An automatic soldering apparatus for soldering a printed circuit board includes a plurality of electronic elements mounted thereon to be soldered thereto. The apparatus is structured to have a first station provided with a first outer opening for enabling the printed circuit board to be transported therethrough into a heating chamber so as to be soldered therein and further provided with a first inner opening, a second station provided with a second outer opening for enabling the soldered printed circuit board to be transported therethrough out of the heating chamber, and further provided with a second inner opening, and a duct having one end opening and an opposite end opening, the one end opening being connected to the first inner opening of the first station and the opposite end opening being connected to the second inner opening of the second station, the areas of the first inner opening the one end opening being larger than the area of the first outer opening, and the areas of the second inner opening and the opposite end opening being larger than the area of the second outer opening.

The present invention relates to an automatic reflow soldering apparatus for soldering a printed circuit board having a plurality of electronic elements mounted thereon to be soldered thereto by use of a heated inert gas, and more particularly relates to such apparatus which is easily responsive to mild and rapid flows of the inert gas in the apparatus to prevent the inert gas from flowing out of the apparatus to thereby remarkably reduce the wasteful consumption of the inert gas.
According to the conventional automatic soldering apparatus, the printed circuit board has been soldered by a molten solder in the air containing much oxygen. In this method, the solder and the electronic elements to be soldered to the printed circuit board are exposed to the oxygen in a high temperature and therefore the soldered portions and the molten solder are easily oxidized. As the result, it has been very difficult to attain a sufficient soldering effect. It has been often required to take a troublesome work such as to remove the residues from the soldered printed circuit board.
Recently the electronic elements have been very small and the leads accordingly have been very fine and therefore a small defect such as the oxidization of soldered portions will decrease the reliability of the electronic goods.
For the purpose of solving such a problem, there has been proposed an automatic soldering apparatus in which the solder and the printed circuit board having the electronic elements mounted thereon are heated up to a high temperature in an inert gas such as the nitrogen gas so that the soldered portions and the molten solder will not be oxidized.
The inert gas such as the nitrogen gas to be employed in the apparatus of this kind is expensive, and it is required to tightly close up the apparatus so as to reduce the leaks of the inert gas from the apparatus to a minimum.
On the other hand, it is inevitable that such apparatus will transport the printed circuit board thereinto and transport the soldered printed circuit board out of apparatus. Regarding the automatic soldering apparatus, it has been very difficult to prevent the inert gas from flowing out of the apparatus at the openings through which the printed circuit board is transported into and out, of the apparatus. Actually it has been a observed that a higher amount of inert gas leaks from the apparatus uneconomically.
In short, it is generally known that the automatic reflow soldering apparatus, by way of example, is under control such that the temperature is progressively higher in a plurality of chambers, that is, from a preheating chamber to a reflow soldering chamber. Since the gas density is lighter in a higher temperature and is heavier in a lower temperature, the inert gas will constantly flow from the place of a lower temperature to the place of higher temperature. This flow of inert gas due to the difference of temperatures will cause the gas leak at the exit of the printed circuit board in the soldering apparatus.
Further the gas leak at the exit will cause the outer air to flow into the apparatus at the entrance of the printed circuit board in the apparatus resulting in a dilution of the inert gas within the apparatus and lowering the oxidization resistant effect. It is therefore apparent that a desired soldering effect can not be attained.
The flow of the inert gas from the chamber of a lower temperature to the chamber of a higher temperature is not always constant. The flow is more or less varied due to the soldering conditions in the automatic soldering apparatus. Such a slight change of the flow will cause the inert gas to leak from the entrance or the exit of the apparatus.
As is generally known, the automatic soldering apparatus has a ventilator provided in each of the preheating chambers and also in the reflow soldering chamber for the purpose of circulating the highly heated inert gas from up to down so that the inert gas may be blown to the upper surface of the printed circuit board to be soldered. The inert gas blown against the upper surface of the printed circuit board will partly flow in the opposite directions as the printed circuit board is transported. This further results in increasing the leaks of the inert gas.
Further just when the printed circuit board is transported at the entrance into the blown and circulated inert gas in the preheating chamber, a part of the inert gas will rapidly flow toward the entrance along the upper surface of the printed circuit board, and flows out of the entrance and is thus consumed. The same consumption phenomenon is caused when the print circuit board is transported out of a cooling chamber. Namely a part of the inert gas will rapidly flow out of the exit of the soldering apparatus.
A device has been proposed to increase the supply the inert gas to increase the pressure in the soldering apparatus so as to prevent the air from flowing into the apparatus. Such a method will require a considerable amount of inert gas and is not economical. In fact, such a method may be effective to maintain a constant flow of inert gas in the direction from the chamber of a lower temperature to the chamber of a higher temperature, but is not enough to control the rapid change of the inert gas flow.
Actually from the economical reason, a device is required to adjust the supplied amount of inert gas so as to reduce the consumption of inert gas to a minimum which may flow out of the soldering apparatus. However the device will not sufficiently respond to the influence of a strong outer air flow into the soldering apparatus at the entrance or the exit thereof through which the printed circuit board is transported into or out of the apparatus. This will adversely influence the soldering effect of the printed circuit board.
The present invention has been provided to eliminate the defects and disadvantages of the prior art. It is the principal object of the invention to provide a duct which has a front end opening and a rear end opening which are connected to a front station and a rear station of a soldering apparatus respectively through which the printed circuit board is transported into and out of the soldering apparatus, the areas of the front and rear openings of the duct being larger than the areas of the entrance and the exit of the soldering apparatus, so that the pressures within the front and rear stations may be constantly maintained equal to thereby prevent unnecessary flows of the inert gas and to thereby prevent the inert gas from flowing out of the entrance and the exit of the soldering apparatus.
It is another object of the invention to provide a first inert gas supplying device on the side of the front end of the duct and a second inert gas supplying device on the side of the rear end of the duct so as to control the amount of inert gas to be supplied into the front and rear stations of the soldering apparatus in response to the change of air flows therein, to thereby control the flow of inert gas in the soldering apparatus and thus to remarkably reduce the consumption of inert gas.
It is still another object of the invention to supply the inert gas through the duct into the front station or into the rear station when the inert gas in the preheating chamber flows rapidly to the entrance of the printed circuit board or when the inert gas in the cooling chamber flows rapidly to the exit of the print circuit board to thereby control the rapid flows of inert gas in the soldering apparatus and to thereby prevent the inert gas from flowing out of the soldering apparatus at the entrance and the exit thereof and further to thereby reduce the change of inert gas density to a minimum in the soldering apparatus, and thus to maintain the effective soldering performance of the apparatus and simultaneously to reduce the consumption of the inert gas.

Automatic reflow apparatus with pressure equalization means


Apparatus for detecting thermal radiation emanating from two different intracranial depths in a patient includes a dual-mode transducer having a working surface for placement against a patient's cranium. The transducer includes a first antenna with an aperture adjacent the working surface that first antenna being tuned to a first frequency and producing a first output signal indicative of thermal radiation received within an antenna pattern extending a selected first distance from the working surface and a second antenna having a second aperture adjacent to the working surface within the first aperture. The second antenna is tuned to a second frequency and produces a second output signal indicative of thermal radiation received within an antenna pattern extending a selected second distance from the working surface, the second distance being shorter than the first distance. The two output signals are coupled to a receiver/control unit which thereupon monitors and displays the temperature at the two intracranial depths.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to temperature monitoring apparatus using microwave radiometry. It relates more particularly to apparatus for non-invasively and reliably detecting and monitoring the temperature of target brain tissue especially in neonatal patients.
2. Background Information
Hypoxic-ischemia or asphyxia is a serious problem in newborns. Lack of an adequate supply of oxygenated blood to the brain may result in serious brain injury called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). It is estimated that HIE occurs in about 3-9 newborns out of 1,000 term infants. About half of these infants with HIE (range of 35-50%) will die or suffer from severe handicaps such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy.
At the present time, beyond the initial care given to the newborn in the delivery room to provide artificial breathing or medications, there is no standard care to lessen HIE. Multi-centered trials are currently underway in the United States and elsewhere to measure the safety and efficacy of hypothermia in reducing brain injury events following periods of low oxygen to the brain. The objective is to cool the brain by 4-33° with an accuracy of about 0.20° C. Sorely needed, then, is a non-invasive sensor which can reliably detect and monitor temperature of the target brain tissue.
Currently, trials effecting hypothermic cooling of the head or systemic hypothermia utilize rectal temperature as an indirect index of the infant's brain temperature. However, while performing hypothermia, it is necessary not only to control brain temperature but also to control the rate of cooling, as well as the rate to re-warm the brain. Such close control cannot be maintained by measuring temperature at a remote site such as the rectum.
It is also possible to measure deep brain temperature non-invasively using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, but the cost and feasibility are big problems with this approach considering the need for continuous 72-hour thermal monitoring of each newborn in a ferromagnetic-free environment, followed by a 16-24 hour re-warming period, bringing the total time for each hypothermia procedure to about 96 hours.
The monitoring of axillary esophageal and nasopharyngeal temperatures to indicate intracranial temperature has also been considered. However, these areas like the rectal area are slow in indicating thermal trends in the brain.
There are also available devices based on infrared (IR) technology which may be placed in the ear. The tympanic membrane temperature is considered a more reliable indicator of brain temperature than oral or rectal readings because it is closer to the brain. However, these so-called tympanic devices, although relatively inexpensive, are still not considered sufficiently accurate for this application. This is because such devices show an inability to deliver an accurate temperature reading for various reasons such as wax and moisture in the ear which are absorptive at IR frequencies. Also, such devices actually measure radiation from the ear canal wall and the environment within the ear canal resulting in a lower temperature reading than would be obtained from the tympanic membrane itself. Still further, the available IR devices are physically large and therefore not suited for the ear of a neonatal patient who, as noted above, may require continuous monitoring for many hours. Finally, commercially available IR devices do not read below 34° C., while the preferred temperature range for intracranial cooling is 32.8-33.0° C.
In sum, the prior apparatus are disadvantaged in that they do not measure the brain parenchymal tissue directly but rather rely on indirect temperature measurements on other parts of the body and they do not also measure the surface temperature at the cranium thereby allowing the patient's skin to be over-cooled during the hypothermic treatment.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide apparatus for reliably detecting and monitoring brain temperature at depth as well as near surface temperature directly but non-invasively during long-term hypothermic treatment to reduce the incidence of brain injury particularly in neonates.

