A non-bulky, disposable undergarment primarily designed for male wearers who have minor urinary leakage such as from prostate surgery. The undergarment includes a soft, flexible base sheet of a non-woven material. The base sheet has a rectangular main panel which extends from the wearer's lower front trunk between the legs of the wearer to immediately rearward of the genital area to cover the person's genital area. A pair of left and right straps extend rearwardly from the main panel which are interconnected by a transverse connecting strap at a lower rear trunk of the wearer. The straps extend from the connecting strap leftward and rightward around the lower trunk of the wearer. The ends of the straps removably interconnect to the main panel and each other in overlapping fashion by pairs of interlockable hook and loop patches affixed to the main panel and the ends of the straps to securely hold the undergarment in place on the wearer. A elasticized liquid absorbent pad affixed to the base sheet is formed into a genital receiving cup retained by the base sheet covering the male person's penis and scrotum and having elasticized longitudinal moisture seals at the person's lower trunk and legs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of disposable absorbent undergarments for adults. More specifically the present invention relates to a disposable undergarment which secured around the lower trunk of a person covering the person's genital area. The undergarment includes a flexible base sheet made of a soft cloth-like material. The base sheet has generally rectangular main panel which fits between the legs of the person extending from a lower front of the person's trunk forward of the genital area to rearward of the genital area. Respective left and right straps extend rearwardly from the main panel and wrap leftward and rightward around the lower trunk of the person. Respective ends of the straps are removably retained to the main panel to securely hold the undergarment in place on the person. A liquid absorbent pad is attachable to an inner surface of the base sheet at the main panel covering the genital area as worn.
In a preferred undergarment, the base sheet is made of a non-woven material with the straps of a configuration linearly extending rearwardly from a rear edge of the main panel. The ends of the straps are removably retained to the main panel at the lower front trunk by pairs of interlocable hook and loop patches affixed to the main panel and the ends of the straps. The length of the main panel is such that the rear edge thereof is disposed immediately behind the genital area. The pad is permanently affixed to the main panel with a liquid impermeable flexible barrier sheet therebetween to prevent liquid from passing from the pad onto the base sheet. The absorbent pad is formed with a genital receiving cup adapted to cover a male person's penis and scrotum. A pair of elastic seams disposed longitudinally along the pad provide longitudinal moisture seals with the person's lower trunk and legs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many adults have minor urinary leakage due to the inability to achieve complete urinary valve closure. In particular, adult males often have such minor urinary leakage as a result of urinary or prostate surgical procedures, or radiological treatments.
Various undergarments have been developed for such problems. For lighter incontinence problems, absorbent pads, guards, shields, and absorbent inserts are used in inside underwear. For heavier incontinence problems, various undergarments have been developed such as belted undergarments and adult briefs which are used in place of underwear under the wearer's outer cloths. These undergarments tend to resemble disposable diapers in design, being thick and bulky. Consequently, they tend to be hot and uncomfortable to wear. Additionally, they tend to be difficult to put on and take off, often utilizing refastenable tapes which are removably adhered to landing zones formed of flexible plastic sheeting having releasable surface properties similar to baby diapers to retain them on the wearer. Such tapes tend to become less sticky after several attachments and removals, thus not retaining the undergarment properly on the wearer. They are also less comfortable than the cloth undergarments wearer's are accustomed to.
There have been various incontinence undergarments patented over the years. For example, medical protection devices for males for use in combination with incontinence undergarments are disclosed in Pudlo, U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,279 issued on Apr. 8, 1997, and Ryan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,350 issued on Feb. 10, 1998. Pudlo and Ryan teach protection devices which include a generally planar deflection shield formed of a moisture impervious material of sufficient length to extend from above the penis downwardly to the level of the scrotum. The shield includes a hole through which the penis extends to deflect urine away from the scrotum. The shield includes a sack-like structure extending from a lower portion thereof adapted to partially enclose the scrotum.
The medical protection devices, however, have several shortcomings. The device has a rather large padding which extends completely from the wearer's front to back waist area which is much more padding than needed to receive and properly manage multiple instances of minor wetting without having to change the undergarment. The device thus presents the bulky appearance of an adult diaper under the outer cloths such that the wearer may be embarrassed in business, work, or other public environments by other people realizing the wearing of the device. The device does not provide good wearing comfort nor look good to the wearer like regular cloth undergarments, but rather looks and feels like a large diaper. The device is designed specifically for male persons with the scrotum guard to protect the male scrotum from contact with urine, and is not readily adapted for use by female persons. The device must be completely removed like a baby's diaper for the wearer to urinate due to the use of adhesive side tabs holding the front and rear halves together. These adhesive side tabs are prone to pick up debris and are refastenable only a limited number of times before degradation of the adhesive force beyond usefulness.
Moretz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,014 issued on Jul. 25, 1995 reveals a undergarment having a suspended moisture management panel. One end of the panel is attached to a front waist area of the undergarment and a second end attached to a back seat area thereof. The panel includes an inner fabric layer constructed of moisture wicking fibers for contacting the wearer's skin. An intermediate fabric layer is disposed adjacent the inner fabric layer formed of fabric for receiving and dispersing moisture wicked outwardly away from the wearer's skin by the inner fabric layer away from a lower crotch area of the undergarment. An outermost fabric layer disposed over the intermediate fabric includes a liquid impermeable, vapor permeable shield for providing a leak-proof barrier which prevents passage of liquid but permits dissipation of vapor therethrough.
The undergarment, however, has several shortcomings. The undergarment is not disposable but rather must be washed and reused. The undergarment does not have a leak-proof pouch since no elastic is utilized where the pad contacts the wearer's legs. The undergarment requires the wearer to raise their legs to step into and out of the undergarment. The undergarment must be sized to fit the particular wearer and cannot be adjusted to fit various size persons. The device must be lowered like briefs to urinate.
An adult brief for use in controlling incontinence is disclosed in Glaug, U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,120 issued on. Oct. 23, 2001. Glaug discloses an adult brief for use in controlling incontinence. The brief has a chassis which includes a front portion, a crotch portion, and a back portion. The chassis has of a fluid-impervious, cloth-like laminate along a central region thereof, and hydrophobic, cloth-like nonwoven side panels at each side of the central region. An liquid absorbing core is positioned over the central region. A plurality of refastening means in the form of fastening tapes are applied to the side panels at the back portion of the chassis. The front portion of the chassis includes areas for releasably receiving the tapes to hold the brief in place. The sides within the crotch portion are elasticized to fit around the wearer's legs and prevent the egress of urine therefrom. A top or waist section of the front portion and the back portion are elasticized to hold the brief about the waist of the wearer.
The adult brief, however, has several shortcomings. The device has a rather large padding which extends completely from the wearer's front to back waist area which is much more padding than needed to receive and properly manage multiple instances of minor wetting without having to change the undergarment. The device thus presents the bulky appearance of an adult diaper under the outer cloths such that the wearer may be embarrassed in business, work, or other public environments by other people realizing the wearing of the device. The device does not provide good wearing comfort nor look good to the wearer like regular cloth undergarments, but rather looks and feels like a large diaper. The device must be completely removed like a baby's diaper for the wearer to urinate due to the use of adhesive side tabs holding the front and rear halves together. These adhesive side tabs are prone to pick up debris and are refastenable only a limited number of times before degradation of the adhesive force beyond usefulness.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a disposable undergarment that can be worn over an extended period of time, and is specifically intended to receive and properly manage multiple instances of minor wetting without having to change the undergarment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable undergarment which is simple to put on and wear without requiring raise of the wearer's legs to step into.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a disposable undergarment that avoids the bulky appearance of an adult diaper, such that active wearers such as those in business or work environments avoid the embarrassment of others do not realize the use of the undergarment and promotes the self-esteem of the wearer.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a disposable undergarment wherein the wearer may urinate without completely removing the undergarment.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a disposable undergarment which is disposable.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a disposable undergarment which has a leak-proof pouch
It is another object of this invention to provide a disposable undergarment which can be adapted for use by both male and female persons.
It is another object of this invention to provide a disposable undergarment which is easily refastenable an indefinite number of times without degradation of the attachment device.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a disposable undergarment which looks good to the wearer, not significantly resembling a diaper.
It is another object of this invention to provide a disposable undergarment which provides good wearing comfort like regular cloth undergarments.
It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such a disposable undergarment which may be adjusted to most person's bodies.


The present invention provides a compound containing at least one sulfhydryl group and at least one NO donor group, wherein said compound is a) a compound containing one or more sulfhydryl groups linked to at least one aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring with a nitrogen in the ring structure, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; b) a 5-membered ring heterocyclic compound containing a sulfur atom and a nitrogen atom, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; c) a 5-membered ring compound containing two conjugate S-atoms, which ring is linked to one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; or d) a compound containing an acyclic xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94S group, linked to at least one aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring with a nitrogen in the ring structure, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of said compounds as an active ingredient.

