An automatic card shuffling machine including a dealing module and a display module. The machine has a microprocessor and a deck-receiving shuffling station into which a deck of cards is deposited initially. A carriage mechanism separates the deck into two deck portions, rotates the two portions to a relative angular relationship with a corner of each in close proximity, riffles the portions, and combines them into a single shuffled deck. A shuffled deck delivery system delivers the shuffled deck to the dealing module which moves a predetermined number of cards, one at a time, into a hand holding shoe. The display module displays game information to players. The machine is particularly well-suited for playing pai gow poker.

Wagering games based on the outcome of randomly generated or selected symbols are well known. Such games are widely played in gambling casinos and include card games wherein the symbols include the familiar, common playing cards. Card games such as Black Jack, Pai Gow poker, Caribbean Stud.TM. poker and others are excellent card games for use in casinos. Desirable attributes of casino card games are that they are exciting, that they can be learned and understood easily by players, and that they move or can be played rapidly to their wager-resolving outcome.
One of the above-mentioned games, pai gow poker, has all the desired attributes of casino games and is increasing rapidly in popularity. Broadly, the game involves up to seven players, each player receiving a seven card hand, one hand being dealt completely before the next. The first player to receive a hand is randomly selected, bets are placed, and the hands are distributed, set and shown. The bets are resolved based on the well known hierarchy of poker hands and against the dealer's hand. Because of the number of cards in each hand, the number of players, and the rapidity of play, pai gow poker requires frequent card shuffling, diminishing the excitement of the game and reducing the number of wagers placed in a given amount of time.
The fact that playing time is diminished by shuffling and dealing, particularly in games such as pai gow poker, but in other casino games as well, has lead to the development of electromechanical or mechanical card shuffling devices. Such devices increase the speed of shuffling and dealing, thereby increasing playing time, adding to the excitement of a game while reducing the time the dealer or house has to spend in preparing to play the game.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,513,969 (to Samsel, Jr.) and 4,515,367 (to Howard) disclose automatic card shufflers. The Samsel, Jr. patent discloses a card shuffler having a housing with two wells for receiving two reserve stacks of cards. A first extractor selects, removes and intermixes the bottommost card from each stack and delivers the intermixed cards to a storage compartment. A second extractor sequentially removes the bottommost card from the storage compartment and delivers it to a typical shoe from which the dealer may take it for presentation to the players. The Howard patent discloses a card mixer for randomly interleaving cards including a carriage supported ejector for ejecting a group of cards (approximately two playing decks in number) which may then be removed manually from the shuffler or dropped automatically into a chute for delivery to a typical dealing shoe. Neither of the Samsel, Jr. or Howard patents discloses a dealing module for dealing hands of a predetermined number of cards depending on the rules and procedures of the game being played, and neither discloses a display means for displaying game-related information to players.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,712 (to Lorber, et al.) discloses an automatic shuffling apparatus directed toward reducing the dead time generated when a casino dealer manually has to shuffle multiple decks of playing cards. The Lorber, et al. apparatus has a container, a storage device for storing shuffled playing cards, a removing device and an inserting device for intermixing the playing cards in the container, a dealing shoe and supplying means for supplying the shuffled playing cards from the storage device to the dealing shoe. The dealing shoe is typical, being designed to dispense or allow the dealer to extract and deal one card at a time. The Lorber, et al. apparatus is designed to intermix cards under the programmed control of a computer, but does not disclose or suggest how to provide a dealing module for automatically, sequentially dealing or forming hands having a predetermined number of cards or a display means for displaying game-related information to players.
Other known card shuffling devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,778,644 (to Stephenson), 4,497,488 (to Plevyak et al.) and 4,807,884 (issued to John G. Breeding, the inventor of the present invention, and commonly owned). The Breeding patent discloses a machine for automatically shuffling a deck of cards. The apparatus includes a deck receiving zone, a carriage section for separating a deck into two deck portions, a sloped mechanism positioned between adjacent corners of the deck portions, and an apparatus for snapping the cards over the sloped mechanism to interleave the cards. The Breeding patent is directed to providing a mechanized card shuffler whereby a deck may be shuffled often and yet the dealer still has adequate time to operate the game being played. Additionally, the Breeding shuffling device is directed to reducing the chance that cards become marked as they are shuffled and to keeping the cards in view constantly while they are being shuffled.
Although the devices disclosed in the preceding patents, particularly the Breeding card shuffling machine, provide significant improvements in card shuffling devices, such devices could be improved further if they could be equipped with a dealing module for receiving shuffled cards and for automatically dealing from the shuffled cards a number of hands one after the other, wherein each hand dealt by the module contains a predetermined, selected number of cards. Shuffling machines could also be improved if they could be adapted to facilitate playing a specific game selected from a group of different wagering games, and to display game-related information to the players.
Accordingly, there is a need for a shuffling machine for shuffling playing cards, wherein the machine is adapted for facilitating the playing of a selected card game by including a durable, efficient means for dealing hands of cards automatically, hand after hand, each hand containing a selected, predetermined number of the shuffled cards, and by including an automatic display means for displaying game information to players.


An apparatus is provided for transmission of RF signals between a transmitter and a receiver. The apparatus includes a transmitter comprising a first retroreflector having a first array of sub-wavelength retroreflective elements at one end of an open cavity for transmitting RF seed signals. The apparatus also includes a receiver comprising a second retroreflector having a second array of sub-wavelength retroreflective elements at an opposite end of the open cavity for receiving the transmitted seed signal, the transmitted RF seed signals being in form of a beam directed toward the receiver.

Advances in modern technology, network connectivity, processing power, convenience, and the like, support an ever increasing number of interconnected devices such as mobile devices, cell phones, tablets, smart-cars, wearable devices, etc. In turn, these advances present new challenges and create new opportunities for network operators and third party service providers to efficiently target, communicate, or otherwise exchange signals between networked devices. Indeed, modern approaches for wireless signal transmission must often account for complex conditions and dynamic factors such as network traffic, signal propagation through various media, spectrum/frequency constraints for signal transmission, and the like.
One approach that attempts to address some of these challenges includes beamforming, and more specifically, retroreflector-based beamforming and time reversal beamforming. Beamforming generally refers to a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception. With respect to operations for time reversal beamforming, a receiver device temporarily transmits signals that are received by a transmitter device (e.g., beamforming device). The transmitter or beamforming device measures and records amplitudes at its radiating elements, and further applies amplitude and phase modulations to a transmission signal to produce a phase-conjugate signal of the prior measured and recorded field amplitudes.
Conventional techniques for radio frequency (RF) beamforming use passive electronically steerable antennas (PESAs), which are very expensive. The PESAs use a sophisticated control network that defines the phase of each antenna element and also has a phase shifter for each antenna element. There remains a need for developing low cost technique.
Techniques and structures for beamforming are disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 15/722,973, entitled "Time Reversal Beamforming Techniques with Metamaterial Antennas," filed on Oct. 2, 2017, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/868,215, filed on Jan. 11, 2018, entitled "Diffractive Concentrator Structures," both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Open cavity system for directed amplification of radio frequency signals


A method is disclosed for preparing a soft tissue site, and augmenting the soft tissue site, such as the breast(s) of a subject through use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast(s) and grafting of autologous fat tissue such as domes with sealing rims for surrounding each of the breasts and a regulated pump. The method for preparing the soft tissue site, and enhancing fat graft results, entails application of the distracting force to the targeted soft tissue site for several weeks prior to the graft procedure. A related aspect of the invention includes following the preparation steps by transfer of fat from other areas of the subject to the subject's breast(s), and then reapplication of the distractive force to the breast(s) that received the autologous fat graft. Alternatively, fat from genetically related sources may be used, and the fat may be further processed prior to injection. Substantial breast augmentation, high rates of graft survival and negligible graft necrosis (data demonstrating 80% survival and only 20% necrosis is presented) or calcification result from the practice of these methods.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to methods of preparing soft tissue, such as breasts, for augmentation and, relatedly, to methods of enhancing fat grafting results, and augmenting soft tissue by autologous fat grafting.
2. Related Art
There are numerous instances where persons desire augmentation of soft tissue such as their breasts. Other examples of soft tissue augmentation opportunities include the face, the buttocks, depressed scar contours, or any body deformity or area that is desirably augmented. Another such instance is for the augmentation or the restoration of one or both breasts subjected to a partial or total mastectomy, a biopsy, or other disfiguring events in order to restore physiological symmetry and psychological well-being. Yet other instances are for correction of natural abnormalities such as dimpling. Still other instances are for augmentation of the breasts to improve cosmetics and self-esteem.
Prosthetic implants have been developed for insertion below the skin. However, the severity of the potential complications including scarring, implant rupture, capsular contracture, necrosis and implant migration as well as the recent adverse publicity thereof have significantly reduced the desirability of these implants. While scientific evidence is not conclusive, there is some indication that breast implants might contribute to secondary diseases. Thus, there is a societal need for other means to obtain breast augmentation.
Breast augmentation by use of fat grafts was experimentally explored in the past but has not gained widespread acceptance. First, the larger blocks of grafts used then displayed poor survival. Secondly, the failed grafts sometimes produce stellate and irregular nodules with calcifications. These nodules which were often palpable were occasionally indistinguishable from cancer with the breast imaging technology available at that time. For these reasons certain medical societies and associations advocated a ban on fat grafting to the breast. Consequently, the practice of fat grafting to the breast was contraindicated and not pursued.
Subsequently, digital mammography, high-resolution ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and its associated dynamic absorption curve and fat suppression views have revolutionized breast imaging. As a result, radiologists now have the imaging technology that enables them to differentiate with reasonable certainty a neoplastic process from the fat necrosis commonly left behind following reduction mammoplasties, the now accepted SAL (Suction Assisted Lipectomy) reduction methods, and simple breast biopsies. It is consequently evident that concerns associated with distinguishing areas of fat necrosis resulting from fat grafting to the breast from areas of neoplasia have now been essentially obviated by advances in imaging technology. With these advances, fat grafting may now again be considered for this application.
Described herein is a new method of preparing soft tissue for augmentation, including preferably the breasts, for enhancing fat grafting results in soft tissue, and augmenting soft tissue by use of autologous fat grafts. This method does not suffer from the defects of the previously attempted methods of fat grafting to the breast in that it results in high rates of graft survival and marked reductions of graft necrosis and calcification. This method is distinguished from previously disclosed methods by, inter alia, the use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast for preparing the soft tissue site, enhancing the results, and in conjunction with improved techniques of autologous fat harvesting, processing and grafting.

