A restricted area alarm confinement system includes a loop antenna for placement about the border of an area within which a child or other person is desired to be confined, or excluded from, a control panel for recording a voice command in the parent's voice, and means for generating an RF signal encoded with said prerecorded voice command for transmission over said antenna. A transceiver is mounted to a harness or other support for attachment to the child such that as the child approaches the antenna the parent's voice command is received from the antenna and announced to the child to encourage him to withdraw from the border. A threshold level detector detects when the child approaches even closer to the antenna and the transceiver includes a transmitter section for transmitting a warning signal to a beeper/receiver held by the parent. The control panel further includes monitoring circuits for monitoring the integrity of the loop antenna and the AC power supply. If a break is detected in the loop antenna, or if the control panel switches to its included battery backup, a display provides a visual message and an announcement is made over a speaker in the control panel to alert the operator that a system failure has occurred.

Systems for controlling dogs, and other pets, from moving out of a predetermined area are known in the art. The prior art systems typically consist of an RF signal generator driving a loop antenna, and a matched RF signal receiver attached to a dog collar. Prior to use, the loop antenna is strung out, and perhaps buried, around the boundaries of the predetermined area and so, when energized, defines an apparent fence constituted of radiating RF signals in the vicinity of the boundaries. In use, as the dog approaches the boundary-determining antenna, the matched receiver picks up the signal and in response activates an electrical circuit which produces a shock to the dog. It is also typical that the prior art systems will have the electric shock increase in intensity as the dog approaches the antenna closer still. As an alternative to a shock, a loud noise can be created which is intended to annoy the dog and drive it back. A prior art system exemplary of the above is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,421.
Other prior art systems for controlling dogs to remain within a predetermined area include both a handheld RF transmitter (or "walkie-talkie") and a matched RF receiver on a dog collar to facilitate live broadcasts of verbal commands to the dog. A prior art system exemplary of this latter concept is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,882.
There are several disadvantages associated with the prior art systems. As previously indicated, the automatic systems achieve control over the dog by typically subjecting the dog to an alarming noise or by an electric shock, and both the noise and the shock are designed to annoy, offend or startle the dog. Unfortunately, in practice, these shocks may be so extreme as to cause pain, which most caring pet owners are loathe to inflict on their pets. Even if the shock intensity is controlled properly to limit the "pain", many dog owners are reluctant to use these prior art systems because of their objection to the basic premise of shocking their pet. As such, these systems all rely on a negative feedback and do not take advantage of the training most dogs receive to obey voice commands from their masters. As for the "walkie-talkie" system, it is chiefly deficient in not operating automatically.
Further disadvantages associated with the automatic prior art systems involve the absence of self-monitoring functions. That is, since control of the dog is achieved while the prior art systems operate in an automatic mode, there is no provision for alerting the system user when there is a system malfunction. For example, such malfunctions can include a break in the loop antenna, or loss of AC power, or a more serious system failure, any of which would result in ineffective confinement of the pet. Further disadvantages associated with the prior art systems involve the lack of facility with these systems for use by pet owners who are sightless or hearing impaired.
In order to solve these and other problems in the prior art, the inventors herein have succeeded in designing and developing a pet confinement system as disclosed and claimed in the parent U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,179 which announces a command to the dog, in the owner's voice, to retract from the edge of the yard or the like as the dog draws near. Should the dog ignore the command, and advance even closer, the dog will receive a shock to more directly indicate to him that, not only has he gotten too close, but he has also disobeyed his master's command. This positive reinforcement of a voice command makes it more likely that the dog will follow the voice command the next time he hears it, and thus avoid the shock. With that invention, a more humane solution to the pet confinement problem has been achieved. Furthermore, the confinement system takes advantage of one of the most basic forms of training which is commonly used with pets, i.e. voice training, and therefore makes its implementation more readily adaptable and much more likely to be successful as it builds on this common training. In other words, that invention may very well be implemented where prior art systems fail as the dog, for whatever reasons, fails to associate the shock with the prohibited crossing of the border and fails to remain confined.
In implementing the pet confinement system of the parent patent, the inventors herein have also designed and developed a master control panel which not only provides for an operator to prerecord a command of his own choosing and to which the dog is most likely to respond, but also monitors the system and indicates to an operator when any one of the most common malfunctions occurs. The master control panel includes a display and an audio announcement when a break in the loop antenna occurs, or when there is a loss in AC power and the system is on battery backup. As the master control panel is typically mounted in the garage, an operator will regularly pass by the control panel on his way to and from his car, and in doing so will be notified by the visual and audio announcement of a system failure. This feature also renders the system "user friendly" for a sightless or hearing impaired owner who would have difficulty with a prior art system and who is probably more likely than others to own a pet.
The pet confinement system has a loop antenna for placement about a boundary of a confinement area and around shrubs and the like, and a control panel connected to the loop antenna for generating and broadcasting an RF signal thereover. The control panel includes circuitry for recording a spoken command in the pet owner's own voice, and RF circuitry for generating an RF signal encoded with the spoken command for transmission over the loop antenna. This pet confinement system also has a portable battery operated RF receiver adapted for attachment to a pet collar. The portable RF receiver includes an RF detector and miniature audio speaker for decoding and announcing the spoken command and tone in response to the pet moving within a predetermined distance of the antenna. The recorded spoken command can be something like "Fido, get back. Get back Fido, get back.", or the like, which is the same spoken command which is used to train the pet upon system installation.
The portable RF receiver further includes a threshold level detector for detecting reception of the tone at an intensity indicative of the pet being within a second, closer, predetermined distance to the loop antenna. A circuit for applying a pulsed shock to the pet is responsive to this threshold level detector. These pulsed shocks reinforce the dog's obedience to his master's command and further dissuade him from passing outside the antenna barrier. Most dogs soon learn that disobeying the master's voice command results in a shock, and thus most often avoid any shock after only a few excursions towards the border.
The control panel additionally includes circuitry which monitors for system failures, and both visual and audio indicators for indicating any system failures to a system operator. These indicators include an LCD screen for displaying preprogrammed messages, and a console speaker for announcing prerecorded messages. One of the monitoring circuits is a circuit for monitoring the loop antenna. In operation, it detects whether the loop antenna fails to conduct an electric current. The other of the monitoring circuits detects whether the standard 120 VAC power supply has failed.
As an improvement on the pet confinement system as disclosed and claimed in the parent patent, the inventors herein have succeeded in designing and developing a restricted area alarm system which utilizes many of the same features of the pet confinement system and which also includes a second broadcast and receive circuit for alerting another person that the boundary is in danger of being broached. Instead of utilizing a loop antenna for containing a dog within a yard or the like, the inventors utilize a loop antenna for surrounding what might be a dangerous or hazardous condition for a child, such as a swimming pool. With a portable receiver/transmitter mounted in a backpack conveniently carried by the child, the child will receive a parent's spoken warning to not go near the swimming pool as he first approaches the pool. If the child ignores the warning, and continues to approach the swimming pool beyond a second predetermined, and closer, distance, a transmitter carried in the backpack will transmit a signal to a beeper or other remote battery powered receiver which can be carried by the parent so as to alert the parent that the child is dangerously close to the swimming pool. Thus, the present invention will permit a parent to attend to other matters and be comforted in the knowledge that as a child approaches a previously identified and marked dangerous location or condition, the child will first be warned away therefrom and, if necessary, the parent notified in sufficient time to take such measures as would prevent an unfortunate accident to occur.
In addition to its use for a child alert system, this invention may also be utilized with respect to any person who is infirm, forgetful, or otherwise unable to fend for themselves if they unintentionally wander into what may be for them a dangerous area. One such other example includes elderly people who are victims of Alzheimer's disease. With such individuals, it might perhaps be desirable for a boundary around the person's property to be marked as well as unsafe areas such as swimming pools or the like. Still another example would be for use with people of reduced mental capability who might otherwise have a tendency to wander from their home or other surroundings or into dangerous areas.
In adapting the present invention for use with humans, the ability to prerecord and announce a spoken message from a family member or other loved one is especially helpful and beneficial to the operation of this device in this environment. As an example, a calm, reassuring voice when announced can gently warn away one who would otherwise be confused by an indifferent alarm or other signal which would have perhaps no meaning to a forgetful or limited mental capacity person. With children, a parent's stern message may also be much more helpful in controlling the movement of the child as opposed to such an alarm or other signal. This feature makes the present invention uniquely suited for use in this application.
While the principal advantages and features of the present invention have been disclosed above, a more complete understanding of the invention may be attained by referring to the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment which follow.