The present invention relates to nitric oxide donors containing at least one sulfhydryl group or a group capable of being converted in-vivo to a sulfhydryl group, and at least one nitric oxide donor group. The novel compounds are effective substitutes for existing tolerance-inducing organic or inorganic nitric oxide donors.
For over a century, the nitric oxide (NO) donor nitroglycerin (GTN) has been the mainstay in the treatment of angina and related heart diseases. However, the existing mechanisms proposing the mediation of GTN action by free NO, intracellular or extracellular S-nitrosothiol formation and subsequent activation of guanylyl cyclase (GC), as well as those describing GTN tolerance, have become increasingly controversial. The phenomenon of tolerance to GTN, however, is of special clinical importance. In fact, early tolerance to the anti-anginal effects of the drug is the major drawback of nitrate therapy, especially during acute myocardial infarction. This is particularly important since alternative non-tolerance inducing agents have not yet been developed to successfully replace therapy with GTN.
Based on accumulating evidence, Applicant hypothesized that GTN may directly interact with SH-group/s located on its target enzyme (GC) resulting in its S-nitrosylation and activation. However, subsequent auto-oxidation (disulfide formation) of these SH-groups renders the enzyme inert towards farther reaction with GIN, resulting in tolerance development.
Additionally, evidence has recently been provided to support an involvement of the superoxide anion in the mechanism/s underlying GTN tolerance and cross-tolerance. According to these reports, increased production of superoxide anion was found to accompany tolerance development to GTN in vascular tissue. Treatment with superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly enhanced relaxation of control and tolerant vascular tissue to GTN and other exogenous and endogenous vasodilators.
While the precise mechanism for the vasorelaxant effect of GTN is unknown, a consensus exists regarding the primary involvement of cGMP in mediating the nitrate-induced relaxation. However, the roles of sulfhydryl groups [reduced glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (Cys)] and of various enzymes in the bioconversion of GIN and subsequent activation of guanylyl cyclase (GC) leading to relaxation have become increasingly controversial. Cysteine was found to be the specific sulfhydryl required for activation of soluble coronary arterial GC and to be the only one of several sulfhydryl to react non enzymatically with GTN at physiologic pH resulting in formation of S-nitrosocysteine. Since S-nitrosothiols were shown to be potent activators of GC, S-nitrosocysteine/thiols were proposed as the intracellular mediators of organic nitrate-induced vasorelaxation. Additionally, N-acetylcysteine (NAC, an immediate donor of Cys thereby increasing GSH) was reported to potentiate GTN activity in vitro and in vivo. The enhanced reaction of thiols with GTN in plasma and blood versus buffer suggested that activation of GC by GTN may be mediated via extracellular formation of S-nitrosothiol/s. In either case (intra- or extracellular S-nitrosothiol formation), this association between sulfhydryls and GTN activity has long been recognized as evidence for the xe2x80x9cthiol depletion hypothesisxe2x80x9d. However, recent studies by the Applicant and those of Boesgard et al. revealed a dissociation between tissue thiol content (measured as Cys and GSH) and nitrate tolerance in vivo.
In vitro inhibitory studies provide indirect support for the involvement of enzymes m GTN bioactivation [glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P-450 (P-450)]. However, in view of several other reports suggesting the lack of any significant role of GST and P-450 in GTN bioactivation, the reduced bioactivation of GTN is unlikely to be the main factor underlying nitrate tolerance in vivo. In fact, reduced cGMP production was also shown to follow exposure of vascular preparation to direct NO-donors, for which no definitive metabolic pathway has been reported.
Furthermore, Applicant has recently presented in vivo evidence excluding the involvement of any particular metabolic pathway since reduced cGMP was also shown to follow treatment with S-alkylating agents in the absence of GTN.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Western society and is rapidly approaching this leading position worldwide. Ischemic heart disease is the most common heart disease. For over a century, nitroglycerin and other organic nitrates have been used for the treatment of various types of myocardial ischemia, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and as adjuncts in the treatment of other heart diseases (congestive heart failure and resistant hypertension). Chronic prophylaxis and acute treatment are necessary to prevent complications of ischemic heart disease with potential fatal outcomes (xcx9c25% death for AMI). Tolerance to the anti-ischemic effect of these drugs is, by far, the most serious drawback of therapy with currently available organic nitrates. The compounds proposed in this application constitute a novel approach to overcome tolerance.
The present invention provides a compound containing at least one sulfhydryl group and at least one NO donor group, wherein said compound is a) a compound containing one or more sulfhydryl groups linked to at least one aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring with a nitrogen in the ring structure, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; b) a 5-membered ring heterocyclic compound containing a sulfur atom and a nitrogen atom, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; c) a 5-membered ring compound containing two conjugate S-atoms, which ring is linked to one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; or d) a compound containing an acyclic xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94S group, linked to at least one aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring with a nitrogen in the ring structure, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group.
In one embodiment, the compound is:
In another embodiment, the compound is:
The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a) as an active ingredient at least one compound containing at least one sulfhydryl group and at least one NO donor group, wherein said compound is 1) a compound containing one or more sulfhydryl groups linked to at least one aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring with a nitrogen in the ring structure, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; 2) a 5-membered ring heterocyclic compound containing a sulfur atom and a nitrogen atom, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; 3) a 5-membered ring compound containing two conjugate S-atoms, which ring is linked to one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; or 4) a compound containing an acyclic xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94S group, linked to at least one aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring with a nitrogen in the ring structure, which ring is substituted by one or more substituents bearing a terminal xe2x80x94ONO2 group; and b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
In one embodiment, the active ingredient is:
In another embodiment, the active ingredient is:

Nitric oxide donors and pharmaceutical compositions containing them

Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem


An improved rake assembly for a sandtrap maintenance machine comprises a rake frame having a transverse row or rows of scarifying teeth. A trowel plate is fixed to the rake frame and trails behind the scarifying teeth and includes a substantially planar lower edge comprising a horizontal flange that bears against the sand to smooth out the sand disturbed by the scarifying teeth. In addition, a finishing rake is moveably attached to the rake frame to trail behind both the scarifying teeth and the trowel plate to allow the finishing rake to further groom and smooth the surface of the sand. The trowel plate is adjustably carried on the rake frame to be capable of vertical adjustment up and down relative to the rake frame. This vertical adjustment allows the height of the scarifying teeth of the rake frame to be quickly adjusted without having to individually adjust the scarifying teeth one by one.

The Toro Company, the assignee of this invention, has long manufactured and sold various powered implements, known as Sand Pros.COPYRGT., which are used on golf courses for grooming and smoothing the sand found in the sandtraps. A typical eighteen hole golf course will have a substantial amount of area covered by the sandtraps. Accordingly, a machine like the Sand Pro.COPYRGT., which is powered and carries an operator so as to be driven over the surface of the sandtraps, greatly eases the task of grooming and smoothing the sand.The Sand Pro.COPYRGT. includes a wheeled traction unit specifically designed for traveling over a sand surface without bogging down in the sand.
The traction unit of the Sand Pro.COPYRGT. tows a rake assembly which works the sand to groom and smooth it. The rake assembly previously sold by Toro consists of a plurality of planar finishing rakes each having a serrated lower edge. The finishing rakes are located in two transverse rows that extend across the width of the machine with the individual rakes in each row being transversely spaced apart from the adjacent rakes in that same row. The rakes in the rear row are transversely staggered relative to the rakes in the front row to span the gaps between the rakes in the front row so that the entire swath of sand encountered by the rake assembly is groomed and smoothed without leaving any ungroomed windrows. The finishing rakes are suspended from a frame of the rake assembly so that in a working position of the rake assembly so that in a finishing rakes simply causes them to drag along in the sand with their serrated lower edges grooming and smoothing the sand as the traction unit moves forward.
More recently, a different rake assembly has been offered by Smithco for use on Sand Pro.COPYRGT. type machines. The Smithco rake assembly is similar to the Toro rake assembly described above as it includes a plurality of finishing rakes having serrated lower edges. However, the Smithco rake assembly also includes a plurality of downwardly extending, prong type scarifying teeth and one or more trowel plates located on the rake frame in advance of the finishing rakes. Each trowel plate is fixed to the rake frame to be located between the scarifying teeth and the finishing rakes. Each trowel plate includes a smooth lower edge, comprised of a horizontal flange, for contacting and smoothing the sand.
The scarifying teeth used on the Smithco rake assembly comprise bolts or pins that include a threaded upper end which is fixed to the rake frame by tightening various attachment nut(s). One difficulty with the Smithco rake assembly is that vertical adjustment of the scarifying teeth is made purely by adjusting each individual scarifying tooth up or down relative to the rake frame. This means that the attachment nut(s) for each tooth have to be loosened, the tooth has to be moved up or down a desired amount, and then the attachment nut(s) have to be retightened while the tooth is held in its adjusted position. Because a large number of scarifying teeth are located on the rake frame, this becomes a laborious and time-consuming process. In addition, it is difficult to be entirely consistent in how far up or down all of the individual teeth have been adjusted. Thus, the lower ends of the scarifying teeth may end up being at slightly different elevations after an adjustment is made.
Another difficulty with the Smithco rake assembly is that the scarifying teeth quickly become covered with dirt and water in the outdoor environment in which these machines are designed to operate. Thus, the attachment nuts used to secure the scarifying teeth quickly become hard to loosen due to corrosion and similar factors. Coupled with the previously noted need to adjust each tooth individually, this has meant as a practical matter that the height of the scarifying teeth are not adjusted once they are initially set. It is simply too difficult and time-consuming to readjust the teeth. Thus, the operator tends to leave the teeth in their initial position where they were positioned when the rake assembly was originally set up and is not tempted to adjust these teeth even though, on occasion, that would be desirable, i.e. the conditions of the sand in the sandtraps would otherwise warrant adjusting how aggressively the teeth engage the sand.