Method and system for preparing soft tissue for grafting, enhancing grafting results, and grafting autologous fat to soft tissue such as the breast


An electrical system includes a first monolithic circuit. The first monolithic circuit may include a first magnetoresistive sensor operable to sense magnetic flux and produce an output signal relating to the sensed magnetic flux. The first magnetoresistive sensor may be positioned to sense first control flux generated by control current in one or more electrical conductors of the first monolithic integrated circuit. Additionally, the first magnetoresistive sensor may be positioned to sense flux generated by sensed electric current flowing through one or more additional electrical conductors. The electrical system may also include a control circuit operable to receive the output signal of the first magnetoresistive sensor and adjust the control current that generates the first control flux in a manner to cause the output signal from the first magnetoresistive sensor to substantially coincide with a predetermined target.

Electrical systems transmit electric current through electrical conductors in order to perform many tasks. Many applications of electrical systems may require sensing of the magnitude of electric current flowing through one or more electrical conductors. Some electrical systems sense the electric current in an electrical conductor with a magnetoresistive sensor that senses the magnetic flux produced by the electric current and produces an output signal related to the magnitude of the magnetic flux and, thus, the magnitude of the electric current. Unfortunately, a magnetoresistive sensor may be able to accurately sense only a limited range of magnetic flux intensity. As a result, many electrical systems that employ a magnetoresistive sensor for current sensing are able to accurately sense only a limited range of electric current using the magnetoresistive sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,668 to Lienhard et al. ("the '668 patent") shows a current-sensing method that includes sensing magnetic flux from both an unknown current and a control current with a magnetoresistive sensor, while using the control current to maintain the total magnetic flux sensed by the magnetoresistive sensor substantially equal to zero. The '668 patent discloses an electrical system that includes a first electrical conductor carrying the unknown current adjacent the magnetoresistive sensor. A second electrical conductor disposed adjacent the magnetoresistive sensor carries the controlled current. The electrical system of the '668 patent further includes an operational amplifier connected between the magnetoresistive sensor and the second electrical conductor. The operational amplifier receives the output signal of the magnetoresistive sensor and controls the magnitude of the control current in the second electrical conductor in such a manner that magnetic flux from the control current substantially cancels magnetic flux from the unknown current at the magnetoresistive sensor. The electrical system of the '668 patent includes additional analog components that use the control current to generate a signal indicative of the magnitude of the unknown current.
Although the system of the '668 patent includes provisions for sensing electric current with a magnetoresistive sensor while maintaining the total magnetic flux sensed by the magnetoresistive sensor substantially equal to zero, certain disadvantages persist. For example, the electrical system of the '668 patent may be undesirably expensive because of the component costs associated with separately providing the magnetoresistive sensor and the second electrical conductor. Additionally, precisely positioning the second electrical conductor with respect to the magnetoresistive sensor so as to ensure proper operation of the electrical system may be difficult and expensive. Furthermore, the analog components of the electrical system of the '668 patent may indicate the magnitude of the unknown electric current with relatively low resolution.
The electrical systems and methods of the present disclosure solve one or more of the problems set forth above.

Electrical system with magnetoresistive sensors


A power plant that is used for storing energy during a low demand and returning the energy to a power plant during high or peak demand. A concrete tank is placed on the bottom of a deep body of water. A compressed air line connects the tank to a compressor and turbine assembly on land at the power plant. An electric motor drives the compressor to supply compressed air to the tank and displace the water within the tank during the low demand period. At high demand, the compressed air is allowed to flow through the turbine that drives an electric generator to produce electric power. The tank includes a water outlet pipe for the tank is displaced of the high pressure water and to allow the water to flow into the tank and displace the compressed air under high pressure to drive the turbine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to power plants, and more specifically to an energy storage tank for storing of energy in a deep water environment.
2. Description of the Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
An electrical generating power plant for a city produces power in a turbine to provide electricity to various places. During a hot summer day, the demand for electrical power can be greater than the power plant is able to produce. During night, the demand for electrical power could be lower than the minimum electrical power that the plant is producing without shutting down. In the case of a nuclear power plant, the reactor cannot be shut down overnight.
Some prior art patents disclose inventions that attempt to address the above concern. U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,029 issued to Grupping on Feb. 28, 1989 entitled SYSTEM FOR SUBTERRANEAN STORAGE OF ENERGY discloses a system that uses abandoned salt caverns to store energy that is inputted from a power plant during low demand and withdrawals the stored energy when the demand is high. A liquid flows between two caverns that are at different elevations in order to produce a large pressure gradient between the caverns. The liquid is pumped into the highest cavern to store energy, and allowed to fall into the lower tank and through a turbine when energy is withdrawn. This type of energy storage requires two large reservoirs that are spaced at different heights. If a storage tank was to be used in place of the cavern, the tank would need to be strong enough to hold the high pressure liquid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,828 issued to Garza on Jun. 6, 1978 entitled HYDROELECTRIC PLANT discloses a hydroelectric power plant operated by wave action and supported on an ocean floor. A cylindrical tank is used to form a reservoir for the sea water. The relatively high pressure water at the ocean floor is allowed to flow through a turbine and into an atmospheric pressure reservoir to drive a generator. Water is pumped out of the atmospheric reservoir by a pump driven by the up and down motion of the waves. This system is not an energy storage device that could be used to store extra electric power production during low demand, and then use the stored energy to produce electric power at high demand.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,008 issued to Koutz on Jul. 18, 1972 entitled ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD discloses a system with a cavern below the surface connected to an above-ground lake by a water pipe, where the cavern has a ceiling that forms an air cavity. An air pipe connects the air cavity to a compressor and turbine power plant. High pressure developed in the cavern compresses the air in the cavity due to the height difference in the water levels between the lake and the cavern. The compressed air is driven through the turbine to generate electric power. The compressor supplies compressed air to the air cavity to displace water from the cavern to the lake for storage of energy. In this system, the motive fluid that drives the turbine is compressed air. Also, the system requires a large cavern to store the compressed air.

Power plant with energy storage deep water tank


A fluid composition of (a) a friction modifier derived from the reaction of a carboxylic acid or a reactive equivalent thereof with an aminoalcohol, the friction modifier containing at least two hydrocarbyl groups; and (b) a dispersant other than a species of (a), provides good friction properties to an automatic transmission.

The present invention relates to the field of additives for fluids such as automatic transmission fluids, traction fluids, fluids for continuously variable transmission fluids (CVTs), dual clutch automatic transmission fluids, farm tractor fluids, and engine lubricants.
In the automatic transmission marketplace, where there is rapid engineering change driven by the desire to reduce weight and increase transmission capacity, there is a desire for automatic transmission fluids that exhibit a high static coefficient of friction for improved clutch holding capacity. At the same time, there is a desire to improve the retention of positive slope characteristics in the mu/v (coefficient of friction vs. sliding speed) curve. There are newer tests in the marketplace which are used to define these characteristics. The static torque can be measured in tests such as the Toyota SAE#2 friction test procedure and the retention of positive slope can be measured by procedures like the JASO LVFA (Japan Automotive Standards Organization, Low Velocity Friction Apparatus) in which the slope of the mu/v curve is periodically measured during oxidative and mechanical aging.
There are patents, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,476, where a type of friction modifier technology used to achieve this performance is described. The combined requirements of high static coefficient of friction and durable positive slope are often incompatible with traditional ATF friction modifier technology which is extremely well described in the patent literature. Many of the commonly used friction modifiers result in a low static coefficient of friction and are not durable enough on positive slope to be of sufficient use. Additional patent literature describing technology for retaining positive mu/v or anti-shudder characteristics include U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,929. These may employ metal detergents and combinations of friction modifiers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,612 discloses a lubricating oil comprising at least one of various products, which can be various imidazolines or an oxazoline of the structure
where R2 and R3 each represent CH2OCOR1, CH2OH or H.
The present invention, therefore, solves the problem of developing new friction modifiers to obtain high static coefficients of friction and maintaining a durable positive slope during oxidative and mechanical stressing of the friction system, particularly in an automatic transmission by the use of a friction modifier prepared by the condensation a carboxylic acid (or a reactive equivalent thereof) with an amino alcohol; for example, the condensation of two moles of isostearic acid with one mole of tris-hydroxymethylaminomethane (THAM).

