past, the largest images were available using projectors and screens. With the recent advances in digital televisions such as LCD, LED and plasma, large screen televisions are now becoming commonplace. These large screen televisions provide for an enhanced playing experience for the user. However, they do not provide as full an experience for games which utilize a moving object such as sports games as do the enclosure with attached screen.
There thus remains a need for an apparatus which will allow for a more realistic gaming experience with large screen televisions.

Collapsible enclosure for playing games on computers and gaming consoles


A method of manufacturing mask alignment marks on an active surface of a semiconductor substrate (12) is disclosed, in which first, at least one layer (13) of a material resistant to oxidation is formed on the active surface, after which by a local etching of this layer, zones (15') for isolation by a field oxide, are defined simultaneously with the alignment marks (17'). There are formed, after the local etching of the layer (13) of anti-oxidation material while using the remaining parts of the anti-oxidation layer as a mask, depressions (26) at the substrate surface of a given depth at least at locations containing the alignment marks, which locations are designated as alignment windows (18) and the surface of the substrate is then exposed within the windows, and finally a thermal oxidation step is effected to obtain the field oxide (19'), during which the alignment marks (18) are simultaneously covered by oxide (24).

The invention relates to a method of providing mask alignment marks on an active surface of a semiconductor substrate, in which first at least one layer of a material resistant to oxidation is formed on said active surface, after which by a local etching of this layer, zones for isolation by a thick oxide, designated as field oxide, are defined simultaneously with the alignment marks, and during a later step the zones for the isolation by field oxide and the said alignment marks thus defined are subjected to a thermal oxidation, the remaining part of the active surface being protected from the oxidation by a remaining part of the layer anti-oxidation material.
A prior art method of this kind is known from the document JP Abstract 61-100928, 157 E 439.
According to the known method, the alignment marks are defined simultaneously with the isolation zones by field oxide. Thus, a relative positioning of these elements is obtained which corresponds to the accuracy of the apparatus used and is therefore free from a possible realignment error at this stage.
In the manufacture of a microcircuit of the type comprising MOS transistors, it is in fact the first operation to define a structure located at the surface of the substrate. The later masking operations necessitate an alignment of the masks as precise as possible by reference to the preformed realignment marks. With the advent of the submicron technologies, it becomes necessary to reduce as far as possible the positioning errors of the masks with respect to the alignment marks defined on the substrate and for this purpose use is made of very elaborate optical methods, which provide an automatic alignment with a tolerance of 0.2 .mu.m by means of servo-mechanisms of high precision.
However, such mask alignment methods require necessarily that the alignment marks are presented in optimum geometric form and depression depth with a view to their use in an optical method based on the formation of interference figures.
The known method is based on the creation of depressions by an etching of the alignment marks utilizing as a mask, field oxide parts reserved to this end.
This results in that the alignment marks are then composed of depressed parts, in which the substrate is exposed, and other parts, which are covered by field oxide, which leads to difficulties for the formation of the interference figures having a high contrast. On the contrary, it would be desirable to obtain alignment marks protected by an oxide layer preferably having a uniform thickness while maintaining a minimum number of operating steps.

Method of providing mask alignment marks


Coronavirus S ectodomain trimers stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to coronavirus in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing coronavirus infection.

Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses. They have the largest genomes (26-32 kb) among known RNA viruses, and are phylogenetically divided into four genera (α, β, γ, δ), with betacoronaviruses further subdivided into four lineages (A, B, C, D). Coronaviruses infect a wide range of avian and mammalian species, including humans. Of the six known human coronaviruses, four of them (HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E, HCoV-HKU1 and HCoV-NL63) circulate annually in humans and generally cause mild respiratory diseases, although severity can be greater in infants, elderly, and the immunocompromised. In contrast, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), belonging to betacoronavirus lineages C and B, respectively, are highly pathogenic. Both viruses emerged into the human population from animal reservoirs within the last 15 years and caused outbreaks with high case-fatality rates.
MERS-CoV was isolated in 2012 from a patient in Saudi Arabia and is still circulating across the Arabian Peninsula. Primary transmission, most likely from camels, is now considered to be the most common route of transmission, and camels are thought to be a secondary or intermediate reservoir for MERS-CoV, with bats serving as the primary reservoir. Human-to-human transmission, especially as a result of close contact between patients and hospital workers within health care settings, is another important route of transmission, and was responsible for an outbreak of MERS-CoV in South Korea. The high pathogenicity and airborne transmissibility of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV have raised concern about the potential for another coronavirus pandemic. The high case-fatality rate, vaguely defined epidemiology, and absence of prophylactic or therapeutic measures against coronaviruses have created an urgent need for an effective vaccine and related therapeutic agents.