Dual mode intracranial temperature detector


A fracture extending away from a first subterranean well and toward a second subterranean well may be initiated by pumping fluid into the first subterranean well. The fracture may be propagated further towards the second subterranean well by continuing to pump fluid into the first subterranean well, while monitoring a pressure in the second subterranean well. Proppant may be pumped into the second subterranean well via the first subterranean well and the fracture upon detection of a change in the monitored pressure in the second subterranean well. The change in monitored pressure in the second subterranean well may be sufficient to indicate that the first and second wells are in fluid communication and interacting via the fracture.

Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. This provides a partial flowpath for the hydrocarbon to reach the surface. The hydrocarbon is "produced," or travels from the formation to the wellbore (and ultimately to the surface), via a sufficiently unimpeded flowpath from the formation to the wellbore.
Hydraulic fracturing is a tool for improving well productivity by placing or extending channels from the wellbore to the formation. This operation comprises hydraulically injecting a fracturing fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, thus forcing the fracturing fluid against the formation strata by pressure. The formation strata or rock is thus forced to crack and fracture. Proppant may then be placed in the fracture to prevent the fracture from closing.


A tool for fixing a chainwheel to a crank arm assembly of the type wherein a crank axle mounting section of a crank arm mounts to an end of a crank axle. The crank axle mounting section includes a threaded outer surface, and a nut is provided for fixing the chainwheel to the crank axle mounting section. The nut includes a plurality of nut splines disposed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and a threaded inner peripheral surface for meshing with the threaded outer surface of the crank axle mounting section. The tool includes a tool-mount member shaped to be held and turned by a second tool, wherein the tool-mount member defines an opening for receiving the crank axle therethrough. An operating member is formed as one-piece with the tool-mount member and has a plurality of splines extending from an inside surface thereof for meshing with the plurality of nut splines. An auxiliary tool having first and second ends has a grip section disposed in close proximity to the first end, wherein the grip section has a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of an end of the crank axle. A support section adjacent to the grip section has a diameter less than a diameter of the opening of the tool-mount member so that the support section is fitted within the opening.

The present invention is directed to bicycle drive components and, more particularly, to a tool for assembling a crank arm to a crank axle.
In conventional mounting mechanisms for the crank arms and crank axle in a bicycle, both ends of the crank axle are shaped into essentially square columns, a square hole is made in each crank arm, and the two are fitted together to fasten the crank arm onto the axle. The precision of centering afforded by the conventional mechanism for fitting together the crank arms and the crank axle is inadequate, and the strength of the linkage in the direction of rotation is inadequate as well. The problem of inadequate linkage strength is particularly notable where an aluminum alloy hollow pipe structure has been adopted for the crank axle, or where an aluminum alloy hollow structure has been adopted for the crank arms in order to reduce weight.

Bicycle crank arm parts/assembly and assembly tools


An intake system of an engine is provided, including a first passage provided to an engine bay, for leading fresh air to the engine, a second passage branched from a branching part at an intermediate location of the first passage, and extending toward a cabin, and an intake noise increasing device provided to the second passage, and configured to increase intake pressure in response to an intake air pressure wave. The intake noise increasing device has a cylindrical bellows part configured to expand and contract in a cylindrical axis direction, and a vibrating membrane formed integrally with the bellows part to close a first opening of the bellows part. The second passage has an introducing passage section connected to a second opening of the bellows part, and extending toward the branching part, and the introducing passage section is disposed so as to be lowered while separating from the bellows part.

Some vehicles are provided with an intake noise increasing device which intentionally increases intake noise of an engine mounted in an engine bay, and propagates the intake noise into a cabin. A driver who operates the vehicle provided with such an intake noise increasing device can acquire the satisfaction of controlling the vehicle from the aspect of hearing a sound effect caused according to accelerator operation.
JP2012-007502A discloses a vehicle provided with an intake noise increasing device. The intake noise increasing device disclosed in JP2012-007502A has a cylindrical bellows part which can be expanded and contracted in the cylindrical axis direction, and a vibrating membrane formed integrally with the bellows part so as to close one of the openings of the bellows part. Further, the other opening of the bellows part in the intake noise increasing device is connected to an introducing passage section which is branched from the intake passage and used as a fresh air passage to the engine. A deriving passage section released toward the cabin is connected to the side of the intake noise increasing device where the vibrating membrane is formed.
The technology disclosed in JP2012-007502A widens the band of the intake noise propagated to the cabin by offsetting the piping centers of the introducing passage section and the deriving passage section from the center of the vibrating membrane in a direction along the principal surface of the vibrating membrane.
However, since the intake noise increasing device is mounted in an engine bay, condensation may form inside the intake noise increasing device according to a change in temperature inside the engine bay between an engine start and an engine stop. When condensation forms inside the intake noise increasing device, the condensation may adhere to the bellows part and the vibrating membrane. When the condensation adheres to the vibrating membrane, etc., the vibrating membrane vibrates less easily because of the influence of the mass of the condensation. Therefore, the frequency of the intake noise propagated to the cabin is deviated from a given designed frequency, and the noise volume decreases as well.


An invention is provided for a low write current MRAM. Each MRAM cell includes a word line and a bit line. A magnetic device is disposed at the intersection of the word line and the bit line. Disposed at either end of the magnetic device is a writing magnet. The pair of writing magnets switches a magnetic alignment of the magnetic device during a write operation. In aspect, the pair of writing magnets and the magnetic device can be aligned along a long axis of the memory cell, which generally is not aligned with either the word line or the bit line.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computer storage and more particularly to a low current magnetic random access memory using a write magnet.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of personal computers has expanded remarkably in recent years. As such, long-term computer data storage devices, such as hard disk, have become increasingly important to computer users. To keep up with demand for improved long-term computer data storage, Magnetic Random Access Memory ("MRAM") has been developed. MRAM is a non-volatile memory that can be utilized for long-term data storage. MRAM devices perform read and write operations orders of magnitude faster than can be performed using conventional long-term storage devices such as hard drives. In addition, MRAM devices are more compact and consume less power than other conventional long term storage devices.
A typical MRAM device includes an array of memory cells. Word lines extend along rows of the memory cells, and bit lines extend along columns of the memory cells. Each memory cell is located at a cross point of a word line and a bit line. A memory cell stores a bit of information as an orientation of a magnetization. The magnetization orientation of each memory cell assumes one of two stable orientations at any given time. These two stable orientations, parallel and anti-parallel, represent logic values of "1" and "0. " Supplying a current to a word line and a bit line crossing a selected memory cell changes the magnetization orientation of a selected memory cell by creating two orthogonal magnetic fields that, when combined, switch the magnetization orientation of the selected memory cell from parallel to anti-parallel or vice versa.
However, switching of the memory cells is not always reliable. Sometimes, the combined magnetic fields might not cause a memory cell to switch reliably from parallel to anti-parallel, or vice-versa. This problem is typically solved by increasing crystal anisotropy, coercivity or aspect ratio of the memory cells.
However, increasing the crystal anisotropy, coercivity or aspect ratio leads to another problem: the amount of current for switching the memory cells is increased. Increasing the amount of current increases the amount of power consumed by the MRAM device. In addition, increasing the amount of current requires larger bit lines, word lines, and write circuits to handle the higher currents, resulting in a larger, more expensive, MRAM device.
Therefore, a need exists to improve reproducibility or reliability of switching MRAM devices without increasing the switching current.

Method and apparatus for a low write current MRAM having a write magnet


A method of automatically sending a pertinent software update to a user of an executable software application is disclosed. The method includes storing a plurality of software updates for the software application and ranking the pertinence of the individual software updates. At least one pertinent software update is selected from the plurality of software updates based on the ranking of the pertinence of the software update and automatically sent to the user.

It is often necessary to update a software application with a software patch or a bulletin explaining how to use the software application. A software application provider may develop updates for a software application on its own initiative or at the request of a user of the application. After developing the update, the application provider may send the update to a user. Sending an update to a user generally has been a reactive process, such that the update is only sent to the user after the user requests it, or after the user reports a problem with the application.


