A method and apparatus for selecting a communication system in accordance with geographic region of the subscriber station. The subscriber station first attempts to determine its geographic region. It does so by attempting to acquire a system which covers the region. Once the subscriber station has determined its geographic region, the subscriber station then determines whether the acquired system is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region. If it is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the subscriber station registers with the acquired system. If it is not the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the subscriber station attempts to acquire a more desirable system.

I. Field of the Invention PA1 II. Description of the Related Art
The present invention relates to communication systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel and improved method and apparatus for selecting a preferred communication system in a subscriber station capable of operation in a plurality of geographical regions.
As mobile communication systems become more prevalent in society the demands for greater and more sophisticated service have grown. To meet the capacity needs of mobile communication systems, techniques of multiple access to a limited communication resource have been developed. The use of code division multiple access (CDMA) modulation techniques is one of several techniques for facilitating communications in which a large number of system users are present. Other multiple access communication system techniques, such as time division multiple access (TDMA) and frequency division multiple access (FDMA) are known in the art. However, the spread spectrum modulation technique of CDMA has significant advantages over these modulation techniques for multiple access communication systems.
The use of CDMA techniques in a multiple access communication system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307, issued Feb. 13, 1990, entitled "SPREAD SPECTRUM MULTIPLE ACCESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING SATELLITE OR TERRESTRIAL REPEATERS", assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated by reference herein. The use of CDMA techniques in a multiple access communication system is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,459, issued Apr. 7, 1992, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING SIGNAL WAVEFORMS IN A CDMA CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM", assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated by reference herein.
When the user of a subscriber station travels from one geographic region to another, the subscriber station must select a communications system upon which to conduct services. There are two means by which a user may operate his subscriber station in differing geographic locations. By the first method, the user subscribes to communications services in a variety of locations. Thus, the subscriber station needs only to seek out a communications system to which the user subscribes and is authorized to receive services from any of those service providers.
Alternatively, the user may communicate by means of roaming service. Mobile communications providers negotiate contracts among themselves to provide services known as "roaming" to their customers. A "roamer" is a subscriber station which requires service in a system which is operated by a communications service provider other than the ones to which the user subscribes. Currently, when a subscriber station is roaming, a signal indicative of the roaming condition is provided to the user. A roaming determination is made as a result of a comparison of the system identification (SID) of the subscribed system or systems with the SID of the system providing service which is broadcast by that system. This alerts the user of the subscriber station that the service being provided is accruing roaming charges.
Because the subscriber station is generally without knowledge of the users geographic region, it must determine what system are available and then select a system which provides the optimum service to the user in terms of cost and quality of service. As the number of regions in which the user wishes to be able to operate increases, so does the number of different communications systems that user must attempt to acquire. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for selecting the communication system best suited to the user's needs.
The present invention is described in a multi-mode subscriber station, such as is described in detail in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/509,719, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYSTEM DETERMINATION IN A MULTI-MODE SUBSCRIBER STATION", which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference. It should be noted that although the present invention is described in the context of a subscriber station capable of operation in analog and digital environments, the present invention is equally applicable to subscriber stations only capable of operation in one environment. Similarly, it should be noted that the digital operation described in the context of code division multiple access (CDMA) operation is equally applicable to any digital communication format such as TDMA, FDMA, GSM, etc.

Method and apparatus for performing preferred system selection


Methods for repair of single crystal superalloys by laser welding and products thereof have been disclosed. The laser welding process may be hand held or automated. Laser types include: CO2, Nd:YAG, diode and fiber lasers. Parameters for operating the laser process are disclosed. Filler materials, which may be either wire or powder superalloys are used to weld at least one portion of a single crystal superalloy substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to welding methods and products, and more specifically to methods for repair of single crystal superalloys by laser welding and products thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, nickel-based superalloys have been widely used for applications in which resistance to high temperatures is required. Such applications are largely found in the hot-section parts of gas turbine engines. Improvements in manufacturing methods have led to casting of components in single crystal form giving better high temperature lives and strength than their equiaxed, poly-crystalline counterparts. Over time, such components (particularly turbine blades) would be damaged or degraded due to erosion, corrosion, oxidation and thermal fatigue, and require repair or restoration. Amongst other causes were the fuel gas used in power generation gas turbines which contain many compounds such as sodium sulfate and sodium chloride, etc., which promote high temperature corrosion and oxidation of turbine blades.
The efficiency of gas turbine engines depends in part on the ability to minimize leakage of compressed air between the turbine blades and the shrouds of the engine's turbine section. During service operation, as noted above, turbine blade tips and vane air foils are eroded and worn due to severe oxidation, corrosion and foreign particle impact, and such damaged components become scrapped parts. It is therefore advantageous to repair components if at all possible.
However, because these components comprise superalloys having high strength, but low ductility properties, cracks would be induced during welding. The cracks would propagate rapidly under stress resulting in unusable parts. Superalloys are principally strengthened through controlled heat treatment producing Ni3(Al, Ti) precipitates known as gamma-prime. The precipitation hardening phenomena and the associated volumetric changes that occur upon aging facilitates cracking and makes welding of these alloys very difficult.
As a result of the high temperatures involved in welding, there is a need for an improved process permitting superalloy parts to be joined with other parts of similar alloy composition while maintaining the strength and ductility properties of both the parts and the integrity of the bond that is thereby formed. An improved process for coating existing parts that have corroded, as discussed above, is also desirable.
For the foregoing reasons, it is desirable to provide improved methods for repair of single crystal superalloys by laser welding and products thereof.


Optical fibers are embedded in metal structures and components by using a pair of stress-relieving tubes at the air-metal interface of the optical fiber.

Ever since the introduction of the fiber optics technology, the optical fiber has proven to be a most versatile and promising means of transmitting data and information. Recent advanced developments in fiber optics sensor technology have spurred considerable research on embedding optical fibers and optical fiber sensors in various materials and structures. Studies have been conducted on embedding optical fibers in graphite-epoxy composites, plastics, concrete, and solder metals with relatively low melting temperature of 190.degree. C.
Optical fibers and sensors embedded in metals with much higher melting temperatures and strengths are desirable in numerous applications. For example, if metal-embedding were possible, an optical fiber sensor can then be cast into the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine to monitor its performance. In addition, metal-embedded fibers are applicable to connectors and feedthroughs in, for example, vacuum systems, undersea vehicles, undersea repeaters, chemical processing plants, and steam power plants. Metal-embedded fiber sensors may also find application in smart structures, such as aircraft wings and fuselages, ships, spacecraft, bridges, and buildings.
Previous attempts to embed optical fibers in metals with high melting temperatures have all resulted in failure. The fragile fibers invariably break either at or near the air-metal interface. The fiber breakage has been attributed to the stress inflicted on the fiber by the contraction of the surrounding metal as it cools from its melting temperature to room temperature. Therefore, it is obvious that resolution of the fiber breakage problem in embedding optical fibers in metals has broad implications. The present invention is a novel and unique solution to this problem.

Apparatus and method for embedding optical fibers in metal


A voltage-controlled oscillator is implemented with a succession of delay cells coupled in series to form an oscillator loop. The oscillator loop is supplied with reference voltages produced by a voltage generator. The reference voltages produce stable operation of the voltage-controlled oscillator. Cascode reference current generators are incorporated within the voltage generator to supply a cross-coupled arrangement of pull-up devices within each delay cell. The cross-coupled pull-up devices are instrumental in producing complementary output signaling from each delay cell. A pair of cascode current generators is configured in parallel to produce a magnitude of current according to an applied voltage and to be selectable for dual or single operation with a corresponding frequency determination.

The present invention relates to integrated circuits in general and, in particular, to optimized delay cells for voltage-controlled oscillators.
A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is a key component in a typical phase-lock loop, or PLL. Along with a phase-frequency detector, a charge pump, and a loop filter, a VCO is capable of generating a clock whose frequency and phase have a well-defined (deterministic) relationship to the frequency and phase of a reference clock. As a set, they form the PLL. PLLs are used in various applications such as clock synthesis, clock distribution, signal de-skewing, and as filters in reducing jitter within other applications. VCOs therefore, are a commonly occurring circuit element in clock circuitry.


The present invention is directed to methods for treating infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus with reduced glycopeptide sensitivity. The invention is preferably practiced with strains of Staphylococcus aureus which are methicillin resistant, such as the Mu5O strain.