This invention may be used as a system in which a scanner for reading an original document and a recording apparatus are combined, and aims to provide an image information processing apparatus which facilitates the transportation of the system, and an image information processing system. A printer and a scanner can be mounted to each other by accurate positioning when positioning projections provided in the printer are engaged with positioning holes corresponding to the projections on the scanner side, and this mounting is fixed by the engagement of a hook on the scanner side with a recess on the printer side. In this mounted state, a transport passage, including a paper ejection port, for an original document or printing paper is formed, and motive power and electric power are supplied from the printer side to the scanner side via gears. In this state, an image on the original document is read, or an image is recorded on the printing paper.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image information processing apparatus for performing recording on the basis of information read by reading means, such as a scanner.
2. Description of the Related Art
A recording apparatus used for printers, copying machines, facsimiles, etc. is designed to record an image formed of dot patterns on a recording medium, such as recording paper or a plastic thin plate, on the basis of image information.
Image information to be recorded is image information processed by a host apparatus in a printer. This image data is transmitted to the printer side in the form of parallel signals or serial signals, and an image formed of dot patterns is recorded on the basis of the image data.
In a copying machine, in contrast, an original document is read optically by reading means which is provided integrally therein. Image information thus obtained is formed into a latent image on a drum by means of analog or digital optical means, and this image is transferred to paper and recorded. Also, in a facsimile, signals which are read in by an image scanner which is provided integrally therein in a similar manner are transferred to another facsimile over a telephone line, and this image data is reprocessed and recorded.
As described above, a printer in the prior art, unlike an information output apparatus, such as a copying machine or a facsimile, performs recording on the basis of image data processed by a host apparatus. The image data processed by the host apparatus is input by reading the image data by a scanner or the like.
That is, in the prior art, three apparatuses of a host apparatus, a printer, and a scanner are provided individually, and this arrangement, for the first time, makes it possible to output an image by a printer.
However, since each apparatus is provided individually, it is difficult to use these apparatuses as a single unit in which these apparatuses are integrated, and also it is inconvenient for transportation. In a case where each apparatus is not used in an integrated manner, power consumption is increased.
With respect to such problems, an image reading and recording apparatus has been proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication No. 62-178058, such that a reading scanner is provided in the carriage in which an ink jet recording head is mounted in what is commonly called a serial type printer using the ink jet recording head, and an original document is read as the carriage is moved. Although such an arrangement eliminates the above-described problem that apparatuses are provided individually, it is found that new problems described below may arise due to the fact that the reading scanner shares the ink jet recording head and the carriage.
That is, since the reading scanner is provided closely to the ink jet recording head, there is the risk that ink mist caused as ink is discharged from the ink jet recording head may be deposited on the reading scanner and the electrical system thereof, deteriorating the reading performance.

Image processing apparatus and system having a detachable scanner unit


The present invention provides a light guide body for a microphone that radiates light from a small number of light sources toward a surrounding of a microphone with a uniform quantity of light. The light guide body for the microphone that guides light from one or more light sources which emit light in accordance with operating a state of a microphone unit of the microphone. The light guide body has a plate shape and comprises one or more incident surfaces on which light from the light source is incident, and one or more grooves, each of which includes a reflecting surface that reflects light incident on the incident surface.

As microphones to be used in a place such as a conference hall or a classroom, microphones including a light-emitting part (light emitting diode (LED)) have been used (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-119271). The light-emitting part indicates an operating state of the microphone (states of the microphone such as on/off of its power) to a third party such as a participant of a conference or an operator of the microphone.
A microphone disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-119271 radiates light from an LED to a wide range through a light guide member. Thus, this microphone can indicate an operating state of a microphone unit to a surrounding of the microphone.
The microphone disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-119271 includes one microphone unit, two LEDs, and a C-shaped light guide member. Light from the LEDs is incident into the light guide member from incident parts that are disposed on both ends of the light guide member, being guided within the light guide member. The thickness of the light guide member is configured to be gradually thinner from a part closest to the incident parts toward a part farthest to the incident parts in the light guide member. Thus, light within the light guide member is converged as light becomes farther from the incident parts, and is radiated with a uniform quantity of light from the entire light guide member. As a result, the light guide member indicates the operating state of the microphone unit to the surrounding of the microphone.
In this manner, the technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-119271 enables light from a small number of LED to radiate with a uniform quantity of light (intensity) from the entire light guide member. Thus, this technique exerts the same effect even in a microphone that has limitations in the maximum current value to be applied to a microphone unit and the number of LED such as a condenser-type microphone unit that is driven with phantom power.
Alternatively, as microphones that collect sounds of a conversation among a plurality of speakers by varying directivity, microphones including a plurality of microphone units have been used (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-28603).

Light guide body for microphone, and microphone


A vehicle-supervising electronic control unit (VS-ECU) measures driving torque, which is outputted from an engine to a drive shaft through an automatic transmission. The VS-ECU measures road surface transmission torque based on rotation speeds of driving wheels of a vehicle, vehicle body speed and driving wheel torque, which are measured in advance. The VS-ECU compares the driving torque with the road surface transmission torque. If it is determined that the driving torque is greater than the road surface transmission torque, the VS-ECU estimates an opening degree of an air bypass valve for controlling the driving torque so that a difference between the driving torque and the road surface transmission torque is decreased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control system for controlling an operating state of an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of Related Art
In known structure of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, an air bypass passage is formed so that the air bypass passage bypasses a throttle valve disposed in an intake passage of the engine, and an air bypass valve is disposed in the air bypass passage for regulating a flow rate of air passing through the air bypass passage.
Usually, the above structure is used to stabilize an operating state of the internal combustion engine. A control system disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. S54-159526 increases an opening degree of the air bypass valve when a load applied to the engine increases, for instance, when an air conditioner of a vehicle is operated. Thus, control for stabilizing the operating state of the engine is performed.
The above control system regulates the opening degree of the air bypass valve only for the purpose of stabilizing the operating state of the engine. However, in this case, there is a possibility that driving torque outputted from the engine to a drive shaft through a transmission is fluctuated by the regulation of the opening degree, and vibration of a vehicle body is increased by the fluctuation of the driving torque. The vibration of the vehicle body means vibration of a system (a vehicle body system, a sprung mass) mounted on a vibration system (an unsprung mass) such as driving wheels or driven wheels of the vehicle through suspension springs.

Internal combustion engine control system


A small vocabulary speech recognizer suitable for implementation on a 16-bit fixed-point DSP is described. The input speech xt is sampled at analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 11 and the digital samples are applied to MFCC (Mel-scaled cepstrum coefficients) front end processing 13. For robustness to background noises, PMC (parallel model combination) 15 is integrated. The MFCC and Gaussian mean vectors are applied to PMC 15. The MFCC and PMC provide speech features extracted in noise and this is used to modify the HMMs. The noise adapted HMMs excluding mean vectors are applied to the search procedure to recognize the grammar. A method of computing MFCC comprises the steps of: performing dynamic Q-point computation for the preemphasis, Hamming Window, FFT, complex FFT to power spectrum and Mel scale power spectrum into filter bank steps, a log filter bank step and after the log filter bank step performing fixed Q-point computation. A polynomial fit is used to compute log2 in the log filter bank step. The method of computing PMC comprises the steps of: computing noise MFCC profile, computing cosine transform MFCC into mel-scale filter bank, converting log filter bank into linear filter bank with an exponential wherein to compute exp2 a polynomial fit is used, performing a model combination in the linear filter bank domain; and converting the noise compensated linear filter bank into MFCC by log and inverse cosine transform.

Recently there has been a sharp increase in the use of wireless communication devices, such as mobile phones, in the car. Such dialing while driving situation fits the classic definition of a hands busy, eyes busy task. Speech recognition is a natural and effective solution. Not only convenience, but also safety concerns motivate the use of voice technology in this situation. Other than mobile phones, as PDA (personal digital assistance) devices become smaller, input becomes more difficult. Speech recognition is a natural way to interact with these small devices because button or touch screens are not feasible or too expensive. All those devices are battery powered. Continuous speech recognition is a resource intensive algorithm. Commercial dictation software requires more than 10 M bytes to install on a disk and 32M bytes RAM to run the applications. A typical embedded system can not afford this much RAM because of its high cost and power consumption. It also lacks disk to store the large amount of static data (acoustic models). A 32-bit, floating point CPU with lots of memory is too expensive and drains too much power. Most of these embedded fixed point processor devices use a 16-bit, fixed point CPU with only on chip memory. It is highly desirable to fit a speech recognition algorithm on such a device without performance degradation or sacrificing functionality.
A most challenging condition is to provide this for hands free digit dialing in a highway driving condition.