Sandtrap maintenance machine rake assembly


A chair seat tilt lock comprises a slider riding along a track on the seat and an abutment extending from chair seat post. The slider is spring biased into registration with the abutment to block the chair against tilting and may also be moved away from the abutment so that the chair is then free to tilt. The slider is mover by a lever arm connected to the slider by a co-axial cable with an enlargement at the end of the inner cable which allows the cable to be releasably press fit into a skeleton key-shaped passageway through the slider.

It is typical in office chairs for the seat to tilt rearwardly as an occupant leans back in the seat. Other chairs, such as chairs for typing, are designed so that the seat tilts forwardly when an occupant leans forward in a chair. However, sometimes the occupant does not wish the seat to tilt when leaning forwardly or rearwardly. To accommodate such an occupant preference, chairs have been designed with tilt locks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,085 issued Nov. 26, 1985 to Bauer et al. discloses a chair seat tilt lock. A horizontal slider slides between a position whereat a bolt extending through the slider blocks the base plate of the seat and, therefore, prevents the seat from tilting and another position whereat the bolt is registered with an opening through the base plate. The slider is moved by an operating arm which is secured to it.
The subject invention seeks to provide an improved chair seat tilt lock.


The present invention provides a method of initializing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium in which a magnetic field having a magnetic field strength Hex is applied to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer having a coercive force Hc to initialize the magnetic layer, the method comprising the steps of: controlling a magnetic field strength HexP in a direction parallel to the medium surface of the magnetic field so that HexP>1.3×Hc; and controlling a magnetic field strength HexV in a direction perpendicular to the medium surface of the magnetic field so that HexV<Hc.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of initializing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium and a magnetic recording apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of initializing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium performed before the perpendicular magnetic transfer of a magnetic information pattern such as format information to a perpendicular magnetic recording disk used in a hard disk unit or the like, to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium to which perpendicular magnetic transfer is performed after initialization by the initialization method, and to a magnetic recording apparatus having the perpendicular magnetic recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
To a magnetic disk (hard disk) used in hard disk drives in increasing widespread use in recent years, format information and address information are ordinarily written before the disk is mounted in the drive after the disk has been delivered from a magnetic disk maker to a drive maker. This writing can be performed with a magnetic head. However, this writing can be performed more efficiently by a method of performing batch transfer from a master disk on which the format information and the address information are written. Therefore writing by this method is preferable.
This magnetic transfer technique uses a magnetic field generation device such as an electromagnet device or a permanent magnet device placed on one side or opposite sides of a master disk and a transfer destination disk (slave disk) held close to each other to apply a transfer magnetic field to the disks. A magnetic pattern corresponding to information provided on the master disk (e.g., a servo signal) is thereby transferred.
Magnetic recording mediums are divided into in-plane magnetic recording mediums having an axis of easy magnetization in an in-plane direction in their magnetic layers, and perpendicular magnetic recording mediums having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of their magnetic layers. In-plane magnetic recording mediums have been used in ordinary cases.
On the other hand, the development of perpendicular magnetic recording mediums and perpendicular magnetic recording methods with which a marked improvement in recording density (an increase in storage capacity) can be expected is being pursued and large-scale introduction of such mediums and methods into the market in near future is being cried out for.
Therefore, there is a demand for an arrangement for the above-described magnetic transfer adapted for perpendicular magnetic recording. That is, the development of the above-described magnetic transfer technique is being pursued with an eye to magnetic transfer to an in-plane magnetic recording medium in particular, and there is a demand for the development of a magnetic transfer technique applicable to perpendicular magnetic recording. As a technique indispensable for a stage preceding such magnetic transfer, a method of initializing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium (a method for entire-surface demagnetization by application of an external magnetic field) is to be mentioned.
Under the above-described circumstances, techniques relating to methods of initializing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium have been proposed (see the non-patent documents such as, IEEE Transactions on magnetics, vol. 41 (2005) 3127. "Bulk AC-Erasure Technique for Perpendicular Recording Media: Effect of Exchange Coupling", written by E. N. Abarra, Paramjit Gill, B. R. Acharya, J. Zhou, M. Zheng, G. Choe, and B. Demczyk).
In the above-described theses, methods for entire-surface-batch AC demagnetization by applying an external magnetic field and the resulting characteristics are described.

Method of initializing perpendicular magnetic recording medium, perpendicular magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording apparatus


Compositions and methods for relaxing human hair with minimal damage to the hair comprising the steps of (a) preparing an aqueous mixture having a pH of at least 11 comprising (i) at least one base; and (ii) a pre-selected blend of dehydrated herbs; (b) applying the mixture to human hair for a period of time sufficient to effect a desired amount of relaxation; and (c) removing the mixture from the hair with a rinsing liquid.

Relaxers are chemical solutions used for the purpose of straightening, softening or loosening curled or wavy hair. Generally these chemical compositions contain soluble alkaline earth materials such as sodium or calcium hydroxide. Organic bases such as guanidine hydroxide are also employed as relaxers.
Sodium hydroxide, used in products referred to as "lye" relaxers, provides the longest lasting and dramatic effects. However, at a pH of about 14, solutions of sodium hydroxide have a pronounced tendency to damage the skin and hair.
Relaxers referred to as "no lye" systems have a lower pH of about 13. Nevertheless, such relaxers have the potential to weaken the hair making it extremely susceptible to breaking and further damage. For this reason, a pre-protective petroleum "base cream" is frequently applied to help protect the scalp against chemical irritation. After the hair has been chemically relaxed, a neutralizing formula may be applied to lower the pH and reduce the potential for hair breakage. Frequently, a conditioner is applied to the hair to restore some of the natural oils and proteins removed by the chemical.
"No lye" relaxers utilize the organic chemical base, guanidine, present in the form of guanidine hydroxide, as the straightening agent. The product is supplied as a two component system comprising first an aqueous solution of guanidine carbonate at or near the saturation point. The second component is a water in oil cream emulsion containing calcium hydroxide (inorganic alkaline earth hydroxide) at 3-8% typically by weight usually referred to as the "base". Upon mixing, the guanidine carbonate component of the activator solution reacts with the base, e.g., calcium hydroxide forming guanidine hydroxide and precipitated calcium carbonate.
Guanidine hydroxide is not stable after formation and decomposes into ammonia and urea within 6-12 hours after mixing. The guanidine hydroxide elevates the pH of the product to about 13 and thereby allows for successful relaxation of the hair. Products of this type normally do not require a pre-protective application of petrolatum or similar composition. These products are typically called "no-lye products".
The high pH relaxer compositions available today utilize very much the same chemistry in that they all rely on the generation of hydroxide to relax the hair. This high pH relaxation of the hair fiber is not without challenge to the formulator. Modern compositions contain skin protectants such as mineral oil and petrolatum, waxes, conditioning agents and humectants but the high pH of the relaxer cream base itself prevents the inclusion into the formula of ingredients that would have greater beneficial effect for the consumer. The typical relaxer base containing calcium hydroxide has a pH in the range of 11-12.5 before activation with guanidine carbonate. After activation, this pH will increase 15 fold but still, at a pH above 11 many organic and beneficial ingredients are destroyed. At this elevated pH only the most basic and chemically resistant materials survive for any length of time. While many modern products may include some organic materials in their relaxer creams or bases, the longevity and stability of these materials is very highly suspect at the pH mentioned above. As a result, many relaxers deliver poor performance and may irritate the skin if not used specifically as directed.