Friction modifiers for improved anti-shudder performance and high static friction in transmission fluids


The embodiments provide various interbody fusion spacers, or cages, for insertion between adjacent vertebrae. The cages may contain an articulating mechanism to allow expansion and angular adjustment, and enable upper and lower plate components to glide smoothly relative to one another. The cages may have a first, insertion configuration characterized by a reduced size at each of their insertion ends to facilitate insertion through a narrow access passage and into the intervertebral space. In their second, expanded configuration, the cages are able to maintain the proper disc height and stabilize the spine by restoring sagittal balance and alignment. The intervertebral cages are able to adjust the angle of lordosis, and can accommodate larger lodortic angles in their second, expanded configuration. Further, these cages may promote fusion to further enhance spine stability by immobilizing the adjacent vertebral bodies.

The use of fusion-promoting interbody implantable devices, often referred to as cages or spacers, is well known as the standard of care for the treatment of certain spinal disorders or diseases. For example, in one type of spinal disorder, the intervertebral disc has deteriorated or become damaged due to acute injury or trauma, disc disease or simply the natural aging process. A healthy intervertebral disc serves to stabilize the spine and distribute forces between vertebrae, as well as cushion the vertebral bodies. A weakened or damaged disc therefore results in an imbalance of forces and instability of the spine, resulting in discomfort and pain. A typical treatment may involve surgical removal of a portion or all of the diseased or damaged intervertebral disc in a process known as a partial or total discectomy, respectively. The discectomy is often followed by the insertion of a cage or spacer to stabilize this weakened or damaged spinal region. This cage or spacer serves to reduce or inhibit mobility in the treated area, in order to avoid further progression of the damage and/or to reduce or alleviate pain caused by the damage or injury. Moreover, these type of cages or spacers serve as mechanical or structural scaffolds to restore and maintain normal disc height, and in some cases, can also promote bony fusion between the adjacent vertebrae.
However, one of the current challenges of these types of procedures is the very limited working space afforded the surgeon to manipulate and insert the cage into the intervertebral area to be treated. Access to the intervertebral space requires navigation around retracted adjacent vessels and tissues such as the aorta, vena cava, dura and nerve roots, leaving a very narrow pathway for access. The opening to the intradiscal space itself is also relatively small. Hence, there are physical limitations on the actual size of the cage that can be inserted without significantly disrupting the surrounding tissue or the vertebral bodies themselves.
Further complicating the issue is the fact that the vertebral bodies are not positioned parallel to one another in a normal spine. There is a natural curvature to the spine due to the angular relationship of the vertebral bodies relative to one another. The ideal cage must be able to accommodate this angular relationship of the vertebral bodies, or else the cage will not sit properly when inside the intervertebral space. An improperly fitted cage would either become dislodged or migrate out of position, and lose effectiveness over time, or worse, further damage the already weakened area.
Thus, it is desirable to provide intervertebral cages or spacers that not only have the mechanical strength or structural integrity to restore disc height or vertebral alignment to the spinal segment to be treated, but also be configured to easily pass through the narrow access pathway into the intervertebral space, and then accommodate the angular constraints of this space, particularly for larger lodortic angles.

Expandable and angularly adjustable articulating intervertebral cages


An improved method and mechanism for recognizing chirographs (handwritten characters) input into a computer system. A primary recognizer is provided for converting chirographs to code points, and secondary recognizers such as binary CART trees are developed and trained to differentiate chirographs which produce certain code points at the primary recognizer. Each such secondary recognizer is associated with each selected code point. When a chirograph is received, the chirograph is provided to the primary recognizer whereby a code point corresponding thereto is received. If the code point corresponds to one of the secondary recognizers, the chirograph is passed to the secondary recognizer, and a code point is returned from the secondary recognizer. If not, the code point provided by the primary recognizer is returned. The invention sets forth an automated process for training the CART trees and for optimizing the recognition mechanism by discarding CART trees which do not improve on the recognition accuracy of the primary recognizer.

One of the biggest problems in handwriting recognition technology is reducing the error rate. One frequent type of error results when a user electronically enters a handwritten character, known as a chirograph, that closely matches two or more possible characters in a set to which the computer is trying to match the chirograph, i.e., a set of possible code points. Characters which cause the most errors are typically those which are identical to one another except for a single difference that humans can discern, but contemporary recognizers cannot. For example, certain Japanese symbols are substantially identical to one another but for a single, subtle difference.
The problem arises in that most handwriting recognition systems use recognizers based on Neural Nets, Hidden Markov Models (HMM) or a K-Nearest-Neighbor (KNN) approach. These systems perform reasonably well at the task of classifying characters based on their total appearance, but where two characters are identical except for a single difference, they often fail. While attempts have been made to manually code recognizers to discern between particularly troublesome pairs, there are many sets of characters which are easily confused for one another. This makes the coding process very labor intensive and tedious. Moreover, the result of the coding depends on one or more person's best guesses as to what to test for to distinguish the characters. This is not necessarily very optimal, as there are many possibilities for what best differentiates two (or more) close characters. Indeed, the best of such systems do not substantially reduce the error rate. Lastly, each time the recognizer is changed, the set of characters which are confused by the recognizer also changes, requiring that much of the labor-intensive coding process be repeated.
Another type of recognition system, based on Decision trees, especially Classification and Regression Trees (CART), has been attempted for handwriting recognition. These types of systems have been rejected because they are unable to make reliable decisions from among large numbers of characters. By way of example, for systems using Japanese character sets, 6650 different characters are supported. As can be appreciated, developing a binary tree that can receive any one of 6550 characters and test that character repeatedly and properly down appropriate branches until a single correct result is found would be an extremely difficult and massive undertaking.

Method and mechanism to reduce handwriting recognizer errors using multiple decision trees


A compact and simple constitution of a card connector, with which attaching and detaching works of a card can be performed easily, is provided. The connector 1 comprises: a body 2 having a recess 2a for a card 100; six contact springs projecting from a bottom face 3a of the recess 2a on which the IC card 100 is disposed, and elastically contacting with contact terminals 101 of the card 100; a stationary hooking portion 20 provided on a rear face side of the body 2; a movable hooking member 5 provided on a front face side of the body 2, and movable in a anteroposterior direction of the body 2; and a plate spring 18 for charging the movable hooking member 5 toward the rear face of the body 2, and wherein a tapered face 5b is formed on a rear face side of a hooking portion 5c so as to come closer to the rear face of the body 2 as approaching to the bottom face 3a of the recess 2a. A front end of the IC card 100 is held between the stationary hooking member 20 and the bottom face 3a of the recess 2a, and a rear end of the IC card 100 is held by means of the hooking portion 5c provided on the rear face side of the movable hooking member 5 and the bottom face 3a of the recess 2a.

Conventionally, a card connector to connect an IC card which includes an IC chip composed of a memory, a CPU, or the like to an external circuit such as a printed circuit board or the like is provided.
According to Japanese Patent No. 2860362, a card connector, which comprises a body contiguously supporting an IC card and a cover rotatably attached to the body, is proposed.
As for this card connector, since the cover is rotatably attached to the body, the cover should be handled together with the body for mounting this connector on a printed circuit board or the like. Thus, it is difficult to mount this connector automatically on the printed circuit board or the like. Furthermore, as for this connector, the connection of the card and the connector is retained with directly contacting an end face of the card to an engagement face of the body. However, such a constitution cannot retain the connection between the card and the connector firmly. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a locking mechanism additionally to retain the connection for the purpose of ensuring the connection between the connector and the card certainly, thereby causing the complexity of the construction of the connector and upsizing the size of the connector.
On the contrary, according to Japanese Patent No. 3020020, a card connector comprising a body shaped in form of a flat rectangular plate, wherein six connecting terminals are mounted on its surface, and a cover which has a card receiving portion on its rear face and also doubles as a holder of a card which is slidably attached along the surface portion of the body is proposed.
As for this connector, the above mentioned problem with regard to the automatic attachment to the printed circuit board or the like is solved by means of a constituting that the body is separated from the cover when attaching the card. However, a de-installation of a component when attaching the connector causes a loss of the de-installed component. Furthermore, even this connector does not solve the problem of the complexity of the construction and the upsizing of the connector.

Card connector with stationary and movable hooks


A dental instrument assembly includes a motion-tracking hexapod including a plurality of telescoping members each connected at one end to a first frame and at an opposite end to a second frame and further including a plurality of linear transducers each operatively coupled to a respective one of the telescoping members for generating a signal indicative of a degree of extension of the respective one of the telescoping members. A generally U-shaped bracket is connected to the first frame for mounting the first frame to a row of teeth in a patient""s mouth, and a dental instrument or probe is mounted to the second frame. A computer connected to the transducers is connected to other computers via the Internet for enabling dental data exchange.