Implementing a high accuracy continuous speech recognizer on a fixed-point processor


A powder dispensing system is disclosed which is formed from a top dispenser portion coupled to bottom container portion. The top dispenser portion has a dispenser orifice with a cap that is preferably attached to the dispenser through strap element. The top dispenser portion and the bottom container portion are coupled through geometrically matched brim sections with snap features or complementary twisting threads that adjoin the top and the bottom to form a smooth interior dispensing surface. The smooth interior dispensing surface is angled less than 90 degrees relative to the inverted dispensing direction such that a powder is capable of being fully dispensed by inverting the dispenser and without significant collection or retention of the powder on interior surfaces. Preferably, the bottom container portion is substantially cylindrical, transparent and has graduated marks so that the quantity of powder within the dispenser is readily discerned. The interior wall of the dispenser top is preferably gradient with a gradient angle between 30 and 60 degrees so that the powder is funneled to the dispenser orifice with the dispenser in an inverted position. The dispenser is particularly useful for dispensing powdered milk and the orifice is preferably sized to fit into a baby bottle compartment.

The present invention relates to dispensers. More particularly, the present invention relates to powder dispensers.
One of the difficulties with dispensing powder is that the powder being dispensed tends to get caught in the creases, cracks or grooves on the interior surfaces of the dispenser. Also, to powder often collects on the interior surface of the dispenser resulting in incomplete dispensing of the powder. Problems with dispensing powder using conventionally know dispensers is exasperated when the powder is extremely fine, such as in the case of powdered milk or baby formula. As is known, baby formula is sold in a multi-serving container with a dispensing Scoop. Unfortunately, the multi-serving containers are considered too large to conveniently carry around.
FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a prior art powdered milk dispenser 100 with a plurality of dispensing compartments. The prior art powdered milk dispenser 100 has a body section 101 and a top section 107. The top section 107 is configured with a spout 104 and a cap 111. Typically, the art powdered milk dispenser 100 has three compartments 102, 103 and 105, with the third compartment 102 being adjacent to compartments 103 and 105. The compartments 102, 103 and 105 are separated by walls 122, 123 and 125. In use, the spout 104 is aligned over one of the compartments 102, 103 or 105 containing powdered milk. After the spout 104 is aligned over one of the compartments 102, 103 or 105, then the dispenser 100 is placed in an inverted dispensing direction 117 with the cap 111 off of the spout 104 and with the spout 104 over a mouth portion 115 of a baby bottle, as shown in FIG. 1B.
FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the powdered milk dispenser 100 inverted and dispensing powdered milk. Because the interior surfaces of the cap portion 107 are at an angle xcex8 that is approximately 90 degrees relative to the inverted dispensing direction 117, a significant amount of powder residue 114 powder is collected and retained on the interior surfaces of the cap 107. Generally, even knocking the dispenser fails to completely remove all residue 114. This can be problematic, especially for powdered milk, since retention of the powdered milk in humid or moist conditions can lead to spoilage and bacteria formation. Thus, the powdered milk dispenser 100 needs to be thoroughly washed after each use to remove the retained portions of the powdered milk. Because of the numerous compartments and surfaces of the powdered milk dispenser 100, cleaning is laborious. Further, because the width W of the body 101 is wider than a standard baby bottle, the dispenser 100 can not be stored in compartments of a tote-bag or other storage compartments that are designed or sized to hold baby bottles. Yet a further shortcoming of the prior powdered milk dispenser 100, is that the user must properly gauge the rotation of the top section 107 such that the spout 104 is directly over the appropriate compartment 102, 103 or 105. In the event that the spout 104 is positioned between any two of the compartments 102, 103 or 105, inaccurate or incomplete dispensing of the powdered will result.
The current invention is for an improved powder dispensing system. The system has a dispenser body with a dispenser orifice through which powder is dispensed. The dispenser preferably has a cap that removably covers the dispenser orifice by snugly fitting around a lip section of the orifice and is attached to the dispenser body through strap element.
The dispenser orifice is preferably round and between 1 and 3 cm in diameter, such that the lip section of the dispenser orifice fits into a top portion of a baby bottle. The interior surfaces of the dispenser body are smooth and are angled less than 90 degrees relative to the inverted dispensing direction such that a powder is capable of being fully dispensed by inverting the dispenser and without significant collection or retention of the powder on interior surfaces of the dispenser.
Preferably, the dispenser body is formed from a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has the dispenser orifice and a top brim section with a predetermined geometry. Preferably, the predetermined geometry of the top brim section is round. Alternatively, the geometry is square or any other suitable geometry. The bottom portion has a bottom brim section that is geometrically matched with the top brim section, whereby the top brim section and the bottom brim section are capable of being detachably coupled to each other to form a dispenser body with smooth interior dispensing surfaces.
The top brim and the bottom brim section are detachably coupled with pressure snap features, wherein one of the top or the bottom brim fits over the other brim and snaps securely into position. Alternatively, the top brim and the bottom brim are configured with complimentary twist threads and the top portion and the bottom portion of the dispenser are detachably coupled by aligning the top brim section to the bottom brim section and twisting the top and the bottom portions in opposite directions relative to each other.
In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispenser is formed from a plastic or polymer material and the bottom portion is sufficiently transparent such that the quantity of powder within the dispenser is visible. The bottom portion is also preferably cylindrical and the top portion is preferably funnel-shaped. Further, the dispenser is preferably in the range of 5-15 cm tall and 3-7 cm wide. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the powder dispenser is configured to hold 1 to 4 serving of powdered milk, equaling approximately 2 to 8 ounces of liquid formula, and has dimensions such that the dispenser can be readily stored within a compartment sized to hold a baby bottle. Also, the bottom section preferably has graduated marks to indicate the amount of powder that is dispensed.


