A chip fabricated from a semiconductor material is disclosed. The chip may include active devices located below a first depth from a chip back side and a structure configured to remove heat from the chip. The structure may include microvias electrically insulated from the active devices and having a second depth, less than the first depth, from the back side towards the active devices. Each microvia may also have a fill material having a thermal conductivity greater than a semiconductor thermal conductivity. The structure may also include thermally conductive material regions on the back side of the chip in contact with sets of microvias. The structure may also include through-silicon vias electrically connected to the active devices, and extending from the back side to an active device side of the chip and configured to remove heat from the active devices to the back side of the chip.

The present disclosure generally relates to cooling of integrated circuits (ICs). In particular, this disclosure relates to using through-silicon vias (TSVs) in conjunction with groups of thermally coupled microvias to enhance the cooling of an IC.
A TSV is a vertical electrical connection structure that may pass partially or completely through a semiconductor chip. TSVs may be formed in a semiconductor chip, for example, by using an etching process to create a hole through the chip, depositing a spacer (insulating) material on the surface of the hole and surrounding semiconductor material, and subsequently filling the hole with an electrically conductive material, such as tungsten, copper or aluminum. The electrically conductive material may be used to connect circuits formed on one planar side of a first semiconductor chip to circuits formed on a second semiconductor chip that is stacked adjacent to the other planar side of the first chip.
A TSV may be useful in enabling stacking and electrical interconnection of multiple IC chips to create high-density circuit structures having relatively short electrical interconnects, high performance, and high density. One such circuit structure, known as a stacked memory device, can include multiple memory chips vertically interconnected to each other, and to a chip that includes logic functions. Stacked memory device logic functions may be used to manage memory operations such as reading, writing, maintenance, and interface with external components, such as a processor chip.

Cooling apparatus for an integrated circuit

International Business Machines Corporation


A communication system includes a criteria matrix for calculating a dialogue score in response to a request for a dialogue model from a dialogue node within a communication action. The criteria matrix also incorporates a dialogue selection table for selecting an appropriate dialogue type, based on the calculated score.

Customers contact organizations such as telecommunications companies in order to accomplish tasks including ordering a service, requesting repair service, or asking questions about their bill. When a customer contacts the organization, the customer's call is connected to a user interface which may be a customer service representative or any of a number of automated systems. Currently, when designing a system for communicating with customers, the determination of the type interface or dialogue model a customer will interact with is decided at an early stage within the design of the communication system. Typically, designers choose a primary interface, such as a speech directed dialogue interface, and a secondary or back-up interface, such as a touch tone interface, in case the primary interface fails.
As a communication system changes over time, the existing dialogue model is often ill suited for newly added tasks. However, the existing dialogue model is often maintained because redesigning the system to incorporate a new dialogue model is prohibitively expensive. This may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the system as well as customer dissatisfaction and frustration.

System and method for selection of a voice user interface dialogue


Disclosed is a novel method for detecting interactions of biomolecules. More particularly, the disclosed method includes (a) preparing a cell comprising (i) a first construct comprising a bait, a first labeling material and a translocation module; and (ii) a second construct comprising a prey and a second labeling material; (b) detecting the distribution of the first construct and the second construct in the cell. the present invention provides a method capable of detecting bindings and interactions occurring in a living cell in real time, and a method for screening a material that alters the binding and the interaction. The method of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages including inaccuracy and complexity of existing biomaterial interaction detection techniques. By labeling both constructs to promote accuracy, the present invention provides a novel real-time, antibody-free analysis.

Growth, differentiation, migration, death and the like of cells are mediated by macromolecular interactions such as protein-protein or protein-nucleic acid interactions. Signals from outside of cells pass through receptors located on the cellular membrane and are transmitted to the nucleus of a cell through various biochemical reactions, where they express specific genes. This transfer of external signals into a cell is accomplished by protein interactions of several stages. For example, growth factors or cytokines bind to corresponding cell-surface receptors. This binding induces the receptors to cluster. The clustering of receptors by ligands induces clustering of the intracellular domains of the receptors, thereby causing interactions with signaling-related proteins. Through this signaling mechanism, intermediate proteins capable of transferring signals are produced by phosphorylation by protein kinases, dephosphorylation by protein phosphatases, or the like. As a result, the signals are transmitted to transcriptional activator proteins (Helden, C. H., (1995) Cell 80, 213-223). The activated transcriptional activators bind to DNAs and interact with basal transcriptional regulator proteins such as RNA polymerases to activate specific genes. Such interactions enable transcription to occur specifically in specific tissues during embryologic processes or in response to external stimulations. Abnormal modification, inhibition or acceleration of such interactions between specific proteins, which may caused by intrusion of foreign matters, genetic modification of internal activator proteins, or the like, may be the cause of a disorder. Accordingly, there have been consistent researches because substances that can regulate the interactions may provide a way to treat the disorder.
The methods for analyzing the interactions of biomolecules, particularly the binding properties thereof, include traditional in vitro methods such as cross-linking, affinity chromatography, immunoprecipitation (IP), or the like. These methods require the production, isolation and purification of protein and are disadvantageous in that an information different from the actual interaction may be obtained depending on the buffer condition in the test tube, the secondary modification of extracted proteins, or the like.
In order to make up for these drawbacks of the in vitro methods, in-cell methods such as yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (Bi-FC) techniques have been developed. These methods have advantages and disadvantages mentioned below.
Y2H is currently the most widely used technique along with immunoprecipitation. It is advantageous in that large-scale screening is possible using a gene library, but is disadvantageous in that investigation of membrane proteins or nuclear proteins such as transcriptase is difficult and there is a high probability of false positive. Besides, this method is inappropriate to find a substance capable of regulating protein-protein interactions. In the Y2H technique, the interaction between two proteins is detected based on the color change of colony to blue as X-gal is decomposed when β-galactosidase is expressed by the reporter gene. Since the screening technique of detecting the color change from blue back to white by a candidate substance is a negative screening, it is probable that a substance which has actually an inhibitory effect may be unnoticed. Further, since the detection itself is somewhat ambiguous, the technique is not suitable for general drug screening.
The FRET method provides good accuracy, but it is disadvantageous in that positioning of fluorescent proteins or fluorescent materials, which is required for the fluorescence resonance energy transfer to occur, is difficult, thereby having low rate of experimental success. The Bi-FC method is advantageous in that it is applicable to membrane proteins or nuclear proteins. However, like the FRET method, it is disadvantageous in that relative positioning of proteins for complementary binding is difficult, thereby having low rate of success.
Therefore, various modified methods have been proposed to overcome the disadvantages of the above-described methods. However, there is a consistent need for an effective method for detecting the binding of biomaterials. Particularly, a detecting system enabling the detection of proteins interacting with target proteins and enabling a more efficient detection of regulator materials that inhibit or promote the interactions between two proteins is urgently needed.

Method for detecting interactions between two and more biological macromolecules


A console for the input and display of consumer product information such as pricing, etc. The console may be built into the handle of the shopping cart or as a retrofit application on existing handles. The console has a product information input device for numerical values such as product pricing, cost per unit, etc. The apparatus has a calculator and output display for such data. Some space on the console will likely be dedicated to a display panel for advertising. The console may be equipped with a bar code scanner as an alternate means of inputting such consumer data. The console should have an output display, such as a monitor, and/or a readout in order to display the product information such as: cost per unit. A video monitor may be used in connection with the console in order to provide advertising information related to products.