This invention relates to a motion-tracking instrument assembly. The device may be used in the collection of data geometrically characteristic of or defining a surface. More particularly, the device is connectable to a computer for providing the computer with electrically encoded data derived from and in part specifying a three-dimensional surface or curvilinear contour of an object. Alternatively, the device is utilizable to produce a controlled motion, for instance, of a tool or instrument. The invention is particularly useful in the practice of dentistry.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,578 discloses a system for effecting a desired modification in the shape of a pre-existing object to which access is restricted. The system is particularly useful in the practice of dentistry to effect the preparation of a tooth for a filling, a crown or inlay or other restoration. The system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,578 includes a computer, a first data generating device, a second data generating device, a display, an instruction input device and an output device. The first data generating device is operatively connected to the computer for providing the computer with electrically encoded data specifying a three-dimensional surface of the object, while the second data generating device is operatively connected to the computer for providing the computer with electrically encoded data specifying a curvilinear contour of the object. The display is responsive to signals from the computer for displaying a three-dimensional graphic representation of the object in accordance with data from the first data generating device and the second data generating device. The instruction input device operatively serves for instructing the computer to modify the three-dimensional representation of the object on the display and for selecting a modification of the three-dimensional representation which represents a desired object preparation. The output device is operatively coupled to the computer for issuing an output signal to effectuate a limitation in motion of a preparation instrument relative to the object so that the object is provided with the desired object preparation.
The first data generating device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,578 includes a scanning component for optically scanning the three-dimensional surface of the object and transmitting a video signal of the three-dimensional surface to the computer. More specifically, the first data generating device includes a projection assembly for optically imposing a grid on the object""s three-dimensional surface. In using the first data generating device, an operator provides a reference distance at the three dimensional surface being scanned.
The second data generating device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,578 includes a manipulable stylus-type instrument having a distal tip engageable with the object and further includes a position detection assembly for monitoring the location of the stylus tip relative to the object and for feeding electrically encoded data regarding the stylus tip location to the computer. In a preferred embodiment of the second data generating means, the position detection assembly comprises what is called here a pantograph assembly that functions to duplicate motion. The assembly includes a pantograph extension rigidly connected to the stylus-type instrument and an optical scanner for tracking the location of a point on the pantograph extension and transmitting a resulting video signal to the computer.
The second data generating device of a shape modification system in accordance with the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,578 enables a dentist or other operator to obtain shape data about areas which are not optically accessible, for example, areas below the gum line of a tooth. Such information is necessary for enabling tooth preparation to extend below the gum line. The shape modification system further comprises a cutting instrument and a position detection assembly for monitoring the location of a tip of the cutting instrument relative to the object and for feeding data regarding the cutting tip location to the computer. The position detection assembly may take the form described above with reference to the stylus-type instrument of the second data generating device, i.e., it may include a pantograph extension connected to the cutting instrument and an optical scanner for optically scanning the location of a point on the pantograph extension and transmitting a resulting video signal to the computer.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,578, a cutting tool attachment may be substituted for a stylus attachment on a handle, holder or frame member. Thus, the instruction input device may include a cutting instrument and position detection assembly for monitoring the location of a tip of the cutting instrument relative to the object and for feeding data regarding the location to the computer. The position detection assembly may be of the kind described hereinabove. Using a cutting tool such as a drill enables an operator such as a dentist to feed a desired depth to the computer. The depth is useable by the computer to select and/or calculate a suggested tooth preparation and to show the suggested preparation on the display.
Alternatively or additionally, the instruction input device includes a keyboard connected to the computer and/or a contact sensitive region of the display. In this case, for example, the desired depth of a tooth preparation may be entered numerically. In addition, the operator may inform the computer via the keyboard of the type of tooth preparation which is desired. If a tooth being worked on is to receive a crown, the operator or dentist informs the computer, in one procedure according to the invention, to remove a certain percentage (e.g., 10%) from all top and side surfaces of the tooth to the contour below the gum line defined by the second data generating device.
An object of the present invention is to provide a motion-tracking device utilizable in an input mode for sensing three-dimensional motion and utilizable alternatively or additionally in an output mode for producing three-dimensional motion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which generates three-dimensional contour data of an object such as a tooth.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a data-gathering device which incorporates a position detection assembly for monitoring the location of a stylus tip relative to an object and for feeding electrically encoded data regarding the stylus tip location to a computer.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a device which is utilizable in the practice of dentistry to collect in situ information about tooth surfaces.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions hereof. Every object of the invention is attained by at least one embodiment of the present invention. However, not every embodiment will necessarily attain every objective set forth herein.
A dental instrument assembly comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a first frame, a second frame, a plurality of telescoping members each connected at one end to the first frame and at an opposite end to the second frame, a plurality of linear transducers each operatively coupled to a respective one of the telescoping members for generating a signal indicative of a degree of extension of the respective one of the telescoping members, a generally U-shaped bracket connected to the first frame for mounting the first frame to a row of teeth in a patient""s mouth, and a dental instrument or probe mounted to the second frame.
It is contemplated that the linear transducers are operatively connected to a computer programmed to track motion of the dental probe or instrument at least partially in response to signals from the linear transducers.
Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, the dental instrument or probe is detachably mounted to the second frame. More specifically, the dental instrument or probe may be slidably secured to an elongate arm in turn connected to the second frame. Where the elongate arm is connected to the second frame via a rotary joint, the dental instrument assembly further comprises a rotary transducer operatively linked to the rotary joint for generating a signal indicative of a degree of angular displacement of the arm about an axis.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, a plurality of independently operable drive elements are operatively connected to the telescoping members for automatically varying degrees of extension of the telescoping members. It is contemplated that the drive elements are connected to a computer for controlling the degrees of extension of the telescoping members. Where the dental instrument or probe is mounted to the second frame via a linkage having a predetermined number of degrees of freedom of motion, the dental instrument assembly may additionally comprise a number of additional drive elements operatively connected to the linkage for automatically varying an operational configuration of the linkage.
A dental instrument assembly comprises, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, at least two multipod devices each including a first frame, a second frame, a plurality of telescoping members each connected at one end to the first frame and at an opposite end to the second frame, and a plurality of linear transducers each operatively coupled to a respective one of the telescoping members for generating a signal indicative of a degree of extension of the respective one of the telescoping members. The instrument assembly of this other embodiment of the present invention further comprises a generally U-shaped bracket connected to the second frame of one of the multipod devices for mounting that second frame to a row of teeth in a patient""s mouth. A dental instrument or probe is mounted to the second frame of another of the multipod devices. The first frames of the multipod devices are at least indirectly mounted to a stationary fixture and thus at least indirectly connected to each other.
A numerically controllable tool assembly comprises, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a first frame, a second frame, a plurality of telescoping members each connected at one end to the first frame and at an opposite end to the second frame, a plurality of drive elements each operatively coupled to a respective one of the telescoping members for automatically varying a degree of extension of the respective one of the telescoping members, a bracket connected to the first frame for mounting the first frame to an object, and a tool or operating instrument mounted to the second frame. The drive elements are connected to a computer for controlling the degrees of extension of the telescoping members. Where the tool or operating instrument is mounted to the second frame via a linkage having a predetermined number of degrees of freedom of motion, the numerically controllable tool assembly also comprises a number of additional drive elements operatively connected to the linkage for automatically varying an operational configuration of the linkage.


The present application is directed to a double seam modification tooling apparatus for double seam modification and the double seam modification process. More particularly, a tooling apparatus for double seam modification is provided which adds a third modification operation to the first and second double seam operations which form the finished double seam, as well as a process for modifying double seams to include patterns of integral slots, notches or threads, or the like, after the double seams have been previously completely formed by the double seam modification tooling apparatus. Child resistant lids can then be configured with mating tab notches or tab threads to allow for opening or closing the lid when the tabs are properly aligned with the notches and threads on the can rim modified double seams.