A method for increasing the tenderness of livestock meat tissues. The method involves increasing the calcium concentration in livestock muscle tissue prior to harvest of the animal to a degree sufficient to activate or enhance postmortem tenderization mechanisms. This is accomplished, most preferably, through the administration of Vitamin D, its analogs or derivatives, or combinations thereof, to livestock at concentrations above those required nutritionally in order to decrease shear force (increase tenderness) of meat tissues.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to improving the tenderness of meat, and, more specifically, to methods for improving meat tenderness through the use of hypercalcemic agents to activate or enhance postmortem tenderization mechanisms.
2. Background
Recent surveys have indicated that an excessive amount of variation exists in the tenderness of beef cuts at the retail and food service levels (Morgan et al., 1991; Hamby, 1992). In fact, the latest National Beef Quality Audit ranked inadequate tenderness as the second most important beef quality problem (Smith et al., 1995). It is estimated that the annual economic loss associated with beef toughness equals $7.64 per animal or $217.0 million to the U.S. beef industry. Thus, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA, 1995) listed development of a procedure or instrument that can improve and/or predict beef tenderness as a high-priority issue within the U.S. beef industry.
In the past, attempts at tenderizing meat have involved extended holding times or aging of meat postmortem in a controlled, refrigerated environment. Davey and Gilbert (1969) first provided evidence that associated the involvement of calcium ions with the process of postmortem aging of meat. Busch et al. (1972) later demonstrated that the presence of calcium induced myofibril fragmentation and that process in turn was hindered by the addition of a calcium chelator. Many subsequent efforts have focused on the relationship between postmortem storage and the activities of the calpain protease system (i.e., .mu.- and m-calpain and their endogenous inhibitor, calpastatin) (for review see Koohmaraie, 1992). Because the activity of m-calpain remains nearly constant throughout postmortem storage, and there is a progressive decrease in the activity of .mu.-calpain, Koohmaraie et al. (1987) suggested that .mu.-calpain, not m-calpain, was involved in postmortem aging. However, when sufficient calcium ions are present, both calpain proteases are activated and each undergoes autolysis. Therefore, the rapid loss of .mu.-calpain during postmortem storage (Koohmaraie et al., 1987) is a good indicator that .mu.-calpain, unlike m-calpain, is activated during normal postmortem conditions. Koohmaraie et al. (1989) validated this theory when ovine carcasses infused with calcium chloride solution produced meat which was tender after only 1 day of postmortem aging. These results led to the development of the calcium-activated tenderization (CAT) system in which prerigor or postrigor meat is injected with a calcium chloride solution, which in turn activates the both calpain proteases and results in enhanced meat tenderness (Wheeler et al. 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1997).
Currently, there is a debate on how calpain proteases could possibly function in muscle tissue since the calcium requirements for proteolytic activity of these enzymes (approximately 10 .mu.M for .mu.-calpain and approximately 200-300 .mu.M for m-calpains) are much higher than the free calcium concentrations found in living muscle tissue (<1 .mu.M). While the concentration of free calcium in resting muscle is low, postmortem muscle calcium concentrations can reach 100 .mu.M as a result of the release of calcium ions from mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum reserves. Previous studies (Koohmaraie et al., 1987; Vidalenc et al., 1983; Ducastaing et al., 1985) have indicated that under normal postmortem conditions, m-calpain is remarkably stable, whereas there is a gradual decline in the activities of .mu.-calpain, and calpastatin loses its activity rapidly. Both .mu.- and m-calpain undergo autolysis in the presence of sufficient calcium with the eventual loss of activity (Suziki et al., 1981; DeMartino et al., 1986; Koohmaraie et al., 1989). Secondly, elevation of calcium, which results in accelerated postmortem proteolysis and tenderization process, also accelerates the process of calpastatin inactivation (Koohmaraie et al., 1988; 1989).
Attempts have been made to elevate muscle calcium concentrations through dietary calcium supplementation and/or infusion of a calcium chloride solution to a live animal, but since blood calcium homeostasis is regulated very closely (8-12 mg/dL in cattle) these attempts have resulted in limited success. Accordingly, prior methods proposed for improving tenderness generally have involved mechanical, chemical or enzyme application to the meat tissue. Such systems are costly and raise consumer concerns about food adulteration and allergic reactions. Pre-harvest infusions of calcium mixtures directly into the blood stream immediately pre-slaughter will improve meat tenderness, but such administration is complex to control.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a method for increasing the tenderness of livestock meat tissues that is easy to accomplish, commercially practicable, and which does not raise consumer concerns.

The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University


A photosensitive polyimide precursor composition containing as main ingredients a poly(amic acid) wherein at least one molecular end is esterified with an alcohol, a compound containing carbon-carbon unsaturation having photoreactivity, and a photopolymerization initiator.. The photosensitive polyimide precursor composition of the present invention can be prepared without the formation of any harmful by-product. When film formed from this composition is masked for patterning and then subjected to exposure and development using a developer, the amount of exposed portion dissolved in the developer until unexposed portion is dissolved off by the developer, is small and so it is possible to obtain a thick pattern. Further, by heat-treating this pattern, there can be obtained a thick polyimide pattern.

The present invention relates to a novel photosensitive polyimide precursor composition. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a novel photosensitive polyimide precursor composition which can be used in forming protective films for semiconductor devices and insulating films for multilayer interconnection substrates.
Recently, in the field of electronic industry, polyimides prepared by heat-treating poly(amic acid)s as polyimide precursors have been used as protective films and interlayer insulating films because of their superior heat resistance and dielectric characteristics. In the case of using a poly(amic acid) of a conventional structure, however, a complicated process using a photoresist is required for forming a pattern on a polyimide film obtained from such poly(amic acid). In order to solve this problem there has been proposed the use of a photosensitive polyimide precursor which permits direct formation of a pattern through exposure and development.
As such photosensitive polyimide precursor, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,512 there is proposed one wherein a photosensitive group is ester-linked to the carboxyl group in a poly(amic acid) molecule. This photosensitive polyimide precursor is prepared by reacting a tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride with an alcohol containing carbon-carbon unsaturation having photoreactivity to form a tetracarboxylic diester, then converting free carboxyl groups in the diester into acid chloride groups, and polycondensing the resulting diester-bis-acid chloride with a diamine. However, in the photosensitive polyimide precursor obtained by this process there eventually remains a chloride as a by-product because a dehydrochlorination reaction is included in the manufacturing process. For removing this residual by-product chloride which is harmful, it is necessary to conduct a purification treatment which is expensive.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,415 there is disclosed a photosensitive polyimide precursor wherein a photosensitive group is ester-linked to the carboxyl group in a poly(amic acid) molecule, using a process different from the process just referred to above. This photosensitive polyimide precursor is prepared by reacting a tetracarboxylic dianhydride with an a alcohol containing carbon-carbon unsaturation having photoreactivity to form a tetracarboxylic diester and then reacting the diester with a diamine in the presence of carbodiimide. Also in this process, however, there remains a urea derivative as a by-product and a purifying treatment for separating the urea derivative is required in preparing a coating solution of the photosensitive polyimide precursor.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,743 there is disclosed a photosensitive polyimide precursor prepared by incorporating in a poly(amic acid) a compound containing carbon-carbon unsaturation having photoreactivity and also containing an amino group or a quaternized salt thereof, allowing a photosensitive group to be salt-linked to the carboxyl group or a salt thereof contained in the poly(amic acid) molecule. This photosensitive polyimide precursor can be prepared without the formation of any harmful by-product. For example, however, in the case of using a polyimide film as a semiconductor protecting film, the larger the film thickness, the greater the .alpha.-ray shielding effect. When the surface of film formed from the said photosensitive polyimide precursor is masked for patterning, followed by exposure and development using a developing solution and subsequent heat-treatment to obtain a pattern of the polyimide film, it is very difficult to obtain a polyimide film pattern having a thickness of 10 .mu.m or more. This is for the following reason. In the photosensitive polyimide precursor, usually a photosensitive group is introduced into the poly(amic acid) which has a high molecular weight and it is introduced by such a relatively weak linkage as salt linkage, so in the case of developing a thick film, the dissolving speed of an unexposed portion into the developing solution is low, and until a complete dissolution of the unexposed portion into the developing solution, the exposed portion is also dissolved in a considerable amount in the developing solution, resulting in that the thickness of the residual exposed portion becomes smaller.
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and it is the object of the invention to provide a photosensitive polyimide precursor composition which can be prepared without the formation of any harmful by-product requiring the application of a purifying treatment and in which, at the time of development after exposure, the amount of an exposed portion dissolved into a developing solution until a complete dissolution of an unexposed portion in the same solution is small, thus affording a pattern of a polyimide film having a large thickness.