Infectious diseases have historically taken a tremendous toll of human life. In this century, many of these have been controlled by various antibacterials. However, bacteria have the ability to mutate, and by this technique, have in numerous cases become resistant to the very antibacterials which hitherto have been efficacious in controlling them.
As an example, the glycopeptide vancomycin has been used for the control of infections due to gram-positive bacterial organisms, including Enterococcus species and Staphylococcus species, for nearly four decades. Another glycopeptide, teicoplanin, has been introduced more recently, also for the control of gram-positive bacterial organisms. Quite recently, however, bacterial strains have arisen which are less sensitive to these glycopeptides. These strains may be of only reduced sensitivity, or in some cases they are completely resistant and the glycopeptides are of no avail.
Therefore, there is a need for new methods of therapy to treat infections due to bacterial strains of reduced sensitivity or resistance.


A method and a computer program for identifying when the driver of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is not paying attention. In order to make it possible to make a more reliable statement on the presence of any inattentiveness by the driver, the method observes a steering action following a steering quiescent phase, in addition to detecting the steering quiescent phase. The extent of the steering quiescent phase and of the steering action found are logically linked to one another, and the result of this logical operation is then used as a measure for the severity of the inattentiveness of the driver.

The invention relates to a method and a computer program for identifying when a driver of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is not paying attention during operation of the vehicle. The invention also relates to a data storage medium having stored thereon such a computer program.
Various proposals for detecting inattentiveness by a motor vehicle driver, in particular a tendency for the motor vehicle driver to go to sleep, are known from the prior art.
By way of example, one corresponding proposal is disclosed in German Laid-Open Application DE 198 18 239 A1. The apparatus disclosed there for warning that a motor vehicle driver is going to sleep comprises firstly a vehicle environment identification device for detection of the actual driving style of the motor vehicle driver. The apparatus described there also comprises a device for detection of a reference driving style, in particular detecting how many lateral self-movements there normally are by the motor vehicle driver in his driving style. Finally, the disclosed apparatus has comparison logic for comparison of the reference driving style with the current actual driving style in order to output a warning to the motor vehicle driver on the basis of the result of this comparison.
Furthermore, a method and an apparatus for determination of the stress of the driver of a motor vehicle are known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,610. This method provides for the steering wheel angle of the motor vehicle to be detected first of all in order from this to generate prediction errors for the steering wheel angle in the driver's control of the motor vehicle. A distribution of these prediction errors is then calculated in order to compare this distribution with another distribution of prediction errors of the steering wheel angle which does not represent the real steering behavior of the driver, but represents a predetermined steering behavior of a stress-free or unstressed driver. The result of this comparison then represents the current stress on the driver while driving the motor vehicle.
Finally, German Laid-Open Application Del. 25 46 345 discloses a driver warning device for warning motor vehicle drivers before they go to sleep. The device detects the steering movement of the driver of the motor vehicle, on the assumption that, when the driver is awake, the steering wheel is not held entirely at quiescent even when traveling in a straight line but that steering movements are also carried out continuously then, even if they are still very small. If the driver warning device detects absence of these steering movements over an adjustable time interval, as well, then the driver warning device deduces from this that the driver is going to sleep, or is at least at risk of going to sleep, and then warns the driver by outputting a signal.
The driver warning device disclosed in the last-mentioned Laid-Open Application DE 25 46 345 has a disadvantage in that the decision on when the driver of a vehicle is not paying attention is made solely on the basis of the detection of a steering quiescent phase, and that this decision can, therefore, be made only quite vaguely and unreliably.
Against the background of this prior art, the object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a method and a corresponding computer program in order to identify when the driver of a motor vehicle is not paying attention, as well as a controller for carrying out this method and a data storage medium storing such a computer program, which makes it possible to more reliably identify possible inattentiveness of the driver.
This object is achieved by a method for identifying when the driver of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, is not paying attention. The method includes detecting any movement of a steering wheel of the vehicle in the form of a steering wheel angle x; and identifying a steering quiescent phase and determining the magnitude of the extent of the steering quiescent phase by evaluating the detected steering wheel angle and/or its rate of change; wherein a steering action is identified following the steering quiescent phase and the magnitude of the extent of the steering action is determined by evaluating the rate of change of the steering wheel angle; and further wherein a measure of the severity of the inattentiveness by the driver is determined while steering the vehicle by assessing the result of a link between the extent of the steering quiescent phase and the extent of the steering action.
In the process of identification of inattentiveness of the driver, the invention—in contrast to the prior art—advantageously distinguishes between a steering quiescent phase and a more or less hectic steering action, which typically follows a state of inattentiveness. Thus, according to the invention, a state of inattentiveness is not assumed at all unless both the steering quiescent phase and the subsequent steering action are identified in conjunction with one another; conversely, this means that just identification of a steering quiescent phase or of a steering action is not sufficient to deduce inattentiveness of the driver. The detected extents of both the quiescent phase and of the steering action are logically linked to one another for determination of the extent of the severity of the inattentiveness, and the result is then assessed.
In modern vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, a sensor for detection of the steering wheel angle x is normally provided in any case. Thus, in principle, no additional sensors are advantageously required to implement the described method.
Two different exemplary embodiments for implementation of the invention will be explained in the description and claimed herein. In principle, a specific way to determine the extent of the steering quiescent phase is provided for a first of the exemplary embodiments; however, this determination process can also be carried out according to a second of the exemplary embodiments.
Further refinements of the method, as are described and claimed herein, apply equally both to the first exemplary embodiment and to the second exemplary embodiment.
Advantages of the First Exemplary Embodiment
Calculation of the extent of the steering action solely by formation of a steering wheel angle variance would merely represent the steering behavior of the driver at one time. However, in order to make a reliable statement on the existence of inattentiveness, it is in fact important to take account of changes in the steering behavior over time, as well. According to the invention, this aspect is taken into account by including two steering wheel angle variances in the formation of the variance ratio, which each represent the steering action of the driver at different times, with the two times being offset through a time interval Δt with respect to one another.
The variance ratio calculated according to the invention can intrinsically advantageously be interpreted as a measure of the severity of the inattentiveness of the driver while steering the vehicle at the time t1; inattentiveness of the driver exists in particular when this variance ratio has a value greater than 1.
Advantage of the Second Exemplary Embodiment
In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the second exemplary embodiment makes use of considerably fewer parameters for assessment of the inattentiveness of the driver. It is, therefore, less memory intensive. Furthermore, owing to the use of considerably simpler algorithms, it can be coped with more easily and can be implemented in real-time. Overall, it is therefore highly suitable for practical use in a vehicle.
It is thus advantageous that an assessment of the extent of the steering quiescent phase, that is to say its time duration, is preferably made only by evaluation of the steering wheel angle, and the extent of the steering action is preferably determined only by detection of the maximum steering angle wheel gradient that occurs. There is, therefore, no need for any calculation or evaluation based on the variance function.
Logically linking the extent of the steering quiescent phase to the extent of the steering action in order to determine a measure for the severity of the inattentiveness by the driver is carried out in the second exemplary embodiment by way of a multi-dimensional operator. In order to save unnecessary computation complexity, this logical operation is, however, preferably carried out only when both the steering quiescent phase and the expected subsequent steering action each take place with a predetermined minimum extent. If the steering quiescent phase or the steering action are not sufficiently sharply pronounced, then, according to the invention, it is assumed that the driver is not in a state of inattentiveness.
Advantageous Refinements of the Inventive Method which Both Exemplary Embodiments May Employ
The result of the logical operation from the first or second exemplary embodiment, that is to say the variance ratio or the result of the operator logical operation, can advantageously be mapped onto a probability value with the aid of the sigmoid function. This means that it is possible to specify a probability of the driver having been inattentive in the steering of the vehicle at the time t1 between 0 and 100%.
In a further advantageous refinement, the claimed method based on the previously determined probability value allows a statement to be made on the probability with which the behavior of the driver can be associated with one specific fatigue level, which is suitably selected and is predetermined from a large number of such levels. According to the invention, an association such as this is always made taking into account the currently detected steering wheel angle.
This association with the predetermined fatigue levels can advantageously be made more precise by taking into account not only the steering wheel angle as a first indicator, but also further observable indicators for the inattentiveness by the driver, such as his eyelid closure behavior or his reaction time.
It is also advantageous that the estimate of the fatigue of the driver can also be made more precise by taking account for this estimate not only the currently detected values of, in particular, the stated indicators, but also the fatigue classifications carried out in the recent past. In other words, this procedure allows a plausibility check of the new estimate taking into account the fact that the driver fatigue is not a phenomenon which occurs or disappears again suddenly, but which in fact changes only continuously over the course of time.
The inventive method advantageously allows not only, as described above, a conclusion to be drawn about driver fatigue as the cause of the detected inattentiveness. In fact, it also allows a conclusion to be drawn relating to other causes for the detected inattentiveness, which, for example, may lie in a conversation being held with a front seat passenger or the operation of an apparatus, such as the radio or the glove compartment in the vehicle.
In order to improve the reliability of a statement relating to the attention level or inattentiveness of the vehicle driver, it is worthwhile evaluating not only a result of the logical operation according to the first or second exemplary embodiment but, instead of this, for this statement to be based on a large number of such logical operation results. In this case, this plurality may include not only merely results from the first or from the second exemplary embodiment, but also a mixture of results from the first and from the second exemplary embodiment. Specifically, a statement can be made more reliably about the inattentiveness by the driver by weighting each result obtained from a logical operation with an associated weighting factor in order then to obtain an averaged logical operation result in the final analysis from the present plurality of weighted logical operation results, by mathematical averaging. This averaged logical operation result then represents a more reliable measure than a non-averaged logical operation result of the severity of the inattentiveness by the driver in the steering of the vehicle at a specific time.
Finally, it is advantageous, in particular, for the driver of the vehicle to be informed of the identified inattentiveness in the form of visual or audible warning information.
Further advantageous refinements of the method are described and claimed herein.
The object of the invention as mentioned above is also achieved by a computer program for carrying out the described method, by a data storage medium with the computer program, and by a controller for carrying out the described method. The advantages of these solutions correspond to the advantages mentioned above with respect to the described method.
This computer program advantageously need be programmed only once at least for individual vehicle types, and can then be implemented in all the vehicles of a corresponding model.