Canned foods are among the safest food processed today. Approximately 60% of food consumed in the United States is thermally processed and packaged in hermetically sealed containers. However, regardless of the safety assured in canned foods, any damaged or defective canned products are a potential public health problem. Defective cans may leak and allow microorganisms to enter that may cause food poisoning or other significant threat and a potential public health problem to consider when dealing with serious defective/damaged canned food containers requiring inspection, evaluation and sampling. It is imperative that canned food products with visual and/or external defects be recognized. Those containers with "critical defects" should not be sold, distributed or consumed. Those containers with "major defects" may become a public health concern and should not be marketed without testing before sale. However, canned food with "minor defects" normally represent no public health hazard, i.e. if the hermetic seal on the can has not been jeopardized, these products are generally considered safe and, when properly labeled, such products are acceptable for distribution and sale.
Conventionally, cans are sealed by applying a lid using the well-known double seaming process. This is most typically performed on a rotational type machine having multiple spindles. Each spindle or station contains a seaming chuck which acts as an anvil to support the can end unit while two freely rotating round seaming rolls are brought into contact towards the can axis using a cam motion. Each of the seaming rolls is formed with specific groove geometry to work the metal into what is a commercially accepted double seam. The seaming rolls are mounted in bearings and are rotated co-incident to contact with the can body and the end unit. This diameter is reduced in the act of double seaming and leaves a smooth, well rounded edge to the juncture of the can body and end unit. Latest metals technology has allowed for plastic laminates and specialized coatings to be applied to the steel. This protects the steel from oxidation in wet, damp environments.
Nearly all canned foods and beverages are hermetically sealed within a container using the double seam canning process. A double seam is a canning process for sealing a tin can by mechanically interlocking the can body and a can end (or lid). Originally, the can end was soldered or welded onto the can body after the can was filled. However, this introduced a variety of issues, such as foreign contaminants (including lead and other harmful heavy metals). The double seam was later developed as a cheaper and safer alternative and quickly replaced the welded seam.
The double seam is made using a double seamer tooling apparatus, which can have just one or a number of heads or seaming stations. The double seam is formed by mechanically interlocking five layers of material together: three layers of the can end and two layers of the can body. Each seaming head typically consists of two rolls, a first operation roll and second operation roll, and a chuck. Some seaming machines have two first operation rolls and two second operation rolls and a few machines use a method called "rail seaming" which requires no rolls.
During the seaming operation, the can end is lowered on to the filled can body and held down by the chuck, which acts as an anvil to the seaming operation. The first operation roll then engages the can end against the can body thereby folding the end curl around the flange of the body. In some seaming machines, this is done as the can is turning at high speed. In other seaming machines, the can is stationary and the first operation roll (or rolls) spins around several times to ensure a complete first operation. After the first operation is complete, the first operation roll disengages from the can and the second operation roll then engages the can. The purpose of the second operation is to iron out the double seam into its final shape and remove the voids between the layers of can and end material. In practice, ironing out all of the can and end material in a double seam without leaving some voids is impossible without the use of a sealing compound.
The production of a high-quality double seam is dependent on several factors, including conformity to the set can and end specifications, the quality of the seamer tooling used and its compliance with the can and end being used, the condition of the seaming machine and the setup of the seaming rolls, lifter pressure and other components. When the machinery is set up correctly and the incoming materials (cans, ends, tooling, etc.) comply to the set specifications, the result should be ideal first and second operation seams. A problem in any one of these factors and others can contribute to seam defects that have an adverse effect on the ability of the can to withstand foreign contamination and keep the product from leaking or reduce its shelf life.
A double seamer is defined as a closing machine that rolls together the rims and lids of metal cans to make a hermetic seam. As described above, this double seam process is accomplished in two separate operations utilizing a seaming head having one seaming chuck per head and two seam rolls, one first operation seam roll and one second operation seam roll. The seaming chuck holds the end or lid in place while the body of the can is pushed into it. As the chuck holds the lid in position, the first operation roll will roll around and perform the first operation creating the first operation seam. Next, the second operation roll comes in and tightens up the seam. The ed will have compound material on it, which acts almost like a gasket, ensuring that the closure is completely sealed and air-tight. This allows the seam to prevent loss of internal pressure as well as insuring that no hazardous materials can enter the sealed double seam.
Double seamer machines have been available for approximately 100 years. There are many available today on the open market. Over the last 100 years, numerous new and useful improvements to the double seamer machine and its associated machine parts, such as seaming heads, have been patented.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,695,210 was granted to M. M. Sedwick and Continental Can Company in 1928 for improvements in the seaming head claiming a seaming head for closing machines including a chuck for engaging a can end and holding the same on the can body, a body portion, said chuck and body portion having a relative rotation, seaming levers carried by said body portion, a seaming roll mounted to rotate free y on each seaming lever, and yielding means associated with said chuck and adapted to engage the seaming rolls at the outer edge portion thereof for causing said seaming rolls to rotate on their respective levers.
Many years later, U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,152 was granted to J. J. Domijan in 2008, incorporated by reference herein, disclosing an apparatus for double seaming an end unit to a can body includes, as is conventional, a double seaming chuck, a double seaming roll and a mechanism for selectively moving the double seaming roll toward the double seaming chuck to perform a double seaming operation. Most advantageously, a drive mechanism is provided for driving the double seaming chuck and the double seaming roll at respective speeds that are selected so as to reduce relative rotational speed between the double seaming roll and a workpiece when the double seaming roll comes into contact with the workpiece during the double seaming operation.
In US Patent Application Publication 2004/0197164 A1 published in 2004, Carrein et al. described a seaming machine for use with a container and an end closure. The machine includes a seaming head with multiple shaft assemblies and a lifter table located below the seaming head and including multiple container stations. During use, the lifter table and seaming head rotate in unison about the centerline of a spindle. A single shaft assembly is provided at each station to perform a two-step seaming operation on its corresponding container. In one embodiment, a seaming cam is located above the seaming head for moving first and second cam followers, in the shaft assembly. In another embodiment, the cam followers and have a master/slave relationship dependent on which step of the seaming operation is being conducted. In another embodiment, a single piece plate is used in a cover feed assembly and provides end closures to a make-up point.
In US Patent Application Publication 2018/0078991 A1 published in 2018, incorporated by reference herein, Obata et al. described a seaming device that makes it possible to easily adjust an axial load applied to a can during seaming and that makes it possible to prevent the buckling of the can without any shock load being applied, apply a constant axial load according to a decrease in the height of the can during the seaming, and achieve the high speed of a seaming process. The seaming device has a can placement unit that places a can (C), a chuck unit provided opposite the can placement unit, and a seaming roll that seams a lid (F) onto the can (C). The can placement unit has a pressing mechanism that operates by fluid pressure and elastically upwardly presses a plate on which the can (C) is placed.
Therefore, for the past 100 years or so, with all of the improvements made to the seaming device and process, there has been no introduction of a seaming device capable of a third operation which entails modification of the double seam as formed in the first two prior art operations of folding and compressing the double seam.
In this regard, it would be highly desirable to have a third operation which modifies the formed double seam after it is completed, in order to design child resistant lids capable of mating with the types of double seam modifications generated by the tooling apparatus and the process. The third operation modification of the formed double seam could be in the form of slots, notches or threads, or the like, or many other configurations which enable a child resistant lid to be configured, designed and fabricated to fit on the modified double seam.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the Double Seam Modification Tooling Apparatus and Double Seam Modification Process in greater detail, it is to be understood that the design is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The Double Seam Modification Tooling Apparatus and Double Seam Modification Process is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Double seam modification tooling apparatus and double seam modification process


A method of automated image calibration that corrects for non-uniform illumination and calibrates color that is simple, fast, automated, accurate and reliable. A gray balance algorithm is applied to correct for non-uniform illumination and a color calibration algorithm is then applied to calibrate the human subject data. The system has been applied in multiple clinical sites with different instruments.