The invention relates to the field of shopping carts and, in particular, to an improved shopping cart handle having an output and input means to input raw data concerning consumer items found on the market and an output display that displays that and related data. Such a apparatus and associated computer hardware will allow the consumer to input such information as price per unit volume, etc. into a computer and to retrieve refined data e.g. price per unit, etc. from a display associated with the computer.
It is thought that the use of a shopping cart so equipped with an information display monitor and a data input device will make it easier and more convenient for the shopper to process information related the goods at the store including: price per unit information for various types of goods. Placing a display monitor and associated data input devices on the handle of a shopping cart allows such devices to be in close proximity to the shopper""s hands and at a point where the shopper""s eyes will easily make contact with the display. The use of advertising space in connection with the display will be an added benefit to owners of stores and suppliers of consumer products.
While there are shopping carts that do receive radio frequency communications (U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,544 is the only one we are aware of) none of them have input devices that allow the shopper to input pricing information and obtain a read out that displays such data and refined data: such as price per unit, etc. Moreover, none of the prior art shows a shopping cart handle having a bar code scanner in order for the consumer to input price and unit information directly into a computer that is part of the handle console.
The invention is a shopping cart console for the input and display of consumer product information such as pricing etc. The console may be built as the handle of the shopping cart or as a device to be retrofitted onto existing handles. The console should be so oriented on the handle that the consumer can readily view the displayed information from his or her position behind the cart. The console may have a keyboard means for the consumer to input product information e.g. pricing, etc. directly into a computer contained in the console. In addition to, or as alternate to, the keyboard the console may be equipped with a bar code scanner in order for the consumer to input such pricing information merely be sweeping the item in question over the bar code scanner which then inputs product data directly into the computer memory.
An output display should also be associated with the console in order to display the data that the consumer is inputting as well as the refined data such as cost per unit. Such an output display may be any state of the art means and may include for example: an LCD, LED or a video monitor. Such output may include advertising or sales announcement. Some space on the console may be dedicated to an advertising or display panel that promotes store products. Such a panel may be backlit for better viewing. A separate video monitor may also provide advertising information related to other products in the store. Such information may be sent to the console by means of a transmitter at some location, perhaps in the store or at a central location. Such broadcasted data would be received by a broadcast signal receiver located in the console. Such broadcast data may then be output on the video display in order to alert the shopper to specials, etc.
It is an object of the invention to provide a customer in a store with a readily available means for inputting product pricing information into a display monitor and to make pricing calculations such as price per unit, etc. and to have such information readily displayed to the shopper.
Another object of the invention is to equip a shopping cart with a display monitor and data input devices in order to allow a consumer to input and display product pricing information at a place where it is convenient to see such information on display.
Another object of the invention is to provide a means for displaying product information near the handle of a shopping cart in order to have such information for viewing by the consumer at a point where he/she is likely to see it without much trouble.
Another object is to provide a means for consumers to quickly display product information on a display monitor without having to input such information manually trough the use of a keyboard.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shopping cart having a handle with a means to display consumer data such as the accumulated costs or purchases, pricing for products, etc. and having a means for the consumer to conveniently input such data through the use of a bar code scanner associated with the cart.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shopper in a store with readily available product directory in order to make the shopping experience more pleasurable.
Another object of the invention is to provide food and retail companies with the ability to present advertising information to a shopper in a store in a manner that requires little effort on the part of the consumer.
Other objectives of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described.

Self scanning and check out shopping cart-based electronic advertising system


A micro movable device includes: a micro movable substrate in which a micro movable unit is formed, the micro movable unit including a frame, a movable part, and a coupling part for coupling the frame and the movable part to define an axial center of rotation of the movable part; a supporting substrate; and a reinforced fixed part provided between the frame and the supporting substrate, and including a first spacer that joins the frame to the supporting substrate and an adhesive part that covers the first spacer and joins the frame to the supporting substrate, wherein the frame includes a first area facing the movable part in a direction of extent of the axial center, and a second area different from the first area, and the reinforced fixed part is bonded to the second area of the frame.

In recent years, devices having a microstructure formed by micro-machining technology have been applied in various kinds of technological fields. Such devices include, for example, a micro movable device having a microscopic movable part such as a micro-mirror device, angular velocity sensor, and acceleration sensor. The micro-mirror device is used in the field of, for example, optical communication technology or optical disk technology as a device performing an optical reflection function. The angular velocity sensor and acceleration sensor are used, for example, for a vibration preventing function of video cameras and mobile phones with cameras, car navigation system, air bag release timing system, posture control system of cars, robots and the like. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2003-19530, 2004-341364, and 2006-72252 disclose such micro movable devices.
FIG. 29 to FIG. 32 illustrates a micro movable device X3, which is an example of a conventional micro movable device. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the micro movable device X3. FIG. 30 is a plan view partially illustrating the micro movable device X3. FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are sectional views along a line XXXI-XXXI and a line XXXII-XXXII in FIG. 29 respectively.
The micro movable device X3 includes a micro movable substrate S5, a wiring substrate S6, a spacer 220, and an adhesive part 230.
The micro movable substrate S5 has a micro movable unit Xb formed thereon. The micro movable unit Xb includes a movable part 201, a frame 202 around the movable part 201, and a pair of connecting parts 203 connecting the movable part 201 and the frame 202. The pair of connecting parts 203 defines an axial center A3 of rotational displacement of the movable part 201. The micro movable substrate S5 has a conduction path (not illustrated) leading to each part such as the movable part 201 and the frame 202 provided therein.
A wiring pattern 210 is formed on the surface of the wiring substrate S6. The wiring pattern 210 includes pad parts 211 and 212. The pad part 211 is an external connection terminal for the micro movable device X3.
As illustrated in FIG. 31, the spacer 220 includes a bump part 221 and a conductive adhesive part 222. The spacer 220 is provided between the frame 202 of the micro movable substrate S5 and the wiring substrate S6. The bump part 221 is pressure-welded to the pad part 212 of the wiring pattern 210 in the wiring substrate S6. The micro movable substrate S5 is bonded to a pad part 202a provided on the surface of the frame 202 via the conductive adhesive part 222. The spacer 220 described above electrically connects the micro movable substrate S5 and the wiring substrate S6. The spacer 220 constitutes a portion of the conduction path from the pad part 211 of the wiring pattern 210 of the wiring substrate S6 to a specific region in the micro movable unit Xb of the micro movable substrate S5.
The adhesive part 230 is an adhesive for fixing the substrates. As illustrated in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32, the adhesive part 230 is provided between the frame 202 of the micro movable substrate S5 and the wiring substrate S6. By providing the adhesive part 230, fixing strength between the micro movable substrate S5 and the wiring substrate S6 is increased.
When the micro movable device X3 is applied to a micro mirror device, a mirror surface 201a is provided on the movable part 201. Further, an actuator (not illustrated) that generates a driving force (electrostatic attraction) to cause a rotational displacement of the movable part 201 around the axial center A3 is provided in the micro movable device X3. The movable part 201 is rotationally displaced around the axial center A3 up to an angle at which electrostatic attraction generated by the actuator and the total torsional resistance of each of the connecting parts 203 are balanced by the actuator being operated. When the driving force of the actuator disappears, the movable part 201 is brought back to the position in a natural state by the restoring force of the connecting parts 203. The reflecting direction of a light signal reflected by the mirror surface 201a provided on the movable part 201 is shifted by such a rocking drive of the movable part 201.
When, on the other hand, the micro movable device X3 is applied to an acceleration sensor, for example, a capacitor electrode for detection (not illustrated) is provided in each of the movable part 201 and the frame 202. The capacitor electrodes for detection are arranged facing each other. In this case, the electrostatic capacity of the capacitor changes in accordance with the rotational displacement around the axial center A3 of the movable part 201. When acceleration acts on the movable part 201, the movable part 201 is rotationally displaced around the axial center A3. Accordingly, the electrostatic capacity between the capacitor electrodes for detection changes. Based on the change in electrostatic capacity, the rotational displacement of the movable part 201 is detected. Based on a detection result of the rotational displacement of the movable part 201, acceleration acting on the micro movable device X3 or the movable part 201 is derived.
In a micro movable device in which a movable part and a frame are connected by connecting parts, a spring constant of the connecting parts affects mechanical characteristics of a device. Thus, in the conventional micro movable device X3, the spring constant of the connecting parts 203 is more likely to vary. Accordingly, mechanical characteristics such as a resonance frequency of the movable part 201 are more likely to vary.
In a manufacturing process of the micro movable device X3, first the bump part 221 is pressure-welded onto the pad part 212 in the wiring substrate S6. Then, a conductive adhesive which later becomes the conductive adhesive part 222 is supplied to a top part of the bump part 221. On the other hand, an adhesive for fixing the substrates to be the adhesive part 230 later is applied onto the wiring substrate S6. After the conductive adhesive and adhesive for fixing the substrates are applied, the micro movable substrate S5 and the wiring substrate S6 are joined via the bump part 221, the adhesive for fixing the substrates, and the like.
When the micro movable substrate S5 and the wiring substrate S6 are joined, the adhesive part 230 is formed by the hardening of the adhesive for fixing the substrates. When hardened, the adhesive for fixing the substrates contracts, for example, in directions illustrated by thick arrows in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32. Thus, the portion of the frame 202 of the micro movable substrate S5 where the adhesive part 230 is bonded is placed under a strong stress. If the frame 202 is deformed due to the stress, a stress also acts on the connecting parts 203. For example, a tensile stress acts on the connecting parts 203 in an arrow D direction illustrated in FIG. 32. Thus, the spring constant of the connecting parts 203 is different before and after the micro movable substrate S5 and the wiring substrate S6 are joined. That is, the spring constant of the connecting parts 203 varies.
The spring constant of the connecting parts 203 also varies due to a temperature change even after the micro movable substrate S5 and the wiring substrate S6 are joined. The adhesive part 230 undergoes a greater change in volume (expansion or contraction) due to a temperature change than, for example, the bump part 221 of the spacer 220. This is because a stress acts on the connecting parts 203 after the frame 202 is deformed due to the change in volume.
In the conventional micro movable device X3, as described above, the spring constant of the connecting parts 203 is more likely to vary. Variations of the spring constant of the connecting parts 203 may cause mechanical characteristics such as the resonance frequency of the movable part 201 to vary. Variations in mechanical characteristics of a device are not desirable because such variations frequently arise as degradation in device performance.

