The present invention relates to novel drug depot implant designs for optimal delivery of therapeutic agents to subjects. The invention provides a method for alleviating pain associated with neuromuscular or skeletal injury or inflammation by targeted delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to inhibit the inflammatory response which ultimately causes acute or chronic pain. Controlled and directed delivery can be provided by drug depot implants, comprising therapeutic agents, specifically designed to deliver the therapeutic agent to the desired location by facilitating their implantation, minimizing their migration from the desired tissue location, and without disrupting normal joint and soft tissue movement.

Current approaches for treating pain and/or inflammation involve systemic delivery of therapeutic agents. Anti-inflammatory agents target tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) which appears early in the inflammatory cascade following infection or injury. It is produced by monocytes, macrophages, and T lymphocytes. TNF-a exerts its primary effects on monocytes, synovial macrophages, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and endothelial cells, and stimulates proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine synthesis. It activates granulocytes, and increases MHC Class II expression. It promotes secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), leading to cartilage matrix degradation. Because it initiates an inflammatory cascade, and has been found to be increased in close proximity to inflamed or injured tissue, TNF-a inhibition is a target for pain therapy. Pro-TNF-a is expressed on the plasma membrane, then cleaved in the extracellular domain. Trimerization is required for biological activity. TNF-a acts through two receptors (TNFRs): Type I receptors (p60, p55, CD 120a) are expressed constitutively on most cell types and Type II receptors (p80, p75, CD 120b) are inducible. Popular TNF-a inhibitors act primarily to inhibit binding of TNF-a to its receptors. There are currently two major classes of TNF inhibitors: 1) monoclonal antibodies to TNF-a, which prevent binding of TNF-a to its two cell-associated signaling receptors (p55 and p75) and 2) monomeric soluble forms of p55 or p75 TNFR dimerized by linking them to an immunoglobulin (Ig) Fc fragment. These Igs bind to TNF-a with high affinity and prevent it from binding to its cell-associated receptor.
TNF inhibitors have therefore been developed for therapeutic use for orthopedic and neuromuscular disease or injury that can cause pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Currently therapeutic agents are delivered systemically to treat bone- and cartilage-related defects related to degeneration, injury, infection, malignancy or developmental malformation. TNF inhibitors currently in use are generally administered systemically via intravenous infusion and subcutaneous injection, but there are side effects of anti-TNF therapies associated with the higher doses and systemic administration that are common with these therapies. A major disadvantage of these systemic drug delivery systems is that the anti-inflammatories are delivered in buffered solutions that have short half-lives, thereby requiring repeated administration to a patient, which can result in adverse effects due to the system of delivery of relatively high doses of the drug. Unfortunately, it provides a limited quantity of agent that must move through the tissue to the target site. This method is inadequate to serve the needs of patients. Anti-TNF therapy is generally needed over an extended period of time, so repeated injections are likely to be necessary. In addition, injection site pain and reactions sometimes develop with anti-TNF agents.
Recently, there have been a number of attempts to develop an acceptable implant and methods for treating disease in a patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,813 discloses an opiate antagonist implant pellet for subcutaneous administration to a patient. According to the disclosure, the subcutaneous implant pellet releases the opiate antagonist in the patient to effectively inhibit the effects of a number of additive drugs to treat drug detoxification in a patient. The subcutaneous implant is not substantially immobilized in the tissue of a patient but is free to move about under the skin. Another drawback to this approach is that the delivery of the therapeutic agent is accomplished via the general systemic circulatory system; the therapeutic agent is not delivered locally to the affected area.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,475 discloses small implantable stimulators with at least two electrodes that are small enough to have the electrodes located adjacent to a nerve structure at least partially responsible for headache and/or facial pain. The implant works via electrical stimulation of a specified tissue and does not include a therapeutic agent component as part of the device, let alone involve delivery of a therapeutic agent to desired tissue. U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,475 describes a variety of implants for treating headache and/or facial pain, none of which are suitable for introducing therapeutic agents to a desired tissue of a patient.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040064193 discloses an implant comprising collagen and/or other bio-resorbable materials for deployment in select locations for regeneration of tissue. According to the disclosure, the implant comprises a synthetic tissue substitute material and a method and system for deploying the implant. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040064193 describes a variety of implants for regeneration of tissue, none of which are suitable for introducing therapeutic agents to a desired tissue of a patient.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050074481 discloses an implantable device comprising a polyelectrolytic complex for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue. According to the disclosure, the implant provides in vivo culturing of tissue cells in a diverse tissue or homogeneous lesion. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050074481 describes a variety of implants for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue, none of which are suitable for introducing therapeutic agents to a desired tissue of a patient.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050177118 also discloses an implantable device comprising a polyelectrolytic complex for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue. According to the disclosure, the implant provides in vivo culturing of tissue cells in a diverse tissue or homogeneous lesion, or for non-systemic delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to a patient. The implant provides an electrical component as part of the device and does not include a therapeutic agent component as part of the device, let alone involve delivery of a therapeutic agent to desired tissue.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050152949 discloses a method of intra-articular drug delivery comprising: selecting an attachment zone within the subchondral bone in a synovial joint, affixing a drug release device in the attachment zone, the drug release device comprising a base affixable in the attachment zone, a sustained release drug carrier and a drug; the device positioned so that the device releases the drug into the synovial fluid of the synovial joint and so that agitation of the synovial fluid facilitates elution of the drug from the drug release device. One drawback of these implants is that they are fixedly attached to the bone itself in a synovial joint. Another drawback of these implants is that many of the intended patients already suffer from pain and inflammation, and will be subjected to more pain upon implantation of the device into the bone and possible formation of osteophytes.
Despite the advances recently made in the art, there is an immediate need for improved medical devices, methods and systems for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, such as TNF inhibitors, for the treatment and prevention of inflammation and pain, capable of being delivered for an extended period of time at, or in close proximity to, a targeted site such as the site of trauma or inflammation.


Provided is a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes one or more light-emitting modules; a base plate having a bottom surface to which the one or more light-emitting modules are attached; and a heat dissipation fin assembly seated on a top surface of the base plate, wherein the heat dissipation fin assembly includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins which are mounted upright on the top surface of the base plate, wherein each of the heat dissipation fins has a predetermined width in a radial direction from a center of the base plate, and is formed by a thin sheet of a graphite material.

The present disclosure relates to a lighting apparatus.
Lighting apparatuses are electric appliances used for lighting a specific space. Incandescent lamps, discharge lamps, fluorescent lamps, and the like are widely used as light sources for lighting. Resistive light sources such as the incandescent lamps have disadvantages of poor efficiency and much heat generation. On the other hand, the discharge lamps have disadvantages of high price and high voltage. Also, the fluorescent lamps may have environmental problems due to the use of mercury.
To solve the above-described limitations in the light sources according to the related art, there is a growing interest in lighting apparatuses using light emitting diodes (LEDs) that have various advantages in efficiency, color diversity, and design autonomy. Thus, various types of LED lighting apparatus are being released.
Such an LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when a forward voltage is applied. The LED has a long life cycle, low power consumption, and electrical, optical, and physical properties that are suitable for mass production. In recent years, the LEDs are being spotlighted as lighting units that are substituted with the incandescent lamps and the fluorescent lamps.
Also, the LED light sources are being quickly applied to lighting apparatuses such as streetlamps, safety lights, park lights, or security lights.
The LED light sources are required to have a good heat dissipation property because the LED light source generates a lot of heat due to the nature thereof. According to the related art, an aluminum die-casting heatsink is being used. However, the lighting apparatus increases in weight due to a self-weight of the heatsink.
Also, post processing has to be performed on a surface of the aluminum heatsink after the heatsink is formed.


Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for aggregating data from a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and wireless local area network (WLAN). In some aspects, a packet convergence entity (e.g., PDCP layer entity) communicates with first and second radio access technology (RAT) links. The packet convergence entity may determine from which of the first and second RAT links a data packet is received and may monitor a sequence number value of each of the received data packets. The packet convergence entity may perform one or more actions based on a determination that the data packets are received out of order. For example, the packet convergence entity may deliver the data packets to an upper layer entity as they are received (e.g., in order or out of order), may reorder the data packets and ignore data packet losses, and/or may request retransmissions of missing data packets.

Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. These wireless networks may be multiple-access networks capable of supporting multiple users by sharing the available network resources. Examples of such multiple-access networks include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, and Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks.
A wireless communication network may include a number of base stations (e.g., eNodeBs) that can support communication for a number of user equipments (UEs). A UE may communicate with a base station via the downlink and uplink. The downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the base station to the UE, and the uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UE to the base station.
The wireless communications with a UE or a network device (e.g., base station, eNodeB) may take place over two separate radio access technologies (RATs) links, where the first RAT link may correspond to a WWAN RAT (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)) and the second RAT link may correspond to a WLAN RAT (e.g., Wi-Fi). The connections to the RATs (e.g., links) are likely to have different properties in terms of data packet errors and delivery of the data packets to an entity at a receiving device that provides convergence for the data packets from the different RATs. In such a scenario, transmitting data (e.g., packet data units (PDUs)) over the two RAT links and aggregating the data at a packet convergence entity at the receiving device may pose challenges, particularly when the packet convergence entity receiving the data assumes that the data packet deliveries are in-order delivery but does not provide reliability support. Therefore, improving data packet handling at a packet convergence entity in a receiving device may reduce the impact on performance when data packets to be aggregated are received out of order.
In view of the foregoing, it may be understood that there may be significant problems and shortcomings associated with current data aggregation technology.

Techniques for aggregating data from WWAN and WLAN


A digital audio device. According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes a memory and an analog input system configured to record analog audio signals to the memory as digital audio data. The device further includes a digital input configured to download digital audio data to the memory, as well as an analog output system configured to generate analog playback signals decoded from digital audio data stored in the memory. Furthermore, the device includes a digital output configured to upload digital audio data from the memory.

It has become a common practice to store audio content in a portable format so that individuals may enjoy audio content regardless of their location. Portable audio players such as portable radios, portable audio cassette players, portable compact disk players, and portable minidisk players have been used to achieve this purpose.
Some portable audio devices use digital memory to store the audio content in an encoded digital format. Known devices that use digital memory to store audio content include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,518,827; 4,614,144; 4,905,289; 5,914,941; 5,930,758; and 6,076,063, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.


An imaging system may include an array of image pixels and verification circuitry. The verification circuitry may inject test voltages into the image pixel array during the photodiode reset operation. The test signals may then be read out using a correlated double sampling operation. Verification circuitry may compare the test signals to reference data to determine whether the imaging system is functioning properly (e.g., to determine whether the array of image pixels satisfies performance criteria). If the amount of mismatch between the test signals and the reference data exceed a predetermined threshold, the imaging system may be disabled and/or a warning signal may be presented to a user of the system.

This relates generally to imaging systems and, more particularly, to imaging systems that use verification circuitry to test the integrity of the imaging system.
Modern electronic devices such as cellular telephones, cameras, and computers often use digital image sensors. Imagers (i.e., image sensors) may be formed from a two-dimensional array of image sensing pixels. Each pixel receives incident photons (light) and converts the photons into electrical signals. Image sensors are sometimes designed to provide images to electronic devices using a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.
In automotive image sensors, it may be beneficial to the overall system integrity to be in compliance with well known automotive safety standards such as the ISO 26262 road vehicle functional safety standard. In order to comply with such types of safety standards, it may be desirable for automotive image sensors to perform self-checking procedures to determine whether the image sensor is operating properly. In particular, it may be desirable to determine whether an image pixel array within the image sensor satisfies performance criteria. In conventional automotive image sensors, it is impossible to impose a known photonic scene on the pixel array while the image sensor is embedded within the automobile. This presents a challenge for the system to test the safety of automotive image sensors.
It would therefore be desirable to provide improved imaging systems with capabilities to verify the functionality of the imaging system embedded within an automobile.

Imaging systems with pixel array verification circuitry

SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC


Electrical power systems and methods using bidirectional power converters to provide, among other functions, uninterruptible power supplies for loads such as cell towers. The power-packet-switching power converter can be connected, for example, to a photovoltaic array, batteries, and a critical load such as a cell tower. An AC generator can also be connected in order to power the cell tower and/or to charge the batteries as needed. Green energy utilization is maximized, power conversion efficiency is increased, and system costs are decreased, by having only a single power conversion stage for all conversions.

The present application relates generally to power converters, and more specifically, to uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) with photovoltaic array and battery.
Note that the points discussed below may reflect the hindsight gained from the disclosed inventions, and are not necessarily admitted to be prior art.
A new kind of power converter was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,599,196 entitled "Universal power conversion methods," which is incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety. This patent describes a bidirectional (or multidirectional) power converter which pumps power into and out of a link inductor which is shunted by a capacitor.
The switch arrays at the ports are operated to achieve zero-voltage switching by totally isolating the link inductor+capacitor combination at times when its voltage is desired to be changed. (When the inductor+capacitor combination is isolated at such times, the inductor's current will change the voltage of the capacitor, as in a resonant circuit. This can even change the sign of the voltage, without loss of energy.) This architecture has subsequently been referred to as a "current-modulating" or "Power Packet Switching" architecture. Bidirectional power switches are used to provide a full bipolar (reversible) connection from each of multiple lines, at each port, to the rails connected to the link inductor and its capacitor. The basic operation of this architecture is shown, in the context of the three-phase to three-phase example of patent FIG. 1, in the sequence of drawings from patent FIG. 12a to patent FIG. 12j.
The ports of this converter can be AC or DC, and will normally be bidirectional (at least for AC ports). Individual lines of each port are each connected to a "phase leg," i.e. a pair of switches which permit that line to be connected to either of two "rails" (i.e. the two conductors which are connected to the two ends of the link inductor). It is important to note that these switches are bidirectional, so that there are four current flows possible in each phase leg: the line can source current to either rail, or can sink current from either rail.
Many different improvements and variations are shown in the basic patent. For example, variable-frequency drive is shown (for controlling a three-phase motor from a three-phase power line), DC and single-phase ports are shown (patent FIG. 21), as well as three- and four-port systems, applications to photovoltaic systems (patent FIG. 23), applications to Hybrid Electric vehicles (patent FIG. 24), applications to power conditioning (patent FIG. 29), half-bridge configurations (patent FIGS. 25 and 26), systems where a transformer is included (to segment the rails, and allow different operating voltages at different ports) (patent FIG. 22), and power combining (patent FIG. 28).
Improvements and modifications of this basic architecture have also been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,391,033, 8,295,069, 8,531,858, and 8,461,718, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The term "converter" has sometimes been used to refer specifically to DC-to-DC converters, as distinct from DC-AC "inverters" and/or AC-AC frequency-changing "cycloconverters." However, in the present application the word converter is used more generally, to refer to all of these types and more, and especially to converters using a current-modulating or power-packet-switching architecture.
Photovoltaic arrays and other renewable power generation systems have become common around the world in recent years, mainly due to growing costs of fuel based power generation. These renewable power generation systems can allow sustaining a micro-grid. However, renewable power generation systems demand a series of power conversion stages which can result in reduced efficiency as well as higher costs of production. For example, the power for a structure such as a cell tower can be provided by a PV array and a series of batteries. However, for this system to work, a direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) converter may be needed for the photovoltaic array to supply power to the cell tower. Furthermore, an AC to DC converter may be needed in order for this power to charge the batteries. Finally, when required, the power from the batteries may need a second DC to AC converter in order to reach the cell tower.
For the aforementioned reasons, there is a need for a single stage power conversion system in order to optimize UPS systems within micro-grids.