Although this invention is being disclosed in connection with cervical cancer, it is applicable to many other areas of medicine. Uterine cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, with nearly 500,000 new cases and over 270,000 deaths annually (IARC, "Globocan 2002 database," International agency for research in cancer, 2002, incorporated herein by reference). Because invasive disease is preceded by pre-malignant Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), if detected early and treated adequately, cervical cancer can be universally prevented (D. G. Ferris, J. T. Cox, D. M. O'Connor, V. C. Wright, and J. Foerster, Modern Colposcopy. Textbook and Atlas, pp. 1-699, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, 2004, incorporated herein by reference).
An automated image analysis system of uterine cervical images analyzes and extracts diagnostic features in cervical images and can assist the physician with a suggested clinical diagnosis. Such a system could be integrated with a medical screening device to allow screening for cervical cancer by non-medical personnel. The system also has potential applications in the screening of, for example, female soldiers, marines and sailors who are deployed in locations where annual Pap testing is not possible. Further, such a system has tremendous potential benefits for screening underserved women in developing countries.
The purpose of a cervical screening method is to identify and rank the severity of lesions, so that biopsies representing the highest-grade abnormality can be taken, if necessary. The examination involves a systematic visual evaluation of the lower genital tract (cervix, vulva and vagina), with special emphasis on the subjective appearance of metaplastic epithelium comprising what is known as the Transformation Zone (TZ) on the cervix. During the exam, a 3-5% acetic acid solution is applied to the cervix, causing abnormal and metaplastic epithelia to turn white ("acetowhite"). Cervical cancer precursor lesions and invasive cancer exhibit certain distinctly abnormal morphologic features that can be identified by the visual examination. Lesion characteristics such as color or opacity, margin shape, blood vessel caliber, intercapillary spacing and distribution, and contour are used by physicians to derive a clinical diagnosis (R. Reid, C. P. Crum, B. R. Herschman, Y. S. Fu, L. Braun, K. V. Shah, S. J. Agronow, and C. R. Stanhope, "Genital warts and cervical cancer. III. Subclinical papillomaviral infection and cervical neoplasia are linked by a spectrum of continuous morphologic and biologic change", Cancer, 53, pp. 943-953, 1984, incorporated herein by reference). Lugol's iodine is another contrast solution often used during the exam. The color difference of the iodine staining also assists in differentiating the severity of the lesions.
Similarly, the color and illumination of the cervical images vary with the light sources, the instruments and camera settings, as well as the clinical environment. Consequently, the color of the cervical epithelium may look very different (including normal and abnormal findings) in cervical images acquired with different instruments or at different times. This makes the assessment of the color information very challenging, even for an expert. Using an objective image calibration technique (accompanied by corresponding monitor calibration technique) may help the physician to better assess the information in cervical images in terms of diagnosis and severity, for improvement of the annotation and the use of telemedicine.
The use of digital imaging is revolutionizing medical imaging and enabling sophisticated computer programs to assist the physicians with Computer-Aided-Diagnosis/Detection (CAD). Clinicians and academia have suggested and shown proof of concept to use automated image analysis of cervical imagery for cervical cancer screening and diagnosis (B. L. Craine and E. R. Craine, "Digital imaging colposcopy: basic concepts and applications", Obstetrics and Gynecology, 82, pp. 869-873, 1993, incorporated herein by reference; W. Li, V. Van Raad, J. Gu, U. Hansson, J. Hakansson, H. Lange, and D. Ferris, "Computer-aided Diagnosis (CAD) for cervical cancer screening and diagnosis: a new system design in medical image processing", Lecture Notes in Computer Science, CVBIA 2005, pp. 240-250, 2005, incorporated herein by reference; M. S. Mikhail, I. R. Merkatz, and S. L. Romney, "Clinical usefulness of computerized colposcopy: image analysis and conservative management of mild dysplasia", Obstetrics and Gynecology, 80, pp. 5-8, 1992, incorporated herein by reference). Various image processing algorithms have been developed to detect different colposcopic features, such as acetowhite color (S. Gordon, G. Zimmerman, and H. Greenspan, "Image Segmentation of Uterine Cervix Images for Indexing in PACs", in Proceedings of IEEE 17th Symposium on Computer-based Medical Systems, 2004, incorporated herein by reference; H. Lange, "Automatic detection of multi-level acetowhite regions in RGB color images of the uterine cervix", in Proc.SPIE, 5747, pp. 1004-1017, SPIE, San Diego, 2005, incorporated herein by reference; and S. Gordon, G. Zimmerman, R. Long, S. Antani, J. Jeronimo, and H. Greenspan, "Content analysis of uterine cervix images: initial steps towards content based indexing and retrieval of cervigrams", in Proc.SPIE, 6144, pp. 1549-1556, 2006, incorporated herein by reference), lesion margin (I. Claude, R. Winzenrieth, P. Pouletaut, and J.-C. Boulanger, "Contour Features for Colposcopic Images Classification by Artificial Neural Networks", in Proc of International Conference on Pattern Recognition, pp. 771-774, 2002, incorporated herein by reference; V. Van Raad, Z. Xue, and H. Lange, "Lesion margin analysis for automated classification of cervical cancer lesions", in Proc.SPIE, 6144, 2006. incorporated herein by reference), and blood vessels (Q. Ji, J. Engel, and E. Craine, "Texture Analysis for Classification of Cervix Lesions", IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, 19, pp. 1144-1149, 2000, incorporated herein by reference; Y. Srinivasan, D. Hernes, B. Tulpule, S. Yang, J. Guo, S. Mitra, S. Yagneswaran, B. Nutter, B. Phillips, R. Long, and D. Ferris, "A probabilistic approach to segmentation and classification of neoplasia in uterine cervix images using color and geometric features", in Proc.SPIE, J. M. Fitzpatrick and J. M. Reinhardt, Eds., 5747, pp. 995-1003, 2005, incorporated herein by reference; and W. Li and A. Poirson, "Detection and characterization of abnormal vascular patterns in automated cervical image analysis", Lecture Notes in Computer Science: Advances in Visual Computing, 4292, pp. 627-636, November 2006, incorporated herein by reference). On the other hand, lack of color calibration makes it very difficult to extract the color property of the acetowhite lesions properly. Non-uniform illumination and light distribution also has been a major obstacle in extracting lesion margins and blood vessel structures compared to the colposcopic annotations.
CAD on cervical imagery could have a direct impact on improving women's health care and reducing the associated costs. Accurate color calibration is a crucial factor in developing a CAD system for cervical imagery. Several image enhancement techniques, such as histogram stretching and/or equalization, have been used as an attempt to compensate for the illumination problem (Y. Srinivasan, D. Hernes, B. Tulpule, S. Yang, J. Guo, S. Mitra, S. Yagneswaran, B. Nutter, B. Phillips, R. Long, and D. Ferris, "A probabilistic approach to segmentation and classification of neoplasia in uterine cervix images using color and geometric features", in Proc.SPIE, J. M. Fitzpatrick and J. M. Reinhardt, Eds., 5747, pp. 995-1003, 2005, incorporated herein by reference; S. Yang, J. Guo, P. King, Y. Sriraja, S. Mitra, B. Nutter, D. Ferris, M. Schiffman, J. Jeronimo, and R. Long, "A Multi-Spectral Digital Cervigram™ analyzer in the wavelet domain for early detection of cervical cancer", in Proc.SPIE, J. M. Fitzpatrick and M. Sonka, Eds., 5370, pp. 1833-1844, 2004, incorporated herein by reference).
Generally speaking, the colors in an image depend on the light source, the image acquisition device, and the properties of the subject being imaged The red, green, and blue (RGB) color filters of a digital color camera are designed to mimic the color sensitivity of the human eye and are, thus, said to be creating a "true" color image. In reality, the color filter responses are fairly dissimilar to the sensitivity of the human eye, which means that color cameras and the eye represent colors quite differently. Different color representations are especially noticeable under different lighting conditions. Consequently, depending on lighting conditions and camera characteristics, digital color images often are different from what is perceived by human eye. Because colors are very important to how we perceive the world around us, people have studied these differences, including ways to correct them, in great detail. Making the same image look identical, independent of the camera, monitor or printer used, has been a desired outcome ever since the advent of photography. The goal of the present invention and image calibration in general, is to make the colors of a cervical image appear identical, independent of camera settings and light source. This is preferably achieved by mapping the color appearance of the images taken with different instruments into a standard color space, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Although many of the algorithms described in the present invention are well-known in the art, the inventors are unaware of another simple and robust, color calibration system that both corrects for non-uniform illumination and calibrates the color of images using only one uncalibrated light source, one uncalibrated standard visible light detector, and one color target. The present invention uses the ground truth and native reflectivity (described below) of only the targets, and maps the native reflectivity back to the ground truth reflectivity (described below) without any knowledge of the light source, detector or the environment. The following patents and patent applications may be considered relevant to the field of the invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 7,012,633 to Jenkins, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a color calibration method for an imaging color measurement device utilizing a detector array, a plurality of optical elements, and multiple instances of irradiation of the detector array for a single measurement. A flat-fielding correction error correction matrix of the imaging color measurement device for each instance of irradiation of the detector array is obtained prior to color calibration. The response for each instance of irradiation of the detector array is flat-fielded with the corresponding error matrix to obtain a flat-fielded, spectrally weighted irradiance response for each instance of irradiation of the detector array. An illuminant light source with known spectral output or chromaticity coordinates is measured to obtain an irradiance response of the imaging color measurement device for each instance of irradiation of the detector array. A color correction coefficient is calculated using the known spectral output and chromaticity coordinates of the light source and the corresponding flat-fielded irradiance response.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0142707 to Wiklof, et al., incorporated herein by reference, discloses an endoscope system and method for providing images of anatomical features imaged using the endoscope system. The system also includes a calibration device having known optical properties. The calibration device is imaged using the endoscope system, and data corresponding to the image is obtained. This data are compared to data corresponding to the known optical properties of the calibration device. Based on this comparison, calibration data corresponding to imaging errors of the endoscope system are obtained and the calibration data are used to calibrate the endoscope system.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,705 to Krauter, et al, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a video colposcope which includes a system microcomputer having algorithms for color balance levels stored into memory. A video camera obtains a subject electronic image of a subject object, and using algorithm-driven digital signal processing circuitry (DSP), color saturation, hue, and intensity levels of the subject electronic image are modified according to DSP reference filter algorithm and reference color balance levels as stored, thus producing a modified electronic image corresponding to the subject electronic image. The modified electronic image is outputted to a display in continuous real time as the corresponding subject image is obtained by the video camera. This modified electronic image emulates that obtained through an optical green filter and incorporates a simulated white balance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,173 to Kenet et al., incorporated herein by reference, discloses an improved apparatus and method for in vivo monitoring of visually accessible surfaces of the body. The invention synthesizes methods of systems identification and computer vision to quantify and/or classify features of surface or subsurface anatomic, physiologic, or pathologic structures or processes. Such is accomplished by the stimulation of anatomic surfaces with light (visible, infrared, and/or ultraviolet, structured or uniform), followed by the quantitative analysis of digital images (multiresolution, multiview, and/or multispectral) of reflected or emitted light from the surface of interest.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,872 to Kenet, et al., incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for monitoring a region of a body surface including a method for diagnosis of a premelanomatous or early melanomatous conditions. The color calibration technique used, images a color chart, or set of light emitting diodes, of standard known colors, either during a calibration session or during the acquisition of images of the surface feature under examination. Regions of the image containing known colors may be used to identify the set of pixel values representing that color. This set of pixel values (e.g. reds green and blue pixel values) for an individual known color may then be used to determine input look-up table values, or pixel scaling factors to apply to all pixels of an image that will result in standardization of color between images obtained under similar lighting conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,408 to Craine et al., incorporated herein by reference, discloses an apparatus and a method for determining the area of a three-dimensional lesion on a cervix from a two-dimensional image of the cervix.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,346 to Craine et al., incorporated herein by reference, discloses an apparatus and method for accurately computing an area on a three-dimensional object from a two-dimensional image data obtained by means of a camera, such as one associated with a digital colposcope.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0241347 to Whitehead, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an systems and methods relating to colposcopic viewing tubes for enhanced viewing and examination.