Prefusion coronavirus spike proteins and their use

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services


The invention relates to a wash basin (2) for rinsing or washing hair of the head, comprising an illuminating device (3) having a plurality of light projectors (5) for illuminating an inner region (14) of the wash basin (2). Said wash basin (2) consists of a light permeable material (4), the light projectors (5) of the illuminating device (3) being arranged outside the wash basin (2) in such a way that at least one partial region (11) of an outer side (6) of the wash basin (2) can be subjected to light (12).

The invention relates to wash basins for rinsing or washing hair, in which an illuminating device with a plurality of light emitters is provided for lighting the interior of the wash basin.
One such wash basin with an illuminating device is known from German Utility Model DE 201 05 708 U1, in which a plurality of light emitters are let into the wash basin for illuminating the interior of the wash basin. The purpose of this provision is to avoid the effect of conventional lighting in a hairdressing salon, where the typically poor lighting conditions lead to shadows on the back of the head, making it more difficult to rinse or wash the hair properly, because it is hard to tell whether all the residues of the rinsing agent or shampoo have been rinsed or washed out of the hair. For letting the light emitters into the wash basin, suitable bores through a wall of the basin are necessary and have to be manually secured in watertight fashion, which is very complicated. Moreover, because the light emitters are located at a distance from one another, the back of the head is not evenly lighted.

Wash basin comprising an illuminating device


The invention relates a distribution rack, for cable distribution devices used in telecommunication and data technology. The distribution rack includes at least one base portion 1 and at least one swing frame 3 provided with termination modules 4 and pivotingly supported at the base portion 1 about a swing axis 13 provided at one side thereof. In order to improve the accessibility to the cable duct behind the swung-in swing frame and to facilitate wiring of the cutting and clamping contact elements 5 of the termination modules 4 with cable cores, the invention provides that the swing axis 13 of the swing frame 3 at the base portion 1 is retractably supported. Thereby, with the swing frame 3 retracted and swung-out, fully free accessibility to the cable duct 42 beside the base portion and behind the swing frame 3 is made possible. Further, the cutting and clamping contact elements 5 of the termination modules 4 on the swing frame 3 are particularly easily accessible.

A distribution rack of the aforementioned species is known in the art from CH-PS 623.698. In this wall jumper distribution rack for a house telephone system, several bearing blocks are attached at two base portions disposed in the distribution rack and formed of U-section carries, at the bearing blocks swing frames provided with termination modules being pivotingly supported, about their one-sidedly disposed swing axis. Swingability of the swing frames is intended to permit a good accessibility to the cable ducts behind the flapped-in swing frame, and to facilitate the termination of cable cores at the termination modules in the swing frames. It is disadvantageous however, herein, that the cable ducts are not accessible in optimum manner for wiring operations, with a flapped out swing frame, and that wiring of the sections of the termination modules in the neighborhood of the swing axis is nearly impossible, with a flapped-out swing frame. This is especially true since this section of the termination modules is close to an adjacent section of the base portion, and is not freely accessible.


The present invention is directed to a cellular telephone cell site base station (10) having a single radio transmitter (40) and radio receiver (14) for transmitting and receiving, respectively, multiplexed frequency-modulated (FM) signals. A filter bank synthesizer (36), associated with the transmitter, multiplexes individual signals for transmission by the transmitter by exponentially modulating the signals to higher frequency bands followed by low-pass filtering and interpolation using discrete Fourier transform techniques. A filter bank analyzer (18), associated with the receiver, demultiplexes multiplexed FM signals received by the receiver by exponentially modulating each signal to its original spectral position followed by low-pass filtering and decimation, using discrete Fourier transform techniques.