Method and computer program for identification of inattentiveness by the driver of a vehicle


Apparatus for opening an open end of a pouch, an overwrap, or the like so as to facilitate the insertion of an object thereinto includes a number of processing stations, such as a storage station where a supply of pouches is stored and an opening station where an open end of a pouch transported thereto from the storage station is opened so as to receive an object. A transporting mechanism, which includes a suction-type gripper, transports a pouch from the storage station to the opening station and then from the opening station to another station, which may or may not be a processing station. The suction-type gripper of the transporting mechanism continuously grips a pouch throughout its movement from station to station. The opening station may be provided with its own pair of suction-type grippers which cooperate to open a pouch which has been transported to the opening station. Other processing stations include an inspection station for inspecting a pouch transferred from the opening station and a sealing station for sealing a properly filled pouch. The last station is an unloading station having its own suction-type gripper adapted to receive a sealed pouch which is handed off by the suction-type gripper of the transporting mechanism.

In the past, various packaging machines have been developed for filling or loading pouches, bags, or the like (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,501,893, 3,698,451, 3,750,365, 3,750,721, 3,971,189, 4,319,444, 4,537,015, 4,541,227, 4,561,238, 4,726,170, 4,823,538, 4,869,052, 5,115,619, 5,140,801, 5,179,819, 5,265,397, and 5,568,715). These machines typically have a number of stations performing various functions. For instance, some of these machines have a supply station containing a supply of pouches, a loading station having an opening mechanism for opening an open end of a pouch such that contents can be inserted into the pouch, and a sealing station adapted to seal the open end of a loaded pouch.
It has been known to utilize robot arms for material handling applications (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,723,353, 5,314,293, and 5,409,347). Accordingly, some of the foregoing packaging machines utilize robot-like arms equipped with, for instance, suction cups for transporting pouches from one station to another station. Pouches carried by these robot arms are typically passed off (i.e., transferred) to other transporting devices, such as clamps, for transporting the pouches to other stations for further processing. For various reasons (e.g., increased time requirements caused by passing off pouches from one transporting device to another transporting device), the utilization of more than one transporting device is disadvantageous.

Apparatus for opening pouches for insertion of objects thereinto


A refrigerated display cabinet having novel door and shelf system configured to minimize any rise in cabinet temperature during door opening. The door and shelf system can have the effect of deflecting refrigerated air into an alternative circulation pattern when doors are open. In this way, cabinet efficiencies are maintained during the time in which the doors are opened.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a refrigerated display cabinet. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a refrigerated display cabinet having a housing defining a display chamber, at least one shelf mounted in the chamber for receiving items to be displayed, and a refrigeration system for circulating refrigerated air around the chamber. Refrigerated display cabinets are utilised in retail, catering and convenience establishments for storing chilled food or drinks, and for displaying the food or drink items in an attractive manner.
A wide range of different types of cabinets have been produced, to suit the needs of the various different establishments which utilise them. These include cabinets with open fronts through which food or drink items can be inserted and extracted; cabinets with open fronts through which food or drink items can be extracted and rear surfaces with doors for inserting items into the cabinet; cabinets with closed fronts which can be opened so that food or drink items can be inserted and extracted; and cabinets with closed fronts through which food or drink items can be viewed, the food or drink items inserted and extracted through doors in a rear surface of the cabinet.
In each case, the display cabinets have a housing defining a display chamber, a number of shelves mounted in the chamber for receiving items to be displayed, and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system circulates air which has been cooled to below ambient room temperature around the chamber, to chill the food and drink items. The cabinet housings are shaped to promote air flow around the chamber, so as to reduce the loss of cooled air to the surrounding environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Refrigerated display cabinets having front or rear surfaces with doors in them suffer from a particular problem of loss of cooled air. This is because the doors are opened whenever it is required to gain access to the chamber for inserting food or drink items into the display cabinet, and/or to remove food or drink items for purchase or serving, depending upon the design of the cabinet. It has been found that opening a door in a cabinet can cause a significant volume of cooled air to be lost into the surrounding environment, and warmer ambient air to enter. This has three significant disadvantages.
Firstly, when cooled air is lost through the open door, the circulation of cooled air within the chamber is disrupted, with the result that the temperature in the chamber is higher than desired during the time when the door is open. As a consequence, when the door is closed, the refrigeration system has to perform additional work in order to re-cool the air in the chamber to the required level. This leads to high energy usage and thus operating costs.
Secondly, the loss of cooled air into the surrounding environment, and the entry of warmer ambient air, also leads to an increase in the temperature of the air in the chamber. This is a particular problem as the cabinets are frequently used in areas where the ambient air temperature is relatively high. As a result, the temperature of the food or drink items in the cabinet may not be maintained at a sufficiently low level. This can lead to the food or drink items becoming too warm, with the result that they may at least be unpalatable, but that they may also present a danger to health, or may require to be disposed of earlier than would otherwise be the case.
Thirdly, the refrigeration system may include a compressor, which is an expensive component. The compressor functions to compress a coolant which, when it subsequently expands, creates a cooling effect which is utilised to cool the air flowing into the display chamber. The loss of cooled air into the surrounding environment, and the entry of warmer ambient air into the display chamber, results in the compressor having to do additional work to maintain the air in the chamber at the required temperature level. This puts additional strain on the compressor, and reduces its effective life so that it requires more regular maintenance than might otherwise be the case, and possibly early replacement.
These problems are exacerbated in high usage environments, where the doors are frequently being opened and closed. Furthermore, in prior cabinets, the doors have usually been a simple arrangement where the door(s) extend from top to bottom of the chamber, and open by sliding horizontally over one-another, to provide access into the chamber. Other cabinets have utilised simple hinged doors, which pivot about vertical hinge pins. In both cases, the result of this is that air is lost from the chamber when the door(s) are opened, as the chamber is open to the surrounding environment over its entire height. The sliding doors also only provide access to food or drink items on part of a length of the shelf or shelves in the chamber.


Systems and methods of using the systems for delivering information related to a remote location to individuals at the remote location are disclosed. The system comprises a memory device affixed to a physical object at the remote location, the information related to the remote location residing on the memory device, and a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, that retrieves the information from the memory device when positioned at the remote location and communicates the information to a party located at the remote location. The system may further comprise a database wherein the information residing on the memory device is replicated and the database can be accessed by a user of the system via a suitable communications medium or combination of mediums. The system may also comprise a portable memory reading device having a GPS receiver positioned at a remote location and a database, such that the GPS coordinates of the remote location are determined by the portable memory reading device and communicated to the database over a communications link, and the database communicates the information related to the remote location back to the portable memory reading device over the communications link.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the delivery of information, and more particularly to a system and method for delivering information related to a remote location to individuals at the remote location.
II. Description
In common occurrence, many notable locations are physically removed from easily accessible sources of power and communication such as electrical outlets and wireline telephone jacks. This is particularly true in the case of cemeteries and historically significant locations. Consequently, it is difficult to both place information about the notable locations in close proximity thereto and to revise that information once so placed.
In the case of cemeteries, friends and loved ones typically place memorial and/or genealogical information such as name, date born, date passed, notable accomplishments, parents, siblings, children, etc., about the deceased party directly on the tombstone or other graveyard marker. Friends and loved ones also sometimes place photographs of the deceased and/or the family of the deceased on or nearby the tombstone or other graveyard marker that may or may not have been weatherized in some form or another. In the case of historically notable locations, interested parties typically place signs, placards, photographs, artist's renderings, etc., about the historically notable location that may or may not have been weatherized in close proximity to the notable location. Occasionally, interactive tape recordings and/or videos are placed in close proximity to the notable location.
In any event, whether the remote location is a cemetery location, historically notable location, or some other notable but remote location, the need for the information and any equipment necessary for accessing that information to both withstand the weather conditions likely encountered at the location and any attempts to remove them from the location without authorization severely limits both the amount and types of information that may be placed at the remote location with current systems. Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method of placing and communicating large quantities and varied types of information at remote locations that can withstand the weather conditions and attempts to remove that information likely to be encountered at the remote location.