Method of automated image color calibration


A two-wire load control device prevents load malfunctioning, such as erroneous emission of an LED, due to a leak current, even when loads not taking countermeasures against noise are connected. The load control device is connected in series between a commercial power source and a load and an off power supply for ensuring an inner power supply at the time of turning off the load is provided with capacitors, which are switched to be connected in series or parallel, based on an input voltage. The control device makes the capacitors repeat charging and discharging, and a power discharged from the capacitors is used as the inner power supply, thereby reducing standby power requirement of the load control device at the time of turning off the load.

Conventionally, in order to control the ON/OFF of a load such as a lighting apparatus, a ventilation fan or the like, a load control device (an electronic switch) using a non-contact switch device such as a triac has been put to practical use instead of a two-wire switch in which contacts are mechanically closed or opened (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-97535). Such a load control device generally employs a two-wire connection to reduce a wire and is connected in series between a commercial power source (an AC power source) and a load. In the case of the load control device connected between the commercial power source and the load, how to acquire its own circuit power is an issue.
FIG. 10 shows the circuit configuration of a conventional two-wire load control device 50 that is connected in series between a commercial power source 2 and a load 3. This load control device 50 includes primary and auxiliary switching units 51 and 57 configured to control the ON and OFF of the load 3, a control unit 53 configured to control the conduction of the primary and auxiliary switching units 51 and 57, and a power supply circuit configured to supply a driving power to the control unit 53. The power supply circuit includes a rectifying unit 52, a first power supply unit 54 configured to stabilize supply of a power to the control unit 53, a second power supply unit 55 configured to supply a power to the first power supply unit 54 when the power supply to the load 3 is stopped, and a third power supply unit 56 configured to supply a power to the first power supply unit 54 when the power supply to the load 3 is performed. The auxiliary switching unit 57 includes, e.g., a thyristor 57a, which functions to allow a main circuit current to flow into the load 3 when the capacity of the load 3 is small and also only a current that is lower than the holding current required to maintain the conduction of the triac (main switch device) 51a of the primary switching unit 51 flows.
The second power supply unit 55 is a constant voltage circuit that includes, e.g., a resistor configured to limit a current, a Zener diode (constant voltage diode) 55a configured to clip a voltage and the like. A ripple current which has been full-wave rectified by the rectifying unit 52 is inputted into the second power supply unit 55. Further, only when the voltage value of the inputted ripple current is higher than the Zener voltage of the Zener diode 55a, a current flows therethrough. A part of the current flows into the first power supply unit 54 to be supplied as a power of the control unit 53 and is charged in a buffer capacitor 54a connected to the input terminal of the first power supply unit 54. When the voltage of the ripple current full-wave rectified by the rectifying unit 52 is lower than the Zener voltage, the buffer capacitor 54a becomes a power source, and thus supplies a power to the first power supply unit 54. Accordingly, the buffer capacitor 54a repeats charging and discharging.
In other words, even when the load 3 is in an OFF state, a current flows into the load 3 via the Zener diode 55a and the rectifying unit 52. In this case, the current flowing into the load 3 needs to have a small magnitude that prevents an erroneous operation of the load 3. Further, the current consumption of the control unit 53 is set to be kept small and the impedance of the second power supply unit 55 is set to be kept high. Further, the first power supply unit 54 functions as a voltage stabilization unit.
Meanwhile, when an operating handle SW 4 that activates the load 3 is manipulated, the control unit 53 outputs a control signal to make the switch device 56c of the third power supply unit 56 to be conductive, whereby the buffer capacitor 54a is charged. When the buffer capacitor 54a is charged, the current passes through the Zener diode 56a, the thyristor 57a of the auxiliary switching unit 57, and the triac 51a of the primary switching unit 51 in sequence. When the triac 51a becomes ON, the rectification voltage of the rectifying unit 52 becomes almost zero, and thus, the second power supply unit 55 becomes non-conductive and no current flows. The same is true of the third power supply unit 56.
While the second power supply unit 55 and the third power supply unit 56 are non-conductive, the first power supply unit 54 is supplied with a power from the buffer capacitor 54a, and thus, the input voltage of the first power supply unit 54, i.e., the terminal voltage of the buffer capacitor 54a, is gradually decreased. Meanwhile, when the current flowing into the triac 51a becomes 0, the triac 51a is caused to enter an open state (a non-conductive state) by self arc-extinguishing and a voltage is generated in the rectifying unit 52. When the voltage increases above the terminal voltage of the buffer capacitor 54a, the buffer capacitor 54a starts to be charged. Since the impedance of the second power supply unit 55 is set to be a value sufficiently higher than that of the third power supply unit 56, the second power supply unit 55 does not contribute to the operation of the load control device 50 while the load 3 is ON.
Once the primary switching unit 51 has become conductive (a closed state), it continuously flows the current. However, when the commercial current reaches a zero-cross point, the triac 51a is self arc-extinguished, and the primary switching unit 51 becomes non-conductive (an open state). When the primary switching unit 51 becomes non-conductive, an operation of acquiring the circuit power by the load control device 50, in which the current flows from the rectifying unit 52 through the third power supply unit 56 to the first power supply unit 54, is performed. That is, in every half period of AC, the operation of acquiring the circuit power by the load control device 50, and the conduction of the auxiliary switching unit 57 and the conduction of the primary switching unit 51 are repeated.
However, in order to reduce the power consumption, replacement to LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lamps has been conducted. Since an LED device emits a light by using DC, a power supply circuit configured to convert AC into DC is provided in the LED lamp. However, there are power supply circuits for some loads, such as inexpensive LED lamps, which have no countermeasures against noise (e.g., the parallel connection of a capacitor or the like between the terminals of a power supply circuit). When an LED lamp without noise countermeasures is connected as a load to the two-wire load control device 50, a current flows into the load because of the acquisition of the load control device 50's own circuit power even when the load needs to be in an OFF state. Therefore, there is a possibility of the erroneous operation of the load (e.g., flickering of the LED lamp). Further, in the conventional load control device 50, a voltage is stepped down by the Zener diode 55a, and thus, an energy corresponding to the voltage step-down is consumed by thermal conversion. Accordingly, the conventional load control device 50 does not contribute to the improvement of energy efficiency.