A pile guide has a collar with a void therein. A planar flange extends from a side of the collar. A first guide and a second guide form opposing guides constructed and arranged for receiving the planar flange of the pile guide therein. The planar flange is in a slidable relationship within the opposing guides, and the bracket is constructed and arranged for mounting to a dock. The opposing guides pivot relative to the dock during installation and allow pivoting of the pile guide relative to the dock or other mounting. The distance and angle of the collar relative to the dock or other mounting can be adjusted to accommodate for positioning of pile guides due to positioning of piles relative to a dock or other structure.

Floating docks are used to provide dockage for vessels. Floating docks accommodate for changes in water levels by floating in water. Piles driven into the earth are used to hold the dock in horizontal position. Pile guides are affixed to the dock that allow vertical movement of the dock but prevent substantial horizontal movement of the dock.
Piles are typically not driven with precision. There is a need for a pile guide that can be adjusted to accommodate for the variable distance of the piles from the dock.


Pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed which effectively treat the symptoms of hypersensitivity diseases without irritation. The pharmaceutical compositions are complexes of at least one leukotriene receptor antagonist and at least one antihistamine. The complexes can be formulated in low viscosity solutions for administering to an individual as an aerosol or drops or through intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injection. Alternatively, the complexes can be formulated in high viscosity creams for topical delivery to the skin or ocular environment.

Immediate hypersensitivity diseases, including asthma, hay fever, and allergic conjunctivitis are associated with a variety of unpleasant symptoms including tearing, inflammation, and breathing difficulty. The physiological mechanisms which promote these symptoms are similar for all hypersensitivity diseases and generally are initiated by environmental antigens. Patients suffering from the effects of hypersensitivity diseases are predisposed to specific external antigens. When these antigens contact certain tissues such as ocular, nasal, or lung tissues, these tissues become sensitized and produce undesirable and frequently life-threatening symptoms.
Allergic conjunctivitis in particular can be an extremely debilitating disease for children. While the response to allergic conjunctivitis may be limited to mild tearing and red-eyes, the much more severe form of vernal conjunctivitis is very common among children with this disease. Vernal conjunctivitis produces such serious responses as severely swollen eyelids, and extremely irritated and itching eyes to the point where it adversely effects the quality and the way of life of those having the disease. The discomfort is frequently so great that children suffering from the vernal conjunctivitis are unable to sleep or participate in school activities.
Traditionally, the preferred treatment for hypersensitivity diseases has involved the use of antihistamines. Unfortunately, antihistamines alone do not entirely abolish the adverse symptoms of these diseases and more efficacious forms of therapy are needed, particularly for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Other treatment forms have found limited success but each of them has associated disadvantages as well.
Among these treatment forms are vasoconstrictors which take away the red eye component of allergic conjunctivitis. These are limited in their usefulness because once they are discontinued the symptoms reappear in a more severe form. These drugs are unpopular with physicians largely due to this rebound phenomenon. Another drug which has received attention for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is disodium cromoglycate, a mast cell stabilizer. Disodium cromoglycate has received regulatory approval for at least one indication; however, it has not proven to be particularly efficacious. Alternatively, glucocorticoids provide relief from the symptoms of hypersensitivity diseases, yet physicians are reluctant to prescribe them because of their side effects.
Researchers and clinicians have long known the importance of both a histaminergic component and a nonhistaminergic component to hypersensitivity diseases. Antihistamines serve as antagonists for the mediators of the histaminergic component; however, it is now generally accepted that to effectively treat these diseases mediators of both components must be suppressed.
A class of compounds known as leukotrienes are known to mediate the nonhistaminergic component, but it was not until the early 1980's that researchers were able to isolate and identify these compounds. Since then a large number of possible leukotriene antagonists have been identified, synthesized, and tested. In Synthesis and Structure--Activity Relationship Studies of a Series of 5-Aryl-4,6-dithianonanedioic Acids and Related Compounds: A Novel Class of Leukotriene Antagonists, J. Med. Chem. 29, 1442-1452, 1986, Perchonock, et al. discuss the leukotriene antagonist activity of the title compounds. Similarly in Communications to the Editor, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 30. 959-961, 1987, Gleason, et al. disclose the high affinity leukotriene receptor antagonist activity of 2-hydroxy-3-[(2-carboxymethyl)thio]-3-[-2-(8-phenyloctyl)phenyl]propanoic acid.
When these leukotriene antagonists are tested in animal models they do, in fact, partially block the adverse symptoms associated with hypersensitivity diseases. Furthermore when an antihistamine and a leukotriene antagonist are both administered to sensitized animals, the combination results in a near complete suppression of the symptoms. The test results confirm the theory that if both the histaminergic mediator and nonhistaminergic mediator of the hypersensitivity disease are effectively antagonized, the treatment is more efficacious than blocking a single mediator.
Unfortunately, the above leukotriene receptor antagonists have proven to be extreme tissue irritants. This irritating characteristic is attributed to long chain carboxylate functionalities which give the compounds a detergent like structure. This precludes the utility of these compounds for direct application to the eye, nasal, or bronchial passages. It is further known that the insoluble zinc and poorly soluble calcium salts of leukotriene antagonists are less irritating, because it is believed they do not ionize to form the detergent-like free carboxylate functionalities. However, these salts are not as effective at treating the nonhistaminergic component of hypersensitivity diseases and are incompatible with the soluble antihistamine hydrochlorides which are effective in blocking the histaminergic component. Thus, for purposes of providing a complete formulation for safely and effectively blocking both the histaminergic and nonhistaminergic components of hypersensitivity diseases, the insoluble salts in combination with an antihistamine do not provide a workable solution.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an effective pharmaceutical composition which significantly suppresses the adverse symptoms associated with hypersensitivity diseases.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a single formulation pharmaceutical composition for effectively treating hypersensitivity diseases without causing irritation of ocular, nasal or lung tissue.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions which can be conveniently administered in a variety of delivery forms for the effective treatment of hypersensitivity diseases.

Leukotriene receptor antagonist and antihistamine complex pharmaceutical compositions


Techniques are described for retrieving data stored in disparate datastores that support different or heterogeneous storage systems. A report description may be received from a user, the report description including multiple query templates for generating queries to retrieve data from the disparate datastores. The report description may be analyzed to determine input parameters for generating the queries. A user interface may be dynamically generated to solicit input values corresponding to the input parameters. On receiving the input values, the system may generate and execute the queries of the query plan, and combine the results based on result combination information included in the report description.

Commercial enterprises and other organizations often store large amounts of data related to their operations. In some cases, an online business may store terabytes, petabytes, exabytes, or more of data describing products, sale transactions, customers, vendors, online activities of customers, and so forth. Identifying and retrieving desired data from such a large quantity of stored data may be problematic. In particular, data retrieval may be a challenge in environments where data is stored in multiple storage systems that employ different storage formats or technologies.
Certain implementations and embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which various aspects are shown. However, various aspects may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Data retrieval from heterogeneous storage systems


An optical sensing device uses a set of source mirrors directing light from a set of light sources to a movable collector mirror. Each of the light sources has a unique wavelength. The collector mirror is coupled to a MEMS actuator that moves the collector mirror in response to a physical phenomena. A light collector gathers light from the collector mirror and the physical phenomena can be measured by determining the relative intensity associated with each of the light sources in the light gathered at the collector.

Sensing devices are used in a wide range of technologies. Most automated mechanical and electrical apparatus include some sort of sensing capability. Particularly prevalent are sensors that can be read electronically. In many applications, such sensors provide electrical inputs used as feedback for control circuitry.
Electronic sensors are used to measure all manner of physical phenomena such as temperature, pressure, acceleration, voltage, electromagnetic fields, etc. The variety and adaptability of electronic sensors have resulted in such sensors being utilized in a wide assortment of products.
Some sensing applications pose more difficult challenges than others. For example in aeronautic and space applications, sensors are subjected to extremes of temperature, mechanical and electrical shock, electromagnetic interference, radiation, pressure, acceleration, etc. Also, the volatile fuels used in jet aircraft and rockets require that any sensors used in fuel areas must be carefully designed to prevent electrostatic discharge.
Sensors that are immune from risk of electrostatic discharge are very desirable in many fields, including aerospace and scientific fields. Although sensors for explosive or extreme environments have been developed, the design, manufacture, and testing of such sensors results in the devices being very expensive.
An apparatus and method that address the aforementioned problems, as well as other related problems, are therefore desirable.

Method and apparatus for MEMS optical sensing using micromirrors


A toolless video balun is disclosed to include a bottom cover shell covered with a top cover shell to hold a circuit board and a BNC connector, two metal terminals bonded to the circuit board with the respective sharp-edged top metal holder portions respectively inserted into respective insertion slot in a terminal block at the top cover shell, and a pressure cap pivoted to the top cover shell for holding down electrical wires of a network line in wire grooves in the terminal block for causing the metal holder portions of the metal terminals to make contact with conductors of the electrical wires of the network line respectively.