Micro movable device and optical switching apparatus


An iontophoresis device useful for administering an ionic drug by iontophoresis has an iontophoresis electrode section (active electrode section) and a ground electrode section (inactive electrode section) both of which are to be connected to a power source. The iontophoresis device includes elements (members) of both of the electrode sections are all formed of membrane bodies, and includes ion exchange membranes different in ion selectivity, one being selective to ions of the same species as charged ions of the ionic drug and the other to ions different in species from the charged ions of the ionic drug that are arranged in the iontophoresis electrode section, and at least an ion exchange membrane selective to ions opposite to the charged ions of the ionic drug is arranged in the ground electrode section. The iontophoresis device can administer the ionic drug stably over a long period of time at high transport efficiency.

A method of introducing (delivering) ionic drug (ionic chemical substance) placed at a desired part of the skin or mucosa (hereinafter simply called the skin) into the body through the skin by giving the skin an electromotive force sufficient to drive such ionic drug is called iontophoresis (ion introduction method or ion delivery treatment) (See, for example, JP-A-63035266 for the above-mentioned definition of iontophoresis).
As described above, iontophoresis performs desired medical treatment by driving (carrying) an ionizable or ionic drug, which has been applied on the skin, under predetermined electromotive force to deliver the same into the skin.
For example, positively charged ions are driven (carried) into the skin on the side of an anode in an electric system of an iontophoresis device.
Negatively charged ions, on the other hand, are driven (carried) into the skin on the side of a cathode in the electric system of the iontophoresis device.
The following are examples of ionic drugs to which the above-described iontophoresis is applicable.
(1) Positively Chargeable Ionic Drugs:
Local anesthetic drugs (procaine hydrochloride, lidocaine hydrochloride, etc.), gastrointestinal drugs (calnitine chloride, etc.), skeletal muscle relaxants (pancuronium bromide, etc.), and antibiotics (tetracycline derivatives, kanamycin derivatives, gentamicin derivatives).
(2) Negatively Chargeable Ionic Drugs:
Vitamins (hereinafter abbreviated as V) (VB2, VB12, VC, VE, folic acid, etc.), adrenocorticosteroids (hydrocortisone water soluble drugs, dexamethazone water soluble drugs, prednisolone water soluble drugs, etc.), and antibiotics (penicillins water soluble drugs, chloramphenicol water soluble drugs).
Concerning methods for administering ionic drugs by iontophoresis and devices to be used in the practice of such methods, research and development have been made for many years, and a variety of methods and devices have been proposed.
Conventional art on this type of iontophoresis includes those using ion exchange membranes. The present invention also belongs to the category of technology using ion exchange membranes as will be described in detail below.
To facilitate understanding of the present invention that makes use of ion exchange membranes, a detailed description of typical examples of the prior art using ion exchange membranes will be given below.
1. Japanese Language Laid-open Publication (PCT) No. HEI 3-504343 (International Publication No. WO90/04433), International Publication Date: May 3, 1990 (Hereinafter Called the Prior Art 1):
                (1) The prior art 1 discloses an iontophoresis electrode, comprising (i) an electrode plate, (ii) a reservoir for storing an ionic (or ionizable) drug to be delivered, and (iii) an ion exchange membrane disposed on an outer side (skin-contacting side) of the reservoir and selective to ions charged in the same polarity as the ionic drug.        (2) In the prior art 1, the function of the ion exchange membrane is described that, in the process of carrying (driving) the ionic drug toward the skin, the ion exchange membrane restricts movement of ions which are charged electrically opposite to the ionic drug and move from the skin toward the electrode plate. For example, it inhibits movement of ion species existing on the skin such as sodium ions, chlorine ions and other ions which may form an ionic current path different from the current path formed by the ionic drug.
(3) The prior art 1 also describes that the efficiency of administration of the ionic drug is increased because the ion exchange membrane reduces migration of other mobile charge carriers into the reservoir containing the ionic drug.
2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,726 (Hereinafter Called the Prior Art 2):
(1) The prior art 2 is referred to as a related art in the patent specification of the prior art 1, and discloses an electrode of the following construction:
(i) the electrode is divided into a first chamber containing an electrolyte and a second chamber containing an ionized ingredient, and
(ii) the first chamber and the second chamber are isolated from each other by an ion exchange membrane.
(2) The prior art 2 describes that the first chamber containing the electrolyte can lessen the deleterious effects of hydrolysis of water and that the ion exchange membrane can isolate the ionic drug from the electrolyte in the first chamber.
However, the technology disclosed in the prior art 2, which uses electrolyte, also has an undesirable facet that the efficiency of transport (transference number) of charged ions of the active ingredient in the ionic drug is apparently lowered, because it increases the concentration of other additional ion species in the system.
Therefore, care should be taken in adopting a technology which uses electrolyte in this way.
3. JP-A-03094771 (Hereinafter Called the Prior Art 3):
(1) The prior art 3 discloses an electrode for iontophoresis comprising (i) a water retaining portion surrounded by a flexible supporting member and having an electrode plate inside, (ii) an ion exchange membrane disposed on a front side (skin side) of the water-retaining portion, and (iii) a drug layer (ionic drug layer) disposed on a front side (skin side) of the ion exchange membrane.
(2) The prior art 3 is intended to administer an ionic drug of a high concentration while preventing dilution of the drug with water in the course of administration of the drug.
(3) For this purpose, the prior art 3 discloses an iontophoresis electrode having an ion exchange membrane which substantially inhibits permeation of the drug but is water-permeable and a drug layer formed on the body (skin) contacting side of the ion exchange membrane by adhering or depositing the drug by such methods as spray drying and spreading.
4. JP-A-04297277 (Hereinafter Called the Prior Art 4):
(1) The prior art 4 relates to the preceding Japanese patent application filed by this applicant. In FIG. 2, for example, the prior art 4 discloses an iontophoresis electrode section (active electrode section) (in FIG. 2, the negative electrode functions as an active electrode section in relation to the polarity of ions of an ionic drug to be employed) constructed in a multilayer structure of negative electrode plate/gauze with the ionic drug contained therein/cation exchange membrane/gauze with the ionic drug contained therein/anion exchange membrane.
(2) The iontophoresis technology disclosed in the prior art 4 is the technology which has been improved by the present invention, and the limitations of the prior art 4 will be discussed in detail when the present invention is described below.
As to the number of the ion exchange membrane(s) used (arranged) in the iontophoresis electrode section (active electrode section) in each prior art described above, the prior arts 1 through 3 disclose a single layer structure using a single ion exchange membrane, while the prior art 4 discloses a double layer structure using two ion exchange membranes. In this respect, the prior art 4 is different from the other prior arts 1 through 3.
The present invention as will be described in detail below uses a double layer structure like the prior art 4. However, the present invention is based on a technical concept totally different from prior art 4, as it has distinct features that one or more ion exchange membranes are also arranged in the ground electrode section that ion exchange membranes are arranged as many as three or four in total in the iontophoresis device, and, moreover, that both electrode sections have been reconstructed so as to keep the transference number of charged drug ions at a high level and significantly improve the ease (convenience) of handling.
As described above, use of ion exchange membrane(s) has been known in transdermal administration of an ionic drug by iontophoresis.
The above-described conventional iontophoresis technologies using one or more ion exchange membranes, however, lacked a concept or idea of preventing or eliminating various drawbacks associated with an electrochemical reaction on a surface of an electrode plate in the iontophoresis electrode section (active electrode section) and/or the ground electrode section (inactive electrode section).
In other words, the conventional iontophoresis technologies using ion exchange membrane(s) lacked the concept of paying attention to all electrochemical reactions at an iontophoresis electrode section (active electrode) and a ground electrode section (inactive electrode section) and of eliminating drawbacks caused by such reactions in order to establish an iontophoresis technology of higher added value.
In the conventional iontophoresis technologies using ion exchange membrane(s), more specifically, those of the above-described prior arts, one or more ion exchange membranes are used in an active electrode section but no ion exchange membrane is employed in an inactive electrode section, and consequently they have the following drawbacks:
(i) It is difficult to administer an ionic drug (to perform drug delivery) for a long period of time under stably energized conditions (it is difficult to keep it operating for a long period of time at a constant voltage or constant current). For example, physiological saline which is an electrolyte solution (a solution containing an electrolyte substance) is hydrolyzed to produce gas bubbles (oxygen gas, chlorine gas, etc.) on a surface of an electrode plate in an active electrode section of positive (+) polarity, although the polarity of the active electrode section differs depending upon the polarity of charged ions of an active ingredient in an ionic drug. Due to such gas bubbles, the electric resistance increases, resulting in a substantial reduction in the iontophoresis effect (the efficiency of transport of ions) with time. This reduction also takes place by gas bubbles (hydrogen gas and the like) produced at the ground electrode section of negative (−) polarity.
(ii) Burn, inflammation or the like (including electrical burn caused by a current itself or pH-induced burn caused by a sudden change in pH due to H+ or OH− produced by electrolysis) may occur on the skin at its surface which is in contact with the active electrode section and/or the ground electrode section.
(iii) The skin may be damaged at its surface, which is in contact with an electrode plate [for example□positive(+)□electrode] in the active electrode section, by a harmful substance formed through hydrolysis of sweat on the skin surface and/or physiological saline as an electrolyte solution, for example, by hypochlorous acid (which is known as a strong oxidizing agent) produced based on Cl− (chlorine ions) and as a result of high acidification (production of HCl).
(iv) The skin may be damaged at its surface, which is in contact with an electrode plate [for example, negative (−) electrode] in the ground electrode section, by a harmful substance formed through hydrolysis of sweat on the skin surface and/or physiological saline as an electrolyte solution, for example, as a result of high alkalinization (production of NaOH).