System and method for delivering information at remote locations


A DC to DC converter converts a DC input voltage into a plurality of DC output voltages and includes a circuit stage having switching elements for converting a DC input voltage into a first AC signal (VAC1). A first resonant circuit converts a first AC signal into a second AC signal which is used for forming a first DC output voltage. A second resonant circuit converts the first AC signal into a third AC signal which is used for forming a second DC output voltage. A control circuit sets various frequency ranges for the first AC signal to set various supply power modes, such as for normal operation and standby mode.

The invention relates to a DC to DC converter for converting a DC input voltage into a plurality of DC output voltages.
Such a DC to DC converter is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,426. In the converter described there, a DC input voltage is converted into a (pulse-shaped) AC signal by means of a full-bridge circuit comprising four switching elements, which AC signal is applied to the primary winding of a transformer. The transformer has two secondary windings. An AC signal produced by the first secondary winding is rectified and filtered to generate a first DC output voltage. The second secondary winding is connected in parallel to a resonant circuit capacitor which, together with the leakage inductance of the second secondary winding, forms a resonant circuit. A voltage dropping at the resonant circuit conductor is rectified and filtered to thus generate a second DC output voltage. The two DC output voltages are set to desired voltage values by respectively driving the switching elements of the full-bridge circuit and thus by adapting the AC signal produced by the full-bridge circuit. The first DC output voltage is set via an adaptation of the sampling ratio of the AC signal. The second DC output voltage is set via an adaptation of the frequency of the AC signal. The two DC output voltages can ideally be set independently of each other.
It is an object of the invention to provide the converter of the type defined in the opening paragraph so that the losses occurring when the converter is being operated are smallest possible.
The object is achieved in that the DC to DC converter mentioned in the opening paragraph includes
a circuit stage including switching elements for converting the DC input voltage into a first AC signal,
a first resonant circuit for converting the first AC signal into a second AC signal, which is used for forming a first DC output voltage,
a second resonant circuit for converting the first AC signal into a third AC signal, which is used for forming a second DC output voltage, and
a control circuit for setting various frequency ranges for the first AC signal.
This converter arrangement is particularly advantageous when the second DC output voltage is used for producing a DC standby supply voltage when the converter is being operated, while the first DC output voltage then becomes zero. In this operating mode there is only a small load on the second DC output voltage. Nevertheless, with the converter according to the invention a so-called ZVS operation (Zero Voltage Switching) of the switching elements of the circuit stage producing the first AC signal, which includes, for example, a half-bridge or a full-bridge circuit, is ensured (for a full understanding of the ZVS operation compare, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,879, which is not the case with said U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,426. With the converter according to the invention, the losses in the standby mode are reduced. The circuitry for realizing a normal operation and a standby mode is kept smallest possible. Normal operation and standby mode are set only via a suitable setting of the frequency range of the first AC signal and a respective drive of the switching elements of the said circuit stage. Different frequency ranges are then assigned to normal operation and standby mode. The frequency range assigned to the standby mode contains the resonant frequency of the second resonant circuit, which leads to the fact that the first DC output voltage is strongly reduced compared to the normal operation. A constant control of the output voltages is effected via a fine adjustment of the frequency in the respective frequency range.
Advantageous embodiments of the DC to DC converter are defined in the dependent claims. The invention also relates to a power supply that includes the DC to DC converter according to the invention.
Examples of embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:


A power transmission device that includes a high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit which applies a high voltage of high frequency between a power transmission device side active electrode and a power transmission device side passive electrode, the power transmission device side passive electrode being disposed in a manner to surround the power transmission device side active electrode and the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit. An auxiliary high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is provided between a ground of the power transmission device having a potential substantially equal to the ground potential and the power transmission device side passive electrode. The auxiliary high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit suppresses a potential change of the power reception device side passive electrode relative to the ground potential.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system configured to transfer electric power through capacitive coupling.
The power transfer system described in Patent Document 1 comprises: a power transmission device including a high-frequency high-voltage generator, a passive electrode, and an active electrode; and a power reception device including a high-frequency high-voltage load, a passive electrode, and an active electrode.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the basic configuration of the power transfer system of Patent Document 1. The power transmission device includes a high-frequency high-voltage generator 1, a passive electrode 2, and an active electrode 3. The power reception device includes a high-frequency high-voltage load 5, a passive electrode 7, and an active electrode 6. The active electrode 3 of the power transmission device and the active electrode 6 of the power reception device are located in proximity to each other via a gap 4, so that the two electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other.
Patent Document 1: National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2009-531009

Power transmission device and power transfer system


The present invention is related to the development of a new and chromosomally distinct vegetatively propagated frost resisted plant of Cymbopogon flexuosus by genetic selection in open pollinated seed progeny of high yielding variety xe2x80x98Cauveryxe2x80x99. The selected plant with stay-green habit withstands prolonged frosting in chilling winter and capable of giving an additional harvest during winter, which is not observed so far in normal varieties.

The present invention relates to the development of a frost resistant high yielding lemongrass plant xe2x80x98Chirharitxe2x80x99 through extensive selection for frost resistant variants in open pollinated seed progeny of the familiar variety xe2x80x98Cauveryxe2x80x99 under hostile environment of chilling winter of the foot hill areas. The selections were made under high stringency of sustaining normal growth behavior under natural frosting. The variety xe2x80x98Chirharitxe2x80x99 is capable of being propagated vegetatively by tillers, its all morpho-physiological plant attributes are firmly fixed so as to give a guarantee for sustained yield advancement.
Lemongrass oil, a major source of citral (Vit-A precursor), is one of the top 10 essential oils produced in the world. India is a major producer of this oil. Although resorting to different plant breeding approaches, especially population improvement via the scheme of phenotypic recurrent selections, has resulted in the development of a couple of high yielding varieties in the past, no efforts have yet been made in this crop for sustainable advancement in productivity. Attempts in ensuring genetic rectification for its productivity-sustainability is needed to be directed to the following as yet untouched aspects given below:
1. Frost resistance in lemongrass: Lemongrass is long known to be much prone to frost injuries often marked by the dark purple pigmentation of the leaves, especially when this crop is grown in foothill areas (Tarai). Until now, not even a single high yielding variety is available which would successfully withstand prolonged frost and sustain its high productivity even under hostile environmental situations of frost in winter. Genetic improvement for frost tolerance would help this crop remain healthy in all seasons and thereby, would lead to its capability in giving an additional economic harvest in even winter season.
2. Stay-green lemongrass: The productive life of this multicut perennial grass is normally five years. Its leaf yield is maximum during its second and third years and starts declining thereafter. Such decline in leaf yield is directly associated with poor tiller regeneration and is invariably accompanied by disproportionate increase in crop stubble-debris; it is envisaged that a stay-green mutant having no unwanted stubble would merit a high price in lemongrass.
Keeping these two aspects of the limitations of the plant in view, planned efforts were made at this Institute""s (CIMAP""s) headquarters at Lucknow and its field station in Pantnagar to explore the possibility of obtaining a frost resistant genotype with high yield potential and stay-green habit within the otherwise high yielding variety through extensive clonal selections in its open pollinated seed progeny.
The main objects of the invention are to develop a novel lemongrass plant called xe2x80x98Chirharitxe2x80x99 which is highly resistant to frost and capable of adapting to favorable and unfavorable conditions.
Another object of the invention is to develop a novel lemongrass plant capable of producing large number of tillers even in winter.
Yet another object is to develop novel lemongrass plant capable of high yield of oil in winter.
Still another object is to develop a novel lemongrass plant generating high biomass and oil yields throughout the year.
Another object is to develop a novel chromosomal mutant of lemongrass variety xe2x80x98Cauveryxe2x80x99 and having distinct morphology.
The invention relates to a development of a novel high yielding and stable plant of Cymbopogon flexuosus, called xe2x80x98Chirharitxe2x80x99 having the following combination of plant traits:
(a) Said plant is a tetraploid variant (chromosomal mutant) of the normal diploid lemongrass variety xe2x80x98Cauveryxe2x80x99 and having distinct morphology.
(b) Being highly resistant to frost and adapted to both favorable as well as unfavorable environments of regular frosting situations,
(c) Producing high biomass,
(d) Having high yield of essential oil,
(e) Capable of growing in all seasons and producing the same yield,
(f) Producing essential oil with high citral pungency conforming to the standard citral concentration much useful in pharmaceutical and perfumery industries, and
(g) Producing essential oil containing about 80% or more of citral.
The plant was selected and isolated through large scale clonal selection in open pollinated seed progenies of xe2x80x98Cauveryxe2x80x99 for any variability through natural out-crossings. The plant is a spontaneous tetraploid (2n=4x=40) against the existing varieties which are all diploids with chromosome number 2n=2x=20. The plant was asexually produced a Pantnagar, Lucknow, India, at the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Field trials were carried out in a field station named Pantnagar, which is a small area near the city of Lucknow.
The invention is described in detail herein below. The description is provided merely to illustrate certain aspects of the novel plant and should not be construed as limitation on the inventive concept.