The invention relates to the genes encoding 3-oxoacyl-[acyl carrier protein(ACP)] reductase (OAR). Compositions and methods for producing polyhydroxyalkanoate in transformed plants and transformed host cells are provided. Such methods find use in producing biodegradable thermoplastics in host cells and plants. Isolated nucleotide molecules, expression cassettes, isolated polypeptides and genetically manipulated host cells, plants, plant tissues, plant cells and seeds are also provided.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters of hydroxyalkanoates which are naturally produced by a large variety of bacteria and fungi. PHAs are biodegradable and renewable, thereby providing an attractive alternative to petroleum-based plastics. However, high production cost has limited the widespread use of PHAs derived from bacterial fermentation. One alternative to reduce cost, production of PHAs in agricultural crops, has been regarded as promising. Small amounts of the PHA have been produced in the cytosol, plastids and peroxisomes of genetically engineered plants. See Poirier (1999) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 10(2):181–5; Madison et al. (1999) Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 63(1):21–53).
PHA synthases catalyze polymerization of hydroxyacyl-CoA substrates into PHA. The substrate specificity of this class of enzymes varies across the spectrum of PHA-producing organisms. The variation in substrate specificity of PHA synthases is supported by indirect evidence observed in heterologous expression studies (Lee et al. (1995) Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 42:901 and Timm et al. (1990) Appl. Microbiol. Biotech. 33:296).
Until recently, the only PHA that has been produced in plants was polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a homopolymer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid (John et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:12768–12773; Nawrath et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:12760–12764; Padgette et al. (1997) Plant Physiol. 114 (Suppl.) 3S; Poirier et al. (1992) Science 256:520–523)). Because this polymer is crystalline and brittle with a melting point too close to its degradation point, PHB is difficult to mold into desirable products (Lee (1996) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 491:1–14).
Many bacteria make copolymers of 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to five (Steinbuchel (1991) Biomaterials: Novel Materials from Biological Materials, ed. Byrom (New York: Macmillan Publishers Ltd.), pp. 123–213). Such copolymers are polyesters composed of different 3-hydroxyalkanoic acid monomers. Depending on the composition, these copolymers can have properties ranging from firm to elastic (Anderson et al. (1990) Microbiol. Rev. 54:450–472; Lee, (1996) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 49:1–14). Unlike the homopolymeric PHB, the PHA copolymers are suitable for a variety of applications because these copolymers exhibit a wide range of physical properties.
Initial attempts at producing PHA in plants involved producing PHA in the cytosol, but production of PHA in this cellular compartment proved toxic to the plant (Poirier et al. (1992) Science 256:520–523). This problem was overcome by targeting the PHA-producing enzymes to plastids (Nawrath et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:12760–12764). In either cellular compartment, however, only PHB was accumulated, not any of the copolymers. With both of these methods, the genes from Ralstonia eutropha were used. The PHA synthase of this bacterium can utilize only short chain (C3–C5) monomers (Steinbuchel (1991) Biomaterials: Novel Materials from Biological Materials, ed. Byrom (New York: Macmillan Publishers Ltd.), pp. 123–213). Later, copolymer production in Arabidopsis and canola was reported by Slater et al. (1999) Nature Biotechnology 17: 1011–1016.
The synthesis of PHA containing 3-hydroxyalkanoic acid monomers ranging from six to sixteen carbons in Arabidopsis thaliana was reported (Mittendorf et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:13397–13402). To accumulate PHA, the Arabidopsis plants were transformed with a nucleotide sequence encoding PHA synthase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa that was modified for peroxisome targeting by the addition of a nucleotide sequence encoding the C-terminal 34 amino acids of a Brassica napus isocitrate lyase. In these plants, PHA was produced in glyoxysomes, leaf-type peroxisomes, and vacuoles. However, PHA production was very low in the Arabidopsis plants, suggesting that either the introduced PHA synthase did not function properly in the intended organelle, or more likely that the necessary substrates for the introduced PHA synthase were present at levels that were limiting for PHA synthesis. While this report demonstrated that PHA can be produced in peroxisomes of plants, the level of PHA produced in the plants was far below levels necessary for the commercial production of PHA in plants. Thus, methods and compositions directed to increasing the level of substrate for PHA synthases are needed for production of PHA in plants.
There are two types of fatty acid synthase (FAS). In type I FAS, various enzyme activities are located on different domains of a multifunctional protein. In type II FAS, these enzyme activities are catalyzed by individual polypeptides. 3-oxoacyl-[acyl carrier protein(ACP)] reductase (OAR) is a component of the type II FAS. This enzyme reversibly reduces β-ketoacyl-ACP, the condensation product of an acetyl residue and a nascent acyl-ACP, to β-hydroxyacyl-ACP. In vitro, OAR also uses 3-ketoacyl-CoA as a substrate to catalyze formation of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA. This use of 3-ketoacyl-CoA is at a lower efficiency than the use of β-ketoacyl-ACP as substrate (Shimakata et al. (1982) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 218(1): 77–91).
NADPH-dependent OAR from Spinacia oleracea has been described to catalyze the forward reaction of reducing β-ketoacyl-ACP, more than seventeen times faster than the reverse dehydrogenation reaction, at neutral or acidic pH. This OAR has also been shown to use only D-3-hydroxybutyryl-ACP as a substrate but not the L-form counterpart.
NADH-dependent forms of OARs have been described from plant species such as castor bean and avocado (Shimakata et al. (1982) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 218(1): 77–91; Caughey et al. (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 123(3): 553–61). Taguchi et al. have shown that over-expression of a bacterial NADPH-dependent OAR increases D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA monomer supply for PHA synthase and leads to accumulation of PHAs in E. coli (Taguchi et al. (1999) Fems. Microbiol. Lett. 176(1): 183–190).
Thus, methods and compositions directed to plant OARs are needed for increasing the level of substrate for PHA synthases, and for production of PHA in plants.

OAR polynucleotides, polypeptides and their use in PHA production in plants


An absorbent article for preventing leakage is presented and includes an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to provide a physical sensation indicating a fullness level of the absorbent assembly, and wherein the physical sensation includes an electrical impulse. Also presented is an absorbent article for providing a wearer with a warning of potential leakage, the article including an absorbent assembly and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent the absorbent assembly, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to impart a physical sensation to the wearer, and wherein the physical sensation includes an electrical impulse.

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles that include a leakage warning element. More specifically, the disclosure relates to an absorbent article such as feminine care products, incontinence products, and training pants that provides the wearer with a noticeable physical sensation when the absorbent article is reaching fullness and prior to potential leakage from the absorbent article.
Absorbent articles such as feminine care products, incontinence products, and training pants are useful to absorb and contain body wastes. These products have developed to the extent that body exudates are quickly drawn and retained away from the wearer's skin so that the wearer remains relatively dry and comfortable. Although this improved performance enhances wearer dryness and comfort, it can reduce the wearer's ability to notice or recognize when the article is becoming full, especially if the wearer's attention is distracted by an activity. In one example, all adult care product wearers, especially women, are very concerned about leakage in public. Some wearers can be so bothered by leakage that if it occurs in a public place, they will avoid that place and situation for the rest of their life. Leakage is therefore absolutely taboo in an adult care product. Similar circumstances can apply to feminine care products and training pants as well.
This application teaches products and methods to sense and inform an absorbent article wearer when leakage is about to occur so that the absorbent article wearer can reliably avoid leakage.

Absorbent article featuring leakage warning


A cap, for safely filling and closing an engine oil tank, in particular of an aircraft engine, has an elongated tubular body for feeding oil into the tank; a removable cover body for closing an end portion of the tubular body; an oil feed valve located close to the end portion of the tubular body and movable between an open position, allowing oil flow into the tank, and a closed position, preventing oil outflow from the tank; a filter upstream from the oil feed valve; a dipstick for measuring the oil level in the tank, and which is housed in the tubular body and carried by the removable cover body; and a monostable valve controlled by the dipstick.

Aircraft engines are known to employ so-called integrated engine oil tanks, i.e. comprising a funnel-shaped body inserted in fluidtight manner inside the tank through an inlet of the tank, and defining an oil feed conduit into the tank; a removable cover body for fluidtight closing one end of the funnel-shaped body; a dipstick housed inside the feed conduit; and a safety valve which prevents oil outflow from the tank along the feed conduit in the absence of the cover body closing the funnel-shaped body.
In known solutions, the safety valve is defined by a spherical body housed inside a bottom end portion of the feed conduit, and movable between a lowered position, allowing oil flow into the tank through the funnel-shaped body, and a raised position, preventing oil outflow along the feed conduit.
Though widely used, known caps of the above type are not altogether satisfactory in terms of performance. In particular, they make filling the tank difficult and slow, do not always allow the desired oil level to be reached inside the tank, and often make it difficult to determine the exact oil level.
This is mainly due to the design of the safety valve, and its location inside the funnel-shaped body. That is, being located at the bottom of the funnel-shaped body, i.e. far below the maximum oil level in the tank, the same safety valve allowing inflow of the oil also prevents air escaping from the tank, and therefore inflow of the oil into the tank, to the extent that the tank may seem full when it actually is not, thus endangering the engine.

Cap for safely filling and closing an engine oil tank, in particular of an aircraft engine


An arrangement includes a differential amplifier pair configured as first and second amplifier branches with first and second input terminals respectively. The first and second amplifier branches are connected at a junction point to a common branch which includes a current source. A control circuit regulates the current of the current source to linearize an input/output characteristic of the amplifier differential pair. The control circuit includes a negative feedback circuit having a comparator, a first input of the comparator being connected to a reference voltage terminal to which an external reference voltage is applied, a second input of the comparator being connected to the amplifier branch junction point and an output of the comparator connected for controlling the current source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a differential amplifier arrangement including a differential pair having comprising two individual amplifier branches with first and second input terminals and connected at a junction point to a common branch which includes a current source, the current of the current source being regulated by a control circuit so as to linearize an input/output characteristic of the differential pair.
2. Background Information
Such a differential amplifier arrangement is already known in the art, e.g. from the book "Analogue IC design: the current-mode approach", edited by C. Tomazou et al, IEEE circuits and systems series 2, 1990, pages 197-202, and more particularly FIG. 5.12 thereof. In this known arrangement a control circuit is used to linearize the input voltage/output current characteristic of the differential pair. This linearization is obtained by keeping the gain or the transconductance (gm) of the amplifier independent of the differential input voltage across the input terminals. To this end the control circuit includes an auxiliary differential pair of NMOS transistors which are controlled by the first and the second input terminals, and in which drain currents are applied in common via a mirror circuit to the gate electrode of a third NMOS transistor included in the common branch and constituting a regulated current source. The source electrodes of the NMOS transistors of the auxiliary differential pair are connected to a common voltage terminal to which a constant DC voltage source needs to be connected.
A problem with this known arrangement is that the control circuit is a feed forward circuit which puts stringent demands on the matching of all the MOS transistors of the arrangement in order to achieve the required linearity. In more detail, the MOS transistors of the individual amplifier branches and these of the auxiliary differential pair have to match perfectly, as well as the PMOS transistors of the mirror circuit and the NMOS transistor of the mirror circuit with the third NMOS transistor. This leads to manufacturing constraints which are difficult to achieve.