A radio network controller outputs a context required for a terminal capable of communicating with a mobile communication network and a wireless local area network to communicate with the wireless local area network to the terminal among pieces of information input from wireless access gateways that control connection with one or more wireless local area networks and provide seamless handover of packet communication between the mobile communication network and the wireless LAN.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a handover technique for maintaining communication when moving from one network to another network of different type during the communication in an interworking system between networks of different types such as mobile communication network such as W-CDMA and a wireless LAN.
2. Background Art
Engineers are working to develop a system that allows mobile phones capable of communicating in a wide area to interwork with a public wireless LAN service which enables fast data communication in a small area to complement each other. For example, a service is being contemplated that uses a terminal capable of accessing both mobile phone network and wireless local area network (WLAN) in such a system. This service uses a mobile communication network which covers a wide area around a base station to maintain a connection while the mobile phone is moving fast whereas it uses a wireless LAN to provide broadband access while the mobile phone is moving slowly or stays in one place.
For the interworking system, the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) has standardized an architecture that implements a scenario in which a mobile terminal accesses the packet service of a mobile communication network through a WLAN. TS (Technical Specification) 22.234 of the 3GPP describes the requirements of such systems, TS 23.234 describes the architecture, and TS 33.234 describes the authentication method. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-349829 describes a method in which handover of a packet call is performed between mobile phone networks by using a home agent 2613. The following is a description of an exemplary handover processing method performed when a mobile terminal that has access to both of a mobile communication network and a wireless LAN moves from a coverage area of the mobile communication to the wireless LAN while the terminal is performing packet access.
FIG. 26 shows a block diagram of an interworking system built in accordance with a conventional art. A mobile terminal 2601 in FIG. 26 has packet access means for both of a mobile communication network and a wireless LAN. The terminal 2601 represents UE (User Equipment) in the 3GPP specifications. A first base station 2602a and a second base station 2602b mutually convert a radio signal sent from the terminal 2601 to a wired signal and transfers the signal. The base stations represent Node B in the 3GPP specifications. The first base station 2602a covers cell M1 and the second base station 2602b covers cell M2.
A first WLAN access network 2603a and the second WLAN access network 2603b are packet-switched networks using a protocol such as IP (Internet Protocol) and include access points that provides connection to the mobile terminal 2601. The first WLAN access network 2603a covers cell L1 and the second WLAN access network 2603b covers cell L2. Both networks are correctively referred to as the WLAN access network 2603. The WLAN network 2603 converts a radio signal on a wireless LAN to a packet signal for a wired network. On the WLAN access network 2603, a DNS server performs address assignment. The WLAN access network 2603 represents WLAN AN (Access Network) in the 3GPP specifications.
A radio network controller 2604 is connected to base stations 2602 (also referred to as the first base station 2602a and the second base station 2602b) through IP and performs wireless terminal control and transfers control data and user data. The radio network controller 2604 is RNC (Radio Network Controller) in the 3GPP specifications. Advantageous effects of the present invention can be achieved in ATM connection with base stations 2602 as well.
A first WLAN gateway 2605a and a second WLAN gateway 2605b are connected with the first WLAN access network 2603a and the second WLAN access network 2603b, respectively, and transmit control data and user data for a wireless LAN to and from their respective WLAN access networks 2603. The first WLAN gateway 2605a and the second WLAN gateway 2605b represent WAG (Wireless Access Gateway) in the 3GPP specifications. Both are collectively called the WLAN gateway 2605. The WLAN gateways represent the wireless network controller in the attached claims.
A packet controller 2606 is connected to the radio network controller 2604, controls packet transmission within the mobile communication network and manages the status of mobile terminals 2601 that relates to packet transmission. It is assumed here that the packet controller 2606 uses IP to connect to the radio network controller 2604. The packet controller 2606 represents SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) in the 3GPP specifications.
A mobile network packet gateway 2607 is connected with the WLAN access networks 2603 through IP and relays packet data from the mobile communication network to the Internet. The mobile network packet gateway 2607 represents GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) in the 3GPP specifications. One mobile network packet gateway 2607 is provided for each APN (Access Point Name) that is a domain of the mobile terminal 2601.
A packet data gateway 2608 is connected with the mobile network packet gateway 2607 and the WLAN gateways 2605 and relays data from these gateways to a public packet-switched network 2612. Like the mobile packet gateway 2607, the packet data gateway 2608 supports APN. It is assumed here that one packet data gateway 2608 is connected with multiple WLAN gateways 2605.
An authentication gateway 2609 is connected to the WLAN gateways 2605 and receives authentication data from the mobile terminal 2601 through the WLAN gateway 2605 when the mobile terminal 2601 enters the area covered by the wireless LAN. The authentication gateway 2609 represents AAA Proxy in the 3GPP specifications.
An authentication server 2610 is connected to the authentication gateway 2609 and receives authentication data from the mobile terminal 2601 through the authentication gateway 2609. The authentication server 2610 represents AAA Server in the 3GPP specifications.
A user information storing section 2611 is connected with the packet controller 2606, the mobile network packet gateway 2607, and the authentication server 2610 and stores information about services provided by the operator of the mobile communication network or wireless LAN to a user under a contract between the operator and the user. The public packet-switched network 2612 is a network made available to the public. The Internet is one of the public packet-switched network 2612.
A home agent 2613 relays data transmission from the mobile terminal 2601 and redirects data transmission in accordance with the location to which the mobile terminal 2601 moves. The home agent 2613 also manages the location of the mobile terminal 2601 by using mobile IP and registers the positioning of the mobile terminal 2601. A correspondent node 2614 is a node with which the mobile terminal 2601 performs packet communication. Examples of the correspondent node 2614 include servers on the Internet.
The mobile communication network and the wireless LAN that interwork with each other in the system will be defined as follows. The term "mobile communication network" refers to a network including mobile network packet gateways 2607, packet controllers 2606, radio network controllers 2604, and base stations 2602. The term "wireless LAN" refers to a network consisting of packet data gateways 2608, WLAN gateways 2605, and WLAN access networks 2603.
FIG. 27 shows components of a wireless LAN and stacks of protocols handled by the components. The mobile terminal 2601 has a remote IP layer 2701 for communicating with a correspondent node 2614 and a transport IP layer 2703 for performing IP communication over an access network of the wireless LAN. Different IP addresses for these layers are assigned to the terminal 2601, which are called the remote IP address and the local IP address.
Packets in the remote IP layer 2701 are relayed by the packet data gateway 2608 that is the entrance to the public packet-switched network 2612. A tunnel 2702 is provided between the mobile terminal 2601 and the packet data gateway 2608 through which packets at the remote IP layer 2701 are transmitted. The functions of the tunnel include the function of encapsulating packets, the function of compressing the header or payload of packets, and an encryption function. The terminal 2601 and the packet data gateway 2608 hold information about settings of the functions such as encapsulation, compression, and encryption schemes and connection setup information such as an access point name and a telephone number for each tunnel.
The transport IP layer 2703 is terminated at each node. Packets from the mobile terminal 2601 are terminated at a WLAN access network 2603. L1 (physical layer) and L2 (data link layer) are not particularly specified in this example.