Photosensitive polyimide precursor compositions and process for preparing same


An electronic fund transfer (EFT) system capable of displaying a menu including one or more user-defined custom transactions associated with an identification card so that the user can select a desired transaction by a single selection or with limited inputs. The transactions may be defined by a user during a set-up/authorization operation and/or may be stored based on transactions performed by the user. Additionally, the transactions may be stored on the identification card, in a local memory of a transaction terminal and/or in a system memory of the EFT system. A single identification card may be used to enable the user to select from a plurality of financial accounts with different institutions. Another asset of an ATM system and method comprises a graphical user interface that enables a user to select a transaction type and the transaction parameters necessary to define that transaction from a single display. By use of a pointing device (and possibly other input devices), the user can select or change selections for the transaction type and/or transaction parameters. Preferably, the display is created using object-oriented programming and has a plurality of objects corresponding to the transaction type and transaction parameters. Using the pointing device, the user selects the transaction type. Once the transaction type is selected, the transaction parameters necessary to define the selected transaction type are selected. The ATM system may preselect transaction types and/or transaction parameters based on stored information relating to the user (such as a previous transaction or other information). If the selections are as the user desires them to be for the desired transaction, then the user can simply click on a command button (e.g. a button labeled “OK”) to cause the transaction to be executed. This potentially reduces the number of inputs or selections that a user must make to execute a desire transaction.

Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems in general are well known. One example of an EFT system is an automated teller machine (ATM). An example of an ATM is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,319,336 (the "'336 Patent") and 4,484,304, issued to Anderson et al. The general operation of publicly available ATMs is well known. Briefly, however, ATMs typically operate by a user inserting an ATM or other type of identification card into an ATM machine, entering a personal identification number (PIN), selecting an account (checking, savings, etc.), selecting a type of transaction or function (withdrawal, deposit, transfer, payment, balance inquiry, etc.) and using individual numeric keys of a keypad to select the dollar (and cents) amount for the transaction. In some cases, the user also selects the language for the display (English, Spanish, etc.).
Since several types of transactions may be performed such as withdrawals, deposits, transfers, payments and inquiries, a user is typically first presented with a screen that displays a menu of a plurality of transaction types (e.g., withdrawal, deposit, transfer, payment, balance inquiry, etc.). The user may then select a desired transaction type by entering an input corresponding to a list of available transaction types displayed on a menu screen. The user next selects the various transaction parameters necessary to define the selected transaction type by entering inputs corresponding to choices displayed on several consecutive menu screens, each of which relates to one of the transaction parameters. For example, once the user selects the desired transaction type, then another menu screen is displayed showing a list of choices corresponding to one of the transaction parameters necessary to define the selected transaction type. Assume, for example, that a user selects "Withdrawal" as the transaction type. The next menu screen displayed may ask for the account from which the Withdrawal is desired (e.g., savings, checking, credit card, etc.). Once the user selects the appropriate account, another menu screen is displayed prompting the user to choose another transaction parameter (e.g., the amount to be withdrawn). Once the user selects an amount, another menu screen is commonly displayed asking whether the displayed amount is correct and the user selects OK if it is correct and NO (or a similar input) if it is not correct. If the user indicates that the amount is correct, then another menu screen is commonly displayed asking whether the user desires a receipt of the transaction to be printed. The user selects Yes or No. Other screens corresponding to additional transaction parameters may also be displayed. Once all of the transaction parameters have been entered, the transaction is executed, in a known manner.
The need to manually enter or select the transaction type and each or many of the transaction parameters each time a user desires to perform a transaction can be annoying and time consuming. This is especially true for individuals who routinely perform transactions with the same or similar parameters. Additionally, typically only one choice (e.g., a transaction type or one of the transaction parameters) is made per menu screen. This is inefficient.
While certain ATMs enable a user to automatically select an amount (sometimes referred to as a "Fast Cash" amount) rather than entering the amount manually using the numbers of a keypad, a limited number of Fast Cash choices are available. Also, these choices are globally programmed in a system so that each user typically has the same limited choices. Moreover, even with a Fast Cash feature, the user still often needs to select certain transaction parameters such as an account (e.g., savings or checking) and a function or transaction type (e.g., withdraw cash). Only then are different dollar amounts displayed from which the user can choose. While this eliminates the need to enter specific dollar amounts, it still involves selection of several transaction parameters or entries by a user. Moreover, typically only one choice per screen is made. These are undesirable drawbacks.
EFT systems also include point-of-sale terminals and a number of other systems. Point-of-Sale (POS) or point of interaction terminals (collectively referred to herein as "POS terminals") are used for example at grocery checkouts, gas station pumps and other retail locations to enable a user to pay for a purchase by using an ATM card, a credit card, a debit card or other similar methods. POS terminals also typically require a number of user inputs and transaction parameters to effect a transaction.
Another problem that arises in using some EFT systems (e.g., ATM or POS terminals) is the need for separate user identification cards for each "account" or institution with which a user has a financial relationship. Examples of such well known cards include bank ATM cards, American Express cards, MasterCard and Visa Cards, department store credit cards, gas company credit cards and air travel cards, to name but a few. Thus, many people typically carry one or more identification cards. This is inconvenient. Other drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art also exist.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Electronic fund transfer or transaction system


The invention relates to a wiping rubber for wiper blades in windshield wipers, comprising a profile body formed of an elastomer or rubber material, at least partially having a surface coating. The surface coating (22) comprises carbon fibers (24).

The present invention relates to a wiper rubber for wiper blades of windshield wipers, and also to a coating solution and, respectively, a process for production of the wiper rubber, as in the preamble of the independent claims.
Wiper rubber profiles for wiper blades of windshield wipers are subjected to demanding mechanical requirements. By way of example, they have to provide sufficiently good wiping effect on a surface requiring cleaning, while at the same time minimizing generation of noise during the wiping process. These wiper rubber profiles moreover have to have high resistance to environmental effects, a particular example being ozone or UV radiation. In order to comply with these requirements, wiper rubber profiles are generally manufactured from a suitable elastomer material or rubber material and are surface-coated. The effect of the coating is that the coefficient of friction between wiper blade and surface requiring cleaning is reduced during the wiping process and that the wear resistance of the wiping edge, necessary for cleaning of the surface, is improved.
Conventional methods in this connection are chlorination of the wiper rubber profile, and also frequently additional application of a graphite finish. For this, graphite powder is suspended in a suitable organic solvent and sprayed onto the material at least in the region of the wiping lip of the wiper rubber. The organic solvent evaporates and the graphite particles remain finely distributed on the rubber surface and, during a wiping process, reduce the level of friction between elastomer material and surface requiring cleaning.
A disadvantage is that the graphite particles applied often do not have adequate adhesion on the material of the wiper rubber profile, and the premature release of these particles often causes a reduction in the effect of the graphite finish after a short operating time.
In order to counter said problem, DE 101 32 026 A1 describes a coating for wiper blades where a particulate solid lubricant, e.g. graphite, is suspended and applied in a suitable organic binder, e.g. a polyurethane, a polyamide or an epoxy resin. Once the binder has hardened, the graphite particles are bound on the surface of the wiper rubber profile.

Wiping rubber for wiper blades in windshield wipers


An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.

It is common practice to treat many types of ailments by implanting medical leads within a body. For example, if a person's heart does not beat properly, medical electrical leads may be positioned within the heart or surrounding vessels to deliver electrical stimulation to the heart.
One problem with positioning leads within the body relates to maintaining the leads at a desired location. When a lead is used to deliver an electrical signal to the heart, for example, it is important to maintain the device at a desired position so that the signal will cause desired electrical depolarization of the tissue. If the device shifts position, this desired depolarization may not occur.
The foregoing problem has been addressed by providing a variety of mechanisms for affixing leads to tissue. For example, passive mechanisms such as fixation tines are included at the distal ends of some pacing leads. These types of mechanisms are adapted to engage the trebeculae of the heart so that the lead is fixed in place until tissue begins to grow to further stabilize the device. Other types of active fixation mechanisms such as helical screws may be used to penetrate the tissue to maintain lead positioning.
While the foregoing fixation mechanisms are adequate for affixing a lead within a heart chamber, these methods are not particularly suited for maintaining the position of a lead within a vessel. Although tines may be used to lodge a lead within a vessel, the tines may undesirably block a substantial portion of the blood flow through the vessel. In other cases wherein leads are positioned within large vessels such as the coronary sinus, the tines are often not large enough to extend to the vessel walls to accomplish fixation. Similar problems exist with active fixation mechanisms. For example, a typical helical screw is positioned at the end of a lead such that it is substantially parallel to the walls of a vessel into which the lead has been inserted. This makes fixation using the helix difficult.
One alternative fixation mechanism involves providing an expandable balloon-like structure at the distal end of a lead. When in the expanded state, the balloon contacts the surrounding walls of a vessel to hold the lead in position. This method of fixation occludes the vessel, however, and is therefore not desirable for use in chronic implant situations.
Some of the foregoing problems have been addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,761 to Machek et al., which discloses a lead assembly that uses one or more stents that expand to contact an inner surface of a body vessel. Once deployed, this type of mechanism may not be retracted, as may be necessary to move the lead to another implant site. Additionally, this type of mechanism makes chronic lead removal difficult, if not impossible, since the stent will become attached to surrounding tissue over time. Finally, the disclosed stent may not be deployed a selectable amount to accommodate vessels of varying sizes.
What is needed, therefore, is an improved system and method for affixing leads within a body that addresses the foregoing problems.