High yielding and stable plant of Cymbopogon flexuosus called xe2x80x98Chirharitxe2x80x99

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research


A method for operating an environment sensor system of a vehicle, in particular of an autonomous motor vehicle, and an environment sensor system. The method includes the steps: producing first image data from a first image of a vehicle environment with the aid of a first sensor, performing a setpoint-actual comparison of the first image data with the second image data, and recognizing an operability of the environment sensor system based on the setpoint-actual comparison, the second image data including standard image data and/or image information from a second image of the vehicle environment, and the operability being recognized with the aid of a first artificial intelligence.

In the course of developments in the field of autonomous driving of vehicles, environment sensors are increasing in number and relevance. These are used for example for various driver assistance systems and the like. When operating the vehicle, the function of the environment sensor system may be impaired regularly by contamination with insects, water droplets or dust. If such contamination is not detected or not detected in a timely manner, unfavorable driving situations or an impairment of the driving comfort may occur.

Method for operating an environment sensor system of a vehicle and environment sensor system


A shaft seal element (20) for use around a rotatable shaft (10) has an annular sealing surface (22) facing a radially adjacent surface of the shaft or housing. This sealing surface (22) can comprise two outer annular lands (26, 27) with an inner land (28) therebetween. A relief groove (29, 30) separates the inner land (28) from each outer land (26, 27). A plurality of fluid redirecting grooves (40) are obliquely formed across the inner land (28). A protruding ridge (44) is formed at the trailing edge (40b) of each redirecting groove (40). The ridges (44) and redirecting grooves (40) inhibit fluid migration across the sealing surface (22) and divert a portion of the fluid towards the high pressure end of the seal element.

Seals are used to prevent or minimize leakage of a fluid through mechanical clearances in either the static or dynamic state. In dynamic conditions, a shaft seal is typically placed between a stationary housing and a rotating shaft. Typically, the rotating shaft penetrates a barrier or ring seal. When used in a compressor, a ring seal typically separates a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber. Fluid pressure will attempt to escape through any clearance between the shaft and ring seal. However, a clearance must exist between the shaft and seal to allow free rotation of the shaft. Accordingly, the seal must minimize the loss of high pressure fluid through the clearance while not interfering with the rotation of the shaft.
One prior art solution has been the use of windback seals for rotatable shafts in which the seal elements incorporate a plurality of helical threads or grooves to provide a pumping action on the fluid passing through the seal so that a portion of the fluid can be redirected towards the high pressure side of the seal element. The helical grooves can be in the inner cylindrical surface of a stationary seal element or in the external surface of the shaft or a sleeve shrunk onto the shaft. The grooved surface can be opposed by a plain surface or by another grooved surface. These windback seals have been used to prevent migration of sour oil into the machine when fitted at an inner labyrinth, and to prevent cross migration of lubricant oil to seal oil or seal oil to lubricant oil when fitted in a chevron arrangement at a separation labyrinth location. However, in some windback seals the thread grooves extend the length of the seal element, making it more difficult to maintain an adequate seal under static conditions, i.e. when the shaft is not rotating. The use of fine or very shallow depth grooves in a windback seal element has been proposed and would generally provide a better static seal than the deeper grooved windback seal elements, but such shallow grooves are generally more sensitive to mechanical damage resulting from occasional contact between the sealing surface and the radially adjacent surface than the windback seal elements with deeper grooves.
Thus, a need exists for a shaft seal that not only entrains a fluid across the seal as a fluid film, but redirects at least a portion of the fluid back toward the high pressure side of the seal element during the rotation of the shaft, while providing a reasonable degree of sealing under static conditions.


A photothermographic material having an image forming layer containing at least a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent, and a binder, and a non-photosensitive layer on at least one side of a support, in which the binder is a hydrophilic binder, the non-photosensitive layer contains gelatin or a gelatin derivative, the reducing agent is a compound represented by the following formula (R), and at least one compound represented by the following formula (I) or (II) is contained:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photothermographic material and an image forming method using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, decreasing the amount of processing liquid waste in the field of films for medical imaging has been desired from the viewpoints of protecting the environment and economy of space. Technology is therefore required for photosensitive thermal developing image recording materials which can be imagewise exposed effectively by laser image setters or laser imagers, and thermally developed to obtain clear black-toned images of high resolution and sharpness, for use in medical diagnostic applications. An image forming system using photosensitive thermal developing image recording materials does not require liquid processing chemicals and can therefore be supplied to customers as a simpler and environmentally friendly system.
While similar requirements also exist in the field of general image forming materials, images for medical imaging in particular require high image quality excellent in sharpness and granularity because fine depiction is required, and further require blue-black image tone from the viewpoint of easy diagnosis. Various kinds of hard copy systems utilizing dyes or pigments, such as ink jet printers and electrophotographic systems, have been marketed as general image forming systems, but they are not satisfactory as output systems for medical images.
Photothermographic materials utilizing organic silver salts are described in many documents. Photothermographic materials generally have an image forming layer including catalytically active amounts of a photocatalyst (for example, silver halide), a reducing agent, a reducible silver salt (for example, an organic silver salt), and if necessary, a toner for controlling the color tone of developed silver images, dispersed in a binder. Photothermographic materials form black silver images by being heated to a high temperature (for example, 80° C. or higher) after imagewise exposure to cause an oxidation-reduction reaction between a silver halide or a reducible silver salt (functioning as an oxidizing agent) and a reducing agent. The oxidation-reduction reaction is accelerated by the catalytic action of a latent image on the silver halide generated by exposure. As a result, a black silver image is formed on the exposed region. The Fuji Medical Dry Imager FM-DPL is an example of a medical image forming system that has been made commercially available.
Methods of manufacturing such photothermographic material include a method of manufacture by a solvent coating, and a method of coating an aqueous coating solution using an aqueous dispersion of fine polymer particles or an aqueous solution of a water soluble polymer as a main binder followed by drying. Since the latter method does not require a process of solvent recovery or the like, a production facility therefor is simple, environmental burden is small, and the method is advantageous for mass production.
However, in the method of manufacturing the photothermographic material by an aqueous coating system, since the coating solution for the image forming layer contains many components required for image formation, there is a significant problem with regard to uniformly coating and drying the same. Particularly, in a case of coating a solution at a high speed and rapidly drying the same to prepare a photothermographic material in order to enhance productivity, there are various problems such as increase of haze due to partial lack of balance among the components in the coated layer and occurrence of unevenness in the coated surface state due to fluctuation of drying wind.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,630,291 and 6,713,241, use of a hydrophilic binder such as gelatin as a binder is described; however, there are problems in that it is difficult to obtain a high image density and image color tone is poor due to a large amount of fogging.
In the photothermographic material, it is necessary that chemical components necessary for forming an image are contained in the film in advance. For this reason, these chemical components exert influences on storage stability of the photothermographic material up until it is used.
Further, even after an image has been formed by subjecting the photothermographic material to thermal development, since these chemical components remain in the film as unreacted components or reaction products, these chemical components exert influences on transparency of the film and the image color tone and, moreover, exert significant influences on the storage stability of the image. Therefore, it is desirable that the number of types and amounts of these chemical components are small, and it is further desirable that, although the chemical components have a high activity in an image forming reaction at the time of thermal development, they are inactive in storage; however, such requirements as described above have not sufficiently been satisfied so far, and improvement is required.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Photothermographic material and image forming method

Abstract: (wherein in formula (R), R11 and R11′ each independently represent an alkyl group and at least one of R11 and R11′ is a secondary or tertiary alkyl group);

Abstract: (wherein in the formula (I), Q represents an atomic group necessary for forming a 5 or 6-membered imide ring); and

Abstract: (wherein in the formula (II), R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, r represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and X represents O, S, Se or N(R6)). A photothermographic material that is excellent in coated surface state and has high image quality, and an image forming method are provided.