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to realize a signal transmitter which is capable of reducing power consumption and which can be easily designed. A differential transmitter block outputs differential output signals fixed to a predetermined logic signal to a differential receiver block and disconnects terminating resistors from a signal transmission path in an idle state. In the differential receiver block, a differential comparator outputs a logic determined by symbols of the differential output signal from the differential transmitter block, and an operating state detector detects the idle state upon detection that time successively outputting a predetermined logic by the differential comparator reaches a predetermined time, and controls switches so as to disconnect the terminating resistors from the signal transmitter in the receiving side upon detection of the idle state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a signal transmission, and more particularly, to a signal transmission technique by a differential input/output circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
Along with current advancement of an LSI (large-scale integrated circuit) manufacturing technique, a high-performance MPU (Micro Processor Unit) whose operating frequency exceeds 1 GHz has been developed. When such an MPU is employed in an information processing device or especially a server/workstation, high-speed and large amount of data transmission is needed. In order to achieve this, a system connecting the MPU with each module of a memory by PTP (Point-to-Point) employing an FB-DIMM (Fully Buffered Dual Inline Memory Module) has been used, for example. The FB-DIMM includes an AMB (Advanced Memory Buffer) chip for connection between modules mounted thereon in addition to a memory chip, and employs high-speed serial interface standard "FB-DIMM High Speed Differential PTP Link at 1.5 V" as a connection interface.
A terminating resistor is typically provided in a transceiver in consideration of an impedance matching in order to prevent influence of reflection due to the transmission path length in high-speed transmission.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a differential transceiver having terminating resistors provided therein. The differential transceiver includes a differential transmitter block 20, a differential receiver block 30, and an idle state detector block 40.
The differential transmitter block 20 includes a constant current source 22, N channel transistors (hereinafter referred to as N transistors) 23a and 23b receiving a constant current from the constant current source 22 to form a mirror circuit, P channel transistors (hereinafter referred to as P transistors) 25a and 25b connected to a power line 24 to form a constant current source, P transistors 26a and 26b functioning as switches for logic output, and terminating resistors 28a and 28b connected to a ground line 27.
The P transistors 26a and 26b include gates connected to input terminals 21a and 21b, respectively, and drains connected to the terminating resistors 28a and 28b, respectively. Further, sources of the P transistors 26a and 26b are connected to the drain of the P transistor 25b, and the output terminals 29a and 29b are connected between the P transistor 26a and the terminating resistor 28a, and between the P transistor 26b and the terminating resistor 28b, respectively. Differential logic signals inside an LSI ARE input through the input terminals 21a and 21b, and voltage values determined by current values flowing in the P transistors 26a and 26b and resistance values of the terminating resistors 28a and 28b are output from the output terminals 29a and 29b as logic amplitude.
The differential receiver block 30 includes a differential comparator 33, and terminating resistors 35a and 35b connected between two inputs of the differential comparator 33 and a ground line 34. The differential outputs from the output terminals 29a and 29b of the differential transmitter block 20 are input to the differential comparator 33 through the input terminals 31a and 31b, and the logic signal determined by the difference of the symbols is output from an output terminal 36.
The idle state detector block 40 includes a pair of differential comparators 41a and 41b, and a logic NOR circuit 42 to which the outputs of the differential comparators 41a and 41b are input. Positive logic input sides of the differential comparators 41a and 41b are connected to the input terminals 31a and 31b, respectively, and negative logic input sides thereof are connected to a reference voltage input terminal 44 to which the reference voltage for determining idle state is input.
The idle state detector block 40 thus configured compares the signal levels of the input terminals 31a and 31b with the reference voltage, and determines that there is no data transmission and reception performed between the differential transmitter block 20 and the differential receiver block 30, which means the differential transceiver is in the idle state on a condition that any signal level of the input terminals is lower than the reference voltage, so as to output the Hi logic output indicating it from a determination terminal 43.
In the differential transceiver including the terminating resistor provided therein, if the logic output in the transmitting side (differential transmitter block 20 side) is fixed when there is no data transmitted or received, current is consumed constantly due to the presence of the terminating resistor. According to the differential transceiver shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to prevent power consumption in the idle state by turning off the P transistors 26a and 26b and setting the output to Hi-Z (high impedance) state when there is no data transmitted or received.
Further, since the discharge is generated through the terminating resistors in the transmitting and receiving sides in the idle state, any signal level of the input terminals 31a and 31b is Low. In this case, the receiving side (differential receiver block 30 side) may respond to small potential difference due to the influence of the noise in the actual operation and may accidentally receive the signal. In the differential transceiver shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to prevent accidental receiving of the signal at the receiving side by detecting the idle state which is different from the normal transmitting or receiving state of the data by the idle state detector block 40.
FIG. 8 shows another example of the transmitting side of the differential transceiver including the terminating resistors. Note that the same components as those of the differential transceiver shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same symbols, and the overlapping description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 8, a differential transmitter block 50 includes a switch 54 capable of turning on or off the connection between the power line 24 and the gate of the P transistor 25b forming the constant current source, and a switch 58 capable of turning on or off the connection between the gate of the P transistor 25a, and the drain of the p transistor 25a and the N transistor 23b. These two switches are controlled to be turned on or off complementarily by a control signal from a control terminal 51. More specifically, the switch 54 is turned off and the switch 58 is turned on when the data is transmitted, whereas the switch 54 is turned on and the switch 58 is turned off in the idle state. Accordingly, the P transistor 25b which is the driver current source is turned off and the current flowing in the P transistors 26a and 26b reduces in the idle state. Hence, the power consumption in the terminating resistor in the idle state can be reduced.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-209830 discloses a technique for reducing power consumption by disconnecting a terminating resistor in the idle state. In FIG. 9, a symbol 7 is added to the ground line with respect to FIG. 1 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-209830, and the technique thereof will be described with reference to FIG. 9.
An input interface circuit 10 shown in FIG. 9 includes a sampling circuit 4 sampling a signal from an input connecting point 1, and a terminating resistor 3. Further, a switching element 2 whose ON/OFF is controlled by a sampling control signal 5 is provided between the sampling circuit 4 or the terminating resistor 3 and the input connecting point. A power supply voltage is applied to the sampling circuit 4 through the input connecting point 1 and the switching element 2. Since the input impedance of the sampling circuit 4 is normally a large value, most of the current i flowing in the input connecting point 1 and the switching element 2 flows in the terminating resistor 3. Accordingly, the current i flowing in the input connecting point and the switching element 2 is determined by a resistance value of the terminating resistor 3. The sampling circuit 4 performs sampling on the voltage applied according to the sampling control signal 5, so as to detect ON/OFF of the input connecting point 1. When the input connecting point 1 is in ON state, the power supply voltage is applied to the input of the sampling circuit 4, so that the sampling circuit 4 outputs Hi level signal as the sampling value 6. When the input connecting point is in OFF state, the power supply voltage is not applied to the input of the sampling circuit 4, so that the sampling circuit 4 outputs the Low level signal as the sampling value 6. The switching element 2 is turned on when the sampling control signal 5 is input in accordance with the sampling control signal 5, and is otherwise turned off. Accordingly, the switching element 2 is turned on and the current flows only when the sampling circuit 4 performs sampling, and otherwise the switching element 2 is in OFF state and the current does not flow. According to this configuration, the power consumed in the terminating resistor 3 can be reduced.
In recent years, the volume of the data has become larger and the transmission speed has been increased. Accordingly, there is a growing demand to reduce power consumption of the transceiver. For example, the memory modules have been connected to each other by a plurality of lanes in order to transmit large volumes of data in higher speed. In case of the FB-DIMM, it is required by the standard to connect high-speed serial interface in parallel to connect adjacent modules by 24 lanes. In a transmission path having a terminating resistor provided for impedance matching in each lane, power consumption of the terminating resistor increases as the number of lanes increases, which requires further reduce of the power consumption of the terminating resistor in the idle state.
In the differential transceiver shown in FIG. 7, the output of the differential transmitter block 20 is in Hi-Z state in the idle state, so as to reduce power consumption of the terminating resistor. Accordingly, the signal levels of the two output terminals of the differential transmitter block 20 are Low in the idle state, which requires a reference voltage for detecting the idle state to prevent the false reception. Since there is a need to determine the idle state by fully considering a noise margin in order to correspond to the signal having small amplitude, this reference voltage needs to be highly accurate and constant value without being influenced by power supply fluctuation or temperature fluctuation. Therefore, a dedicated analog circuit for generating the reference voltage needs to be provided, which complicates the circuit design and increases the layout area.
In the differential transmitter block 50 shown in FIG. 8, the power consumption of the terminating resistor is reduced by reducing the current flowing in the P transistors 26a and 26b in the idle state. At this time, the differential transmitter block 50 is in the Hi-Z output state. Accordingly, as in the differential transceiver shown in FIG. 7, the reference voltage for detecting the idle state at the receiving side is required, which also causes the problem as described above.
In the input interface circuit 10 shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to reduce the power consumed at the terminating resistor 3 in the idle state. At this time, the input level to the sampling circuit 4 is in the level of the ground line 7, which means that the idle state and the logic "0" state of the signal input to the input interface 10 cannot be determined by the sampling value 6.

Differential transmitter, differential receiver, signal transmitter, and signal transmitting system


This disclosure provides equipment and processes for blood glucose management. Embodiments may comprise a lancet device that includes a base that supports a lancet and a cover. The cover can move controllably from an un-depressed position to a depressed position when a predetermined force is applied. The cover can provide access to the lancet in the depressed position. In another aspect, a biological test kit may include a reusable module and a disposable module. The disposable module may include one or more lancet devices such as that described above to collect a biological sample, one or more strip stations supporting biological strips and a disposable module connector. The reusable module may support measuring equipment to measure a property of the biological sample and a reusable module connector that engages removably with the disposable module connector.

Monitoring blood glucose several times per day is a recommended way for controlling blood glucose levels in patients managing diabetes. Good blood glucose control minimizes loss of life, reduces limb amputations, and enhances quality of life for hundreds of millions of people. It is often recommended by physicians that patients managing diabetes monitor blood glucose levels typically four times a day to mitigate the risks of poor blood glucose control.
Devices for managing blood glucose typically include a lancing tool. In operation, the tool is opened, and a disposable lancet can be uncovered and inserted into the tool. The user can position the tip against his or her finger and actuate the tool. After that, the blood sample can be transported to a glucose measuring device for analysis. After the lancing event is complete, standard practice is for the user to re-open the tool, and remove and dispose of the lancet. The devices may offer additional features such as a means for the user to enter a depth of insertion of the tool via a dial or a similar input mechanism.
Blood flow and pain while lancing can be adjusted by the depth of insertion of the lancet. A lancet that is inserted deeper than levels recommended for a specific user can cause a high volume of blood flow and significant pain. By contrast, a lancet that is inserted less deep than recommended levels introduces less pain, but does not draw sufficient quantity of blood for testing blood glucose levels. The lancet can also be replaced with each use to prevent risk of infection. Replacing a lancet with each use can also prevent the lancet from becoming duller with use, and consequently provide less pain while lancing. Pain, expense, and user-unfriendliness are common reasons why diabetes patients may be less likely to monitor their blood glucose levels with diligence.