A method and system for governing resources in a computing utility receives a demand profile associated with an application that identifies the resources required from a pool of resources during one or more demand cycles, admits an application to the computing utility facility if resources required for the application can be provided from the pool of resources in accordance with the demand profile and associated one or more demand cycles and assigns available resources from the pool of resources in response to a request from the application admitted to the computing utility facility.

The present invention relates to utility computing. In a utility computing environment, utilization is improved by increasing the availability of servers and other computing resources to more people and their applications. Instead of sitting idle for a single application, these resources are used to execute programs for many users. Information technology infrastructure costs are reduced as computer resources are not purchased to only solve a single complex task for a department or division in a company. Instead utility computing allows the computer resources to be used by many different people during both peak periods and periods otherwise considered off-peak. Properly implemented, utility computing reduces the need for more resources as existing resources can be shared.
Utilization efficiency in the utility computing facility depends to a large extent on governing access to the pools of resources associated with the utility computing facility. It also depends on the ability of the system to accommodate the application demand and usage requirements in the future. Unfortunately, existing conventional systems have not been able to properly monitor or anticipate access to these pools of resources and deal with the relatively complex demand patterns that may be present in an enterprise or organization.
A number of conventional solutions only assure users and applications that a "best effort" will be made to allocate certain computing resources. The best effort approach does not allow for higher assurances if the customers are interested in higher availability of resources.
Other solutions allow customers to make monetary bids on computing utilities thereby indicating a desired quality of service or service assurance when using the resources. These systems are often driven by service level agreements or SLAs with higher paying customers receiving higher levels of service and resources. It remains unclear, however, what quality of service customers entering lower monetary bids are provided given the focus on this higher paying customer base.
Yet other utility computing solutions gauge access to pools of resources based upon transaction response times for different applications. The systems managing resources in this manner are complicated. They tie quality of service to the responsiveness of a particular application rather than the overall responsiveness of resources in the computing utility.
As companies cut costs in information technology budgets, there is parallel demand to improve the information technology infrastructure for people to work more efficiently. Large server farms and clusters of computers can be used to improve the utilization of computing resources in an enterprise or company if utility computing is deployed effectively. Indeed, for infrequently run applications, the conventional utility computing environments previously described may seem useful as they operate on a very predictable schedule.
Unfortunately, implementing utility computing for business applications that are critical to the operation of a company is a much more difficult task. These business applications are generally very different in nature and have non-uniform computing needs. If a computing utility is unable to provide the necessary resources, business processes may not be performed resulting not only in delayed productivity but reduced business transactions and lost revenue. Improved controls for computing utility environments are needed to run business and engineering applications with less scheduling and even higher level of assurances.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

Method and system for governing access to computing utilities

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention relates to a particle or pharmaceutical composition comprising one, more particles or a suspension of same or different particles comprising a degradable compound and an alpha emitting radionuclide and/or a radionuclide generating alpha emitting daughter. The particles are beneficial for use in the treatment of cancer.

Beta-emitting radiocolloids and microparticles were used for several years with some success against peritoneal ascites and microscopic tumor seeds. However, late effects and morbidity due to intestinal toxicity have made these treatments obsolete and chemotherapy has become the standard adjuvant therapy in e.g. ovarian cancer.
There still exists a considerable medical need for new modalities against intracavitary cancer.
Alpha emitters have previously been proposed as a treatment for intraperitoneal cancer. Two types of chemical classes have been proposed, (1) radioimmunoconjugates and (2) micro- or nano-sized particular suspensions. The advantage with the radioimmunoconjugates is the potential for cell specific targeting and the disadvantage is the substantial leakage of product into the bloodstream causing potential systemic toxicity.
The advantage with micro/nano particles and colloids is the potential for improved local retention reducing distant toxicity. On the down side is the potential for in-homogenous dose deposition and radiation hot spots and also whether the particle itself can cause irritation because of inertness to degradation etc.
If microparticles and/or nanoparticles are to be used the choice is if they should be completely stable or slowly degradable.
By using completely stable particles the advantages include low risk of systemic toxicity. Disadvantages include potentially more heterogenous radiation dose distribution and some risk of local toxicity from "hot spots". Stable radiotherapeutic particles have been used for radioembolization using the high energetic beta emitter 90Y stably labeled to non-degradable glass spheres (TheraSphere™) or resin based spheres (SIR-Spheres™) for treating primary tumors and metastases to the liver. The liver tissue will in this instance shield against toxic radiation to intestines etc.
A second approach would be to use degradable particles slowly releasing some of the radionuclides: Possible advantages includes a more homogenous radiation dose distribution due to improved diffusion of mother nuclides and or short lived daughter nuclides and less tendency for "hot spots" causing local toxicity. Possible disadvantages include potential for systemic toxicity due to possible transport of released radionuclide into the blood and further redistribution. Degradable particles are mostly used for other cytotoxic compounds like chemotherapeutics and not for radionuclides at the moment.
Thus there is a need for an improved delivery system for alpha particle radiation against intracavitary cancers.