The present invention discloses a ring base with releasable hooks. The ring base comprises a concave part; a spring placed on the concave part; a plate including holes formed therein and attached on the spring; and hooks passing through the holes in the plate to be rotatably fixed on the concave part.

A conventional ring base includes a ring band and a jewelry stone display. Display includes a multi-prong setting for retaining a stone. The multi-prong setting usually injures the outer surface of the stone retained therein because of the sharpness and the hardness of the prongs, thereby causing the decrease in the quality of the stone.
Furthermore, a conventional ring setting with replaceable stones includes an inclined cylindrical shoulder that defines the seat for the jewelry stone. Mounted on one of the external side of the setting is an upstanding finger with a rounded top end. Through the top of the rounded end of the finger is a through opening. Near the bottom of the finger, on the outer surface, there is an indentation. The finger is generally made integral with the setting, but could be affixed to the setting by adhesives or welding or any suitable means.
The undersurface of the cover has a cylindrical (or oval) inclined wall that defines a seat. It is intended to sit over the top portion (or crown) of the stone and to hold it in place against the setting. On each end of the cover there are parallel opposed eyes with through holes or openings. The eyes fit around the rounded end on the top of the finger and the openings are in alignment with the through opening. A pivot pin is then passed through the openings and it secures the cover to the finger. In this way, the cover can be pivoted about the finger to permit its opening and closing.
The link includes through openings at its top and bottom. The top of the link is placed between the eyes on the end of the cover and the openings are in alignment with the openings in the top of the link. A pivot pin is then passed through the openings to secure the link and cover together. This will also permit the pivotal movement of the cover and link with respect to each other.
The locking means has a central circular (or oval) section. On one end are opposed parallel eyes with through openings. The lower end of the link is placed between the eyes of the lock and the openings at the lower end of the link are in alignment with the openings of the eyes of the lock. A pivot pin is used to hold the link and the lock together. Extending upward from the planar surface of the lock is an upstanding tab. This is meant for engagement with the indentation on the lower end of the finger.
With the cover in a raised position, a stone is placed in the setting. Then, the cover pivots about the finger and closes over the stone to hold it in place. The link is then pivoted along the side of the setting and the lock is then pivoted along the undersurface of the setting and the tab at the end of the lock engages the indentation on the finger to frictionally hold the entire mechanism in place. In this manner, the stone is held securely in place.
To remove the stone, the tab on the lock is pushed downward to release it from the indentation on the finger. This permits the free movement of the lock and the link and permits the cover to be raised, to permit the removal of the stone and the replacement with another stone.
The conventional ring setting with replaceable stones as mentioned above still suffers some problem. For example, the stones to be retained therein have to be identically dimensioned, which limits the user to put stones with an identical size into the conventional ring setting. Therefore, there is still a demand for providing a ring base which can protect the stone from any injury and can retain stones with different sizes.


A semiconductor package fabrication method in which drop on demand deposition of a drop on demand depositable material is used to prepare one component or a plurality of components of a semiconductor package or multi-chip module.

The present invention relates to semiconductor package manufacturing and semiconductor packages.
To fabricate a semiconductor package typically the components thereof must be treated. For example, in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/138,141, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, a method of fabricating a package is disclosed in which the front surface of the semiconductor die is subjected to a multi-step process whereby it receives a passivation body before the die is assembled in a conductive can.
In a process according to the present invention, a drop on demand deposition technique is used to form a body on a semiconductor package component. A process according to the present invention can be used to form, for example, a passivation body on a surface of a semiconductor die, a dielectric body on a lead frame portion of a semiconductor package, and so on.
A major advantage of drop on demand deposition is the reduction in process steps. The following is a comparison of a prior art process to a typical drop on demand process:
Prior ArtDrop on DemandSpin on materialPrint materialDry volatiles from materialDry materialUV exposeCure materialDevelop materialCure material
The prior art method is disadvantageous because: a) it requires more material than required for the final structure; b) the material has to be developed, which means there are significant costs associated with the chemistry and the waste produced; c) additional steps are required; d) photo-initiator systems for imaging can weaken the performance of the materials; e) damage or contamination on the photo tool can result in openings in the passivation which may present problems.
On the other hand, drop on demand deposition: reduces waste; reduces the number of steps; can treat surfaces that are not flat; can vary the thickness across the image in a single pass; is not as susceptible to contamination defects as the prior art.
Drop on Demand is known to be used in:
Component part marking;
Depositing dielectrics on plasma display panels;
Printed circuit board production and marking;
Fine geometry circuit track printing using precious and semi-precious metals.
However, a search has not revealed drop on demand deposition used for fabricating a semiconductor package component such as a semiconductor die, lead frame or the like.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.


A thermal therapy device includes a substrate and at least one heating unit arranged on the substrate. The at least one heating unit includes a heating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The heating element includes a carbon nanotube film structure and a polymer matrix. The carbon nanotube film structure is substantially parallel to and offset from a central plane of the polymer matrix. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to the carbon nanotube film structure, and control the amount of heat and deformation produced by the carbon nanotube film structure.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to thermal therapy devices, and particularly, to a thermal therapy device incorporating carbon nanotubes for warming the body to enhance healing or improve comfort.
2. Description of Related Art
Historically, heat has been a natural remedy. It aids circulation, relieves pain, and enhances the recovery process. By increasing the temperature of the skin surface and underlying tissues, heat stimulates the thermoreceptors which then help block transmissions of pain signals to the brain, thereby increasing comfort. Heat therapy increases circulation, which helps to decrease stiffness, relaxes sore muscles, and provides soothing comfort. Many thermotherapy techniques and instrument use hot water and hot air as heating mediums generated by paraffin wax or a therapeutic lamp. Those instruments are unsatisfactory for humans for therapeutic use.

Thermal therapy device incorporating carbon nanotubes


The invention is directed in part to totipotent cells that have one or more artificial chromosomes; processes for producing such cells; processes for using such cells (e.g., nuclear transfer); transgenic embryos and transgenic animals cloned from such cells; and processes for producing such embryos and animals.