The present invention relates to a video balun and more particularly, to a toolless video balun that allows quick connection to a network line without tools, and assures positive positioning of the BNC connector in between the top cover shell and the bottom cover shell.
For long distance transmission (about 100˜200 foot) of audio/video signal or data to prevent common-mode interference, the most economic way is to transmit signal in a balanced manner through a network line of impedance about 120-ohm between the two sides. However, a regular signal source is a balanced signal of impedance about 75-ohm. Therefore, the signal must be converted from 75-ohm into 120-ohm before transmission. In this case, an impedance converter is used to convert the 75-ohm of the signal into 120-ohm, and then a video balun is used to convert the unbalanced signal into a balanced signal for output. A video balun for this purpose is known its one side provided with a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (hereinafter referred as BNC) connector for connection to an electronic video camera, monitor, video apparatus or the like, and its opposite side provided with two metal terminals for the connection of the two electrical wires of a network line. Before connection, a cutting tool must be used to cut the insulation of the two electrical wires of the network line, and then the conductors of the electrical wires are respectively fastened to the metal terminals of the video balun with a respective screw or directly bonded to the metal terminals with a solder material. This network line mounting procedure consumes much labor and time.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a toolless video balun, which allows quick connection to a network line without tools. According to one aspect of the present invention, the toolless video balun comprises a bottom cover shell covered with a top cover shell to hold a circuit board and a BNC connector, two metal terminals bonded to the circuit board with the respective sharp-edged top metal holder portions respectively inserted into respective insertion slot in a terminal block at the top cover shell, and a pressure cap pivoted to the top cover shell for holding down electrical wires of a network line in wire grooves in the terminal block for causing the sharp-edged top metal holder portions of the metal terminals to make contact with conductors of the electrical wires of the network line respectively.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the bottom cover shell and the top cover shell each comprise a semicircular flange. The semicircular flange of the top cover shell and the semicircular flange of the bottom cover shell are abutted against each other to hold the BNC connector firmly in place. The BNC connector has a cylindrical block disposed at its one end and set in between the semicircular flange of the top cover shell and the semicircular flange of the bottom cover shell. Further, the semicircular flange of the bottom cover shell has two engagement ribs protruding from its top wall and symmetrically disposed at two sides, and a flat surface portion disposed e between the two engagement ribs. The cylindrical block of the BNC connector has a flat bottom wall supported on the flat surface portion of the semicircular flange of the bottom cover shell, and a locating groove extending around the periphery and forced into engagement with the engagement ribs of the semicircular flange of the bottom cover shell.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the pressure cap has one end pivoted to the top cover shell and the other end provided with at least one retaining block, and the bottom cover shell has at least one retaining hole at its one end for receiving the at least one retaining block of the pressure cap when the pressure cap is closed on the top cover shell to hold down the inserted electrical wires in the sharp-edged top metal holder portions of the metal terminals.


The invention relates to a peptide or fragment thereof which is immunochemically reactive with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antibodies. A new monoclonal antibody directed to said peptide or fragment thereof is also part of the invention. The invention also relates to a method for the detection of EBV or anti-EBV antibodies in a test fluid and also to an immunochemical reagent comprising a peptide, a fragment or a polypeptide according to the invention and a test kit to be used when applying the said detection methods. Detection of EBV in a test fluid or tissue specimen using antibodies, monoclonal and polyclonal; directed to the said peptide, which have the characteristics of detecting both native and denatured intact, functional EBNA-1 protein is also part of said invention.

EBV is an ubiquitous human herpes virus that was first discovered in association with the African (endemic or e) form of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). Subsequently the virus was also found associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and was shown to be the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis (IM). Infection usually occurs during early childhood, generally resulting in a subclinical manifestation, occasionally with mild symptoms. Infection during adolescence or adulthood, however, can give rise to IM characterized by the presence of atypical lymphocytes in the periphery. The bulk of these lymphocytes are T lymphocytes; however, included in their number are a small population of B lymphocytes infected by EBV. The infection of B lymphocytes may also be accomplished in vitro. Such cells become transformed and proliferate indefinitely in culture and have been referred to as "immortalized", "latently infected" or "growth transformed". As far as is known, all individuals who become infected with EBV remain latently infected for life. This is reflected by the lifelong continuous presence of small numbers of EBV-genome positive transformed B-cells among the circulating peripheral blood lymphocytes and the continual but periodic shedding of virus in the oropharynx.
In the vast majority of cases EBV infection results in a lymphoproliferative disease that may be temporarily debilitating, but is always benign and self-limiting. In certain immunosuppressed individuals, however, the result can be full-blown malignancy. This occurs in individuals who are immuno-suppressed intentionally, particularly children receiving organ transplants who are treated with cyclosporine A, or opportunistically, as in the case with individuals infected with HIV, or genetically, as in the case of affected males carrying the XLP (x-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome) gene. In these cases the resulting malignancies derive from the polyclonal proliferation of EBV-infected B cells. In addition, in such patients uncontrolled epithelial replication of the virus is detectable in lesions of oral hairy leukoplakia. Thus, the immune response plays a central role in the control of EBV infection.
The presence of EBV in cells or tissues can be demonstrated by detection of the viral genome or demonstration of the EBNA-1 protein, the sole latency associated protein product that is universally expressed in EBV-infected cells.
As mentioned above EBV is a member of the herpesviruses. It possesses the following structural properties:
The EBV genome consists of a linear double stranded DNA molecule (172,000 basepairs). PA1 The virion consists of a core (proteins and DNA), surrounded by an icosahedral capsid, and a membrane envelope enclosing the capsid. The icosahedral capsid is built up of hexameric and pentameric capsomeres. The membrane envelope consists of a protein/lipid bilayer membrane with spikes on its outer surface. The space between the capsid shell and the envelope is filled with amorphous protein, called the tegument. PA1 Like all herpesviruses, EBV is capable of establishing a latent life-long infection in its host subsequent to primary infection. This latency represents a perfect balance between EBV and its human host, controlled by the hosts immune system. PA1 A. The group of antigens which are expressed during a state of latency (EBNAs and LMPs). PA1 B. The group of antigens which are responsible for genome activation and initial induction of viral replication (IEA). PA1 C. The group of antigens which are induced by IEA-gene products and which are required for replication of viral DNA; these antigens are mostly viral enzymes (EA). PA1 D. The group of antigens which are structural components of the viral particle and are expressed late in the viral replication cycle (VCA), after initiation of viral DNA-synthesis. PA1 E. The group of antigens which are expressed in the cell membrane of the infected cell (MA). PA1 a) condensation of a compound (amino acid, peptide) with a free carboxyl group and protected other reactive groups with a compound (amino acid, peptide) with a free amino group and protected other reactive groups, in the presence of a condensation agent; PA1 b) condensation of a compound (amino acid, peptide) with an activated carboxyl group and free or protected other reaction groups with a compound (amino acid, peptide) with a free amino group and free or protected other reactive groups.
To date most biochemical and biological studies have been performed on three prototype strains of EBV, being B95-8 (transforming virus produced in a marmoset cell line), P3HR1 (non-transforming virus produced by a Burkitt's lymphoma tumor cell line) and Raji (latent virus in a Burkitt's lymphoma tumor cell line).
During the last few years the entire DNA sequence of prototype virus strain, B95-8, has been determined. Analysis of this sequence has resulted in the identification of more than 80 open reading frames (Baer et al., 1984, Nature 310, p. 207-211).
The biology of EBV poses a special problem to investigators because its biological characteristics (latent infection) do not lend itself to the classic virus analysis. Furthermore, its cell and host range are effectively limited to human (and those of a few higher primates) B-lymphocytes and epithelial cells which are generally not amenable to culture in vitro. In addition, the absence of a fully permissive cell type, one in which the virus lytically replicates, has severely limited the ability to produce large amounts of the virus.
DNA molecules of B95-8, P3HR1-- and Raji-isolates have been the prototypes for detailed restriction endonuclease mapping, and for cloning into Escherichia coli (E.coli) plasmids and in bacteriophage lambda, and for nucleotide sequencing.
The EBV genome consists of a single double stranded DNA molecule made up of unique and tandemly repeated DNA elements. Each end of the DNA molecule contains multiple terminal sequences which permit covalently linking and circularization of the genome. In virus particles the EBV-genome is only detectable in a linear form. On the contrary, it exists as a circular episome inside the nucleus of latently infected cells, and occasionally becomes integrated into the host cell chromosomes.
The internal repeat sequences, IR1 to IR4, separate the EBV-genome into 5 unique regions. The U2 and U3 regions vary extensively among different EBV isolates and, the former being almost entirely deleted in the P3HR-1 strain of EBV.
The nomenclature for EBV reading frames is based on their position in the virus genome. The names begins with the initials of the BamH1 or EcoR1 restriction fragment where expression begins. The third letter in the name is L or R, depending or whether the expression is leftward or rightward on the standard map. (So BLLF2 is the second leftward reading frame starting in BamH1 restriction fragment L.).
The serological classification of virus antigens in the production cycle of EBV is based on different fluorescence techniques.
Antigens specifically detected by means of the anti-complement immunofluorescence technique in the nucleus of fixed latently infected B-cells (e.g. Raji-cells) are classified as Epstein-Barr nuclear antigens (EBNA).
Upon activation of viral gene expression by chemical or viral factors a class of early antigens (EA) is detected whose synthesis is not blocked by inhibition of viral DNA synthesis. Dependent on the type of fixative used (Methanol or Acetone) two distinct sets of EA are detectable, EA.sub.R and EA.sub.D. EA is detectable by indirect immunofluorescence in the cytoplasm and nucleus of induced cells. Following onset of viral DNA-synthesis (and depending upon it) virus structural proteins (VCA) are synthesized which are detectable by indirect immunofluorescence in the cytoplasm and nucleus of virus producer cells (e.g. P.sub.3 HR.sub.1 cells). On the surface of viable infected cells, induced for virus production a set of antigens (MA) is detectable by indirect immunofluorescence. These antigens can also be found on the viral envelope and are important targets for virus neutralization.
Detection of EBV-specific antibodies in human sera can routinely be performed by serological techniques as described by Heule and Heule (Human Pathology, 5, 551-565, 1974).
Based upon biochemical and immunofluorescence data it is possible to distinguish five different classes of antigen molecules. The different viral polypeptides are designated by their molecular weight, and no common nomenclature has been established for all EBV proteins in order to allow their unique description.
The five different groups of antigens are:
Epstein-Barr nuclear antigens (EBNA)
The Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA-1), encoded in the BKRF 1, reading frame, is the only EBV-encoded protein expressed universally in all latently infected and tumor-associated cells in vivo and in vitro and forms an important target molecule for studying the mechanisms of DNA replication and gene activation.
EBNA-1 was identified by immunoblotting and radioimmunoelectrophoresis in EBV-positive but not in three EBV-negative cell lines, utilizing four EBV-positive human sera in comparison with two EBV-negative human sera. The antigens identified had different molecular weights in the different cell lines analyzed, ranging from 65,000 to 73,000. A complement-fixing antigen had been partially purified more than 200 times and was found to co-purify with the 65-kDa EBNA identified by immunoblotting. Since EBNA is defined by anti-complement immunofluorescence (ACIF), it was suggested that the 65-kDa antigen was a major component of EBNA.
The EBNA gene was mapped by transfecting mouse cells with the cloned BamHI K restriction enzyme fragment of EBV DNA. The transfection of a mouse fibroblast line with this fragment, together with a dominant selectable marker, led to the stable expression of a nuclear antigen identified in ACIF with EBNA-positive, but not EBNA-negative human sera. In a subsequent study it was found that Bam K-transfected cells expressed a 78-kDa polypeptide that co-migrated with the EBNA-1 polypeptide of B95-8 cells.
More recent studies have revealed an immunodominant region within the glycine-alanine repeat region, usually referred to as p62 or p107, which is strongly reactive with human sera. This gly--ala fragment however was shown to be contained within normal human proteins and was found to be the target for auto-antibodies. In addition, further studies have revealed that especially IgM antibodies in the sera from patients with active CMV, HSV or Toxoplasma infections occasionally show cross-reactivity with this peptide. Furthermore a C-terminal fragment of 28 kD, encoding AA 461-641 of EBNA-1, expressed in E.coli was shown to be reactive with human serum antibodies. Additional studies, thus far, have failed to identify fragments of the EBNA-1 protein that can be used for replacing the intact EBNA-1 protein in diagnostics.
The molecular size of EBNA-1 can be used for strain identification (EBNO-typing) as the size of the gly--ala repeat region may show significant variation among individual viral strains.
EBNA-1 has been detected immunologically in cells of Burkitt lymphoma, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Reed-Sternberg cells as found in Hodgkin's Disease.
In addition, EBNA has also been detected in polyclonal lympho-proliferative lesions in transplants and AIDS-patients and is the earliest marker for identification of B-lymphocytes in cell culture.
Several functional domains have been identified on the EBNA-1 molecule, such as the DNA-binding (Ori-P) domain, nuclear localization domain, the transactivation domain, the DNA-looping domain and the dimerization domain. EBNA-1 exerts its DNA binding function as a homo dimeric molecule.
At present EBV-specific serodiagnosis is accomplished by rather subjective immunofluorescence tests. Progress to more simple and uniform diagnosis (e.g. ELISA) is hampered because bulk production and purification of viral antigens are not possible using standard virus-producing cell lines.
The only way to achieve this would be to use alternatively prepared EBV antigen(s). These EBV antigens could be prepared with either genetic engineering techniques or synthetic peptide techniques.
For the development of a specific and sensitive method to enable a reliable diagnosis to be made in various phases of the infection with EBV it is of great importance to identify immunodominant viral proteins and epitopes thereof.