Methods and systems for universal, automatic service selection are disclosed. A method for universal, automatic service selection includes receiving signaling messages and identifying signaling connection control part (SCCP) messages from the signaling messages. The SCCP messages are decoded to extract SCCP parameters and application layer parameters from the messages. A routing address translation service is selected for each of the SCCP messages based on application identifiers that identify application layer message types alone or in combination with other parameters. Selecting the routing address translation service in this manner makes the service selection more robust and universally applicable, especially in networks where different or non-standard selector parameters are utilized.

In the modern public switched telephone network (PSTN) and wireless telecommunication networks, an out-of-band common channel signaling (CCS) network is employed to facilitate the setup and tear down of voice and/or data communication sessions between telephone service subscribers. This signaling network is typically referred to as the signaling system 7 (SS7) network. The SS7 network utilizes a number of different signaling messages to perform call setup, call tear down, and database services. These signaling messages include ISDN user part (ISUP) messages for PSTN call setup and tear down, transaction capabilities application part (TCAP) messages for accessing database services, mobile application part (MAP) messages for providing mobile communications services, and signaling connection control part (SCCP) messages for carrying TCAP and MAP messages.
It is often the case within a signaling network that signaling messages require intermediate routing address translation prior to reaching their final destinations. The most common example of such intermediate routing address translation is referred to in the telecommunications industry as global title translation (GTT). GTT is defined in Telcordia Technologies Specification of Signalling System Number 7 Number, GR-246-CORE, Issue 07, Dec. 2, 2002 (hereinafter, "GR-246-CORE"), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As defined in GR-246-CORE, GTT provides network elements, such as wireline and wireless end office nodes (e.g., CLASS 5 switches, mobile switching centers, etc.), with the ability to send SCCP messages, such as SCCP messages carrying 800 number service queries, calling name (CNAM) delivery service queries, home location register (HLR) queries, short message service (SMS) messages, etc., into a signaling network without knowledge of the point code and subsystem number of the network entity that can provide the necessary service. In typical GTT processing, a global title address value is extracted from the SCCP called party address field of a message and is translated into a destination point code and subsystem number.
Within a signaling network, GTT processing may be performed by a service control point (SCP) or by a network routing node, such as a signal transfer point (STP) or Internet-protocol-capable signaling gateway (SG). Given the wide variety of services that may be concurrently supported by a signaling network, routing address translation data and applications may be separated according to service type. For example, one routing address translation application may translate HLR queries, while another routing address translation application may translate CNAM queries. Thus, one problem with performing routing address translations is determining which service or type of routing address translation processing is appropriate and where the appropriate routing address translation service can be obtained. Once again, routing address translation services may be provisioned on SCPs or STPs. In the former case, service selection may include identifying an SS7 point code and subsystem number associated with an SCP node that will perform the routing address translation. In the latter case, service selection may involve identifying a routing address translation data set and the logical or physical location of the translation data set within the network routing node.
In conventional service selection in ANSI networks, an SCCP parameter referred to as translation type (TT) is used to select the block of global title translation data associated with a particular service. For example, one translation type value may indicate a block of data for wireline number portably translations. Another translation type value may indicate the location of global title translation data for calling name translations. Yet another translation type may indicate the location of global title translation data for mobile communications services.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary signaling network 100 where the TT is used to select a routing address translation service. In FIG. 1, signaling network 100 includes a mobile switching center (MSC) 102, an STP 104, a number portability (NP) SCP 106, a CNAM SCP 108, a pair of HLR SCP nodes 110 and 112, and an SMS Center (SMSC) SCP 114. In this example, it is assumed that STP 104 performs routing address translations and that STP 104 has separate blocks of routing address of translation data and/or separate applications to perform routing address translations for number portability service, CNAM service, HLR service, and SMS service.
In FIG. 1, a CNAM query message is originated by MSC 102 and routed to STP 104. STP 104 examines the TT parameter contained in the SCCP portion of the CNAM query message. Based on the TT, STP 104 selects a particular type or set of routing address translation data for use in translating the received signaling message. In this example, STP 104 selects the routing address translation data set for CNAM service. Once a routing address translation data set is selected, STP 104 uses global title address information contained in the message to perform a lookup in the CNAM routing address translation data set and extract the point code and subsystem number of CNAM SCP 108. The message is then routed to CNAM SCP 108 based on the extracted point code and subsystem number. CNAM SCP 108 may then provide calling name service for the query message.
In the network illustrated in FIG. 1, using the TT alone or in combination with other SCCP parameters to select a routing address translation service may work effectively provided that the operator of the network provisions the appropriate TT and other SCCP parameter values in STP 104. However, since some messages that arrive in network 100 may not originate from network 100, such messages may not have the same SCCP service selection parameter values used in network 100 because the service providers in the originating networks may use different SCCP parameter values to identify routing address translation services. In addition, some network operators may ignore one or more of the conventional SCCP parameter values used by other operators to indicate a routing address translation service type. Thus, service selection based solely on SCCP parameters fails to provide a universal service selection solution.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,723 discloses a system for using the TCAP protocol type, i.e., whether the message is ANSI TCAP or ITU TCAP, in order to determine how to process the SCCP portion of the message. The TCAP protocol type is determined by analyzing the first two bits in the TCAP portion of the message. Using the TCAP protocol type to control processing of an SCCP message allows SCCP messages that carry ANSI TCAP messages to be processed differently from SCCP messages that carry ITU TCAP messages. However, the TCAP protocol type does not indicate the application layer message type being carried by the TCAP message. In addition, ITU application layer messages can be carried by ANSI TCAP messages and ANSI application layer messages can be carried by ITU TCAP messages. Thus, selecting SCCP processing based on the TCAP protocol type fails to yield a universally applicable solution for service selection.
Accordingly, there exists a long felt need for improved methods and systems for universal, automatic service selection in a telecommunications signaling network.

Methods and systems for universal, automatic service selection in a telecommunications signaling network


A ring oscillator having an odd number of inverters selectively connected in a ring-like form includes a changing circuit for changing the ring-like connection by selectively returning the output of an arbitrary odd-numbered one of the inverters as the input to the initial-stage inverter. A phase locked loop circuit having this ring oscillator is also formed using this technique.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ring oscillator variable in oscillation frequency and a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit using the ring oscillator.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the process of reproducing digital data recorded on a recording medium, e.g., a magnetic tape or a magneto-optical disk, a reproducing clock for extracting bits (so-called bit clock signal) is required to extract reproduced data from information read out from the recording medium. PLL circuits are generally used for the purpose of generating such a clock synchronized with information read out.
Conventionally, PLL circuits are ordinarily formed as analog circuits. Recently, however, the digitization of processing in PLL circuits has been advanced. Digital PLL circuits are realized by digitizing processing in a phase error detection section, in an error signal filtering processing section and in a clock oscillation circuit section.
However, it has been difficult to form digital PLL circuits because of the difficulty in forming a digital clock oscillation circuit section.
For example, an oscillation circuit is frequently used in which a master clock having a frequency sufficiently higher than that of a reproducing clock is prepared, and in which the master clock is suitably divided to form the reproducing clock. If the frequency of the reproducing clock is higher, the frequency of the master clock must be increased correspondingly. It is considered that the necessary frequency of the master clock is, ordinarily, several times to several tens of times higher than the frequency of the reproducing clock. Therefore, there is a limit to frequencies usable as the frequency of the master clock if the frequency of the reproducing clock is increased. For this reason, it is difficult to form digital PLL circuits.
Under these circumstances, there is a demand for digital oscillators which are oscillators capable of controlling the oscillation frequency by a digital code unlike analog voltage controlled oscillators having an oscillation frequency that is voltage-controlled, and which are capable of obtaining an oscillation output without dividing the master clock frequency.

Variable frequency ring oscillator and phase locked loop circuit to which the ring oscillator is adapted


One embodiment of the invention describes a synchronization signal sending method applied to an unlicensed frequency band. To ensure transmission fairness, a network device performs listen before talk (LBT) before a start time for transmitting a synchronization signal, to determine whether a channel is busy or idle. When the channel is busy, the network device cannot transmit the synchronization signal at the expected start time for transmitting the synchronization signal. Therefore, the network device performs LBT again within a preset time length after the start time, and sends the synchronization signal when determining that the channel is idle by performing LBT again. When the channel is idle, the network device preempts a channel resource, and sends the synchronization signal the expected start time for transmitting the synchronization signal.