The following discussion of the background of the invention is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding the invention and is not admitted to describe or constitute prior art to the present invention.
Researchers have been developing methods for cloning mammalian animals over the past two decades. These reported methods typically include the steps of (1) isolating a pluripotent or totipotent cell; (2) inserting the cell or nucleus isolated from the cell into an enucleated oocyte (i.e., the oocyte's nucleus was previously extracted), and (3) allowing the embryo to mature in vivo.
The first successful nuclear transfer experiment using mammalian cells was reported in 1983, when pronuclei isolated from a murine (mouse) zygote were inserted into an enucleated oocyte and resulted in like offspring(s). See, e.g., McGrath & Solter, 1983, Science 220:1300-1302. Subsequently, other workers described the production of chimeric murine embryos (e.g., embryos that contain a subset of cells having significantly different nuclear DNA from other cells in the embryo) using murine primordial germ cells (PGCs). These cells are and can give rise to pluripotent cells (e.g., cells that can differentiate into other types of cells, and which may, but are not required to, differentiate into a grown animal). See, e.g., Matsui et al., 1992, Cell 70:841-847 and Resnick et al., 1992, Nature 359:550; Kato et al., 1994, Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstract Series, Society For the Study of Fertility, Annual Conference, Southampton, 13:38.
Progress has also been reported in the field of cloning ovine (sheep) animals (see, e.g., Willadsen, 1986, Nature 320:63-65; Campbell et al., 1996, Nature 380:64-66; PCT Publication WO 95/20042; Wilmut et al., 1997, Nature 385:810-813; PCT Publication WO 96/07732; PCT Publication WO 97/07668; and PCT publication WO 97/07669; and McCreath et al., 2000, Nature, 405:1066-1069), and bovine animals, (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,994,384 and 5,057,420; Sims & First, 1993, Theriogenology 39:313; Keefer et al., 1994, Mol. Reprod. Dev. 38:264-268; Delhaise et al., 1995, Reprod. Fert. Develop. 7:1217-1219; Lavoir 1994, J. Reprod. Dev. 37:413-424; Stice et al., 1996, Biol. Reprod. 54: 100-110; and PCT application WO 95/10599 entitled "Embryonic Stem Cell-Like Cells").
Researchers have also disclosed methods that resulted in cloned bovine animals (cattle). Bovines have been cloned using an embryonic cell derived from a 2-64 cell embryo as a nuclear donor. This bovine animal was reportedly cloned by utilizing nuclear transfer techniques set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,994,384 and 5,057,420. Others reported that cloned bovine embryos were formed where an inner cell mass cell of a blastocyst stage embryo was utilized as a nuclear donor in a nuclear transfer procedure (Sims & First, 1993, Theriogenology 39:313; Keefer et al., 1994, Mol. Reprod. Dev. 38:264-268; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,543); a PGC isolated from fetal tissue as a nuclear donor (Delhaise et al., 1995, Reprod. Fert. Develop. 7:1217-1219; Lavoir 1994, J. Reprod. Dev. 37:413-424; and PCT application WO 95/10599 entitled "Embryonic Stem Cell-Like Cells"); a proliferating somatic cell (U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,577); and a reprogrammed nonembryonic cell (U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,197)
Additionally, researchers have reported methods for obtaining cloned porcine animals and porcine chimeric animals, specifically, where a nuclear donor obtained from a 4-cell embryo is placed inside an enucleated zygote. See, e.g., Prather et al., 1989, Biology of Reproduction 41: 414-418; Piedrahita et al., 1998, Biology of Reproduction 58: 1321-1329; and WO 94/26884, "Embryonic Stem Cells for Making Chimeric and Transgenic Ungulates," Wheeler, published Nov. 24, 1994. Also, researchers have reported nuclear transfer experiments using porcine nuclear donors and porcine oocytes. See., e.g., Nagashima et al., 1997, Mol. Reprod. Dev. 48: 339-343; Nagashima et al., 1992, J. Reprod. Dev. 38: 73-78; Prather et al., 1989, Biol. Reprod. 41: 414-419; Prather et al., 1990, Exp. Zool. 255: 355-358; Saito et al., 1992, Assis. Reprod. Tech. Andro. 259: 257-266; Terlouw et al., 1992, Theriogenology 37: 309, Pokajaeva et al., Nature 407, 86-90 (2000); Onishi et al., Science 289 1188-1190 (2000); and Betthauser et al., Nature Biotechnology 18: 1055-1059 (2000).
Researchers have also developed methods for generating transgenic cells, which may be applicable to the production of transgenic animals. Although several viral vectors, non-viral vectors, and other delivery systems have been developed for establishing transgenic cells, many of these technologies are constrained by multiple limitations. Specifically, these limitations include (1) the size of inserted DNA is limited to approximately 10 kilobases (kb); (2) integration of the DNA of interest cannot be specifically targeted into the cell's nuclear DNA; and (3) expression of a recombinant product from the DNA of interest cannot be well controlled. See, e.g., Mitani et al., 1993, Trends Biotech, 11: 162-166; U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,067, "Method of Producing a Transgenic Bovine or Transgenic Bovine Embryo," DeBoer et al, issued May 27, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,205, "Homologous Recombination in Mammalian Cells," Kay et al., issued Mar. 18, 1997; and PCT publication WO 93/22432, "Method for Identifying Transgenic Pre-Implantation Embryos," all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, including all figures, drawings, and tables.
Artificial chromosome technology is not constrained by the above-defined limitations. Moreover, researchers have discovered that artificial chromosomes can be replicated de novo. See, e.g., Kereso et al., 1996, Chromosome Research 4: 226-239, Holló et al., 1996, Chromosome Research 4: 240-247, U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,155, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,697.
Each reference used to provide background information in this section is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including ant tables, figures, and claims.
Despite progress towards cloning mammals and establishing transgenic cells, there remains a great need in the art for materials and methods that enhance the efficiency for cloning transgenic animals. In particular, there remains a great need in the art to provide pluripotent and totipotent transgenic cells that can be utilized as nuclear donors. Furthermore, there remains a long felt need in the art for providing cell lines that are karyotypically stable and transgenic, which can be utilized in processes for cloning transgenic animals.

Cloning of transgenic unglulates comprising artificial chromosomes


A method including scanning a document by a scanner to form a scanned document; determining a form of the document; and redacting a cell of the scanned document based upon the determined form of the document to thereby form a scanned redacted document.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system, method and computer program product for creating redacted documents and, more particularly, to an automated redaction system, method and computer program product. The invention also relates to collecting and disseminating information and, more particularly, to information assembled from over the Internet.
Brief Description of Prior Developments
U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,205, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a system and method for preparing a redacted statement, message or file from an electronic statement, message or file and sending it to a party. U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2002/0158864, 2004/0075692, and 2005/0027495, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, describe automatic creation of graphical representations, and intelligent agents for integrating information access over extended networks.
Businesses as well as Federal, State and Local government agencies must share information. Examples include case files, arrest reports, subpoenaed documents (e.g., Freedom of Information Act—FOIA, Law Enforcement Information Sharing Program—LEISP, etc.) Redacting classified, confidential or secret information from documents can be labor intensive. No effective means of automating the process of removing sensitive information from documents exists. There is a need for a system and method for automatically removing sensitive information from documents; especially a system which can work with different document types.
Information, which is used for marketing products and services, is sometimes gathered from sources on the Internet. Marketing, advertising and sales companies and departments use this information to prepare various reports. However, gathering of this type of product/service information is very time consuming and individualized. There are "data mining" programs which are overly broad in gathering data. There is a need for a more focused, and less labor intensive system and method for gathering product/service/issue related information from sources via the Internet.


During a telephony session, a determination is made on a mobile computing device that one or more designated conditions exist by which radio interference generated from the mobile computing device is to be reduced. In response, a power state of a set of one or more components of the mobile computing device is lowered. This reduces radio interference from those components. The set of components are ancillary to the mobile computing device's ability to maintain the telephony session, so that the telephony session is not affected by the reduction of power to the components.

Communication devices have evolved to include numerous types of communication capabilities and functionality. For example, there are an increasingly large number of devices that operate as multi-functional cellular phones. Such devices are capable of executing relatively sophisticated applications, even when the device is in use as a cellular phone. These devices often provide rich displays, cameras, video recorders, music playback and other functionality.
While the added functionality of such devices is beneficial, one core use of cellular devices is typically its use as a cellular telephone.

Technique for reducing interference to radio operations on a computing device


A detachable golf equipment and supply cleaning apparatus includes a substantially flat, flexible, moisture retaining wiping element. The wiping element is comprised of a flexible fabric with sufficient nap to loosen and remove any debris or unwanted matter on the face of a golf club. A pressure sensitive adhesive is secured to one side of the wiping element. The pressure sensitive adhesive is protected via a release backing sheet with a release coating on its inner surface that engages the adhesive layer. When the release backing sheet is removed, the wiping element can be selectively applied, removed and reapplied multiple times to a golfer's skin, clothing, equipment or other selected curved, flat or irregular surface as desired without adverse effects to either the wiping element or any of the aforesaid skin, clothing, equipment or other selected surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to golf club cleaning apparatus and more particularly relates to a multi-use apparatus suitable for cleaning golf club heads and other golf equipment, but also easily adapted for use as a versatile logo device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Golf is a game that is growing in popularity for various reasons. Some players simply enjoy being outdoors while others enjoy the competitive aspects of the game, or are otherwise drawn to the challenge of the game. Many individuals become sufficiently skilled at the game thereby allowing them to compete professionally. Golfers making over one million dollars annually are not uncommon. Those players seeking to improve their game, whether for profit or pleasure, are usually dedicated and disciplined. They carefully think each shot through by studying the terrain, the wind, and condition of the grass. Like a baseball player, many golfers perform a near ritual of actions prior to striking the ball. It is very common to see a player carefully preparing to hit the ball by adjusting everything from their grip to their toe orientation. Just prior to taking the shot, they step forward to take a critical practice swing. The player swings the club, follows through and visualizes the trajectory of an imaginary ball. This ritual, or pre-shot routine, is very important to maintaining confidence and consistency in the golfer's swing. Any interruption to this ritual will likely have a negative impact on the golfer's game.
When a golfer takes the aforesaid practice swing, the golf club frequently hits the ground and pulls up a chunk of grass creating a divot. When this event occurs, the face of the golf club becomes soiled with bits of grass, roots, and/or dirt. Prior to striking the ball, the golfer must then clean the face of the golf club. The process of cleaning the clubface interrupts the golfer's concentration and visualization of the pending shot. Consequently, the golfer may not hit the ball in the manner desired.
Golfers have several known choices for cleaning the face of the golf club. Some players will wipe the face of the club against their pant leg. This leaves a soiled area on the golfer's clothing that will remain until the clothes are laundered. This intentional soiling of the clothes is not always understood or appreciated by the person doing the laundry. The end result is tension that potentially inhibits the golfer.
Golfers may elect to attach a wiping apparatus to their shoes such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,577, issued Oct. 31, 1978. The apparatus disclosed in the '577 patent is directed to a compliant blade secured to a plate that is attached to the cleats in the sole of the golfer's shoe. To use this apparatus, the golfer must lift his shoe and wipe the face of the golf club head across the blade. The aforesaid action disrupts the golfer's form, balance and concentration. Further, the apparatus has been declared illegal for use in any sanctioned golf competition. It is known by those skilled in the art of golfing that present golf rules dictate that nothing can be added to improve or change a golfer's stance. The addition of a plate attached to the cleats of a golf shoe has been deemed to change a golfer's stance. Subsequently, serious golfers have not accepted the aforesaid apparatus.
Golfers may alternatively elect to manually wipe off the face of a golf club with a cleaning cloth. This process is time consuming and exposes the golfer's hands to a progressively dirty cloth. As a result, this process is highly disruptive to maintaining a sharp focus on the pending golf shot.
In view of the above, there has been a long-felt need in the golfing industry for a Rule compliant apparatus and process suitable for cleaning the face of a golf club without disrupting the golfer's concentration prior to addressing the ball.