Cellular telephony is based on the concept of dividing a geographical area into a plurality of individual sub-areas or "cells." Situated within each cell is a base station containing at least one receiver and transmitter tuned to a particular frequency (channel) for communicating with a mobile transceiver (i.e., terminal), also tuned to receive and transmit on that channel. In actuality, the receive and transmit portions of the channel are spaced 45 MHz apart. Typically, the mobile terminal is carried in a vehicle in transit within that cell. As the vehicle containing the mobile terminal travels from one cell into another, the call between the mobile terminal and the cell site base station is transferred to a base station of the new cell. Typically, the new cell site base station has its receiver and transmitter tuned to a different channel, necessitating that the mobile terminal change its reception and transmission channel as well. The purpose in assigning a different channel to adjacent cells is to allow distant cells to use the same channel, thereby increasing the effective number of channels.
To facilitate more than a single call within each cell, a cell site base station must have the ability to receive and transmit calls on different channels. At the present time, such a capability is obtained by providing the cell site with multiple transmitter-receiver pairs, each tuned to a particular channel. The disadvantage of this approach is that the cost of providing such equipment rises in direct proportion to the number of channels to be offered. Moreover, each receiver-transmitter pair occupies a certain amount of physical space which is often at a premium within the cell site itself.
Thus, there is a need for a cellular telephone system which can transmit and receive multiple channel using a single transmitter and receiver pair.

Frequency-multiplexed cellular telephone cell site base station and method of operating the same


Methods and systems are provided for a powertrain mount assembly. The assembly comprises a tether configured to block movement of a powertrain component relative to a support frame in the event of a vehicle collision.

A powertrain for a motor vehicle is typically coupled to one or more support frame members of the vehicle by respective powertrain mounts. One or more of the powertrain mounts may be configured to fail during a collision of the motor vehicle such that the powertrain becomes decoupled from the support frame at the mount and is displaced in a desirable manner during the collision.
Other examples of addressing powertrain movement in the event of a vehicle collision include a catcher feature on an engine mount to block the mount from sliding out and inducing a degradation of the mount close to the engine. While this may resolve a stack issue of the engine mount components, it does not solve a stack up effect of an uncontrolled cylinder head. This is especially magnified in recent examples as cylinder heads are increasing in size to meet emission and fuel economy regulations.
In one example, the issues described above may be addressed by a powertrain mount assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a first bracket configured to couple to a powertrain component of the motor vehicle, a second bracket configured to couple to a support frame member of the motor vehicle and a tether comprising a first end coupled to the first bracket and a second end of the tether couplable to the second bracket or the support frame member, and wherein the tether is configured to restrain movements of the powertrain component and the support frame member. In this way, an engine and the engine side mounts may be a lighter weight.
As one example, the tether may be loose during vehicle operation outside of a vehicle collision and may become taught only in response to a vehicle collision. The tether may be physically coupled between a body structure or a side rail at or close to a body side of an engine mount at one extreme end. At an opposite extreme end, the tether may be physically coupled to a portion of the engine at or close to an engine side of the mount. In the event of a collision, such as a front end collision, the engine may separate from the mount and move in a longitudinal direction for a distance before contacting the tether. The tether becomes taught in response to the force from the engine and transfers the force load from the engine, thereby blocking the engine from moving farther along the longitudinal direction.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Methods and systems for a powertrain mount assembly