Epstein-Barr virus peptides and antibodies against these peptides


The invention relates to methods and systems to optically analyze samples such as tissue based on speckle patterns of microscopic motion, such as Brownian motion.

"Speckle" is an interference phenomenon that occurs when coherent light (e.g., laser light) is reflected from a rough or multiply scattering sample onto a detection plane. Due to scattering of photons from and within the sample, different photons travel different distances to the detection plane. As a result, the light reflected or backscattered from the sample, if spatially and temporally coherent, interferes at the detection plane, producing a grainy pattern known as "speckle."
Researchers have used speckle pattern analysis to study dynamic movement of tissue in vivo. For example, speckle has been used to measure vibrations of tissue, V. Tuchin et al., "Speckle interferometry in the measurements of biotissues vibrations," SPIE, 1647: 125 (1992), and to measure strain in vascular and cortical tissue in response to forced movement of the tissue, Sean J. Kirpatrick et al., "Laser Speckle Microstrain Measurement in Vascular Tissue," SPIE, 3598: 121-128 (1999); and Sean J. Kirkpatrick and Brent W. Brooks, "Micromechanical Behavior of Cortical Bone as Inferred from Laser Speckle Data," J. Biomedical Materials Research, 39 (3): 373-79 (1998). Researchers have also used speckle to study blood flow and lymph flow. B. Ruth, "Blood Flow Determination by the Laser Speckle Method," Int'l J. Microcirc: Clinical and Experimental, 9(1): 21-45 (1990); and A. A. Bednov et al., "Investigation of Statistical Properties of Lymph Flow Dynamics Using Speckle-Microscopy," SPIE, 2981: 181-90 (1997).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The invention relates to a coating which has been applied to a substrate, comprising at least a first film and a second film which have been applied on top of each other and each comprise a transparent conducting oxide and an electron donor, wherein the second film comprises relatively at least 10 percent less electron donor than the first film. The invention also relates to a solar cell comprising a coating according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method for applying the coating according to the invention to a substrate, wherein at least a first and a second mixture which each comprise one or more precursors for a transparent conducting oxide and an electron donor are applied to the substrate, wherein the second mixture is composed such that relatively at least 10 percent less electron donor is incorporated in the film compared with the film deposited by the first mixture.

The invention relates to a coating which is applied to a substrate, a solar cell comprising the coating according to the invention, and a method for applying the coating to a substrate.
It is known that, for solar cells, the upper electrode needs to meet at least the following requirements in order to effect a good efficiency:
1. the electrode needs to have a high transparency for the incident light;
2. the electrode needs to effect a good conduction of the current generated in the active layer; and
3. the surface morphology of the electrode needs to be such that the incident light is captured in the solar cell.
Known materials which can meet these requirements are the so-called transparent conducting oxides such as tin oxide, zinc oxide or indium tin oxide. These are semiconductors with such a bandgap that light in the visual spectrum is transmitted. In order to effect a right conduction, and thus meet the second requirement, a limited number of free electrons are created in this material by addition of dopant and/or by creating oxygen deficiencies.
In order meet the third requirement, the upper electrode needs to have an optimal surface morphology so that the incident light is refracted and the distance covered through the underlying active layer increases such that the efficiency of the solar cell is considerably improved.
Such an application is for instance known from Japanese patent specification 05 067797 in which an upper electrode is described which comprises tin oxide of which the dominant crystalline orientation is the (200) orientation, and with which an increased efficiency of a solar cell is effected.
However, recent research has shown that, with the upper electrodes used in practice, which are also described in the Japanese patent specification, the requirement of a good electrical conductivity of the upper electrical electrode is at odds with the requirement that the electrode also needs to have an optimal surface morphology. It can be concluded from this that the efficiency of the known solar cells is by no means optimal yet.
It has now surprisingly been found that an upper electrode for a solar cell can be developed which has both a good electrical conductivity and has an optimal surface morphology, when the electrode consists of a coating which comprises at least two films which both comprises a transparent conducting oxide and an electron donor, and the contents of electron donor differ in the two films.
It has further surprisingly been found that, in contrast to what is known from Japanese patent specification 05 067797, a (200) dominant orientation is no condition for an optimal capture of the light in the solar cell and that a capture which is at least as good can be obtained with a dominant (211) and (110) orientation.
Although the (200) orientation and (110) orientation are dominant in a normal process control—as described in the aforementioned Japanese patent specification—it has surprisingly been found that, under specific process conditions, such as for instance an elevated content of electron donors, the (211) orientation becomes dominant. It has further surprisingly been found that a next film which is then applied to this film 'inherits' this dominant orientation, even if the film would normally not yield a dominant (211) orientation.