The following is a description of a method for switching to communication over a wireless LAN when a terminal 2601 enters an area covered by the wireless LAN while communicating with a correspondent node 2614 over a mobile communication network in the system described above.
The mobile terminal 2601 performs IP packet communication as follows. First, user IP packets travel from the mobile terminal 2601 to the correspondent node 2614 via nodes of the mobile communication network and a home agent 2613. A remote IP address of user terminal is assigned by a mobile network packet gateway 2607 that routes remote IP addresses. The home agent 2613 manages a set of a home IP address, which is an address on the home network of the mobile terminal 2601, and a care-of address, which is an address of the mobile terminal 2601 that is used in the network to which the current position of the mobile terminal 2601 belongs (visited network). The home agent 2613 encapsulates the home IP address of the mobile terminal 2601 that is output from the correspondent node 2601, and transfers it to the care-of address.
IP packets from the mobile terminal 2601 are encapsulated and transferred, like packets transmitted in the reverse direction. If the correspondent node 2614 supports a Binding Update procedure, the procedure may be used to directly transmit IP packets to the mobile terminal 2601 and the correspondent node 2614, instead of using encapsulation.
On the mobile communication network, an IP tunnel is provided for each link between nodes and IP packets are encapsulated and then transferred. GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol) is used in communication between the mobile network packet gateway 2607 and the packet transmission controller 2606 and communication between the packet transmission controller 2606 and the radio network controller 2604.
The radio network controller 2604 converts IP packets to logical channel packets or transport channel packets as appropriate and then transferred to a base station 2602a by using IP transport. The base station 2602a converts them to W-CDMA physical channel packets and communicates with the terminal 2601.
When the mobile terminal 2601 enters an area covered by a wireless LAN while performing packet communication, the following process is performed. First, when the mobile terminal 2601 enters the wireless LAN area at 2801 in FIG. 28, the mobile terminal 2601 detects the radio field of the wireless LAN. It is assumed here that the wireless LAN is compliant with IEEE 802.11a/b/g. In the local connection process 2802, the first WLAN access network 2603a assigns a local IP address to the mobile terminal 2601.
Then, in the authentication process 2803, the terminal 2601 requests the user information storing section 2611 to authenticates the mobile terminal 2601 for making packet access through the WLAN. In the authentication, EAP (PPP Extensible Authentication Protocol) used by a first WLAN gateway 2605a, an authentication gateway 2609 (not shown in FIG. 28), and an authentication server 2610. If the authentication server 2610 does not have information about the user required for authentication, the authentication server 2610 obtains the information from the user information storing section 2611.
After completion of the authentication 2803, the mobile terminal 2601 queries DNS in the wireless LAN IP address acquisition process 2804. In response to this, the first WLAN access network 2603a returns a set of remote IP addresses and FQDNs of all networks that the mobile terminal can use and packet data gateways 2608 associated with them.
At a tunnel creation request 2805, the mobile terminal 2601 selects a packet data gateway 2608 from the IP addresses obtained in the IP address acquisition process 2804 and provides a request for creation of an IP tunnel using the set of remote IP addresses and FQDN to the packet data gateway 2608. In the authentication completion confirming process 2806, the packet data gateway 2608 communicates the authentication server 2610 via the authentication gateway 2609 to check to determine that the mobile terminal has been authenticated.
Then, in the policy exchange 2807, the packet data gateway 2608 and the first WLAN gateway 2603a exchange a packet transmission policy. The policy to use is determined by the packet data gateway 2608 and the first WLAN gateway 2603a applies the transmission policy provided from the packet data gateway 2608.
After the policy exchange, in the tunnel creation process 2808, the mobile terminal 2601 and the packet data gateway 2608 exchange tunnel attributes and a tunnel is created between them. The packet data gateway 2608 assigns a remote IP address to the mobile terminal 2601, which will be used as the IP address of the mobile terminal 2601 on the public packet-switched network 2612.
After the tunnel is created, the mobile terminal 2601 registers (remote IP registration 2809) the remote IP address in the home agent 2613. After the remote IP address is registered, the home agent 2613 changes the destination of packets from the correspondent node 2614 to the new remote IP address.
After a connection 2810 on the wireless LAN is established in this way, the mobile terminal 2601 disconnects the connection with the mobile communication network.
The interworking system between a mobile communication network and a wireless LAN as described above has a problem that the system requires much time to move across networks that use different access techniques because both authentication process and connection process must use equipment of a core network.
To solve the problem, an article entitled "Seamless handoff scheme using positional information in mobile IP network", Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers technical report RCS2002-209, pp. 13-18, proposes a method for reducing switching time involved in handover. This scheme is an improved version of mobile IP, in which the GPS (Global Positioning System) is used to manage the positioning of a mobile terminal 2601 and the mobile terminal 2601 predicts the next cell to move to on the basis of the management data. Authentication and connection processes required for handover to the predicted cell are performed beforehand using a cell with which the mobile terminal can communicate at the time, thereby reducing the switching time required for the mobile terminal to move to the predicted cell. The method disclosed in the article predicts the next cell to move to by using GPS data, on the mobile terminal 2601, the IP address and position of the mobile terminal 2601, thereby simplifying connection setup.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-254278 discloses a method in which handover is performed when a mobile terminal moves between a UMTS area and a WLAN area in a system in which a WLAN access point is connected to a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), which is a type of W-CDMA.
In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-254278, a wireless LAN AP 2903, which is an access point of a wireless LAN, is connected with a packet controller 2906 through a WLAN IWF (Inter-Working Function) 2905, which is a functional element for interconnecting them, as shown in FIG. 29.
The wireless LAN IWF 2905 and the packet controller 2906 are interconnected through an Iu-ps interface. According to the GPRS specifications, when a packet connection is established on a mobile communication network, a primary GPRS context and a secondary GPRS context containing information concerning the packet connection are created. In the secondary GPRS context, connection information such as IP addresses and QoS are stored. The method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-254278 activates the secondary GPRS context concerning the wireless LAN in association with an ongoing packet connection session and changes the secondary GPRS context in accordance with the area in which the mobile terminal 2901 is located, thereby enabling the mobile terminal 2901 to switch between the mobile communication network and the wireless LAN.
For example, when a mobile terminal 2901 that has already established packet connection with a mobile communication network in cell M1 enters cell L1 that is an area of a wireless LAN, the following process is performed. The mobile terminal 2901 first starts establishing connection to a wireless LAN AP 2903. The mobile terminal then attempts to obtain an IP address on the wireless LAN. However, the mobile terminal 2901 cannot obtain a new IP address because the mobile terminal 2901 has a connection that has already established over the mobile communication network. Therefore, the mobile terminal 2901 uses the IP address it already has. It should be noted that QoS can be changed. Thus, parameters are set and a secondary GPRS context for the wireless LAN is added to a mobile communication packet gateway in addition to the secondary GPRS context for the mobile communication network that is already used. In this way, a secondary GPRS context containing QoS and other information, which vary from network to network, is created for each terminal and an appropriate secondary GPRS context is used for the area in which the terminal 2901 is located to accomplish handover.