Systems and methods for uninterruptible power supplies with bidirectional power converters


A request for data of an operation screen is transmitted to a Web server, and as a response to the request, data of the operation screen, which includes a plurality of components is received from the Web server. The operation screen is displayed based on the received data of the operation screen, and one of the plurality of components in the displayed operation screen is designated in accordance with an operation by a user. Voice output is performed based on content of voice output associated with the designated component.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of displaying an operation screen obtained from a server, a method of controlling the image processing apparatus, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a system that uses voice synthesis to support operations in various situations, such as character input on a personal computer (PC), information retrieval on a car navigation system or a smart phone, voice guidance on a facsimile machine, has been investigated. These target various users, including vision-impaired users, elderly users, or the like.
To support operation of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), an apparatus that performs an operation explanation that uses voice synthesis has been investigated. Specifically, by operating a numeric keypad in an operation unit of the MFP, focus is moved to various buttons in the operation screen, and reading out loud of a focused portion is performed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-31273).
Meanwhile, connecting an information processing apparatus, such as a PC, to a Web server on a network, and displaying an operation screen provided by the Web server on a Web browser that the information processing apparatus is provided with is known.
In such a case, first the Web browser of the information processing apparatus performs a request for the operation screen towards the Web server. Then, a Web application on the Web server responds to the information processing apparatus with HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data for displaying the operation screen on the Web browser, in response to the request from the information processing apparatus. The Web browser of the information processing apparatus analyzes the received HTML data, and displays the operation screen based on the description of the HTML data.
Furthermore, when a user inputs an instruction via an operation screen displayed on the Web browser, the Web browser notifies the Web server of the input instruction. The Web application on the Web server, having received this notification, executes processing in accordance with the input instruction.
Among MFPs, there is an MFP that is provided with a Web browser such as is described above. Such an MFP uses the above described procedure to display the operation screen provided by the Web server on the Web browser of the MFP, and accept various instructions from the user. A system in which the operation screen, which inputs instructions for using functions that the MFP provides, is provided to the Web server, and the user inputs instructions to the MFP via the operation screen displayed on the Web browser is being considered.
In a Web browser on a PC, as a tool for improving accessibility for vision-impaired users, software called a screen reader is provided (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-10992). The screen reader outputs voice in accordance with detail of a display document (in other words, the displayed content is read out loud). Accordingly, vision-impaired users can operate by themselves an application or the like according to the voice that is read out loud by the screen reader.
In a display document displayed by the Web browser on the MFP, details read out loud by the screen reader become cumbersome because HTML tags included in the display document or the like are read out loud unchanged, and it may be difficult for the user to grasp the details of the display document. Therefore, in a technique such as Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-21108, an explanatory sentence is prepared separately, and by reading it out loud, it is possible to make it easier to understand by voice output of the displayed content of a Web page.
As in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-31273, operation that uses a numeric keypad is realized in the MFP. Meanwhile, while reading out loud via a voice has been realized as in a screen reader in a Web browser on a PC, this not suitable to a Web browser accompanying operation of an application on an MFP. A voice read-out that corresponds to operation of a Web browser on the MFP via a numeric keypad or the like has not been realized. Accordingly, for a user of an MFP, there is a difference between operation of an application corresponding to voice read-out and operation of the application via the Web browser, and there is a problem from an aspect of usability. In addition, for the user, confusion is introduced by the difference in operation.

Image processing apparatus configured to provide voice guided operation, method of controlling an image processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium


A head unit for coil packaging is disclosed to transfer and fasten band for fixing a packaging material to a coil. The head unit for coil packaging, including: a band transfer unit that transfers a front end of a band supplied for coil packaging to a position at which a robot for winding the band to a coil can grip the front end of the band, and transfers the front end of the band such that it overlaps with the band as the robot provides the front end of the band wound on the coil; and a band fastening unit that fastens the front end of the band to the band.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a head unit for coil packaging and, more particularly, to a head unit for coil packaging to transfer and fasten a band to fix a packaging material to a coil.
2. Description of the Related Art
An iron manufacturing process includes an iron making process for producing a metallic stain (rusty water) by using key materials such as various iron ores, etc., a steelmaking process for producing a molten steel by removing impurities from the metallic stain, a continuous casting process for making the molten steel in the liquid state solid, and a rolling process for changing the solid steel into steel plates or wire rods, or the like.
The continuous casting process is a process whereby the molten steel in the liquid state is injected into a mold and allowed to pass through a continuous casting machine so as to be cooled and solidified into a semifinished product such as continuous slab, billet, or bloom. Of them, the slab is allowed to pass through a plurality of rotating rolls in the rolling process so as to be produced in the form of a thin steel plate. The thusly produced steel plate is wound in the form of coil for the sake of distribution and provided.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling relationship between a coil and coil packaging materials. With reference to FIG. 1, the steel plate (referred to as 'coil', hereinafter) is wound in the form of coil and its inner and outer circumferential surfaces are packaged with packaging materials including a rust-free paper 11 wound at inner and outer circumferences of the coil 10 for moistureproofing, an outer circumference protection plate 12 for protecting the outer circumferential surface of the coil 10, an inner circumference protection plate 13 for protecting the inner circumferential surface of the coil 10, a section side plate 14 for protecting both sides of the coil 10, an inner circumference ring 15 for fixing the inner circumference protection plate 11 to the inner circumferential surface of the coil 10, and an outer circumference ring 16 for fixing the outer circumference protection plate 12 to the outer circumferential surface of the coil 10.
After the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the coil 10 are packaged with the packaging materials, a binding process is performed to cover the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the coil 10 to prevent the coil 10 from getting loosed and to bind the packaging materials.
However, as for the related art coil binding apparatus, an apparatus for conveying the coil 10, an apparatus for lifting the coil 10, and apparatuses disposed respectively in the direction that a band is wound on the coil 10 are separately disposed and operated.
As a result, the related art coil binding apparatus has a problem in that the space operation for the coil binding process is ineffective and the costs for initial investment in plant and equipment increase.


The vehicle-use power generation control device includes a first function of detecting a temperature around a generator mounted on a vehicle, a second function of setting a target control voltage in accordance with the temperature detected by the first function, and a third function of controlling an output voltage of the generator at the target control voltage set by the second function. The second function is configured to determine the target control voltage on the basis of a target power generation voltage defining the target control voltage to be set at a predetermined temperature, and a predetermined gradient of the target control voltage with respect to the temperature detected by the first function.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle-use power generation control device for controlling an output voltage of a generator mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car or a truck.
2. Description of Related Art
There is known a vehicle-use charging system including an external control device and a power generation control device between which two-way communication can be performed. In this system, the external control device transmits a power generation control command to the power generation control device depending on a running state of a vehicle engine and a charge state of a vehicle battery detected by use of sensors in order to optimally perform power generation control in accordance with a vehicle running state, and on the other hand, the power generation control device transmits a power generation state signal to the external control device to enable performing engine control in accordance with a power generation state. For example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-88191.
In such a system, since the charge/discharge characteristic of the battery varies depending on its temperature, it is desirable that the external control device directs a target power generation voltage determined depending on the temperature of the battery detected by a battery temperature sensor to the power generation control device. However, in this case, the manufacturing cost of the system increases because in general battery temperature sensors are expensive. In addition, since the battery temperature sensor and the external control device have to be connected to each other by a harness, the wiring structure of the system becomes complicated.