Coating which is applied to substrate, a solar cell, and method for applying the coating to the substrate

Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO


A tube-bending machine including a bending arm that is provided with a jaw support that moves horizontally in a direction of a bending head, whereby said jaw support is integral with a clamping jaw assembly that comprises at least one jaw for bending a tube clockwise and at least one jaw for bending a tube counterclockwise, wherein the jaws are fixed to one another. A bending roller is fixed to the bending arm and comprises at least one jaw for bending the tube clockwise and at least one jaw for bending the tube counterclockwise, whereby said jaws of the bending roller are laterally offset relative to one another and on both sides of a vertical axis XX′ of the bending head. A first strip support is also provided having at least one jaw to clamp the tube as it is being bent clockwise and a second strip support that includes at least one jaw to clamp the tube as it is being bent counterclockwise.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a tube-bending machine and more particularly to a bending device that allows the bending of a tube either to the left in a so-called clockwise direction or to the right in a counterclockwise direction.
During bending in a clockwise direction, the bending arm moves from the right to the left around the bending head.
During bending in a counterclockwise direction, the bending arm moves from the left to the right around the bending head.
2. Description of the Related Art
According to European Patent EP 649 687, a tube-bending machine that comprises a hinged bending template, a bending arm that can pivot by 180° degrees around the axis of the bending template and a clamping jaw that is supported by the bending arm is known.
The bending template has two template portions placed one above the other, whereby one is designed for bending the tube to the right and the other for bending the tube to the left.
The clamping jaw is designed both for bending to the right and for bending to the left. The clamping jaw respectively has a jaw element on each side of a plane transversal to the clamping jaw and containing the axis of the bending template.

Tube bending machine and its right and/or left bending device


A Raman optical-fiber amplifier used in a wavelength-division-multiplexing optical communication system is provided. The inventive amplifier includes an optical transmitter for transmitting wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals through an optical fiber and an optical receiver for receiving the optical signals through the optical fiber, and further comprises an erbium-doped fiber which Raman-amplifies and outputs optical signals inputted through the first end of the erbium-doped fiber amplifier connected with the optical fiber; a pumping source which outputs pump light with a predetermined wavelength so as to Raman-pump the erbium-doped fiber; and, a wavelength-selective coupler which outputs the pump light to be introduced into the erbium-doped fiber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical communication system, and more particularly to a Raman optical-fiber amplifier disposed between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver in an optical communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a higher demand for more data has forced the increase of transmission capacity in wavelength-division-multiplexing optical communication systems (WDM optical communication systems). One way to increase transmission capacity is to increase the number of transmission channels or the transmission rate. The transmission rate has now been improved a great deal and ranges from 2.5 Gb/s to 10 Gb/s, but more efforts are being made to further increase the transmission rate. Known methods for increasing the transmission capacity includes the parallel coupling of a conventional C-band erbium-doped fiber amplifier (C-band EDFA) with a L-band erbium-doped fiber amplifier (L-band EDFA), and the use of a new amplification medium, such as a tulium-doped fiber and Rare-earth doped fiber amplifiers, have disadvantages in that the available amplification band is narrow and the noise factor tends to be high. As a solution to these limitations, research efforts have been focusing on the Raman optical-fiber amplifier.
FIG. 1 shows the construction of a conventional Raman optical-fiber amplifier. The Raman amplifier comprises a first to a fourth isolator 120, 160, 180, 220; a first and a second pumping source 140 and 200; a first and a second wavelength-selective coupler 130 and 190; an erbium-doped fiber 150; a connector 170; and, a dispersion-compensation fiber 210.
The first isolator 120 permits optical signals inputted into the Raman optical-fiber amplifier to pass without filtration while shutting out backward light—i.e., light emitted from the first wavelength-selective coupler 130. The first wavelength-selective coupler 130 couples optical signals emitted from the first isolator 120 and pumps light with a 980 nm or 1,480 nm wavelength emitted from the first pumping source 140, then outputs them to be introduced into the erbium-doped fiber 150.
The first pumping source 140 forward pumps the first erbium-doped fiber 150 by exciting erbium ions. A laser diode that outputs pump light with a 980 nm or 1,480 nm wavelength can be used as the first pumping source 140. As such, the erbium-doped fiber 150 is forward pumped by pump light emitted from the first wavelength-selective coupler 130 and amplifies and outputs optical signals emitted from the first wavelength-selective coupler 130. The second isolator 160 permits optical signals emitted from the erbium-doped fiber 150 to pass without filtration while shutting out backward light.
The connector 170 serves to connect the erbium-doped fiber amplification portion 230 at the front stage thereof and the Raman optical-fiber amplification portion 240 at the back stage thereof—i.e., an optical fiber 110 connected with the erbium-doped fiber amplification portion 230 and an optical fiber 110 connected with the Raman optical-fiber amplification portion 240. The connector 170 is provided with a circular hall therein.
The third isolator 180 permits optical signals emitted from the connector 170 to pass without filtration while shutting out backward light. The second wavelength-selective coupler 190 couples optical signals emitted from the third isolator 180 and Raman pump light emitted from the second pumping source 200 then outputs them to be introduced into the dispersion-compensation fiber 210. The second pumping source 200 Raman-pumps the dispersion-compensation fiber 210. A laser diode that outputs Raman pump light with a 1,450 nm band wavelength can be used as the second pumping source 200. The fourth isolator 220 permits optical signals emitted from the connector 170 to pass without filtration while shutting out backward light.
As seen from the above description, the conventional optical-fiber amplifier comprises two amplification portions 230 and 240—i.e., the erbium-doped fiber amplification portion 230 at the front stage of the connector 170 and the Raman optical-fiber amplification portion 240 at the back stage of the connector 170. For this reason, price competitiveness is lowered due to the requirement of multiple optical components. In addition, the increased total volume causes poor integration.

Raman optical fiber amplifier using erbium doped fiber


Improved synthesis methods are provided for preparing conjugates of proteins and chelating agents. In the synthesis methods, non-stable bonds are hydrolyzed after the conjugate is synthesized, for example by treating the conjugate with a quenching agent. The synthesis method provides conjugates that are substantially free of non-stable bonds between the protein and the chelating agent, such that the chelating agent is less likely to dissociate with the conjugate after the conjugate has been stored for extended periods. The conjugate may be useful for therapeutic or diagnostic methods.

Metal ions, such as radionuclides and transition metals, are useful for many diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. For example, metal ions can be used as diagnostic or therapeutic agents, particularly with regard to radioimmunodetection, radioimmunotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging, photodynamic therapy or other similar modalities. However, these techniques require specific targeting of the metal ion to a selected tissue. Targeting molecules (such as antibodies or binding molecules) and/or targetable molecules (such as haptenic peptides) can be used to target metal ions to selected tissues, where the targeting molecule or targetable molecule is conjugated to a chelator. Antibody-chelator conjugates (or peptide-chelator conjugates) are useful because the chelator moiety of these conjugates can bind metal ions to form a metal chelate.
Antibody-chelator conjugates can be used to directly target the metal chelate to a targeted tissue., whereas peptide-chelator conjugates are typically used in combination with a bi-specific binding molecule. For example, the peptide-chelator conjugates may include a hapten that is recognized by a bi-specific binding molecule that also recognizes the targeted tissue. As such, the bi-specific binding molecule can be used to localize the peptide-chelator conjugate (i.e., the targetable molecule) to the targeted tissue.
The stability of these conjugates is important, because if the chelator becomes disassociated from the antibody or peptide, the free chelator can compete with the conjugate for binding to the diagnostic or therapeutic metal ion. Ultimately, this results in a lower percentage incorporation of the metal ion into the antibody- or peptide-chelator conjugate.
As such, there is an ongoing need to prepare stable conjugates of chelating agents and metal chelates with proteins, polymers, polypeptides and peptides, such that the synthesized conjugates remain useful for high incorporation of metals, over an extended period of time. One must ensure that the chelating agent is able to stably and reproducibly bind to a metal ion of interest, and continue to do so in a high incorporation yield, over an extended period of time after manufacture of the chelator-protein conjugate. By incorporating a quenching step into the conjugate synthesis reaction, the inventors have addressed a problem concerning shelf-life stability of chelator-protein conjugates, (e.g., those produced by acylation reactions on protein amino groups).
Previously, others have used quenching steps in synthesis reactions, for example, to treat peptide-methotrexate conjugates. See Endo et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,955; see also Brinkley, Bioconjugate Chem. 1992, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 1-13. However, quenching steps have not been previously used to treat 1,4,7,10-tetraaazacyclododecane N,N′,N″,N′″-tetraaacetic acid (DOTA)-peptide conjugates or derivatives thereof. See Lewis et al., Bioconjugate Chem. 1994, 5, 565-576; Govindan et al., Bioconjugate Chem., Vol. 9, No. 6, 1998, 773-782; Min et al., Bioconjugate Chem. Vol. 5, No. 2, 1994,101-104; U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,930; U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,323; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,065 .
Most methods of synthesizing DOTA-peptide conjugates rely on formation of stable amide bonds between the DOTA molecule and one or more ε-amino groups on a lysine residue of the peptide. Although the previously described methods of forming DOTA-peptide conjugates may also result in the formation of unstable DOTA-ester bonds with the peptide, (e.g., at the hydroxyl group of a serine, threonine, or tyrosine), because DOTA-peptide synthesis reactions are typically performed at a high pH (>8.0), any unstable ester bonds would be expected to be readily hydrolyzed. Further, DOTA-peptide synthesis reactions typically result in a low substitution ratio of DOTA per peptide. For example, a synthesis reaction using a molar ratio of DOTA to peptide of ˜100:1 typically results in a substitution ratio of less than four (4) DOTA molecules per peptide in the synthesized conjugate. See Lewis et al., Bioconjugate Chem. 1994, 5, 565-576; and Govindan et al., Bioconjugate Chem., Vol. 9, No. 6, 1998; see also Griffiths et al., J. Nucl. Med. Vol. 44, No. 1, January 2003, 77-84. The low substitution ratio would suggest that the synthesized DOTA-peptide conjugate contains few unstable bonds (e.g., serine, threonine, and/or tyrosine esters) relative to stable bonds (e.g., lysine amides). As such, it would not be expected that the incorporation of a quenching step would significantly improve the stability and hence, the labeling efficiency, of DOTA-peptide conjugates stored over a period of time.