Deployable medical lead fixation system and method


A watermark is encoded redundantly so as to provide effective copy protection. To assure a reliable detection of the watermark in the presence of a potentially faulty watermark detection process, some or all of the watermark is redundantly encoded. The number of redundant encodings of the watermark is selected so that upon modification of the watermarked material, sufficient redundancy exists so that the material can be identified as watermarked material, and the number of detected copies of the watermark is used to detect the modification. Statistical processes are employed to determine the presence or absence of the watermarks in the presence of a potentially faulty watermark detection process. Different criteria may be applied to the watermark detection process for the verification of the watermarked portions, based on the desired degree of confidence for determining whether the appropriate watermark is present or absent, and the desired degree of confidence for determining whether a modification has occurred.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of data protection, and in particular to protecting data from illicit copying from a remote source.
2. Description of Related Art
The protection of data is becoming an increasingly important area of security. In many situations, the authority to copy or otherwise process information is verified by evaluating the encoding of copy-protected material for particular characteristics. For example, on copy-protected material may contain watermarks or other encodings that identify the material as being copy-protected, and also contains other encodings that identify whether this particular copy of the material is an authorized copy, and whether it can be copied again. For example, an authorized copy of content material may contain a robust watermark and a fragile watermark. The robust watermark is intended to be irremovable from the encoding of the content material. Attempting to remove the watermark causes damage to the content material. The fragile watermark is intended to be damaged when the content material is illicitly copied. For example, common fragile watermarks are damaged if the content material is compressed or otherwise altered. In this manner, content material that is compressed in order to be efficiently communicated via the Internet will be received with a robust watermark and a damaged fragile watermark. A content-processing device that is configured to enforce copy protection rights in this example will be configured to detect the presence of a robust watermark, and prevent the processing of the content material containing this robust watermark unless an appropriate fragile watermark is also present. The assumption being that compressed content represents an unauthorized transfer of copyrighted material.
The design of a watermarking encoding process and corresponding watermark detection involves a tradeoff among conflicting requirements. An ideal watermark should be undetectable during a conventional rendering of the content material, yet easily detectable by the watermark detector. As the watermark's detectability by the watermark detector increases, so too does its detectability during a conventional rendering; similarly, as the watermark's undetectability during a convention rendering decreases, so too does its undetectability by the watermark detector. Conventional watermarking processes are biased to assure that the watermarking process does not affect the quality of the rendering of the content material, often at the cost of reduced detectability by a watermark detector. That is, the likelihood of a watermark detector producing an erroneous decoding of a watermark, or failing to detect the watermark, is not insubstantial.
In the aforementioned use of both a robust watermark and a fragile watermark, each watermarking process must be designed within these conflicting tradeoff requirements, and each watermarking process must be configured to have a different susceptibility to damage. The robust watermark must be substantially undetectable by the conventional rendering process, yet also be robust enough to be recognizable after the watermarked material has been compressed and reformulated into a decompressed form. The fragile watermark must also be substantially undetectable by the conventional rendering process, yet also fragile enough so that a reformulation of the material causes damage to the fragile watermark. Additionally, each of the watermark processes must be configured so that they do not interfere with each other.

Copy protection via redundant watermark encoding


Multiplexed spectrometry, such as multiplexed ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS), or hybrid IM-TOFMS, is carried out on a sample, and the resulting measurement data are deconvoluted. Noise may be removed from the measurement data prior to deconvolution. Alternatively or additionally, noise may be removed from the deconvoluted data.

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a gas-phase ion separation technique in which ions become separated in time and space as they travel through a drift cell of known length containing a buffer gas of known composition, pressure and temperature. An IMS system in general includes an ion source, the drift cell, and an ion detector. The ion source ionizes molecules of a sample of interest and transmits the resulting ions into the drift cell. After traveling through the drift cell, the ions arrive at the ion detector. In low-field drift-time IMS techniques, ions travel through the drift cell under the influence of a uniform DC voltage gradient established by electrodes of the drift cell. While the electric field moves the ions through the drift cell, the ions experience a drag force due to collisions with the stationary buffer gas molecules in the drift cell. The drag force acts against the electrical force that moves the ions. The drag force experienced by an ion depends on its collision cross section (CCS or Ω), which is a function of the ion's size and shape (conformation), and on its electrical charge and (to a lesser extent) mass. Ions with larger CCSs are retarded more easily by collisions with the buffer gas. On the other hand, multiply charged ions move through the buffer gas more effectively than singly charged ions because multiply charged ions experience a greater force due to the electrical field. The different CCSs of the separated ions can be correlated to their differing gas-phase mobilities through the buffer gas by the well-known Mason-Schamp equation.
Moreover, the different drift times of the separated ions through the length of the drift cell can be correlated to their differing mobilities. As the separated ions arrive at the ion detector, the ion detector counts the ions and measures their arrival times. The ion detector outputs measurement signals to electronics configured for processing the output signals as needed to produce a user-interpretable drift spectrum. The drift spectrum is typically presented as a plot containing a series of peaks indicative of the relative abundances of detected ions as a function of their drift time through the drift cell. The drift spectrum may be utilized to identify and distinguish different analyte species of the sample.
IMS may be coupled with one or more other types of separation techniques to increase compound identification power, such as gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), or mass spectrometry (MS). For example, an IMS drift cell may be coupled in-line with an MS system to form a combined IM-MS system. An MS system in general includes a mass analyzer for separating ions based on their differing mass-to-charge ratios (or m/z ratios, or more simply "masses"), followed by an ion detector. An MS analysis produces a mass spectrum, which is a series of peaks indicative of the relative abundances of detected ions as a function of their m/z ratios. The mass spectrum may be utilized to determine the molecular structures of components of the sample. An IM drift cell is often coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS), which utilizes a high-resolution mass analyzer (TOF analyzer) in the form of an electric field-free flight tube. An ion extractor (or pulser) injects ions in pulses (or packets) into the flight tube. Ions of differing masses travel at different velocities through the flight tube and thus separate (spread out) according to their differing masses, enabling mass resolution based on time-of-flight.
In a combined IM-MS system, the ion source is followed by the IM drift cell, which in turn is followed by the mass analyzer and then the ion detector. Thus, ions are separated by mobility prior to being transmitted into the MS where they are then mass-resolved. Performing the two separation techniques in tandem is particularly useful in the analysis of complex chemical mixtures, including biopolymers such as polynucleotides, proteins, carbohydrates and the like. For example, the added dimension provided by the IM separation may help to separate ions that are different from each other but present overlapping mass peaks. The data acquired from processing a sample through an IM-MS system may be multi-dimensional, typically including ion abundance, acquisition time (or retention time), ion drift time through the IM drift cell, and m/z ratio as resolved by the MS. This hybrid separation technique may be further enhanced by coupling it with LC, thus providing an LC-IM-MS system.
Overlapping (or intermingling) between sequentially adjacent ion packets in the IM drift cell or TOF flight tube occurs when the slower ions of one ion packet are overtaken by faster ions of a subsequently injected ion packet. Consequently, ions from different ion packets arrive at the ion detector at the same instant of time, even though such ions have different mobilities and/or m/z ratios. The resulting measurement data acquired by the ion detector are convoluted, making the drift spectra and/or mass spectra difficult to interpret. Conventionally, this problem is avoided by operating IMS and TOFMS systems according to a "pulse and wait" approach, in which the injection rate of ion packets into the IM drift cell or the TOF flight tube is kept low enough to avoid overlapping. For example, after injecting an ion packet, the next ion packet may not be injected until the first ion packet has reached the ion detector. The pulse and wait approach thus suffers from a low duty cycle, as well as excessive ion losses between injections (at the ion gate preceding the IM drift tube or the ion pulser preceding the TOF flight tube) and thus low instrument sensitivity, particularly when a continuous-beam ion source is utilized.
Multiplexing (multiplexed injection) techniques are being developed as an improvement over the pulse and wait approach. With multiplexing, also known as over-pulsing, the injection of ion packets into the IM drift cell or the TOF flight tube is done at a high enough rate that multiple ion packets are present in the IM drift cell or TOF flight tube at the same time. Multiplexing causes overlapping between ion packets. However, multiplexing techniques address the problem of convoluted measurement data by applying some form of a deconvolution (or demultiplexing) process to the measurement data, thereby enabling a single drift time spectrum or TOF spectrum to be recovered from the measurement data. Of particular interest are deconvolution techniques based on the Hadamard transform (HT), although other types of transforms may alternatively be utilized. As an example of a HT technique, the ion packets are injected according to a pseudo-random sequence (PRS) of binary 1's and 0's, where the 1's correspond to "gate-open" (injection) events and the 0's correspond to "gate-closed" periods of time. The PRS is then used to generate an N×N Hadamard matrix, where N is the number of binary elements of the PRS. The Hadamard matrix in turn is used to generate an inverse Hadamard matrix. The inverse Hadamard matrix is then applied to the convoluted measurement data to extract a single array (or vector) of data from which a single, deconvoluted (or demultiplexed) spectrum may be generated.
One problem observed in the application of transform-based deconvolution techniques is the presence of noise in the raw measurement data to be deconvoluted, and/or residual noise in the deconvoluted measurement data (i.e., after deconvolution has been performed on the raw data). These noise components can cause inaccuracies in the deconvoluted data and subsequently generated spectra. Therefore, there is a need for IMS, TOFMS, and IM-TOFMS systems, and data acquisition methods for IMS, TOFMS, and IM-TOFMS, that reduce or eliminate noise prior to and/or after performing deconvolution.