In a retransmission control method and device which can suppress or expedite a retransmission of user data depending on a processing congestion status or the like on a receiving side, a user equipment on a data receiving side transmits to a radio network control device on a data transmitting side, when redundantly receiving an ACK request included in same user data, control data for extending a timeout period of a polling timer which is a retransmission time interval of user data for a subsequent ACK request by e.g. 10 ms. The radio network control device having received the control data extends the timeout period based on the control data. Alternatively, the radio network control device reduces, when receiving an ACK response from the user equipment within the timeout period, a timeout period of user data for a subsequent ACK request to less than the timeout period presently set.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a retransmission control method and device, and in particular to a method and device for controlling a retransmission of user data using an RLC (Radio Link Control) protocol.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art examples of such a retransmission control technology will now be described referring to FIGS. 12, 13A-13C, 14, and 15.
A radio communication system 1 shown in FIG. 12 is composed of a core network 10, a radio network control device 20 connected to the core network 10, a base station 30 managed by the radio network control device 20, and a user equipment (user terminal) 40 connected to the radio network control device 20 through the base station 30 to perform a packet data communication.
As shown in FIG. 13A for example, the packet data communication in the radio communication system 1 is performed, in which the radio network control device 20 on the transmitting side divides packet data SDU (Service Data Unit) into user data AMD_PDU (Acknowledged Mode Data Protocol Data Unit) of a size prescribed by the RLC protocol to be transmitted, and the user equipment 40 on the receiving side assembles (not shown) the original packet data SDU from the received user data AMD_PDU.
It is to be noted that while the radio network control device 20 and the user equipment 40 are respectively supposed to be on the transmitting side and the receiving side of the user data in order to simplify the description in the prior art example, the description hereinafter can be similarly applied to the reverse case where only the flow of the signal is reversed.
Also, the RLC protocol is for realizing both functions of a delivery acknowledgment (ACK) control and a retransmission control which will be described later for the user data AMD_PDU transmitted/received between the radio network control device 20 and the user equipment 40.
Delivery Acknowledgment Control: FIGS. 13A-13C
The format of the user data AMD_PDU includes, as shown in FIG. 13B, a data type D/C indicating whether the data is user data or control data which will be described later, a sequence No. SN indicating a connection sequence of divided user data, a polling bit P indicating whether or not the delivery acknowledgment control for the data is validated, an area HE storing a user data length or the like, length/indicator LI, a bit E, a data area DT storing data entity, and a padding PAD (or piggyback).
The radio network control device 20, as shown in FIG. 13A, divides the packet data SDU into e.g. three user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PUD2, and assigns thereto sequence Nos. SN ("0000"-"0002") respectively to be sequentially transmitted to the user equipment 40.
Also, in order to perform the delivery acknowledgment control of the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2, the radio network control device 20 sets the polling bit P of the last user data AMD_PDU2 "1" (valid) to be transmitted, which is made the delivery acknowledgment request (hereinafter, occasionally referred to as ACK request) for the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2.
Supposing that all of the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 are normally transmitted/received, the user equipment 40 generates control data CTRL_PDU indicating a response (hereinafter, occasionally referred to as ACK response) to the ACK request to be transmitted to the radio network control device 20.
It is to be noted that for simplifying the figures, the ACK request and the ACK response in the attached figures are described in parentheses, which are added to the reference characters of the user data AMD_PDU including the ACK request and the control data CTRL_PDU indicating the ACK response, respectively. Hereinafter, the ACK request and the ACK response will be similarly described in the attached figures.
The format of the control data CTRL_PDU includes, as shown in FIG. 13C, a data type D/C indicating whether the data is the user data or the control data, a control type C_TYPE (where e.g. a reset RESET, a status report STATUS, or the like is set) indicating the control type of the data, a variable length decoding field SUFI, and a padding PAD. The decoding field SUFI is composed of an information type I_TYPE indicating a type of information added to the data, its information length "Length", and an information data area "Value" storing information entity.
It is to be noted that in this example, "status report STATUS" and "delivery acknowledgment ACK" are respectively set in the control type C_TYPE and the information type I_TYPE of the control data CTRL_PDU, and serial Nos. SN={0000, 0001, 0002} of the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 received by the user equipment 40 are set in the information data area "Value".
The radio network control device 20 having received the control data CTRL_PDU indicating the above-mentioned ACK response confirms whether or not the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 transmitted by the radio network control device 20 itself are normally delivered by referring to the control data CTRL_PDU.