Radio network controller, wireless access gateway, radio communication system, and communication method for radio communication system


A sump for a dispensing unit is disposed beneath the footprint of the dispensing unit and includes an auxiliary communication line receiving structure proximal to a drip area of the dispensing unit. The auxiliary communication line receiving structure delivers electrical and/or other communication line(s) to the dispensing unit from beneath the dispensing unit footprint without creating a potential leak path into or out of the sump.

In a typical automotive fueling station, fuel is delivered to an above-ground dispensing pump through a network of underground tanks, pipes, fittings, sumps and dispensers. The sumps used in these networks include sumps located beneath the above-ground dispensing units. These sumps preferably fit fully beneath the housings for the above-ground dispensing units and function to prevent ground contamination from any drippage of components in the above-ground dispensing units.
In order to reduce the risk of soil contamination, it is desirable, if not imperative, for sumps located beneath the above-ground dispensing units to receive any and all fuel that may leak or drip from the dispensing units. For this reason, the openings of such sumps are large enough to completely cover the potential drip area beneath the dispensing units. It also is economically desirable to avoid making the sumps too large. Thus, it is common to have properly designed sumps with openings that are sized and shaped to match the footprint of the dispensing unit housing, i.e., the size and shape of the opening of the sump are sized and shaped to correspond to the area where drippage may occur.
It also is desirable to supply components in above-ground dispensing units with electrical power from beneath the units. This has been achieved in the prior art by passing electrical conduits through the sidewalls of the sumps, and directing the electrical conduits out of the sump through the top opening used to collect drippage. While this practice has the advantage of directing the electrical or other auxiliary communication lines to the dispensing unit under the housing, the passage of the communications lines through the wall of the sump creates a potential leak path, such as by leakage of collected fuel out of the sump and/or leakage of groundwater into the sump. This problem has been partially alleviated through the use of seals at the entry location for such lines into the sump. Nevertheless, the installation and use of such seals adds to cost. Furthermore, such seals are prone to deterioration over time, and leakage sometimes occurs despite the use of high quality seals.


A sound replicating device has an electro-mechanically driven sound board mounted therein. The sound replicating device as well as the electro-mechanically driven sound board may be adapted for each particular resonator board of an instrument.

History shows that stringed instruments provide a very popular form of music. Some of these stringed instruments use sound boards, which is a substantially solid material usually made of wood. Typical of these instruments; which use a sound board; are a guitar, a violin, a cello, a bass fiddle, a viola, a mandolin, a harpsichord and a ukelele. Other stringed instruments may also use a sound board.
These instruments have a pleasing sound due to the vibration of the sound board. Resonance is transferred to the sound board by the vibration of the strings. Because the resonance of the wood in the form of a sound board within the instrument produces a unique sound, it is extremely difficult to efficiently and accurately amplify the sound of a stringed instrument.
Other stringed instruments produce sound with a flexible sound medium, wherein the string vibration causes vibration of the sound medium. A typical instrument in this class is a banjo. It is also difficult to amplify instruments of this class.
These stringed instruments are very effective and very powerful in a small room setting. However, they cannot always be played in a small room setting. It is sometimes very desirable to play one or more of these instruments in a large auditorium. In this case, the sound of the instrument must amplified.
The desire to connect a stringed instrument to an amplifying device usually requires an electronic pickup to be inserted in the instrument. This electronic pickup goes to a sound replicating device. The sound replicating device receives the sound from the instrument and permits it to be hear throughout the auditorium.
Such transfer of the sound from the instrument implicating is not consistently good. While it is not desired to be bound by any particular theory, there is a postulate, which may explain the replicating deficiency. The postulate is based on the structure of the sound replicating device. The loss of total quality of the stringed instrument is believed to be caused by the inability of the speaker to duplicate the sound vibrations of the sound board of the instrument involved.
No good method or structure is known to overcome these problems of amplification of stringed instruments. As such, a stringed instrument can lose its impact before a large audience, in a large auditorium or similar room. This loss of impact is clearly due to a lack of faithful reproduction of the instrument sound.
This sound board, as contained in the instrument, makes the instrument very suitable for a small venue, where the instrument can be heard directly. In a larger venue, it is sometimes required to amplify the sound. The amplification loses the second quality in that the resonance of the sound board in the instrument cannot be accurately duplicated.
Various attempts have been made to overcome this feature. Sometimes an electronic pick-up device is put right in the instrument. This electronic pick-up device is then fed to an amplifier. The amplifier, in turn, feeds a speaker for the purpose of making the instrument to be heard throughout the desired hearing area.
Such electronic replication of the instrument does not permit the actual sound of the vibration of the board to be produced. It is very desirable to produce this actual sound based on the vibration of the wood in the sound board of the instrument. However, no effective mechanism for achieving the same is no known.