Vehicle-use power generation control device


A moving object detection apparatus comprising: an image acquisition device; a first moving object detection device; a difference image generation device; a second moving object detection device for detecting existence/nonexistence of the moving object based on the difference image generated by the difference image generation device; and an integration device for integrating a detection result by the first moving object detection device and a detection result by the second moving object detection device and determining that the moving object is detected in a case where the moving object is not detected by at least the first moving object detection device and the moving object is detected by the second moving object detection device.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a moving object detection apparatus and method, and specifically relates to a technique that detects a moving object from frame images continuously taken.
Description of the Related Art
In the related art, there is suggested an image motion vector detection apparatus that performs moving object detection by detecting a camera-shake vector from an imaging signal acquired in a video camera and detecting an image motion vector which indicates the motion of an object and which can be distinguished from the camera-shake vector (PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-217188).
Moreover, there is suggested a moving object monitoring apparatus that calculates an inter-frame difference from frame images taken by a television camera and detects a moving object from the inter-frame difference (PTL 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-183901). Especially, this moving object monitoring apparatus has a feature that: detects and removes images of moving objects that are not required to be monitored such as the swing of a tree branch that performs periodic motion in a limited range; and further determining whether the remaining images are moving objects of the monitoring targets such as a human and a vehicle, according to the size or the like of the screen position or the like.

Device and method for detecting moving objects


An improved dipole antenna array with high radiation directivity and broad bandwidth is disclosed. Each dipole antenna is driven by a balun structure composed of an unbalanced J-shaped transmission line placed over a pair of ground plane extensions that are separated by a channel. The dipole antenna arms are connected to an intermediate point on the ground plane extensions so that the balun structure extends beyond the dipole antenna. The length of the dipole arms, their position on the ground plane extensions, and the extent to which the balun extends beyond the dipole antenna can be chosen to determine the desired operating frequency range. The antennas are fabricated on ground and circuit planes separated by a dielectric material and composed of conducting material deposited on dielectric sheets. A planar array of dipole antennas is formed with the ground plane circumscribing each antenna in the array to improve directivity. An electromagnetic reflecting plane is placed parallel to the array to increase radiation efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to an array of balun driven dipole elements and arrays of such dipoles useful as a microwave radiating antenna.
2. Prior Art
Dipole antennas are well known in the prior art. A typical dipole antenna consists of dipole arms which are fed by balanced transmission lines or a balun connected to an unbalanced transmission line. In that latter case, the dipole is driven by an open-circuited unbalanced transmission line which is overlaid on the grounded antenna structure to form the balun and can either extend over the dipole in an "L" shape or be bent back towards the ground plane in a "J" shape. The operating frequency of a dipole antenna is determined by its geometric structure and is generally limited to a narrow bandwidth.
A typical example of a dipole antenna is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,490 to Manwarren et al. This reference discloses a stripline slotted balun dipole antenna, where a single "L" shaped driving transmission line is sandwiched between two dielectric sheets, each containing a balun dipole antenna. A "J" shaped microstrip transmission line is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,220 to Edward et al. This reference describes a planar balun dipole antenna and a structure that allows the geometry to be physically altered after fabrication to tune the antenna to a desired frequency. Edward also describes the use of a reflecting surface located perpendicular to the antenna to increase radiation efficiency in the direction tangent to the balun. In both these references, the disclosed antennas are optimized for a single frequency.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,239,838 to Kelleher discloses a dipole antenna mounted in an open-faced resonant cavity. This reference discloses a dipole antenna where the dipole arms are not placed at the termination points of the balun transmission lines, but rather, are placed near their ends, with the remaining part of the balun forming stubs. Additionally, the microstrip transmission line used to drive the antenna is not extended into the stub region. Further, Kelleher does not teach or suggest the use of these stubs to increase the bandwidth of the antenna.
Balun dipole antennas are particularly suited to fabrication in planar arrays. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,114 to Shyhalla illustrates a flat planar array of microwave radiating elements. The dipole elements are formed on a planar dielectric substrate. The transmission line distribution circuit which drives the antennas is also formed on a planar substrate. Shyhalla discloses circumscribing the entire antenna array within a protective frame to provide rigidity. However, no suggestion is made to circumscribe each dipole antenna with a ground plane extension.


A redundant power distribution system and method of operation for transferring electrical power from one of several power sources to a load are disclosed. The system comprises one or more copies of a switching circuit with each switching circuit connectable to a power source. Each switching circuit monitors a voltage representative of its power source. The voltage being delivered to the load is also monitored by each switching circuit to detect a failed-open switching circuit. Arbitration is performed among the switching circuits detecting healthy power sources to select one power source to drive the load. Once a switching circuit has won arbitration, it continues to transfer power to the load until its power source fails or the switching circuit itself fails. The hardware can be partitioned in many ways. In one embodiment, two identical switching circuits with redundant hardware functions enable one switching circuit to be removed and replaced without disrupting the load that remains powered through the remaining switching circuit.