Since the serial Nos. SN of all of the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 are set in the information data area "Value" within the control data CTRL_PDU in this example, the radio network control device 20 determines "normal (OK)" as a result of the delivery acknowledgment.
Retransmission Control: FIGS. 14 and 15
Control examples [1] and [2] by the retransmission control function provided by the RLC protocol will now be described referring to FIGS. 14 and 15.
Retransmission Control Example [1] (Upon Polling Timeout): FIG. 14
After transmitting the ACK request for the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2, as shown in FIG. 14, the radio network control device 20 issues a polling timer (TIM) which measures a predetermined time and waits for the ACK response from the user equipment 40.
For example, in the event that the ACK request (i.e. user data AMD_PDU2) for the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 is missing due to the influence of the communication failure or the like, as shown by a mark "X" in FIG. 14, the user equipment 40 can not transmit the ACK response to the ACK request to the radio network control device 20. Therefore, the polling timer (TIM) issued by the radio network control device 20 times out.
To be exact, when a timeout period T0 is fixed and there is no ACK response within the period, the radio network control device 20 regards that the ACK request for the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 transmitted is not normally received by the user equipment 40, so that the radio network control device 20 retransmits the user data AMD_PDU2 including the ACK request to the user equipment 40.
The user equipment 40 having normally received the user data AMD_PDU2 retransmitted generates the control data CTRL_PDU indicating the ACK response to the ACK request of the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 to be transmitted to the radio network control device 20.
The radio network control device 20 having received the control data recognizes that all of the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 are normally delivered, and determines "normal (OK)" as a result of the delivery acknowledgement.
Retransmission Control Example [2] (Upon List Reception): FIG. 15
When an omission of e.g. the user data AMD_PDU1 due to an influence of a communication failure or the like is detected within three user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 transmitted from the radio network control device 20, as shown by the mark "X" in FIG. 15, the user equipment 40 generates the control data CTRL_PDU where the serial Nos. SN={0000, 0002} of the user data AMD_PDU0 and AMD_PDU2 normally received are set in the information data area "Value", and transmits the control data to the radio network control device 20 as the ACK response to the ACK request from the radio network control device 20.
Concurrently, the user equipment 40 requests the radio network control device 20 to retransmit the user AMD_PDU1. This retransmission request is performed by transmitting the control data CTRL_PDU where list "LIST" is set in the information type I_TYPE, and the serial No. SN="0001" of the user data AMD_PDU1 which requests the retransmission is set in the information data area "Value".
The radio network control device 20 having received the above-mentioned retransmission request sets a polling bit P of the user data AMD_PDU1 to "1" (valid) to be retransmitted, and performs the ACK request for the user data AMD_PDU1.
The user equipment 40 having normally received the user data AMD_PDU1 retransmitted generates the control data CTRL_PDU indicating the ACK response to the ACK request of the user data AMD_PDU1 to be transmitted to the radio network control device 20.
The radio network control device 20 having received the control data recognizes that all of the user data AMD_PDU0-AMD_PDU2 are normally delivered, and determines "normal (OK)" as a result of the delivery acknowledgement.
Thus, by performing the delivery acknowledgment control and the retransmission control for the user data transmitted/received, a communication quality between the radio network control device and the user equipment is guaranteed (see e.g. patent documents 1-4).    [Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-271442    [Patent document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-249974    [Patent document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-65289    [Patent document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-73251
Recently, an introduction of a high-speed packet data communication standard such as HSDPA (High Speed Down Link Packet Access) has been considered in a packet data communication in the radio communication system. Accordingly, the traffic of the packet data transmitted (namely, the user data that is the packet data divided) is increased, so that a processing congestion may frequently occur specifically on the receiving side of the user data.
In this case, although the receiving side normally receives the user data for the delivery acknowledgment request in the above-mentioned retransmission control example [1], the response is delayed (namely, the response can not be transmitted within a predetermined time), resulting in a problem that the retransmission of the user data from the transmitting side is unnecessarily performed.
In order to avoid this problem, it is possible to take measures by preliminarily setting the waiting time for the response longer for the delivery acknowledgment request on the transmitting side. However, when the omission of the user data actually occurs, the retransmission thereof is delayed (namely, essentially necessary retransmission is suppressed), so that the throughput on the receiving side is unnecessarily reduced.