Techniques for determining a depth of a buried asset are provided. A first point on an AR model of the buried asset is identified. The first point is where a depth of the buried asset is to be determined. An AR device is used to determine coordinates of a second point on a surface corresponding to the first point on the AR model. Coordinates of a third point on the buried asset corresponding to the first point on the AR model are determined. The depth of the buried asset is determined based on the coordinates of the second point on the surface and coordinates of the third point on the buried asset.

Some AR applications enable users to apply digital objects to real-world environments. As examples, structures can be superimposed on images of a plot of land where the structure will be built, or planned features can be superimposed on images of a structure where the features will be added. Another use is to show buried assets such as pipes or buried utilities superimposed on the ground above where the assets are buried. These applications can be used to show where the assets are located in relation to objects that are above the ground. Some AR applications can also be used to show assets such as pipes or utilities that are located in or behind walls or above ceilings superimposed on images of the walls or ceilings.
Many buried assets have associated asset data or asset attributes that describe, for example, the type of buried asset (e.g., water pipe, electrical line, etc.), a size and/or shape of the buried asset, location information associated with the buried asset, and the like. The location information may include, for example, three dimensional (3D) coordinates of the position of the asset at discrete points. The location information is useful for locating or maintaining the buried assets.
The value of location information of buried assets can be difficult to realize in many situations. For example, knowing that a pipe passes through (x1, y1, z1) and (x2, y2, z2) coordinates may be of little benefit if coordinates of one or more points above the ground are not known. Also, the surface of the ground may change over time, or it may vary within a given area making it difficult to know how far below the surface an asset is located at a particular point. Thus, improved methods and devices for locating buried assets are desired.


An image scanning apparatus has a scanner configured to read an original sheet on a line basis at a constant line cycle and generate analog image data for each pixel of the line, and output the analog image data for each pixel at a pixel cycle, a power source including a DC/DC converter configured to convert a first DC voltage to a second DC voltage by applying a switching control to the first DC voltage at a switching cycle, the second DC voltage being supplied to the scanner, a convertor configured to sample the analog image data at the pixel cycle to convert the analog image data to digital image data, a sampling setting unit configured to set the pixel cycle, and a controller configured to cause the sampling setting unit to set the pixel cycle to be an integer multiple of the switching cycle of the DC/DC convertor.

Technical Field
The present disclosures relate to an image scanning apparatus.
Related Art
Conventionally, it is known that image scanning apparatuses have a following problem. That is, due to fluctuation in an output voltage of a power supply which is applied to a scanning device of the scanning apparatus, noises may be included in a read signal generated by the scanning device. For example, a DC power supply noise component due to a ripple voltage which is generated due to a ripple voltage in the power supply of the scanning device may be superposed on the read signal.

Image scanning apparatus configured with a DC voltage power source


Systems and methods for identifying content for an input query are presented. A mapping model is trained to map elements of an input query embedding vector for a received query into one or more elements of a destination embedding vector. In response to receiving an input query, an input query embedding vector is generated that projects into an input query embedding space. The input query embedding vector is processed by the mapping model to map the input query embedding vector into one or more elements of a destination embedding vector in a destination embedding space, resulting in a partial destination embedding vector. Items of a corpus of content are projected into the destination embedding space and the partial destination embedding vector is also projected into the destination embedding space. A similarity measure determines the most-similar items to the partial destination embedding vector and at least some of the most-similar items are returned in response to the input query.

More and more people are interacting with network-accessible online services. At least some of these online services provide its users/subscribers the ability to post content items, create collections of content items, and share these with other users. Often, these posted content items comprise a group or collection of distinct items: e.g., an image, a title for that image, one or more captions regarding the image, user comments regarding the image, and the like.
To keep users engaged with the online service, as a user posts content to the online service, interacts with posted content, etc., additional, related content is often presented to the user as a recommendation. Also, in response to a query to the online service from a user, related content is identified and presented to that user. Simply put, an online service is often trying to identify related content items for presentation to a user.
Identifying related items to a user's content post, especially a content post of multiple, distinct content items, or to a user's query presents significant challenges for online services.

Identifying similar content in a multi-item embedding space


To construct a CRT display device capable of effectively suppressing unwanted radiation of electromagnetic waves occurring as a result of horizontal deflection or vertical deflection. A correction lead (6) series-connected to horizontal deflection coils (1) is disposed at outer peripheral positions of the horizontal deflection coils (1) and between the horizontal deflection coils (1) and a faceplate of a CRT (4). With this arrangement, electromagnetic fields produced by the horizontal deflection coils are canceled out by electromagnetic fields produced by the correction lead (6), thereby suppressing unwanted radiation of electromagnetic waves at the deflection frequency and its harmonic components.

The present invention relates to a CRT display device capable of suppressing unwanted external radiation of electromagnetic waves.
For a CRT display device like an electronic apparatus provided with a CRT (cathode ray tube), international standards stipulate upper limits of the intensity of electromagnetic waves radiated to the exterior from the CRT display device. One objective of these standards is to provide a specific level of safety which would prevent causing adverse effects on other nearby electronic apparatus. Thus, for marine electronics apparatuses, for example, of which many units are installed together with other units in a limited space, far more stringent standards are set forth to maintain navigation safety.
In a conventional CRT display device, a metallic shield cover used to be adopted to surround the outer periphery of a unit to suppress unwanted external radiation of electromagnetic waves. A CRT faceplate, however, cannot be covered with a shield cover made of a metal plate, so that a previous practice has been to cover the faceplate with a semitransparent filter covered with evaporated and deposited metal particles.
While a deflection yoke having horizontal deflection coils and vertical deflection coils, leads wires of the horizontal deflection coils and the vertical deflection coils, a high-voltage generating circuit formed by a flyback transformer, for instance, and its leads wires are sources of the aforementioned unwanted radiation, it is possible to effectively suppress the unwanted radiation of electromagnetic waves by making an enclosure of the CRT display device to serve as a shield cover. In addition, if the aforementioned semitransparent filter is provided on the CRT faceplate, unwanted electromagnetic radiation from the CRT faceplate can be suppressed to a certain degree. Unwanted electromagnetic emissions in a high-frequency range of tens to hundreds of megahertz (MHz), for example, can be sufficiently suppressed by this arrangement. However, it has scarcely been possible to suppress unwanted electromagnetic emissions at harmonic frequencies corresponding to several multiples of the horizontal deflection frequency, such as at tens to hundreds of kilohertz (kHz). Moreover, the use of aforementioned semitransparent filter could develop such problems that it would cause a reduction in screen brightness and a cost increase.
It is an object of the invention to provide a CRT display device effectively suppressing unwanted radiation of electromagnetic waves which could occur as a result of horizontal deflection or vertical deflection.
According to this invention, part of a deflection coil of a CRT or a lead wire of the deflection coil is used as a correction lead, and the correction lead is disposed inside an enclosure surrounding the CRT, wherein an electromagnetic field leaking from the CRT to the exterior is suppressed by an electromagnetic field generated by the correction lead. With this construction, an electromagnetic field produced in association with horizontal deflection or vertical deflection is canceled out by the electromagnetic field generated by the aforementioned correction lead and, in particular, electromagnetic fields leaking to the exterior through a faceplate of a CRT display device are suppressed in a reliable fashion.
According also to this invention, the correction lead is attached to a shield case surrounding the CRT at the rear of the CRT faceplate. Since the shield case surrounding the CRT has a fixed relative position relationship with a horizontal deflection coil or with a vertical deflection coil, the relationship between the phase and intensity of the electromagnetic field produced by the deflection coil and those of the electromagnetic field produced by the correction lead is kept unchanged. Furthermore, the invention facilitates positioning of the correction lead in the internal space of the enclosure. In addition, special components for arranging the deflection coil in the internal space of the CRT display device become unnecessary.
According also to this invention, a lead wire connecting a connector for the deflection coil that is connected to a connector on a circuit board on which a deflection drive circuit is provided and the deflection coil is used as the correction lead. With this construction, the correction lead can be provided simply by fitting a deflection yoke to the CRT, placing the lead wire of the deflection coil at specific positions, and connecting the connector at the end of the lead wire to the connector on the circuit board.
According also to this invention, the correction lead is fitted to specific points between the outer periphery of a CRT faceplate and the deflection coil. This construction serves to effectively suppress unwanted radiation from the deflection coil in the direction of the CRT faceplate.
According again to this invention, the correction lead connected to the horizontal deflection coil is placed at specific positions and thereby suppresses the fundamental component of a horizontal deflection frequency and its harmonic components radiated due to horizontal deflection of the CRT.