Data processing for multiplexed spectrometry


A tool path drawing method which facilitates confirmation of the movement of a tool associated with three-dimensional machining, comprising steps of drawing, for example, a cylindrical workpiece figure (1) in a perspective view on a display screen (25a), in accordance with workpiece configuration data originated on the basis of an input part program statement as a figure definition statement, and displaying a YZ coordinate system, drawing a tool path (7) associated with machining on the workpiece peripheral surface on the display screen in accordance with NC data originated on the basis of an input part program statement as a motion definition statement, and at the same time, drawing another tool path (8), obtained by developing the foregoing tool path on the YZ plane, on the same display screen. An operator can easily confirm the movement of the tool with reference to both the tool path (7) based on the machining conditions and the tool path (8) based on a machining drawing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool path drawing method, and more particularly, to a tool path drawing method in which a tool path based on the machining conditions and a tool path based on a machining drawing, both associated with a part program for three-dimensional machining, are simultaneously drawn so that the movement of a tool can be easily confirmed.
2. Description of the Related Art
In originating NC data of a machining program using an automatic programming apparatus, an operator enters a part program, prepared with reference to a machining drawing, in the programming apparatus, whereupon the programming apparatus automatically originates the NC data on the basis of the input part program. In this automatic programming, as is generally known, a tool path associated with the originated NC data is drawn on the display screen of the programming apparatus in order that the operator can check the part program for propriety. When using a program associated with three-dimensional machining, e.g., machining on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical workpiece, according to a conventional tool path drawing method, a tool path on a three-dimensional work surface, e.g., a cylindrical surface, is drawn. According to another conventional tool path drawing method, moreover, a tool path obtained by developing the tool path associated with the three-dimensional machining on a plane is drawn.
It is difficult, however, to confirm the movement of a tool on the basis of only one of the tool paths, one on the three-dimensional work surface and one developed on the plane, and the propriety check of the part program required has been laborious.


A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, graphics input and audio input simultaneously. The system includes a video decoder having a chroma-locked sample rate converter. The chroma-locked sample rate converter converts the samples to those taken at a sample rate that is a multiple of the chroma subcarrier frequency and that is locked to chroma bursts of the analog video signal in a control loop. The video decoder also includes a line-locked sample rate converter that receives samples at a multiple of the chroma subcarrier frequency and converts the samples to samples with a sample frequency that is a multiple of the horizontal line rate of the video input. The line-locked sample rate converter measures the horizontal line rate to an accuracy of a fraction of a pixel and adjusts the sample rate and phase of the line-locked sample rate converter to produce accurate line-locked samples. The time base corrector receives samples at the output of the line-locked sample rate converter and provides samples synchronized to the display clock for reducing undesirable artifacts such as jitter.

Graphics display systems are typically used in television control electronics, such as set top boxes, integrated digital TVs, and home network computers. Graphics display systems typically include a display engine that may perform display functions. The display engine is the part of the graphics display system that receives display pixel data from any combination of locally attached video and graphics input ports, processes the data in some way, and produces final display pixels as output.
This application includes references to both graphics and video, which reflects in certain ways the structure of the hardware itself. This split does not, however, imply the existence of any fundamental difference between graphics and video, and in fact much of the functionality is common to both. Graphics as used herein may include graphics, text and video.

Graphics display system with video synchronization feature


A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of battery cells and a BMS for controlling the battery pack. The BMS may include a state-of-charge (SOC) calculation module for calculating a SOC of each of the plurality of battery cells included in the battery pack and a faulty battery cell detection unit for detecting at least one faulty battery cell on the basis of the calculated SOC of each of the plurality of battery cells.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for detecting a low-voltage battery cell among a plurality of battery cells included in a battery pack.
A battery pack is an assembly including a plurality of components and obtained by assembling a module by welding and containing single battery cells in a housing and then connecting the module through a bus bar and wire. A fault of a battery cell may frequently occur in such a battery pack.
If a fault occurs in any one of battery cells included in a battery pack, a significant change in internal resistance (IR) of the battery cell occurs when the battery cell is charged or discharged.
That is, a higher voltage than that of a normal battery cell is generated in a charged state, and a lower voltage than that of a normal battery cell is generated in a discharged state.
If a charging or discharging operation is repeatedly performed even when a low-voltage fault occurs in a battery cell, the total output of a battery pack may decrease.
In particular, in the case of an ESS in which a plurality of battery packs are connected, when any one battery cell is faulty as described above, and thus the output of a battery pack including the faulty battery cell decreases, the ESS may not be efficiently used due to a difference from other battery packs of the ESS.
Furthermore, when the low-voltage fault battery cell is continuously charged or discharged, the low-voltage fault battery cell may be short-circuited, causing a fire or safety problem.
According to the related art, in order to detect such a faulty battery cell, a cell balancing operation is performed, and the number of times a battery cell having a low voltage is detected is counted.
However, according to the related art, since the cell balancing operation is required to be performed, it may take a long time to detect a faulty battery cell, and a faulty battery cell may cause a problem even while the cell balancing operation is performed.
Therefore, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for detecting a faulty battery cell without performing a battery balancing operation.

Apparatus and method for detecting faulty battery cell


A technique is proposed for performing add/drop operations in an OADM assembly serving an optical network and comprising an add unit and a drop unit. With respect to at least one optical channel assigned to an optical wavelength λ, the OADM assembly is capable of dropping the channel from the network via the drop unit as a first signal, and adding the channel to the network via the add unit as a second signal. According to the technique, the OADM assembly additionally comprises an authentication and control unit ACU for authenticating the at least one optical channel and controlling the OADM assembly. The ACU is authenticates the optical channel by comparing one or more components of the first signal with one or more components of the second signal serving as a reference, and based on the authentication result, makes decisions whether to allow or block the dropping and/or adding of the optical channel.

A number of papers, for example Jigesh K. Patel, Sung U. Kim, David H. Su, Suresh Subramaniam, Hyeonig-Ah Choi "A Framework for Managing Faults and Attacks in WDM Optical Networks"—supported in part by the DAPRA under grant N66001-00-18949 and Shut-Kit Chan, Frank Tong, Lian-Kuan Chen, Dennis Lam "Demonstration of a Fault-Tolerant WDM add-drop/branching Unit for Long Haul Optical Transmission Systems". IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol 11, No. 8, August 1999 discuss a problem of managing faults and attacks in WDM optical networks, and a model of a fault-tolerant add-drop branching unit. Such a unit is planned to detect fiber cuts and failures of optical amplifiers. All operations performed in the discussed unit are based on checking and comparing power of the received, added and dropped signals.
US patent application 2004/0175179 describes a self-adjusting optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM), and optical network using same. The self-adjusting optical add-drop multiplexer monitors the power in a drop signal and attenuates the power in an add signal to match the power in express WDM channels (signals). When used in a fiber network, and more particularly, in a metro network, the deleterious effects of optical amplification are reduced. Power attenuation is also used in an optical switching assembly particularly useful in two-fiber ring network. The optical switching assembly monitors drop channels from the two rings of the network and attenuates the add channel(s) accordingly. An optical switch operates to direct the drop signal from one of the two rings to a receiver in accordance with a control signal based on the monitored drop channels. The self-adjusting optical add-drop multiplexer also monitors the power in the drop signals and issues an alarm if the drop signal is of a power level above or below predetermined levels.
It should be noted that the above self-adjusting OADM sets a task of adjusting (equalizing) powers of added, dropped and through channels. It does not pay any attention at all to a possibility of penetration, into the optical network, of a signal having a wrong (or non-exact) optical wavelength, or an optical wavelength issued from a foreigner source.
US published patent application 2004/0109685 A1 describes an OADM comprising a demultiplexer wherein each optical channel is being marked with a pilot tone for channel identification and monitoring. The pilot tones are detected, cleaned from ghost tones, and then re-inserted in the respective optical channels being fed into the multiplexer of the OADM, for multiplexing said optical channels into a WDM output signal.
The above-mentioned 2004/0109685 A1 is intended for monitoring the presence or absence of different optical channels in the network for purposes of management; it does not consider a task of channel authentication and/or security in optical networks. The problem of authentication of optical channels becomes especially important when optical networks utilize novel reconfigurable OADMs.
To the best of the Applicant's knowledge, solutions to such a problem have not been considered in the prior art.