The present invention is related to the field of redundant alternating current power switching systems.
Redundant electrical power distribution systems are used where electrical power must be delivered to one or more loads at all times. Redundant electrical power distribution systems allow the loads to continue consuming power during an event that disrupts a flow of power from a primary power source. Power distribution systems, where reliability or safety are extremely important, will often use double or even triple redundant connections to two or three independent power sources. Success or failure of the redundancy is dependent upon the ability to tolerate a power disrupting event in one or more of the power sources and failures within the power distribution system itself.
A variety of events may take place that may result in disruption of power to the load. A typical power disrupting event is a failure in one of the power sources feeding the redundant power distribution system. These events may occur at any time for a variety of reasons. Another common power disrupting event is human error. For example, a person intending to remove electrical power from one load may accidently switch off an incorrect circuit breaker and thus remove electrical power from the critical load instead. Power disruption may also be initiated intentionally by a person performing a maintenance action on the power distribution system. A third event is hardware failure in the power distribution system.
Existing redundant power distribution systems account for the disruption events using one of several techniques. One approach is to provide full redundant systems between independent AC power sources an a common set of DC bus bars that supply the load. Here, duplicate sets of wiring, circuit protection, safety devices and AC/DC power converters are operated simultaneously and in parallel to deliver DC electrical power to the bus bars at all times. A disruption in any one set is unnoticed by the load. This approach, however, has several disadvantages. One disadvantage is that the AC/DC converters must be co-regulated to provide one common voltage at the bus bars. Another disadvantage is that large gauge wires must be used between the bus bars and the load(s) to minimize I2R losses at the lower DC voltages. Still another disadvantage is that the load must be designed to operate from a DC voltage input, whereas most industrial and commercial loads are designed to operate from AC voltage.
Another common redundancy approach is to provide an AC switching mechanism that can connect the load to one of several AC power sources at any given moment. Advantages of this approach are that it is simple to implement and it results in AC power being directed to the load instead of DC power. A disadvantage of this approach is that a single point failure in the AC switching mechanism may result in no electrical power reaching the load. Another disadvantage is that the switch may fail in a mode that shorts two of the independent power sources together.
Where electrical power is selected from only one of several power sources at a time, the redundant power distribution system must have a mechanism for deciding which power source to use, and when to transition to another power source. A fixed master/slave approach is commonly used to make these decisions. The power distribution system defaults to receiving power from a fixed master power source. When the master power source fails, the power distribution system switches the load to the slave power source. In the event that the master power source recovers, the power switching system returns the load to the master power source. An advantage of this method is simplicity. Only the master power source must be monitored for failures, and if none are detected, then the master power source is selected to drive the load. A disadvantage is that an oscillating between the master and slave power sources may result when the master power source is experiencing an intermittent failure, or is producing marginal quality power.
What is desired is a power distribution system that allows AC electrical power to be provided from one or more independent AC power sources to an AC load. The power distribution system should have an ability to detect faults in the power sources and itself, and respond by switching the load to another power source. Transitioning between power sources should be performed only when necessary to maintain electrical power to the loads.
The present invention is a redundant power distribution system and method of operation for transferring electrical power from one of several power sources to a load. The system comprises one or more copies of a switching circuit with each switching circuit connectable to an independent power source. Each switching circuit monitors a voltage representative of its power source. The voltage being delivered to the load is also monitored by each switching circuit to detect a failed-open switching circuit. Arbitration is performed among the switching circuits detecting healthy power sources to select one power source to drive the load. Once a switching circuit has won arbitration, it continues to transfer power to the load until its power source fails or the switching circuit itself fails.
In an alternative embodiment, the switching circuit includes a self-test capability to detect a failed-closed condition of a main switch. A line switch in series with the main switch is opened upon detection of a failed-closed condition of the main switch. A safety switch may also be connected in series with the main switch and wired to electrically isolate a dangling plug should the switching circuit become unplugged from its power source.
At the system level, the load voltage sensing function of the individual switching circuits may be combined into one load sensor for the entire system. Likewise, the arbitration among the switching circuits function may be allocated to a single arbitrator external to the switching circuits. Furthermore, control of the main switches of the multiple switching circuits may be allocated to a single control function for the system. Here, arbitration among the switching circuits is selection of one main switch to power the load. Physically partitioning the circuit into two or more removable modules makes it possible to perform non-disruptive maintenance while the load continues to receive power.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switching circuit, system of switching circuits, and method for controlling transfer of electrical power to a load from one power source at a time selected from among one or more power sources. In operation, a power source selected to drive the load will continues to drive the load until it fails or its associated switching circuit fails.
These and other objects, features and advantages will be readily apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A curved-surface display panel fabrication method for fabricating a curved display panel having a desired curved shape using a flat display panel having a first substrate and a second substrate, includes: paring partially outer surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate so as to reduce thicknesses thereof to a predetermined thickness; and attaching a reinforcing plate having the same shape with the desired curved shape and light transmitting characteristics to the display panel using an adhesive layer which is formed on at least a portion of edge portions of the display panel in a state that the pared flat display panel is bent to the desired curved shape.

Various display devices have been developed and are being used. A liquid crystal display device which realizes images using liquid crystal is widely used.
Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes two display panels and a liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween and having a dielectric anisotropy. An electric filed is formed in the liquid crystal layer, and a transmittance of light passing the liquid crystal layer is regulated by regulating amplitude of the electric field so as to obtain a desired image. Such a liquid crystal display is representative one of a flat panel display (FPD), and TFT-LCD which uses thin film transistor (TFT) as a switching element is widely used.
A plurality of display signal lines i.e., gate lines and data lines, a plurality of thin film transistors and pixel electrodes are formed on a lower display panel of the two display panels of the liquid crystal display panel, and a color filter and a common electrode are formed on a upper display panel.
Such a liquid crystal display panel is generally manufactured in a flat shape, so the conventional liquid crystal display panel cannot be used as a curved display.
In order to solve this problem, a flexible liquid crystal display panel which has flexible substrates instead of glass substrates of a conventional liquid crystal display panel so as to be bent by external bending force has been developed.
However, there is a problem that the manufacturing process of the conventional flexible liquid crystal display panel is difficult and the manufacturing cost thereof is high.

Method for fabrication of curved-surface display panel


Provided is a liquid dispensing package for a container adapted to contain a liquid that includes a hand operated liquid transport assembly coupled to an actuator, a liquid distribution subsystem in fluid communication with a discharge tube from the liquid transport assembly, wherein downward motion of the actuator, provided by a user, causes liquid to travel through the discharge tube to the actuator top surface, and a liquid draw-back subsystem wherein upward motion of the actuator, provided by a return spring, permits draw-back of liquid from the top surface of the actuator.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to liquid pump dispensers for use with substrates such as paper towels, wipes, woven or nonwoven dishcloths, and sponges. More specifically the present invention relates to a dispensing package having a suction-flow liquid draw-back subsystem from a dispensing package actuator to the dispensing package liquid distribution subsystem used to distribute liquid from a dispensing package container to the actuator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Consumers have traditionally applied cleaning and disinfecting compositions with a dispenser, sometimes called a dispensing package. For example, in a cleaning process, a consumer applied the composition from a trigger spray bottle dispenser by spraying the composition on a surface and wiping it with a paper towel. Alternatively, the composition in a pour or pump-out bottle dispenser was added to a sponge, activated with water, and wiped on and rinsed off the surface with the sponge. These procedures and cleaning systems are inefficient because the consumer must go through several cleaning steps.
As an alternative to spray, pump-out, and pour dispensed cleaning systems, wet disinfectant or cleaning wipes, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,805 to Sherry et al., are becoming increasingly popular for their convenience in combining a nonwoven, disposable substrate with a disinfecting or cleaning composition. Soap-loaded disposable dish cloths, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,869 to Suazon et al., are also popular for their convenience. These products combine the cleaning composition and the cleaning substrate in one cleaning system so that the consumer can perform the cleaning task with one hand and with one product. However, these systems have some drawbacks such as requiring water activation of a dry substrate or requiring a sealed packaging for a wet substrate.
Current dispensing packages, however, are not adequate for one hand application of cleaning and disinfecting compositions to cleaning substrates such as paper towels. Dispensing packages such as trigger sprayers or pump dispensers generally require one hand to hold and activate the dispenser and one hand to hold the cleaning substrates. Existing pump-up dispensers that can be ergonomically operated with the same hand that holds the cleaning substrate have small actuators that require the hand and substrate to be contracted into a ball in order to activate the dispenser. To overcome the problem that existing pump-up dispensers having small actuators that require the hand and substrate to be contracted into a ball in order to activate the dispenser is address in co-owned patent application Ser. No. 11/609,740 now U.S. App. 2008/0138143; Ser. No. 11/609,749 now U.S. App. 2008/0138144, Ser. No. 11/609,761 now U.S. App. 2008/0135581, and Ser. No. 11/621,235 now U.S. App. 2008/0166174 each of which is incorporated by reference in their entirety. These co-owned patent applications describe dispensing package liquid distribution subsystems that distribute a liquid at the entire top surface area of a large, hand-sized actuator so that the hand and substrate need not be contracted into a ball in order to operated the dispensing package.
Further, while gravity-flow liquid drain-back features are very common for bottle/spout systems for laundry aisle products, existing pump-up dispensing packages do not provide a drain-back subsystem that returns excess dispensed cleaning compositions not absorbed by the cleaning substrate. Some pump mechanisms and dispensers specifically prevent liquid from draining back into the liquid container of the dispensing package or from being drawn back into the liquid distribution subsystem of the dispensing package. This may be important for disinfecting or registered cleaning compositions.
However, it would often be desirable with other compositions or liquids, to collect excess dispensed product, not fully absorbed by the substrate at the actuator top surface, and return it to the composition product container of the dispensing package. Where product drain-back into the container would not compromise the integrity of the product, this excess liquid collection and return feature would aid in the use, appearance, and efficiency of the dispensing package and would help prevent product drooling. Preventing product drooling or pooling on a dispenser surface would be an aesthetic benefit to the consumer.
Embodiments of a gravity-flow liquid drain-back subsystem are disclosed in co-owned patent application Ser. No. 11/767,646 now U.S. App. 2008/0314925, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The gravity-flow liquid drain-back system returns excess liquid not absorb by the substrate during actuation of a pump-up dispensing package to the container from which the liquid product is dispensed. A drain-back pathway, separate from the liquid distribution system pathway, is utilized to drain excess liquid back to the dispensing package container. It would be desirable to provide an excess liquid collection subsystem for a dispensing package which avoids the separate return pathway of the gravity-flow liquid drain-back subsystem.
To overcome these problems of prior art cleaning systems, the dispensing package embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide a dispensing package that allows a consumer to conveniently apply a liquid cleaning composition from a container to a substrate with one hand and in a controlled manner. Further, the dispensing package embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide a dispensing package that allows for the collection and return of excess liquid cleaning composition not absorbed by the substrate without the need for a liquid pathway separate from the liquid pathway used to apply the liquid cleaning composition to the substrate.