Rapid development of wireless communications technologies leads to an increasing shortage of licensed spectrum resources, and promotes exploration on unlicensed frequency bands. In view of this, for 3GPP, a licensed assisted access (LAA) technology is introduced to Release 13 (Release 13, R-13), and an enhanced licensed assisted access (enhanced LAA, eLAA) technology is introduced to Release 14 (Release 14, R-14). Unlicensed spectrum resources are used as far as possible through assistance of a licensed spectrum. In a 5th generation (5G) new radio (NR) system, application of an unlicensed frequency band is still a technical means for meeting a service requirement and improving user experience.
In the unlicensed frequency band, a plurality of communications systems share a frequency band. To ensure fairness, a device that performs transmission in an unlicensed spectrum usually needs to comply with a listen before talk (LBT) rule. To be specific, the device needs to listen on a channel before transmission, and can start transmission only when the channel is idle.
In the 5G NR system, synchronization signals that support a user in cell search are sent by using a combination of a plurality of blocks. To meet a requirement of the LBT rule in a scenario of an unlicensed frequency band, how to send a synchronization signal becomes an urgent problem to be resolved.

Method for sending synchronization signal in unlicensed frequency band, network device, and terminal device


A flexible shaft designed to rotate inside a sheath for transmitting rotary motion can include at least one core wire and winding wired wound around the core wire. The core wire has an elasticity and resilience that are lower than the elasticity and resilience of the winding wires. According to some examples, the core wire can be formed of annealed copper or annealed brass. The winding wires can be formed of steel.

The invention relates to a flexible shaft for transmitting rotary motion, to a rotary motion transmission device including such a flexible shaft, and to an adjustment system for adjusting a motor vehicle seat, which system includes such a device.
Transmission devices are known that comprise a flexible shaft and a sheath inside which the shaft is received. In particular, the flexible shaft can be formed of one or more core wires made of steel and around which winding wires are wound, the winding wires also being made of steel. In such a transmission device, in particular for adjusting a motor vehicle seat, the speeds of rotation of the flexible shaft in the sheath are higher than 2000 revolutions per minute (r.p.m.), and conventionally about 3000 r.p.m. During rotation at such speeds, vibration of small amplitude appears that propagates along the flexible shaft and that give rise to noise. Trials conducted by the Applicant have shown that one of the causes of the appearance of such vibration is that the elasticity and resilience of the steel core wires used to make the flexible shaft are too high. An object of the invention is to mitigate that problem by proposing a flexible shaft whose core wires present elasticity and resilience that are lower while preserving good strength.
The Applicant has observed that the function of the core wire is not to transmit the rotary torque, but rather to serve as a support or strength member for the winding wires. Thus, it is possible to reduce the elasticity and resilience of the core wire while preserving the performance of the flexible shaft. Such performance is preserved by means of the good strength of the core wire. Said strength makes it possible to provide a good support for the steel winding wires that transmit the rotary torque. Thus, the combination of a core wire having low elasticity and of winding wires that are elastic makes it possible to obtain a reduction in the vibration phenomenon and also to preserve the performance of the flexible shaft.
To this end, and in a first aspect, the invention provides a flexible shaft designed to rotate inside a sheath for the purpose of transmitting rotary motion, said shaft comprising at least one core wire and winding wires wound around said core wire, the core wire presenting elasticity and resilience that are lower than the elasticity and resilience of the winding wires. In a second aspect, the invention provides a rotary motion transmission device comprising a sheath and a flexible shaft received inside the sheath, the sheath comprising a core formed of a hollow cylinder whose inside diameter is arranged to enable said shaft to rotate inside said sheath, the flexible shaft being a shaft as described above.
In a third aspect, the invention provides an adjustment system for adjusting a motor vehicle seat, said system comprising at least one adjustment runner mounted on the structure of the vehicle and adjustable means for fastening the seat to said runner(s), said system further comprising a drive motor provided with at least one rotary outlet, said adjustment system further comprising a transmission device as described above and that is disposed between the outlet of said drive motor and said fastening means, so as to move said fastening means along said adjustment runner in response to said outlet rotating.

Flexible shaft whose core yarn elasticity is less than that of wound yarn


Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for telemetrically monitoring parameters within a body of an animal such as a within a urinary bladder of a human. The system includes an implantable device configured for insertion within the body and an external device for use external to the body. The implantable device senses and stores one or more bodily parameters and transmits the stored bodily parameters for receipt by the external device responsive to receipt of a parameter transfer signal. The external device communicates with the implantable device, generates the parameter transfer signal, and receives the bodily parameters transmitted by the implantable device.

The monitoring of bodily parameters within a body, such as fluid pressure in a urinary bladder of a human, is an important tool for medical research and clinical diagnosis. For example, fluid pressure within a urinary bladder is useful in diagnosing the cause of urinary incontinence. Urinary bladder over-activity or urge incontinence is generally due to a urinary bladder that contracts too much or at inappropriate times and, thus, is often associated with elevated fluid pressure levels within the urinary bladder. Stress incontinence, on the other hand, is generally due to a sphincter that does not stay sufficiently closed or opens at inappropriate times and, thus, is often associated with normal fluid pressure levels within the urinary bladder. In order to design an effective treatment strategy, it is critical to evaluate the cause of the incontinence so that therapy can be appropriately directed, for example, towards the urinary bladder or the sphincter. Therefore, systems, apparatus, and methods for measuring bodily parameters within a body of a human are useful.
Typically, to measure fluid pressure within a body, an implantable device is inserted into the body for the purpose of measuring pressure therein. The implantable device obtains fluid pressure measurements and transfers the pressure measurements to an external device for recording and/or display, for example, on a monitor or on paper. In existing devices, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,208 to Abita et. al. entitled TELEMETRIC IN VIVO BLADDER URINE MONITOR SYSTEM and U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,674 to Brockway et al. entitled IMPLANTABLE SENSOR WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION, the implantable device must be within communication distance of the external device in order to capture pressure readings. Accordingly, the mobility of a patient in which the implantable device is inserted is encumbered by the mobility of the external device.
Accordingly, methods, systems, and apparatus are needed to measure bodily parameters such as fluid pressure within a body of an animal that are not subject to the above limitation. The present invention fulfills this need among others.

Implantable telemetric monitoring system, apparatus, and method

Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education


In a technique for copying a multipage document, a document feed roller and a paper feed roller are started when a document to be copied is sensed, so that image information is scanned by a scanner and copied onto sheets of paper. After this operation, a determination is made as to whether or not the next sheet of the multipage document exists. If so, the copying operation continues, but the paper feed roller stops while the document feed roller continues to be driven if the transporting distance is greater than a predetermined distance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a facsimile machine and more particularly, to a technique for copying a multipage document in a facsimile machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, a facsimile machine divides a still image, such as characters, photographs and pictures, into picture elements through scanning, and converts them into electrical signals for the purpose of transmission. In addition to this operation, the facsimile machine performs reception in which the original image transmitted is realized, after receiving the electrical signals transmitted from a long distance. Such a facsimile machine which performs transmission and reception typically has at least a document feed roller for transporting a document, a scanner for scanning image information written on the document transported by the document feed roller, a paper feed roller for transporting sheets of paper for printing the image information read by the scanner, and a CPU for controlling their operations.
Advanced facsjmile machines perform a copying operation as well as transmission and reception so that users may have additional convenient functions. For instance, Korean Utlity Model Application No 95-28546 filed by the Applicant and entitled Motor Driving Apparatus For Facsimile, discloses a facsimile which performs a copying operation as well as transmission and reception. The facsimile machine's document copying procedure is divided into two parts: transporting the document to be copied to the scanning position, and transporting sheets of paper to copy the transported document. These operations can be applied even to the case of copying a multipage document. More specifically, during multipage document copying, the facsimile machine copies the first page of the document, and then controls the gear mode to the transmission mode in order to copy the second page of the document so that the document is transported to the scanning position. After this procedure, the facsimile machine returns the gear mode to the copying mode so that the second page of the document is transported to the copying position to be copied the transported copy paper. Then, the facsimile machine repeats the above-explained operations in order to copy the third page of the document.
Most of the facsimile machines comprising the document feed roller and paper feed roller, including the facsimile machine disclosed in the aforesaid Utility Model Application, take long time to copy a document. This is because of the fact that, during multipage copying, the facsimile machine must transport the document to be copied after the gear mode is switched to the transmission mode from the copying mode, and then the gear mode must be switched to the copying mode for copying. Specifically, during multipage copying, the facsimile machine takes time to switch from the copying mode to transmission mode, time to transport the document in the document transmission mode, and time to switch from the transmission mode to the copying mode. It takes longer time to copy as the number of documents increases.
The following patents each disclose features in common with the present invention but do not teach or suggest the specifically recited technique for copying a multi-page documents in a facsimile machine in accordance with the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,953 to Tazawa et al., entitled Image Input System Having An Auto-Feeder Including Loading Magazine And Discharge Magazine Arranged Side By Side And Method, U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,349 to Miyasaka et al, entitled Printing Device And Recording Paper Control, U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,973 to Harada, entitled Automatic Document Feeder For Photocopier And Facsimile Device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,017 to Knodt et al., entitled Automatic document Imaging Mode Selection System, U.S Pat. No. 5,379,128 to Ishida et al., entitled Document Transport Apparatus And Method, U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,395 to Kang et al., entitled Transmission/Copy Method And Device For A Two-Way Scanning Facsimile, U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,526 to Ju, entitled Method For Controlling Paper-Feeding By Detecting A Starting Point Of Scanning In A Facsimile System, U.S Pat. No. 5,194,970 to Iwanade, entitled Automatic Original Feeding Device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,080 to Hwang, entitled Self Multi-Copy Method In A Facsimile System, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,122 to Sato, entitled Automatic Paper Feed Control Apparatus For A Painting Device.