Method for preparing conjugates of proteins and chelating agents


A convertible sprocket for film and like media accommodates different media formats. The sprocket includes a first sprocket wheel support and a first sprocket wheel having a first dimension and supported by the sprocket wheel support. A second sprocket wheel support is co-axial with the first sprocket wheel support. A second sprocket wheel having a second dimension different from the first dimension is supported by the second sprocket wheel support. The second sprocket wheel is axially movable relative to the first sprocket wheel support so that the first sprocket wheel engages the medium when the second sprocket wheel is in a first position relative to the first sprocket support. The second sprocket wheel engages the medium when the second sprocket wheel is in a second position relative to the first sprocket support. The convertible sprocket has a plurality of axially spaced apart sprocket wheel wherein at least two of the sprocket wheels have different diameters.

1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to convertible sprockets for film and other media for accomodating different media formats, and more specifically to a convertible sprocket which can accommodate more than one format, such as more than one frame pitch for the medium.
2. Related Art
Conventional 35 mm film cameras and projectors operate with 35 mm film having a film frame pitch of four perforations per frame. The film is transported at a rate of 24 frames per second and 90 feet per minute. Film recording and projection equipment have long been standardized to operate with the four perforation frame pitch for 35 mm film. Therefore, equipment such as projectors use sprockets and pull-down assemblies specifically designed to operate with 35 mm film having four perforation frame pitch. The sprockets for conventional 35 mm film have 16 teeth around the circumferential surfaces. The frame pitch is 0.748 inches and the corresponding sprocket diameter for a 16 tooth sprocket is 0.952 inches.
Efforts have been made recently to more efficiently use available film stock by putting more film frames in a given unit length of film stock. One proposal has been to convert from a 4 perforation film frame pitch to a 3 perforation film frame pitch to eliminate 25 percent of unused film stock. Other film frame pitches and formats have also been proposed. To accommodate these different film formats and still project the film at a frame rate of 24 frames per second, according to the North American Standard, the projection and other film handling equipment must be modified to accommodate the changed format. It is believed that more than one frame pitch for motion picture equipment will be adopted by the film industry. While the standard Edison frame pitch of 4 perforations will remain useful, other intermittent pull-down pitches will be used to meet specific needs, such as presentation quality, economy, or efficiency. For example, possible additional film formats may require picture frames having perforation pitches of 5 perforations, 3 perforations, 21/2 or 2 perforations. However, changing from one film format to another for a given piece of equipment such as a projector is a time consuming and tedious process. Moreover, once a given piece of equipment is converted, the previous 4 perforation frame pitch can no longer be used with the equipment unless the sprocket assemblies and other components are reconverted. Conversion back and forth between the standard 4 perforation frame pitch and any modification will be necessary if more than one film format is to be accommodated in a projector or other piece of equipment. According to one approach, sprockets and other components of a projector or other piece of equipment for a given film format can be maintained on hand so that the projector can be converted at will. However, the conversion is a time consuming process, to be accomplished by film projectionists who would have to be trained to accomplish the conversion. Additionally, maintaining a complete set of conversion components may prove difficult because of possible loss or damage during the conversion process or while the equipment is being stored.
In an alternative approach, a sprocket conversion assembly may be used which has an outer cylindrical sleeve with teeth for engaging film perforations when the film is run according to one format and an inner cylindrical sleeve to fit within and anti-rotationally mate with the outer cylindrical sleeve. The inner sleeve has teeth for engaging film perforations according to an alternative format. Such an arrangement may permit less time consuming and costly conversions from one film format to another. However, separate parts are still required and the outer sleeve may be lost or damaged when not in use. Additionally, engagement of the tines on the inner sleeve with mating grooves on the inside of the outer sleeve may wear the tines of the inner sleeve, which may adversely effect film transport when using the inner sleeve.
There is a need, therefore, for a convertible sprocket which can be used to convert a given piece of equipment from one film format to one or more other film formats. Preferably, such a convertible sprocket is a single component which can accommodate the two or more film formats without having to store or remove additional equipment. the convertible sprocket is preferably easy to use and easily retrofit onto current equipment.

Convertible sprocket for motion picture film


A panel filter element has a pleated filter media having peaks and valleys arranged in pleated sets of first and second panels. The pleated sets are adhered along side edges to form clean-side pockets which open adjacent to the valleys. The first and second panels have elongated embossments projecting both into and away from the pockets to keep the pockets open and to keep the pleated sets separate. Dirty air flows into the filter media both transverse to the peaks and laterally between the pleated sets of first and second panels. By having dirty air to be filtered flowing both transversly and laterally, the dirt holding capacity of the filter is increased while increases in restriction are minimized.

Filter elements which use filter media having spacer arrangements between panels of the media for filtering particulate bearing fluid streams are known in the art. However, the spacers tend to be inserted elements which increases the cost of filter media and can compromise the reliability of the filter media. This is because inserted spacers can become dislodged and damage the filter media if on the upstream or dirty side of the filter media. If on the clean side of the filter media, the spacers can become dislodged and possibly damage the machinery served by the filter media.
With respect to air filters for internal combustion engines, there is continuing need to increase dirt holding capacity while reducing restriction. Preferably, this is accomplished as inexpensively as possible. With respect to filters for diesel trucks, increased dirt holding capacity with acceptable restriction levels is currently only obtainable with cylindrical filters used for medium and heavy duty applications. In order to conserve space in engine compartments panel air filters are now being employed, but panel air filters have encountered the aforementioned problems of reduced dirt holding capacity and relatively high restriction. Accordingly, there is a need for improvement in panel air filters.

Pleated filter media with embossed spacers and cross flow


The semiconductor module includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor, and electrical contacts. The substrate includes a base layer having a substantially planar base layer first surface opposing a substantially planar base layer second surface. The base layer first surface is exposed to atmosphere and where the base layer is electrically conductive. The substrate also includes an insulator layer having a substantially planar insulator layer first surface opposing a substantially planar insulator layer second surface. The base layer second surface and the insulator layer first surface are adjacent and contiguous to one another and where the insulator layer is electrically non-conductive. Finally, the substrate includes a conductive layer having a substantially planar conductive layer first surface opposing a substantially planar conductive layer second surface. The insulator layer second surface and the conductive layer first surface are adjacent and contiguous to one another and where the conductive layer is electrically conductive.

The semiconductor industry is constantly producing smaller and more complex semiconductors, sometimes called integrated circuits or chips. This trend has brought about the need for smaller semiconductor packages with smaller footprints, higher lead counts, and better electrical and thermal performance, while at the same time meeting accepted reliability standards.
In recent years a number of microelectronic packages have been produced to meet the need for smaller chip packaging. One such package is referred to as a Chip Scale Package (CSP). CSPs are so called because the total package size is similar or not much larger than the size of the chip itself. Typically, the CSP size is between 1 and 1.2 times the perimeter size of the chip, or 1.5 times the area of the die. One example of a CSP is a product developed by TESSERA® called "MICRO BGA" or μBGA. In a CSP, the semiconductor has a set of bond pads distributed across its surface. A first surface of an insulating, flexible film is positioned over the semiconductor surface. Interconnect circuitry is positioned within the film. Electrical connections are made between the interconnect circuitry and the semiconductor bond pads. Solder balls are subsequently attached to a second surface of the film in such a manner as to establish selective connections with the interconnect circuitry. The solder balls may then be attached to a printed circuit board.
CSPs may be used in connection with memory chips. Memory chips may be grouped to form in-line memory modules. In-line memory modules are surface mounted memory chips positioned on a circuit board.
As memory demands increase, so does the need for increased memory capacity of in-line memory modules. A need has also arisen for materials and methods that lead to increased performance by more closely matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of the materials used in these memory modules. Examples of such in-line memory modules are single in line memory modules or SIMMs and dual in-line memory modules or DIMMs. DIMMs have begun to replace SIMMs as the compact circuit boards of preference and essentially comprise a SIMM wherein memory chips are surface mounted to opposite sides of the circuit board with connectors on each side.
A problem with in-line memory modules is that adding more chips to the circuit board spreads out the placement of the chips on the circuit card and therefore requires reconfiguration of the circuit card connectors and their associated connections on the motherboard, which means replacing the memory card and in some cases the motherboard.
Another problem with current in-line memory modules is that a separate heat spreader must be positioned across a set of memory chips. The heat spreader adds cost to the assembly process and adds significant weight to the module.
To send a signal from one semiconductor module to another typically requires sending a signal along a channel or bus to a semiconductor module's electrical contacts, into the semiconductor module, along lead lines or traces to the semiconductor, and out through another contact terminal. Therefore, each semiconductor in the module requires its own set of electrical contacts and lead lines. Electrical contacts and lead lines for common inputs and outputs, such as power, or the like, are, therefore, duplicated.
Moreover, each lead or trace carrying current generates an electrical field around it, the strength of which is inversely proportional to the distance from the lead. To address interference caused by adjacent leads, current semiconductor module configurations require a grounded lead or trace to be placed between signal leads or traces, to negate the electric field. This problem is exacerbated in semiconductor modules where the leads are packed close to one another.
Furthermore, current semiconductor modules are typically coupled to a motherboard through the use of FR4 (Flame Retardant 4) circuit board edge connectors that slidably engage female connector slots. A FR4 circuit board is a widely-used insulating material for making printed circuit boards and is constructed of woven glass fibers (fiberglass) that are epoxied together. A the high number of contacts on such circuit boards requires a relatively hard force to be applied to the circuit board to insert it into the female connector slot. This high force may damage the circuit board or female slot.
In addition, due to the sheer number of electrical contacts on each module, the motherboard to which the semiconductor module connects must be constructed from six or more layers of channel or bus wiring layered between wafers of insulating material. These buses allow the various computer components to communicate with one another. It would be desirable to decease the number of leads and electrical contacts needed per semiconductor module, which would reduce the complexity of such motherboards by requiring less layers, thereby, substantially lowering the cost of the overall computing system.
In view of the foregoing it would be highly desirable to provide a semiconductor module that addresses the above described drawbacks of existing semiconductor modules.