Self checking optical add drop multiplexer


A mount for a firearm has a body having a first clamp configured to engage a first edge of the rail, a jaw movably connected to the body and having a second clamp opposed to the first clamp and operable with the respective clamps to engage respective opposed lateral edges of the rail, a spring biasing the jaw toward the body, and at least a portion of the spring being between the clamps. There may be a pushrod connected to a first one of the body and the jaw and slidably received by the other of the body and the jaw. The spring may be laterally positioned to one side of the pushrod. The spring may be a coil spring having a spring axis offset from a pushrod axis defined by the pushrod.

Many designs exist for mounting accessories to universal weapon accessory rails such as the NATO STANAG 4694 accessory rail. Methods of attachment include screws, levers, and knobs. One example of a prior art of such a design is the mount adapter device utilizing a push system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,307 to Deros, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. The design of the '307 patent applies a spring-loaded force as part of the clamping mechanism to aid in holding the accessory on the rail. The key elements of the design are a main body, a lock bar, a connecting push rod, and a spring received around the push rod. The spring applies a biasing force along the longitudinal axis of the push rod against a knob attached to one end of the push rod that pulls the lock bar towards the main body, thereby creating a clamping force between the lock bar and the main body around the rail.
The '307 patent has the disadvantage of requiring a knob that protrudes substantially from the main body to provide space for the compressed spring received around the push rod. This requirement makes the mount adapter device more likely to snag undesirably on items in the environment.
Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved mount for a firearm that has knobs with limited protrusion from the main body to prevent undesirable snagging on items in the environment. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the mount for a firearm according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of preventing undesirable snagging on items in the environment.
The present invention provides an improved mount for a firearm, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved mount for a firearm that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.
To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a body having a first clamp configured to engage a first edge of the rail, a jaw movably connected to the body and having a second clamp opposed to the first clamp and operable with the respective clamps to engage respective opposed lateral edges of the rail, a spring biasing the jaw toward the body, and at least a portion of the spring being between the clamps. There may be a pushrod connected to a first one of the body and the jaw and slidably received by the other of the body and the jaw. The spring may be laterally positioned to one side of the pushrod. The spring may be a coil spring having a spring axis offset from a pushrod axis defined by the pushrod. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.


An overshot for engaging and retrieving a collapsed coiled tubing in a wellbore, has been invented. In one aspect the overshot has a body member with a top, a bottom, and a body channel therethrough from top to bottom, the body member having a slip chamber, at least one slip movably disposed in the slip chamber of the body member, and movable on at least one inclined rail in the slip chamber so that, upon contacting the collapsed coiled tubing, upward movement of the body member results in downward movement of the at least one slip which also moves the at least one slip inwardly in the body member thereby increasing gripping force of the at least one slip on the collapsed coiled tubing. Methods have also been invented for using such overshots.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to wellbore overshots and, in one particular aspect, to overshots for tubing. In one specific embodiment the present invention is directed to an overshot for engaging and retrieving collapsed coiled tubing.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art discloses a wide variety of wellbore overshots for engaging and retrieving tubulars and other "fish" used in a wellbore. Often in using coiled tubing, the tubing collapses. There has long been a need for an overshot useful in a wellbore to effectively engage and retrieve collapsed coiled tubing.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art overshot 10 with an outer cover sleeve 20, a mandrel 30 disposed substantially within the cover sleeve 20, and a body member 40 disposed within the cover sleeve 20 opposite the mandrel 30. One or more set screws 21 secures the mandrel 30 within the cover sleeve 20. A lower end 22 of the cover sleeve 20 projects down below a lower end 31 of the mandrel 30 and a lower end 41 of the body member 40. Preferably the lower end 22 of the cover sleeve is sized and disposed for encompassing a top of collapsed coiled tubing or of a fish. A top end 32 of the mandrel 30 has a threaded portion for releasably connecting the overshot to a work string. The body member 40 has an upper shoulder 42 that abuts a lower shoulder 33 of the mandrel 30. An alignment pin 11 extends through the body member 40 and the mandrel 30. A plurality of slips 60 are each movably disposed in a corresponding slip channel 43 of the body member 40. A spring 61 biases each slip downwardly. A portion of each spring 61 extends through a spring channel 63 in each slip body 62. The mandrel 30 has an inner wall 35 with upwardly directed teeth 36. Each slip 60 has an outer surface 64 with upwardly directed teeth 65. The inner wall 35 of the mandrel 30 and an inner wall 45 of the body member 40 define a space S into which part of a fish or coiled tubing may project for gripping between the mandrel 30 and the slips 60. Each slip 60 has a lower inclined surface 66 which corresponds to and rides on a lower inclined surface 46 of each slip channel 43 of the body member 40. Each slip 60 has an upper inclined surface 68 which corresponds to and rides against an upper inclined surface 48 of the slip channels 43. Each slip 60 has a lower inclined surface 80 against which a fish or tubing may push or be pushed to push the slip up in its slip channel thereby permitting the fish or tubing to enter into the space S between a slip and the inner wall of the mandrel so that the fish or tubing may be gripped therebetween. The slips are sized so that they cannot exit their slip channels into the space S and cannot fall out of the overshot. A shoulder 69 of each slip abuts a shoulder 49 of the body member to prevent further upward slip movement. A pointed end 37 of the mandrel 30 and a pointed end 47 of the body member 40 facilitate reception of a fish or tubing within the overshot and movement of the fish or tubing into the space S.


A spatial heterodyne spectrometer may employ an integrated computational element (ICE) to obtain a measure of one or more fluid properties without requiring any moving parts, making it particularly suitable for use in a downhole environment. One illustrative method embodiment includes: directing light from a light source to illuminate a sample; transforming light from the sample into spatial fringe patterns using a dispersive two-beam interferometer; adjusting a spectral weighting of the spatial fringe patterns using an integrated computation element (ICE); focusing spectral-weight-adjusted spatial fringe patterns into combined fringe intensities; detecting the combined fringe intensities; and deriving at least one property of the sample.

Modern oil field operators demand access to a great quantity of information regarding the parameters and conditions encountered downhole. Such information typically includes characteristics of the earth formations traversed by the borehole and data relating to the size and configuration of the borehole itself. The collection of information relating to conditions downhole, which commonly is referred to as "logging," can be performed by several methods including wireline logging, "logging while drilling" (LWD), and tubing-conveyed logging.
In wireline logging, a probe or "sonde" is lowered into the borehole after some or all of the well has been drilled. The sonde hangs at the end of a long cable or "wireline" that provides mechanical support to the sonde and also provides an electrical connection between the sonde and electrical equipment located at the surface of the well. In accordance with existing logging techniques, various parameters of the earth's formations are measured and correlated with the position of the sonde in the borehole as the sonde is pulled uphole.
In LWD, the drilling assembly includes sensing instruments that measure various parameters as the formation is being penetrated, thereby enabling measurements of the formation while it is less affected by fluid invasion. While LWD measurements are desirable, drilling operations create an environment that is generally hostile to electronic instrumentation, telemetry, and sensor operations.
Tubing-conveyed logging, like wireline logging, is performed in an existing borehole. Unlike wireline logging, tubing-conveyed logging enables a logging tool to travel where a wireline-suspended tool cannot, e.g., in a horizontal or ascending borehole. Tubing-conveyed logging tools typically suffer from restricted communications bandwidths, meaning that acquired data is generally stored in memory and downloaded from the tool when the tool returns to the surface.
In these and other logging environments, measured parameters are usually recorded and displayed in the form of a log, i.e., a two-dimensional graph showing the measured parameter as a function of tool position or depth. In addition to making parameter measurements as a function of depth, some logging tools also provide parameter measurements as a function of azimuth. Such tool measurements have often been displayed as two-dimensional images of the borehole wall, with one dimension representing tool position or depth, the other dimension representing azimuthal orientation, and the pixel intensity or color representing the parameter value.
Once a borehole has been drilled, operators often wish to perform downhole formation testing before finalizing a completion and production strategy. Fluid sampling tools enable operators to draw fluid (i.e., gas or liquid) samples directly from the borehole wall and measure contamination levels, compositions, and phases, usually based on the properties (e.g., optical properties, electrical properties, density, NMR, and PVT properties) of the materials drawn into the sample chamber. Existing downhole fluid analysis tools may have a limited reliability due to, e.g., insufficient instrumentation to perform in-situ analysis, or conversely, too many moving parts.
It should be understood, however, that the specific embodiments given in the drawings and detailed description do not limit the disclosure. On the contrary, they provide the foundation for one of ordinary skill to discern the alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications that are encompassed in the scope of the appended claims.

Spatial heterodyne integrated computational element (SH-ICE) spectrometer