Multipage document copying technique for facsimile machine


The protein, cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor (CDF), also known as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), is described, together with the use of the polypeptide to stimulate neuron growth and survival in animals either by direct administration or by autotransplantation of adrenal medullary cells converted to the cholinergic phenotype.

The present invention relates generally to the use of certain proteins of known amino acid sequence which stimulate neuron growth and differentiation, and the use of these proteins in animals to influence and mitigate disease states associated with neuron death.
A protein from rat heart that controls the development of neurons has been purified and characterized (Fukada, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:8495, 1985). This protein, secreted into the medium of cultured heart cells, was found to induce cultured sympathetic neurons to synthesize acetylcholine and form cholinergic synapses, while suppressing catecholamine synthesis and noradenergic function. The amino acid sequence of this protein (CDF) was deduced and compared the sequence information to that available on the computer data base for all known proteins. It was discovered that the gene for the mouse version of the protein had been published (Gearing et al., EMBO J. 6:3995, 1987). The protein expressed by this gene, called LIF, for leukemia inhibitory factor, has been disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. 0285448, published May 10, 1988, based an Application No. 88302962.1, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
The LIF protein will also be referred to herein as CDF, and is also known as human macrophage differentiation inducing factor (DIF).
The term "differentiation factor" is used because the protein controls phenotypic choices in these neurons without affecting their survival or growth.
CDF converts adrenal medullary cells to the production of acetylcholine (Doupe et al., J. Neuroscience 5:2119, 1985). This discovery implies that the protein may enhance acetylcholine synthesis in a variety of neurons, including those in the central nervous system when appropriately administered.
The importance of CDF is seen as three-fold. First, this protein can stimulate the growth of neurons. The ability to increase neuron vitality and to inhibit neuron death is of great importance in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Secondly, it can be injected into the circulation or the central nervous system to alter the chemical balance of inhibitory versus excitatory nerves. The traditional method of doing this is to use pharmacological agents that block neurotransmitter receptors, or the enzymes that break down transmitters. CDF can be used to alter transmitters by changing the rate at which they are synthesized, by enhancing the rates of transcription of the messages for specific enzymes that synthesize transmitters. The transmitter balance in the case of sympathetic neurons is acetylcholine (which slows the heart beat) versus catecholamines (which speed the heart beat). In the central nervous system, acetylcholine is a transmitter of great interest in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease and ALS, the loss of this transmitter being one of the cardinal signs of these diseases.
Thirdly, the ability of CDF to convert adrenal medullary cells to acetylcholine production may be beneficial in providing a source of acetylcholine producing cells for autotransplantation to the brain as an alternative procedure for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other disease states associated with acetylcholine deficiency. There are a number of advantages in using a patient's own tissue for grafts. Autografts alleviate the need for immunosuppression, and the ethical, legal and availability problems associated with the use of fetal tissue are avoided. In addition, adrenal autografts with Parkinsonism have yielded a number of positive results. Thus, CDF is of potential medical benefit, and it is believed that the present invention represents a significant advance in the art.

Stimulation of nerve growth and/or vitality


This invention relates to a new and distinct winter planted short-day-type variety of strawberry known as `PS-1150`. This new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California with the ability to remain in fruit production from April through November. It is particularly characterized by its medium-small sized, smooth, uniformly shaped fruit. The fruit is very attractive, highly glossy, with excellent shipping qualities. The plant is strong and moderately vigorous with fruit and flowers visible above the canopy of the plant much of the year.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct short-day-type strawberry variety designated as `PS-1150`. This new variety is a result of a cross of `PSI-118`, now referred to as `PS-118` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,205) and `PSI-308` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,346). The variety is botanically known as F..times.ananassa Duch.


A method for controlling a system for presenting to an audience images on a primary display or displays that incorporates a auxiliary monitor. The auxiliary monitor may be used in a variety of ways to assist in the presentation of information on the primary display. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contains a hand-held display control including an array of key switches providing control of the main monitor and an auxiliary monitor allowing the operator to view any one of several options. These options include a duplicate of the image being displayed on the main monitor, the next image to be displayed on the main monitor, any other image available from the image generator, a list of the images available from the image generator, and notes associated with each image or with the entire presentation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to display control devices such as remote controls, and, more particularly to display control devices incorporating an auxiliary monitor to provide the operator controlling the main presentation system with private access to slide previews and slide information.
2. Prior Art
Previous display control devices, such as remote controls for slide projectors or computer-generated electronic displays, provide the operator with an array of control functions such as slide number selection, processing direction of slide presentation, etc. The control functions of the prior art controls range from a limited number of fixed controls to a freely programmable remote control. However, these prior art control devices do not provide the operator with the ability to preview an image before it is displayed to the audience. Furthermore, the operator is unable to view other information applicable to the presentation. While such information provides the operator with necessary facts and details concerning a particular slide or sequence of slides, often the information is not suited for audience consumption.
Both of these features, that is, the ability to preview the slide and privately access information from the main system, greatly enhance the utility of a remote control by placing less reliance on the operator's memory. Additionally, the ability to preview and have information on a readable liquid crystal display allows the operator to give a coherent, professional presentation without unnecessary paper shuffling or loss of information.
The present invention provides these desirable features by incorporating an auxiliary monitor within the remote control. This provides the operator with private access to information from the presentation system.

Display control device incorporating an auxiliary display


A method may include obtaining, from a user device, a request to access a control system among various control systems. The method may further include determining whether a user associated with the user device is authorized to access the control system based on user information associated with the user in a database. The method may further include generating, in response to determining that the user is authorized, a user code associated with a predetermined time period for accessing the control system. The method may further include transmitting the user code to the user device and the control system. The user code may authenticate a user session between the user device and the control system. The method further includes transmitting, in response to the predetermined time period expiring, a command that terminates the user session between the control system by the user device.

Electronic security typically involves multiple security layers to protect sensitive and important applications from unauthorized parties. In particular, multi-factor authentication may be performed in which a computer user is granted access to a website or application only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence to an authentication mechanism. For example, this evidence may correspond to knowledge that only the user knows, something in a user's possession that only the user has, and/or a user's inherence that only the user is.

Method and system for managing workstation authentication


An apparatus for ascertaining, and/or monitoring, volume-or mass-flow of a medium flowing through a pipeline in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pipeline. The apparatus includes: at least one ultrasonic sensor, which radiates/receives ultrasonic measuring signals at an angle of incidence/emergence into/out-of the pipeline; and a control/evaluation unit which provides, based on the ultrasonic measuring signals, information concerning volume- and/or mass-flow of the medium through the pipeline. The ultrasonic sensor includes at least one sound-producing element, a coupling shoe and a coupling adapter. The end region of the coupling adapter facing the coupling shoe has a securement mechanism for releasable securement of the coupling adapter to the coupling shoe. The end region of the coupling adapter facing the pipeline is embodied as a function of the pipeline in such a manner that it is form-fittingly securable to the pipeline.