Retransmission control method and device


Bearing apparatus for submarine mast fairing or other cylindroid member, turing at least one stave bearing which is made an integral part of the fairing or other cylindroid member and which is tangentially and supportively engaged by a complementary structural bearing which is coupled with the submarine sail or other supporting structure. Utilization of the stave bearing surface rather than the cylindroid member surface in the bearing engagement permits utilization of superior materials for the mating elements and consequent improvement in wear, noise and maintenance characteristics of the bearing assembly. For some embodiments an adjustable housing for the complementary bearing allows for wear of the stave bearing and complementary bearing by providing adjustability of the clearance distance at the interface between these two mating elements. Additional structural support can be provided by one or more bushings, molds and/or other reinforcement members. At the same time, this invention offers requisite camouflage capabilities in terms of coloration for many submarine applications.

The present invention relates to bearing apparatus, more particularly bearing apparatus for mounting submarine mast fairing structures.
Submarine vessels have conventionally been constructed with one or more elevated structures or vertical projections situated above the main deck or superstructure. These mast structures have housed various functional items, such as navigational bridges, observation or conning towers, periscopes, antennas, snorkels and armaments.
In order to reduce consequent deleterious hydrodynamic, buoyant and even aerodynamic effects of such mast structures, auxiliary submarine structures commonly referred to as "mast fairings" have conventionally been built so as to enclose or surround the mast structures. As early as 1911, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,072,393 for "Submersible-Boat Construction" recognized the benefit of providing auxiliary structure of this nature, a "tapered fairwater" which serves to "decrease the resistance of the projecting parts, especially while running submerged." (U.S. Pat. No. 1,072,393, page 1, lines 37-42).
The established practice for mounting a submarine mast fairing involves direct contact of the fairing with a bearing which is attached to the submarine sail structure; i.e., each bearing is run directly against the outer side of the fairing skin. This approach, however, has some drawbacks. It is noted that the conventionally used materials for the mast fairing and the structural bearing do not lend themselves, in combination, to this bearing-on-fairing configuration. Typically, the mast fairing is made of a composite material such as fiberglass, while the structural bearing is made of a metallic material or a plastic or resin material such as ultra high molecular weight polyethelene. The fiberglass material and ultra high molecular weight polyethelene, for example, are not suitable for being combined in this manner in terms of both wear and noise; notably, the fiberglass material in and of itself does not provide a good bearing surface and is qualitatively lacking for this purpose. Wear and noise are markedly heightened for submarine mast fairings which are retractable--i.e., fairings which ride up and down while housed within the submarine sail.
The resultant wearing down of the fairing in accordance with this conventional bearing-on-fairing configuration all too frequently necessitates reconditioning or replacement of the fairing. The reconditioning process is laborious, expensive and time-consuming. The useful life expectancy of the fairing is limited, as the fairing will eventually be worn to the point that it falls to meet thickness and strength requirements.
The heavy wear upon the fairing and structural bearing in this bearing configuration aggravates the acoustic signature of the submarine, especially during retractile movement of the fairing system. This conventional approach is acoustically deficient for the additional reason that it is detrimental and hindering to communications systems located in modern submarine sails.

Submarine mast fairing bearing configuration

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


An oral appliance and method for reducing snoring including upper and lower mouthpiece portion, each of which having a rigid structural core and a relatively soft outer portion which may be conformed to fit the upper teeth of the user. The upper and lower mouthpiece portions are first mounted on a holder with the upper mouthpiece portion positioned forward a desired offset amount from the lower mouthpiece portion (preferably about 3.0 mm). The entire assembly is then heated and the outer soft material of the upper and lower mouthpiece portions softens and may be placed in the mouth to permit the mouthpiece portions to be conformed to the upper and lower teeth. Once the upper and lower mouthpiece portions have been properly fitted, the assembly is removed from the mouth and allowed to set into a permanent state. The upper and lower mouthpiece portions are then removed from the holder and attached directly to one another without any offset therebetween forming the full mouthpiece. The result is that when reinserted into the mouth, the mandible is adjusted forward by an amount corresponding to the previous offset.

The field of the present invention relates to devices and methods for reducing snoring. According to the literature, a large portion of the population experiences difficulties in breathing when sleeping resulting primarily in snoring or sleep apnea. There have been many methods and devices proposed or attempted to reduce or prevent snoring. Many of the devices are highly uncomfortable and most of the devices include other disadvantages such as high expense, complicated fitting procedures, and inaccurate adjustment mechanism.
The sounds associated with snoring are generally produced by the vibration of soft tissue as air passes through the rear portion of the mouth.
The present inventor has recognized that much of the noise of snoring is accentuated by retrusion of the lower jaw (the mandible) relative to the upper teeth. Retrusion is the tendency of the lower jaw to slump rearwardly, particularly when the person is sleeping on his/her back thereby causing narrowing of the posterior pharyngeal space and restriction of air flow through the back of the mouth. Such restriction of the airway may increase the sound of snoring. Further restriction may be caused by rearward retrusion of the tongue. The present inventor has recognized that certain devices are designed to prevent retrusion of the lower jaw, i.e., rearward movement of the lower jaw from the at rest and intercuspal (ICP) positions. The present inventor, however, has also recognized that protrusion or forward movement of the lower jaw from the relaxed and ICP stage is desirable to prevent or reduce the noise of snoring.

Apparatus and method for reducing snoring and method of making same