The present invention relates to an elevator (10, 134, 136, 150, 162, 186), particularly a single joint elevator, for supporting tubular members such as drill pipe (118), borehole casing and/or production tubing, for use in downhole operations. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an elevator (10) is generally elliptical shaped, and comprises a housing (12), a lock (14), lifting eyes (16) and a hinge (18). The housing comprises first and second portions (20, 22), pivotally coupled via the hinge (18), which together define an upper ring, elliptical in cross-section, and a tapering, generally truncated cone-shaped lower portion. The tapered lower portion of the elevator (10) ensures that the elevator (10) does not become caught or fouled upon a Vee door, or a pipe discharge ramp (122), on to which the pipe (118) supported by the elevator (10) is to be discharged during, for example, the xe2x80x9crunning-inxe2x80x9d of the pipe (118) into a borehole of an onshore or offshore well.

The present invention relates to an elevator. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a single joint elevator for supporting tubular members for use in downhole operations.
Presently known single joint elevators are used for raising lengths of drill pipe, borehole casing or production tubing from a pipe stand rack in a derrick, or a pipe storage area on the main deck of an onshore or offshore oil rig, or from a xe2x80x9cmouse holexe2x80x9d in the drilling floor, and for locating the drill pipe (or the borehole casing or production tubing) at the upper end of a drill pipe string protruding through a kelly in the drill floor. The single joint elevator is typically suspended from a hoist wire or winch mounted on the derrick. In addition to their use in making up drill string, single joint elevators are also utilised when xe2x80x9ctripping outxe2x80x9d, that is retrieving a drill string from a borehole. Typically, when removed from the drill string, each section or stand of drill pipe is pushed out of a Vee door on to a catwalk adjacent to the pipe storage area via a pipe discharge ramp, for subsequent pick up by a crane. Such ramps comprise an inclined surface upon which the drill pie is laid, using the single joint elevator, and subsequently released, discharging from the ramp below drill floor deck level.
The structure of existing single joint elevators is such that the elevators often include sharp, angular, or protruding profiles which may catch on the upper end of the ramp. This may result in the single joint elevator carrying the drill pipe section fouling on the ramp, or xe2x80x9cbouncingxe2x80x9d from the ramp when the elevator becomes unstuck, creating a potential hazard to operators present or. the drilling floor. Also, the single joint elevators include latches and securing mechanisms for locking the elevator to the pipe section. Due to the structure of single joint elevators, the orientation of the clamp with respect to the pipe ramp is not predetermined and, consequently, it has been known for the clamp to unlock by fouling on the pipe ramp, causing the pipe section to be released prematurely.
It is amongst the objects of the present invention to is obviate or mitigate at least one of the foregoing disadvantages.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an elevator for supporting an elongate member, the elevator comprising a housing having retaining means for retaining the elongate member, and an Inclined outer surface.
References herein and in the following description to elevators are generally to single joint elevators. However, as will be understood by persons skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to single joint elevators, and applies equally to other types of elevators. Furthermore, references herein and in the following description to a drill pipe, or to a section or stand of drill pipe, are to drill pipes, borehole casings and/or production tubing, or to a section or stand of such drill pipes, borehole casing and/or production tubing.
Thus the present invention may provide an elevator having an inclined outer surface which may prevent the elevator from becoming caught upon a fee door, discharge ramp, or any projecting or angular surface for discharging the elongate member.
The elongate member may be a tubular member such as a section or stand of drill pope. The pipe may be for use in downhole oilfield operations. Conveniently, the elevator may be for supporting the pipe during xe2x80x9ctripping outxe2x80x9d or removal thereof from a borehole and/or during removal thereof from a mouse hole adjacent to the borehole. The elevator may also be for supporting the pipe during run-in thereof into the borehole.
Preferably, the housing comprises a ring defining a throughbore. The ring may comprise two sections which together form the ring, and a hinge coupling the two sections together, for allowing the ring to open and close. The hinge may be a single or double hinge. The ring may be generally elliptical, oval, or circular in plan view and may include lifting eyes, as will be discussed in more detail below, or alternative projections For lifting or other uses. The ring may further comprise an outer wall forming a boundary of the ring, an upper plate extending radially inwardly from the outer wall and defining an upper opening, and a lower plate extending radially inwardly and defining a lower opening. The retaining means may comprise an inner wall of the ring, defining an abuttment surface for abutting the elongate member. The upper opening of the ring may be inclined or square in cross-section to suit differing profiles of drill pipe, borehole casing and/or production tubing. The upper opening may define the abuttment surface. The inclined abuttment surface of the upper opening may be adapted to abut a collar of a section of drill pipe.
Preferably the upper and lower openings are circular in cross-section, and offset from the longitudinal axis of the housing. Thus the present invention may allow the elevator, when supporting the elongate member, to be disposed inclined from the vertical to facilitate discharge of the elongate member on the discharge ramp.
Preferably the inclined outer surface of the elevator is provided on a lower portion thereof. The outer surface may be of a metal or an elastomeric material. The lower portion of the elevator may comprise a truncated cone, projecting downwardly from the housing, and tapering from the housing to an opening. The opening of the cone may define an abuttment surface for abutting or guiding the elongate member.
Alternatively, the inclined outer surface of the elevator may be formed peripherally on the elevator. An outer wall of the housing may comprise the inclined outer surface of the elevator.
In a further alternative, the inclined surface may comprise an inclined plate, wedge or the like, projecting downwardly from the housing, or formed peripherally on the elevator.
Preferably, the elevator further comprises locking means for releasably locking the housing to retain an elongate member therein. Thus the present invention may allow the housing to be locked to securely support the elongate member. The locking means may comprise a latch arm formed on a first half of the housing, and a catch formed on the second half of the housing. The latch arm may be spring loaded. The catch may include a spring loaded cover to releasably retain the latch arm to the catch.
Preferably, the elevator further comprises support means for supporting the housing. The support means may further comprise one or more lifting eyes provided on the housing for coupling to hoisting means. Preferably the hoisting means comprises wire rope slings and a swivel block. Alternatively, the hoisting means may comprise a cable, chain, link, arm or the like coupled to a crane, a lifting pulley and winch assembly, or the like. The lifting eyes may be disposed proximal to a lock side of the elevator. The elevator may further comprise an insert for coupling to the elongate member enabling the elevator to support elongate members of various cross-sectional dimensions. The insert may be tubular, for coupling to the pine. A number of inserts of various cross-sectional dimensions may be provided.

Elevator for supporting an elongate member such as a drill pipe


A system allows first users to connect through an IPv4 web interface to access content (e.g., information and services) of second users who provide the content using IPv6. The second users are effectively mobile web servers. In an implementation, the system is a streaming media network (e.g., life casting) where first users are video viewers and second users are streaming video providers. In the system, a second user runs a home agent client (e.g., plug in) that connects to a home agent server using IPv6. The home agent client and server encapsulate and deencapsulate the IPv6 information. Information is transmitted and routed using IPv6 in an IPv4 environment. Any number of second users connects to the first user's content via an IPv4 web interface.

This invention relates to the field of digital communications, and more specifically to systems and techniques for exchanging information running a first Internet protocol (e.g., IPv6) in a second Internet protocol environment (e.g., IPv4).
New developments in information technology hold great promise for businesses, governments, academics, and consumers alike. Demand continues to escalate for "always-on" connectivity, mobility, and security. Each new day sees the introduction of new and improved Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled devices—each requiring an IP address so that they can participate in a computer network.
The Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address space is being depleted due to the enormous growth of the Internet. In response, a new addressing system—Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) was developed. IPv6 networks offer increased address space for the growing number of web sites and IP-enabled devices. IPv6 also provides more security over IPv4 networks.
One application that IPv6 is well-suited for is mobile web casting, where one person can transmit content to a number of users from one casting (e.g., video stream). Live video streaming can be used for many diverse purposes such as broadcasting news, connecting friends and relatives in online chat rooms, conducting businesses online face to face, selling products and services, teaching online courses, monitoring properties, showing movies online, and so on.
However, one challenge to transitioning to IPv6 is compatibility with IPv4 networks and devices. Simply replacing the old components with the new components is in many cases prohibitively expensive. What is needed are tools, systems, and techniques for translating information between IPv6 and IPv4 standards.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved system and method for exchanging information between different Internet protocols.