Liquid draw-back system for a dispensing package


A process for the preparation of a powder comprising one or more complexing agent salts of the general formula

The aminopolyphosphonates, polycarboxylates or aminopolycarboxylates, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), often used as complexing agents for example in detergents and cleaners are biodegradable only to a small degree.
A cost-effective alternative is the glycine-N,N-diacetic acid derivatives, such as methylglycine-N,N-diacetic acid (MGDA) and salts thereof—e.g. the trialkali metal salts—which have advantageous toxicological properties and are readily biodegradable. The use of MGDA and of related glycine-N,N-diacetic acid derivatives in cleaners, and the syntheses thereof are described e.g. in WO-A 94/029421 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,950. For a cost-effective production of the glycine-N,N-diacetic acid derivatives, high requirements are placed on the yield of the individual synthesis steps and purity of the isolated intermediate products.
MGDA is prepared in particular by reacting iminodiacetonitrile with acetaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid or of alpha-alanine nitrile with formaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid and alkaline hydrolysis of the methylglycinediacetonitrile (MGDN) obtained as intermediate product with sodium hydroxide solution, giving the trisodium salt of MGDA. In order to achieve high MGDA yields and purities, MGDN is generally isolated as an intermediate product and used as pure substance in the subsequent hydrolysis step.
A problem with the hydrolysis of alkylglycinenitrile-N,N-diacetonitriles is their thermal lability, especially in an alkaline medium. As a result of the sterically demanding alkyl substitution, back-cleavage reactions are favored. Consequently, processes have been developed which as far as possible lead to low by-product forms of MGDA and its salts.
An improved process for the preparation of low by-product salts of MGDA is described in WO 2006/120129. The more modern production processes generally lead to about 35-40% strength by weight aqueous solutions, from which the salts are then prepared in flowable form.
One of the known work-up processes in the prior art is the conversion of such aqueous solutions in a spray-tower. This produces predominantly amorphous powders with a residual moisture in the order of magnitude of for example 5% by weight. Although higher residual moistures are conceivable, they are rather difficult to generate in a spray-tower and are, moreover, also undesired because then upon subsequent storage by the consumer or during processing, clumping of the powders can arise. It is also known that granules do not have such disadvantages and can therefore be processed without problems. However, granule production requires an additional reworking step following powder production in the spray-tower and is therefore relatively expensive. In this reworking step, additional moisture is fed to the powder from the spray-tower, and granulation is carried out with heating and kneading at a residence time in the order of magnitude of one hour via a crystallization. Such a process is described for example in EP-A 08 45 456.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for the preparation of a powder comprising one or more complexing agent salts

Abstract: comprises atomizing an aqueous solution comprising the one or more complexing agent salts in the presence of a crystalline fine dust of the same complexing agent salts and a drying step, wherein the concentration of the one or more complexing agent salt is from 10 to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous solution, with an upper limit for the average particle diameter of the crystalline fine dust which is lower by at least a factor of 2 than the lower limit of the average particle diameter of the powder obtained after the process, and the fraction of the crystalline fine dust is from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the powder obtained after the process.


Various examples are disclosed for workload placement and workload balancing across a cluster of nodes. Workloads can be migrated between nodes to free sufficient CPU and memory resources to place a new workload onto a cluster. Workloads can also be migrated between pods to balance CPU and memory utilization of nodes in a cluster.

Network infrastructures can provide the hardware and software resources required for the operation and management of an enterprise. For example, a network infrastructure can include a hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI), a converged infrastructure, a hierarchical cluster engine (HCE) infrastructure, and/or any other type of infrastructure. An HCI, for example, can provide an enterprise with modular and expandable central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage, and network resources as well as system backup and recovery. In a hyper-converged infrastructure, CPU, memory, storage, and network resources are brought together using preconfigured and integrated hardware. Workloads or tasks can be allocated to hardware with sufficient CPU and memory resources to handle the workload. When a workload requires more resources than are available in a particular host, additional hardware can be assigned to the workload.
Workloads, such as applications or virtual machines, can be allocated across a fleet of physical machines or across a cluster of hosts using an orchestration platform. "Containerization" is a term that refers to operating-system-level virtualization that can be used by orchestration platforms to establish containers that are isolated from each other and deployed across a cluster of physical or virtual machines, referred to as nodes, in an HCI.
With some containerized deployments, an assumption is made that they are small and stateless, so that they are already optimized for operations and there is nothing more to be done. However, in larger ecosystems, the container schedulers or orchestrators have a tendency to continually allocate physical resources to a deployment even when sufficient CPU and memory resources are available for new deployments across multiple nodes.
Orchestrators can be tasked with managing a set of nodes (VMs or Physical Servers) to deploy requested containers. When containers are configured for deployment, a 'request' containing a minimum requirement for each resource within the container (e.g., CPU and memory) is provided to or generated by the orchestrator service. The orchestrator reserves this minimum capacity and takes care of placing these containers on different nodes based on their resource requirement and availability within a cluster of nodes. If the requested minimum capacity is not available on any one node, some schedulers will fail to place the container or will request additional server resources within the HCI without first attempting to relocate or migrate existing containers to other existing nodes to create sufficient capacity within the existing cluster. This can result in increased costs to the computing environment, as unneeded resources might be allocated to a cluster.

Workload placement and balancing within a containerized infrastructure


A switch for a card reader assembly forming a portion of a radio transceiver. The switch is operative responsive to positioning of a card member at a support position of the card reader assembly. The switch is operative to move out of a first switch position and into a second switch position responsive to actuation forces exerted upon the switch by the card member. The actuation forces are exerted by the card member to position the switch at the second switch position only when the card member is positioned at the support position. A lever arm of the switch includes a force receiving surface for receiving actuation forces generated by the card member when positioned thereagainst. Application of the actuation forces generates twisting moments to cause pivotal movement of the lever arm about a pivot arm.