Such a device includes: at least one ultrasonic sensor, which radiates into, or receives from, the pipeline ultrasonic measuring signals at angles of incidence and emergence, respectively; and a control/evaluation unit, which ascertains, on the basis of the ultrasonic measuring signals, volume- and/or mass-flow of the medium through the pipeline.
Ultrasonic flow measuring devices of the above-described kind are used often in process- and automation-technology. They make possible contactless ascertainment of volume- and/or mass-flow of a medium in a pipeline. Clamp-on flow measuring devices working according to the travel-time difference method are described, for example, in EP 0 686 255 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,478, or U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,593. Also, clamp-on flow measuring devices are available from Endress + Hauser under the mark, PROSONIC FLOW.
In the travel-time difference method, the different travel-times of ultrasonic measuring signals in the direction of flow, and opposite to the direction of flow, of the medium are evaluated. From the travel-time difference of the ultrasonic measuring signals, the flow velocity, and, therewith, in the case of known diameter of the pipeline, the volume flow, e.g. volume flow rate, and, in the case of known, or measured, density of the medium, the mass flow, e.g. mass flow rate, are ascertained.
When using the Doppler principle, ultrasonic measuring signals of predetermined frequency are coupled into the flowing medium, and, upon being reflected in the medium, are evaluated. On the basis of a frequency shift arising between the inwardly radiated, ultrasonic measuring signal and the reflected, ultrasonic measuring signal, then the flow velocity of the medium, or the volume- and/or mass-flow, can be ascertained.
Use of flow measuring devices working according to the Doppler principle is only possible, when air bubbles or impurities are present in the liquid medium, so that the ultrasonic measuring signals can be reflected thereon. Thus, use of such ultrasonic flow measuring devices is quite strongly limited, in comparison to ultrasonic flow measuring devices working e.g. according to the travel-time difference principle.
In the case of ultrasonic flow measuring devices working according to the travel-time difference method, the Doppler method, or the cross correlation method, the ultrasonic measuring signals are coupled at a predetermined angle into and out of the pipeline, or measuring tube, in which the flowing medium is located. In order to achieve an optimal impedance matching and, therewith, optimal in- and out-coupling, the ultrasonic measuring signals are coupled into and out of the pipeline or measuring tube via a coupling shoe, or coupling wedge. Principle component of an ultrasonic sensor is at least one piezoelectric element, which produces and/or receives the ultrasonic measuring signals in a defined frequency range.
The ultrasonic measuring signals produced in a piezoelectric element are guided via a coupling wedge, or coupling shoe, and via the tube, or pipe, wall, into the fluid medium. The medium is either a liquid or a gas. Since velocity of sound varies relatively strongly from medium to medium, refraction of the ultrasonic measuring signals is experienced at the interface between two different media. The particular angle of refraction can be calculated from Snell's law, according to which the angle of refraction depends on the ratio of the propagation velocities of the two, mutually bordering media.
In- and out-coupling of the ultrasonic measuring signals is especially problematic, when the pipeline is manufactured of metal and a gaseous medium is flowing in the pipeline. Since the acoustic impedance of a metal and a gas usually differ by an order of magnitude, a large part of the ultrasonic measuring signals are reflected back at the interface, both in the case of the in-coupling and in the case of the out-coupling. The back-reflected fraction is so large, that no reliable flow measurement is possible with a conventional ultrasonic sensor. If, then, yet other sources of error arise, which relate, for example, to the installation and mounting or to changes of environmental conditions, then a conventional ultrasonic flow measuring device is unsuitable for the particular application.
Clamp-on ultrasonic sensors for ultrasonic flow measuring devices require, for the in- and out-coupling of the ultrasonic measuring signals, a direct contact with the pipeline. Especially, no additional interface of gas, or air, must be located between the ultrasonic sensor and the pipeline. The in/out coupled power is, at comparable power density, greater, the greater the contact surface between the ultrasonic sensor and the pipeline. For improving the efficiency of in- or out-coupled power transmission, it is known to match the contact surface of the ultrasonic sensor to the surface of the pipeline, or to provide paste, or plastic, coupling media between the ultrasonic sensor and the pipeline. Solutions involving suitable plastic films placed between the ultrasonic sensor and the pipeline likewise belong to the state of the art.
As already mentioned, in the case of pipelines having smaller nominal diameters, or small outer diameters, only a fraction of the ultrasonic measuring signals available for in- or out-coupling are actually in- or out-coupled, when the contact surface between ultrasonic sensor and pipeline is flat. If a curved contact surface matched to the pipeline is used, then the ultrasonic measuring signals are, it is true, in- and out-coupled with a higher efficiency, but then the ultrasonic sensor is, because of the special design, only optimally fitted for the particular nominal diameter, or particular outer diameter, of the pipeline. This means that, for each nominal diameter, or each outer diameter, of pipeline, a specially fitted ultrasonic sensor must be constructed.

Flow monitoring apparatus having an ultrasonic sensor with a coupling adapter having securing mechanism


A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display has a plurality of pixels and includes a first substrate, a second substrate that is opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer that is interposed between the first and second substrates. A phase retardation of the liquid crystal layer ranges from about 420 nm to about 500 nm.

(a) Technical Field
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display with a reduced power consumption.
(b) Discussion of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display includes two display panels provided with field generating electrodes and a liquid crystal disposed between the two panels. The field generating electrodes may include a plurality of pixel electrodes and a common electrode. Voltages are applied to the field generating electrodes to generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer. The electric field determines the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer. These molecular orientations in turn determine the transmittance of light passing through the liquid crystal layer, thereby displaying an image by controlling the polarization of incident light.
In such a liquid crystal display, an image signal for a primary color such as red, green, and blue is input from an external graphics source. A signal controller of the liquid crystal display properly processes the image signal and then supplies the processed signal to a data driver consisting of integrated circuits (ICs). The data driver selects an analog gray voltage which corresponds to the applied image signal to be applied to a liquid crystal panel assembly.
The power consumption of liquid crystal displays can be reduced in several ways, including, for example, by increasing the aperture ratio, by using a high efficiency backlight, by increasing the driving voltage, and by increasing the phase retardation of the liquid crystal. However, typically if the phase retardation of the liquid crystal is increased, when the liquid crystal display represents a white gray, a yellowish phenomenon may occur where the screen appears yellow.
Thus, there is a need for a liquid crystal display which uses less power by increasing the phase retardation of its liquid crystal, but also does not suffer from the yellowish phenomenon.


A downsized chip antenna having a large bandwidth ratio is disclosed. The chip antenna has a rectangular prism-shaped base member providing a mounting surface. A conductor is formed inside the base member in such a manner that it is spirally wound around a winding axis, for example, a winding axis parallel to the mounting surface, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the base member. One end of the conductor is extended to a surface of the base member to form a feeding section, which is connected to a feeding terminal, disposed over the surfaces of the base member to apply voltage to the conductor. In one embodiment, the other end of the conductor is connected to a midway portion of the conductor within the base member, thereby forming a loop in said conductor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to chip antennas and, more particularly, to chip antennas for use in mobile communications and local area networks (LAN).
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to a side view of a known type of chip antenna shown in FIG. 11, a chip antenna generally indicated by 50 includes: a rectangular-prism-shaped insulator 51 formed by laminating insulating layers (not shown) made from insulating powder, such as alumina or steatite; a silvermade or silver-palladium-made conductor 52 formed in a coil-like shape inside the insulator 51; a magnetic member 53 made from magnetic powder, such as ferrite powder, and formed inside the insulator 51 and the coil-shaped conductor 52; and external connecting terminals 54a and 54b. The connecting terminals 54a and 54b are attached to the ends of a lead (not shown) of the conductor 52 and baked after the insulator 51 has been fired. The chip antenna 50 is thus constructed in such a manner that the coil-shaped conductor 52 is wound around the magnetic member 53, and both the elements are encapsulated by the insulator 51.
The following problem is, however, encountered by the above conventional type of chip antenna. That is, the bandwidth ratio is disadvantageously decreased when this chip antenna is downsized.


Provided is an authentication apparatus that, in case of showing an inputted password as an unrecognizable state, shows it a recognizable state with maintaining confidentiality according to operation by a user. The password inputted by the user is shown on a password input area as the unrecognizable state, such as “*.” While a password peripheral region is pushed by the user along with a password input area, a control part changes the password from the unrecognizable state, where a displaying condition of the password shown on password viewing area being hidden by “*,” into the recognizable state, and the inputted password itself are shown.

The present disclosure relates to the authentication apparatus showing inputted password unrecognizable.
In the case of pass word authentication, there are some apparatus does not show an inputted password a state as it is by a viewpoint of security.
On the other hand, since a user cannot check what has actually been inputted as a password when showing a password unrecognizable, the user cannot notice an input mistake or the like. Therefore, in case that showing the inputted password unrecognizable, the technology of making the input mistake of a password easy to notice is proposed.
For example, a technology showing a password with a symbol different, respectively is proposed by the case where the same key is inputted continuously, and the case in which a former key and a different key are inputted. A technology is proposed, which shows a password that is not hidden with sign in same state on user's movable, and that shows the password hidden with sign on an image forming apparatus, when a password is inputted via the operation part of the image forming apparatus.

Authentication apparatus showing inputted password unrecognizable