CRT display device to suppress electromagnetic radiation therefrom


The invention relates to a device and a method for the continuous treatment of putrescent waste in which the waste is eaten by fly larvae. The device comprises a conveyor belt, a means to distribute the waste, a means for depositing fly larvae or fly larvae eggs onto the waste, a means for removing fly larvae from the waste and from the conveyor belt, and a means for removing the waste from the conveyor belt.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to apparatus and method for disposal of waste material and in particular to the use of fly larvae for the disposal of putrescent waste material.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
The production of organic compost for municipal refuse or garbage is well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,486 teaches a method for the production of organic compost comprising the following steps:
1. shredding the refuse; PA1 2. adding water to saturation; PA1 3. adding earthworms; PA1 4. keeping the water content at more than 80% during at least 30 days; PA1 5. keeping the mixture at a temperature from 0-54.degree. C. and with a moisture of at least 45% during more than 4 months. PA1 a conveyor belt consisting of at least a waste reception zone, a waste treatment zone, and a waste evacuation zone; PA1 a means to distribute the waste more or less evenly onto the conveyor belt; PA1 a means of depositing fly larvae or fly larvae eggs onto the waste; PA1 a means for removing fly larvae from the waste and from the conveyor belt; PA1 a means for removing the waste residue from the conveyor belt. PA1 discharging and more or less evenly distributing putrescent waste onto a conveyor belt; PA1 depositing fly larvae eggs or fly larvae onto the waste; PA1 ensuring the hatching of the eggs; PA1 ensuring a minimum residence time of the larvae in the waste so that substantially all of the waste is eaten and so that the majority of the fly larvae reach maturation; PA1 exposing a part of the waste to light and/or heat in such a way that the larvae crawl out of the waste and off at least one lateral edge of the conveyor belt; and PA1 removing the waste from the conveyor belt.
Such a method is not suitable for continuous treatment of large amounts of putrescent waste. Furthermore, the separation of earthworms from the treated waste materials is very difficult.
This invention relates to a device and method for the continuous treatment of large amounts of humid putrescent waste materials by means of fly larvae, so that after a relatively short period of a few days, the waste is converted into a more or less dry and odor-free compost. After treatment of the waste materials, the invention also foresees the easy separation of the larvae from the waste. Live or dehydrated larvae constitute an excellent feed stock for fish and poultry, but the larvae can also be used for the production of by-products such as protein meal, chitin, and chitosan. It has been observed that when using fly larvae for the treatment of putrescent waste materials, it is possible to induce them to crawl out of the waste by exposing the waste to an illumination, preferably together with a heating, especially an infrared illumination, whereby the separation of the larvae out of the putrescent waste is obtained by the larvae themselves.

Device and method for the continuous treatment of waste by means of fly larvae


A clocked storage element comprises a first latch having an input data node, a clock input node and a first latch output data node, and a second latch having an input connected to the first latch output data node, a clock input node and a second latch output data node. The first and second latches can have a clocked pull-up current path consisting of two p-channel transistors between their respective output data nodes and the VDD supply line, and a clocked pull-down current path consisting of two n-channel transistors between their respective output data nodes and the VSS supply line.

This disclosure describes a clocked storage element, sometimes referred to as "flip-flop", used for temporarily storing information in digital systems. Clocked storage elements are essential in constructing the Finite-State Machine (FSM) which is the core of every digital system. A few important characteristics of the clocked storage element include low "insertion delay" (Data-to-Q delay), low power consumption and small footprint (area).
Clocked storage elements are very important elements in a digital system. They may take up to 20% of the clock cycle from the useful time allotted for computation. In addition, they may contribute to a quarter of the power consumed in the digital system, in dynamic power and more in the static power. The area taken by clocked storage elements similarly contributes to the total chip area, where chip area is directly proportional to the cost, performance, power, and the total amount of functionality that the chip can provide. Thus, there has been a continuous effort to design clocked storage elements which are: smaller, faster and less power consuming.


Fence apparatus and related methods for making a fence panel and for connecting the panel to other panels and post elements to form a modular type fence are disclosed. These include a generally planar section of fencing material formed from spaced-apart wires, and the related brackets and posts of the system providing simplified installation, removal, handling, and storage of the fence components.

Temporary fence is increasingly becoming a fixture around construction sites and special events for safety, security, crowd control, or simply to restrict access. Temporary fences are constructed in numerous ways and from a variety of materials. Most commonly these barriers are constructed of posts driven into the ground, with rolled chain link mesh or plastic safety netting attached to the posts with wires or clips. Increasingly, however, prefabricated fence panels are being used in temporary applications due to the speed of installation and/or removal, longevity, enhanced security, and the flexibility of being able to easily remove and then re-install one or more panels to allow for short term access.
These prefabricated temporary fence panels are largely comprised of panels constructed by attaching chain link mesh to a tubular framework. While these panels have several advantages as previously mentioned, their bulkiness typically creates a handling and storage problem that is significant, particularly when one considers the number of times these reusable fence sections are handled, stored, reused, etc.
In one prior art fence assembly, for example, panels typically have rings permanently attached to vertical framing members. During installation, a post is placed through the rings of adjacent panels and then into a stand or driven into the ground. The post supports the panels in an upright position as well as connecting them together to form a structure.
Other prior art panels have been attached to the post or directly to each other through the use of a bolt-on clamping bracket. Arguably, this kind of connection may be more secure, however, the time necessary to bolt the panels to the post make the assembly and disassembly process relatively time consuming. In addition, although the typically large attachment rings on the framework of these panels are efficient for installation purposes, those large rings exacerbate the problems of handling and storage, such as by spacing the panels from each other when stacked in storage.
Rather than chain link, panels may also be constructed of welded wire mesh attached to the tubular framework. In some cases, the welded wire mesh has one or more horizontal bends in the surface to stiffen the mesh instead of the horizontal tubular framing members. This alternative design, combining stiffening horizontal bends with vertical tubular framing members, may reduce some of the material cost but has little or no impact on the handling and storage problem mentioned above, given that the stacking thickness of the panel is still typically determined by the dimensions of the tubular members.
Although theoretically these panels of welded wire mesh with horizontal stiffening bends and/or horizontal framing members may be fixed directly to the posts by a bolted clamping bracket or similar means, the additional labor for installing these clamps and the requisite precision in spacing the posts has not made this a viable option for temporary fence applications.