The present invention relates generally to switches, and, more particularly, to a switch operative to be positioned in either a first switch position or a second switch position responsive to actuation forces applied thereto by a card member when positioned in abutment with the switch.
Advancements in the field of radio electronics have permitted the introduction and commercialization of an ever-increasing array of radio communication apparatus. Advancements in electronic circuitry design have also permitted increased miniaturization of the electronic circuitry comprising such radio communication apparatus. As a result, an ever-increasing array of radio communication apparatus comprised of ever-smaller electronic circuitry has permitted such radio communication apparatus to be utilized more conveniently in an increased number of applications.
A radio transceiver, such as a radiotelephone utilized in a cellular, communication system, is one example of radio communication apparatus which has been miniaturized to be utilized conveniently in an increased number of applications. Additional efforts to miniaturize further the electronic circuitry of similar such radio transceivers are being made. Such further miniaturization of the radio transceivers will further increase the convenience of utilization of such transceivers, and will permit such transceivers to be utilized in further increased numbers of applications.
Pursuant to such efforts to miniaturize further the electronic circuitry of such radio transceivers (as well as other radio communication apparatus), size minimization of the circuitry is a critical design goal during design of such circuitry. Minimization of the physical dimensions of other structure of such radio transceivers is similarly a critical design goal during design of the radio transceivers.
Concomitant with the miniaturization of the circuitry and other physical structure of such radio transceivers is the introduction of additional innovations, both electronic and mechanical in nature, into the design of such radio transceivers. Such additional innovations provide the radio transceivers with additional features to increase the convenience of use of such transceivers. In a manner similar to the ongoing efforts to minimize the physical dimensions of the electronic circuitry and other structure of the radio tranceivers, efforts are also ongoing to minimize the physical dimensions of the structure of such additional innovations.
With particular reference to a cellular radiotelephone, one type of radio transceiver, an assembly referred to as a card reader assembly, constitutes one such additional innovation included into the design of several constructions of radiotelephones.
A card reader assembly is operative to receive a card member at a support position therein. The card member is substantially similar in dimensions to a conventional credit card, but further includes a memory element disposed thereupon. Identification indicia is stored in the memory element. When the memory element disposed upon the card member is appropriately coupled to the circuitry of the radiotelephone, the information stored within the memory element may be transferred to the circuitry of the radiotelephone.
The identification indicia stored in the memory element includes an identification number to be utilized for billing purposes to bill a phone call made with the radiotelephone to a particular billing account. Because the card member may be removed from a card reader assembly of one radiotelephone, and inserted within the card reader assembly of another radiotelephone, calls made from more than one radiotelephone may be billed to a single billing account.
Radiotelephone constructions having card reader assemblies incorporated therein are advantageous, as a user of more than one radiotelephone may alternately operate the two or more radiotelephones while requiring only a single billing account.
The card members upon which the memory elements are disposed are of a standardized configuration, and the card reader assembly is similarly of a standardized configuration. More particularly, the card member includes electrodes formed upon a face surface thereof. The electrodes are coupled to the memory element disposed upon the card member, and are operative to permit electrical connection between the memory element and the circuitry of the radiotelephone. Such electrodes are positioned at standardized locations upon the card member to permit suitable connection of the electrodes to corresponding contacts of the electronic circuitry of the radiotelephone. The contacts of the circuitry of the radiotelephone are similarly of standardized configurations. In standard configurations, the electrodes formed upon the face surface of the card member are arranged in an array of two rows of three electrodes.
At least one of the radiotelephone contacts is coupled to a radiotelephone power supply which powers the radiotelephone. And, at least one of the radiotelephone contacts is coupled to a ground side of the radiotelephone power supply. Because of the standardized configuration of positioning of the electrodes upon the card member, care must be exercised to ensure that contacts of the electronic circuitry of the radiotelephone coupled to the positive side of the radiotelephone power supply are only powered when the corresponding electrodes of the card member are properly aligned with one another.
Powering of such radiotelephone contacts when the card member is misaligned therewith can result in damage to the memory element disposed upon the card member. (For example, when misaligned such that a radiotelephone electrode coupled to a positive side of the radiotelephone power supply is connected to an electrode coupled to a ground terminal of the memory element disposed upon the card member, the memory element may be damaged or the stored information may be lost.)
Accordingly, the radiotelephone contacts should not be powered until the card member is suitably positioned at a desired support position whereat the electrodes of the card member are suitably aligned with the radiotelephone contacts.
To prevent such powering of the radiotelephone contacts prior to proper positioning of the card member at a support position of the card reader assembly, a switch may be utilized to prevent powering of the radiotelephone electrodes except during times in which the card member is suitably positioned at the support position in the card reader assembly.
While several, existing radiotelephone constructions include such switches, these existing switches are relatively large, difficult to manufacture, and are relatively expensive.
What is needed, accordingly, is a switch of minimal physical dimensions, of low cost, and of convenient construction for use in such an application.

Switch operative responsive to positioning of a card member


A system, method, and apparatus for providing alerts based on unstructured information are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a data item from a remotely located information source, the data item including unstructured information. The method also includes determining a threat score for the data item by matching information associated with the data item to pre-identified information associated with a numerical value. The method further includes responsive to the threat score exceeding a predetermined threshold, creating a Common Alerting Protocol data structure that includes at least a portion of the information associated with the data item and transmitting the Common Alerting Protocol data structure.

Known moderation systems are oftentimes configured to filter and flag content from one source of information. This enables moderation systems to be uniquely configured based on the source of the information. Other known moderation systems are configured to filter and flag information from multiple information sources. However, these known moderation systems are configured to process only structured information generated from the sources.
For example, some information sources (e.g., the Department of Homeland Security and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) generate information according to a Common Alerting Protocol ("CAP") format. This protocol defines a template for classifying information included within alerts that includes clearly labeled data fields that specify an urgency of an alert, a severity of an alert, a category of an alert, and a certainty of an alert. The protocol also defines how geographic locations associated with the alert are to be specified (e.g., by latitude and longitude). Similarly, other information sources may structure information according to a Specific Area Message Encoding ("SAME") format or a Commercial Mobile Alert System ("CMAS").
Current moderation systems use the predefined formats/templates of the information sources to effectively identify relevant information. For example, known moderation systems include algorithms that search for information labeled in CAP data fields (e.g., urgency, severity, certainty, and category) to determine how to score and route the information. These known algorithms are effective because the information is received in a known format.
However, these known moderation algorithms are ineffective processing unstructured information because there is no defined data format that identifies the importance of the information. As a result, known moderation systems disregard unstructured information. There accordingly exists a need to provide moderation of unstructured information.

Providing alerts based on unstructured information methods and apparatus

Pinkerton Consulting and Investigations, Inc.


Systems, apparatuses and methods for integrating adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) with communication features in an enclosure, such as an incubator, bed, and the like. Utilizing one or more error and reference microphones, a controller for a noise cancellation portion reduces noise within a quiet area of the enclosure. Voice communications are provided to allow external voice signals to be transmitted to the enclosure with minimized interference with noise processing. Vocal communications from within the enclosure may be processed to determine certain characteristics/features of the vocal communications. Using these characteristics, certain emotive and/or physiological states may be identified.