Multi-use and multi-function golf equipment cleaning apparatus


A method is provided for cooling of particulate material from a combustion plant, especially intended for cooling of fine-grained dust which has been separated from the flue gases from a PFBC power plant, and in which the material is transported pneumatically with the flue gas as transport means. A cooler is provided at the inlet of which there is a space for separation of the particulate material from the transport gas. The transport gas is removed via a gas cleaner. The particulate material is collected in a duct where it forms a particulate column. The duct includes cooling modules, suitably water-cooled, which cool the material on its way down through the duct. The duct comprises devices for the supply of a gas for stirring the material in the duct while the remaining flue gas is being separated from the particulate column.

During combustion of coal in a fluidized bed of a particulate sulphur-absorbing material, for example lime or dolomite, a large quantity of ashes from the fuel and fine-grained absorbent residues accompany the flue gases. This dust is separated from the flue gases in a cleaning plant, usually consisting of cyclones, before the gases are utilized for operation of a gas turbine. In the following, the separated dust will be referred to as cyclone ash. The combustion is performed at a pressure considerably exceeding the atmospheric pressure. The pressure may be about 20 bar, is usually between 12 and 16 bar at full power, but is lower at partial power. The combustion of the fuel is performed in the bed at a temperature of about of 850.degree. C. Combustion gases and accompanying dust have the same temperature as the bed. Also the separated dust, the cyclone ash, has this high temperature. Therefore, the handling of ashes entails considerable problems.
To be able to handle ashes, the following must be done:
1. The cyclone ash must be cooled to <100.degree. C., preferably to <70.degree. C. Cooling to this low temperature is necessary to permit the storage of the ash in ash silos of an inexpensive type, such as concrete silos, and to permit transportation of the ash by conventional bulk transport devices.
2. The pressure must be reduced from 3-16 bar to atmospheric pressure.
3. The temperature must be reduced to permit transportation of separated dust by simple transport devices to ash silos which must often be located at a considerable distance from the gas cleaning plant. Distances of 100-300 m are common.
4. Flue gases must be separated from the cyclone ash before the ash is cooled to a temperature which is below the dew point of sulphuric acid. The dew point is dependent on the pressure level, the moisture content, and the content of sulphur dioxide in the flue gases, which are used for pneumatic transport of the cyclone ash, and is generally between 100 and 180.degree. C. Otherwise, sulphuric acid condenses on cooling surfaces at temperatures below the dew point and ash particles form a growing coating on the cooling surfaces until the external temperature of the coating becomes equal to or exceeds the dew point in question.
In known PFBC power plants, the cyclone ash is cooled from approximately 700.degree. C. in two stages. In the first stage, the compressed combustion air is usully used as coolant, and in this first cooling stage the cooler may be a pressure-reducing ash discharge device which is located together with the combustor in a pressure vessel. The air temperature is, after the compression, 250-300.degree. C. and makes possible cooling to 300-400.degree. C. An ash discharge device of the above-mentioned kind designed as a cooler is described in European Patent No. 0 108 505.
In a second cooling stage, the cyclone ash may be cooled with water and the heat contents be utilized for preheating of, for example, feed water or distance heating water. The fine-grained state and poor thermal conductivity of the cyclone ash render the cooling difficult. To obtain good contact between ash and cooling surfaces, the cyclone ash is suitably fluidized in the cooler. Discharge of heat with the fluidization air entails an undesirable heat loss.
Swedish patent application 8802526-7 shows a cooler designed as a water-cooled transport screw. U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,184 shows a cooler designed as an inclined bed vessel where cyclone ash forms the bed.

Method for cooling of dust separated from the flue gases from a PFBC plant


A wastewater treatment system is provided including an aerobic membrane bioreactor and an anaerobic digester system connected to receive wasted solids continuously from the aerobic membrane bioreactor and also connected to return effluent from the anaerobic digester system continuously to the aerobic membrane bioreactor. Further, a process is provided for treating wastewater including the step of wasting a volume fraction of organic cell mass from an aerobic membrane bioreactor to an anaerobic digester system and maintaining a solids retention time (SRT) in the bioreactor that is (1) greater than a time needed to achieve growth of organisms suitable for converting carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) into cell mass and (2) less than a time at which substantial decay of the organisms occurs. The system and process may further include optional pretreatment and/or phosphorus and/or nitrogen removal downstream of the membrane bioreactor system.

Sanitary or municipal wastewaters and many industrial wastewaters are generally characterized as having high concentrations of inert and organic particulate matter. Typically, this particulate matter is measured as total suspended solids (TSS) and particulate carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), respectively. These wastewaters further typically include soluble organic matter, typically measured as soluble CBOD, soluble or particulate organic nitrogen compounds and ammonia, typically measured as total kjeldahl/nitrogen (TKN), inorganic nitrogen compounds (nitrites and nitrates), and organic and inorganic phosphorus compounds, typically measured as total phosphorus (TP). The sum of TKN, nitrites and nitrates represents total nitrogen (TN).
Increasingly, many countries throughout the world, including the United States of America, are imposing more stringent effluent discharge regulations and in many cases are requiring increased or near complete removal of CBOD, TSS, TN and/or TP from these wastewaters.
Compliance with these stringent effluent discharge regulations will require modifications and/or equipment additions to existing treatment systems, or incorporation of such modifications or equipment additions into the design of new treatment facilities. These modifications and/or equipment additions typically are capital cost intensive and generally result in significant increases in operating costs due to increased energy and chemical usage, generation of additional residuals requiring disposal (e.g., increased solids generation due to chemical addition to achieve complete TP removal), and an increase in the manpower costs for operation and maintenance of these increasingly larger and more complex treatment systems.
To-date, in many cases where plants have been upgraded to meet stringent effluent nutrient requirements (i.e., TN and TP concentration values), performance results have been variable. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved biological wastewater treatment systems designed to provide removal of organic and inorganic compounds.

Method for wastewater treatment with resource recovery and reduced residual solids generation


Cleaning apparatus for the glazing in an atrium-type roof structure (10) comprises an elongate brush (14) rotating about its axis and mounted at opposite ends in carriages (18, 20) running on guide rails (16, 16A) which can move non-synchronously so as to change the angular orientation of the brush, which is formed with two telescopic parts (22, 24) to enable it to change its length as its angular orientation changes (FIGS. 1 and 3). Also described is apparatus for cleaning a barrel arch-type glazed roof structure.

It is known, for the purpose of cleaning planar window glazing in tower blocks, to mount an elongate brush to be rotatable about its axis between end mountings movable in synchronism between one end of a path of movement and the other, so that in use the brush is applied over a rectangular area. One example of apparatus for cleaning tower block window glazing is described in U.K. Patent Specification No. 1154983, from which it is readily apparent that this known apparatus is clearly not suited to cleaning non-planar glazed roof structures, for example of the atrium-type or the barrel arch-type.