The present disclosure relates to an electronic enclosure or encasement advantageously configured for an incubator or similar device, where excessive noise may be an issue. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an electronic enclosure including active noise control, and communication.
In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/952,250, referenced above and assigned to the assignee of the present application, techniques were disclosed for abating noise, such as snoring, in the vicinity of a human head by utilizing Adaptive Noise Control (ANC). More specifically, utilizing a multiple-channel feed-forward ANC system using adaptive FIR filters with an 1×2×2 FXLMS algorithm, a noise suppression system may be particularly effective at reducing snoring noises. While noise suppression is desirous for adult humans, special requirements may be needed in the cases of babies, infants, and other life forms that may have sensitivity to noise.
Newborn babies, and particularly premature, ill, and low birth weight infants are often placed in special units, such as neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) where they require specific environments for medical attention. Devices such as incubators have greatly increased the survival of very low birth weight and premature infants. However, high levels of noise in the NICU have been shown to result in numerous adverse health effects, including hearing loss, sleep disturbance and other forms of stress. At the same time, an important relationship during infancy is the attachment or bonding to a caregiver, such as a mother and/or father. This is due to the fact that this relationship may determine the biological and emotional 'template' for future relationships and well-being. It is generally known that healthy attachment to the caregiver through bonding experiences during infancy may provide a foundation for future healthy relationships. However, infants admitted to an NICU may lose such experiences in their earliest life due to limited interaction their parents due to noise and/or means of communication. Therefore, it is important to reduce noise level inside incubator and increase bonding opportunities for NICU babies and their parents. In addition, there are advantages for newborns inside the incubators to hear their mothers' voice which can help release the stress and improve language development. Communicating with NICU babies can also benefit the new mothers, such as, preventing postpartum depression, improving bonding, etc.
Regarding communication, it would be advantageous to provide "cues" to a caregiver based on an infant's cry, so that the infant may be understood, albeit on a rudimentary level. These cues may be advantageous for interpreting a likely condition of the infant via its vocal communication. Unlike adults, the airways of newborn infants are quite different from those of adults. The larynx in newborn infants is positioned close to the base of the skull. The high position of the larynx in the newborn is similar to its position in other animals and allows the newborn human to form a sealed airway from the nose to the lungs. The soft palate and epiglottis provide a "double seal," and liquids can flow around the relatively small larynx into the esophagus while air moves through the nose, through the larynx and trachea into the lungs. The anatomy of the upper airways in newborn infants is "matched" to a neural control system (newborn infants are obligated nose breathers). They normally will not breathe through their mouths even in instances where their noses may be blocked. The unique configuration of the vocal tract is the reason for the extremely nasalized cry of the infant.
From one perspective, the increasing alertness and decreasing crying as part of the sleep/wakefulness cycle suggests that there may be a balanced exchange between crying and attention. The change from sleep/cry to sleep/alert/cry necessitates the development of control mechanisms to modulate arousal. The infant must increase arousal more gradually, in smaller increments, to maintain states of attention for longer periods. Crying is a heightened state of arousal produced by nervous system excitation triggered by some form of perceived threat, such as hunger, pain, or sickness, or individual differences in thresholds for stimulation. Crying is modulated and developmentally facilitated by control mechanisms to enable the infant to maintain non-crying states.
The cry serves as the primary means of communication for infants. While it is possible for experts (experienced parents and child care specialists) to distinguish infant cries though training and experience, it is difficult for new parents and for inexperienced child care workers to interpret infant cries. Accordingly, techniques are needed to extract audio features from the infant cry so that different communicated states for an infant may be determined. Cry Translator™, a commercially available product known in the art, claims to be able to identify five distinct cries: hunger, sleep, discomfort, stress and boredom. An exemplary description of the product may be found in US Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0284409, titled "Signal Recognition Method With a Low-Cost Microcontroller," which is incorporated by reference herein. However, such configurations are less robust, provide limited information, are not necessarily suitable for NICU applications, and do not provide integrated noise reduction.
Accordingly, there is a need for infant voice analysis, as well as a need to coupled voice analysis with noise reduction. Using an infant's cry as a diagnostic tool may play an important role in determining infant voice communication, and for determining emotional, pathological and even medical conditions, such as SIDS, problems in developmental outcome and colic, medical problems in which early detection is possible only by invasive procedures such as chromosomal abnormalities, etc. Additionally, related techniques are needed for analyzing medical problems which may be readily identified, but would benefit from an improved ability to define prognosis (e.g., prognosis of long term developmental outcome in cases of prematurity and drug exposure).

Apparatus, system and method for noise cancellation and communication for incubators and related devices


An electro-optical device includes a substrate; electrodes formed on the substrate; switching elements connected to the electrodes, respectively; an electro-optical material layer disposed on the electrodes and the switching elements; photospacers that regulate the thickness of the electro-optical material layer; and spacer light-shielding films, each being provided between a corresponding photospacer and the substrate. Each of the spacer light-shielding films is made of the same material as at least one of a plurality of elements constituting each of the switching elements.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal display, to a method of manufacturing the same, and to an electronic apparatus having the electro-optical device.
2. Related Art
An electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal display has been widely used in electronic apparatuses such as mobile phones and handheld terminals. For example, the electro-optical device has been used as a display device for displaying various information concerning an electronic apparatus. The electro-optical device refers to a device that controls an optical output state according to an electrical input. For example, the electro-optical device may include liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent (EL) devices, plasma display devices and the like.
For example, in liquid crystal displays, electrodes are formed on a pair of substrates, and a liquid crystal layer is interposed between the electrodes. The voltage applied to the electrodes is adjusted to control the orientation of liquid crystal molecules within the liquid crystal layer, and light supplied to the liquid crystal layer is modulated through the orientation control. In such a liquid crystal display, in the related art, a plurality of spacers is provided between the pair of substrates blue, green, and red to maintain the thickness of the liquid crystal layer uniform. There is also known a technique in which these spacers are formed by a photolithographic process (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-265912 (page 3, FIG. 1)).
However, in the spacers (hereinafter, referred to as 'photospacer') formed by the photolithographic process, orientation failures of liquid crystal molecules are likely to occur in the vicinity of the photospacers, which results in optical leakage. As a result, there have been cases in which the display quality of a liquid crystal display deteriorates significantly. Even in electro-optical devices other than liquid crystal displays, when the photospacers are provided, disturbance to the physical properties of an electro-optical material is likely to occur in the vicinity of the photospacers. As a result, there is a possibility that disturbance to the optical characteristics of the electro-optical device will occur.

Electro-optical method of manufacturing spacer light-shielding film simultaneously with switching unit element using same materials and process


The disclosure includes a system and method for changing user profile impression. The system includes a controller, a preview module, a determination module and a graphical user interface module. The controller receives an input describing a selection of a profile impression from a user. The preview module determines profile preview data based at least in part on the selection and source data describing one or more user activities. The determination module receives user review data that describes a user review input based at least in part on the profile preview data. The determination module determines profile impression data based at least in part on the profile preview data and the user review data. The graphical user interface module determines graphical data based at least in part on the profile impression data.

The present disclosure relates to social networks and the presentation of content. In particular, the present disclosure relates to changing user profile impression in social networks.
The popularity and use of social networks has grown dramatically in recent years. In particular, social networks have become a very popular and a preferred method for interaction with others. A user may share online activities with other users including friends, family members, etc., via a social feed posted on a social network. At some point, a user might not like the way they are perceived online by others. For example, a new mother wants to put her party days in the past; a professional has issues with co-workers saying his online profile is unprofessional; etc. It may be highly desirable to provide a tool for users to change their profile impressions easily at any time.