Radiotherapeutic particles and suspensions


Novel bicyclic condensed pyrimidine compounds having general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X is --CH.sub.2 --, --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --, --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --S--(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- in which n is zero or 1; A is a 4,5-fused imidazole ring N-substituted by R.sub.3 which is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or benzyl, or A is a 2,3-fused pyridine ring C-substituted by R.sub.4 which is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, halogen or NR.sub.5 R.sub.6 in which each of R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 independently is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; B is a bicyclic ring chosen from tetralin, indane and 2-oxindole; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano or CF.sub.3 ; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to new bicyclic condensed pyrimidine compounds, to a process for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use as therapeutic agents, in particular as tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
2. Description of the Background
EP-A-0414386 discloses 4-substituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds which are plant fungicides, miticides and insecticides.
WO 90/09178 discloses 6,9-disubstituted purine compounds useful in adenosine-mediated lipolysis, cardiovascular diseases and broncodilatation.


A fluxgate sensor includes a magnetic core including CoNbZr, an excitation coil, and a magnetic field sensing coil. The fluxgate sensor can use CoNbZr. A low coercivity and high magnetic permeability can be obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a fluxgate sensor and a fabrication method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fluxgate sensor using a CoNbZr magnetic core, and a fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A fluxgate sensor can detect magnetic energy that is insensible directly by human sensory organs. Such a magnetism sensor has a broad application in various fields such as airplanes, location awareness systems for ship and vehicle, motion detection in virtual space, terrestrial magnetism compensation and bleeding color correction of HDTV, and magnetoencephalography and magnetocardiography using medical instruments.
A micro fluxgate sensor is mainly composed of a magnetic core which is wound with two coils. One coil, an excitation coil, is used to produce a magnetic field which saturates the magnetic core. The other coil, a detection coil or a magnetic field sensing coil, is used to detect changes in the magnetic flux in the core. A basic sensing principle of a fluxgate sensor lies in a non-linear characteristic, i.e., saturation characteristic of the magnetic core. When a magnetic field is generated by supplying sufficient alternating current to the excitation coil, magnetic flux density in the magnetic core is saturated periodically. At this time, when an external magnetic field, which is to be measured, is applied, the magnetic flux density in the magnetic core changes and the magnetic field sensing coil measures intensity of the external magnetic field by measuring the change of the magnetic flux density in the core.
Coercivity is the intensity of the applied magnetic field required to reduce the magnetization of a magentic material to zero after the magnetization of the material has been driven to saturation. For a fluxgate sensor, it is advantageous to have a low cocercivity. Permalloy has been used as a material of a core of fluxgate sensors because it has a high magnetic permeability and low coercivity. The permalloy refers to a nickel iron magnetic alloy such as Fe—Ni alloy, Fe—Ni—Mo alloy, and the like.

Fluxgate sensor having conbzr magnetic core and fabrication method thereof


A process for refining a raw sugar, particularly raw sugar from the sugar cane sugar industry, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:. (a) remelting of the raw sugar for obtaining a raw sugar syrup, PA1 (b) carbonatation or phosphatation of said raw sugar syrup, and PA1 (c) tangential microfiltration and/or tangential ultrafiltration of the raw sugar syrup, which has been subjected to carbonatation or phosphatation. PA1 (d) decolorization of the sugar syrup resulting from step (c), and PA1 (e) crystallization and/or demineralization of the sugar syrup resulting from step (d).. The process is completed by the steps of:

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for refining a raw sugar, particularly raw sugar from the sugar cane sugar industry.
2. Description of Art
Such known processes comprise first a refining of the raw sugar which usually consists in washing the latter with the run-off of the last crystallisation of high-grade products which dissolves the surface film of crystals which is the most charged with coloring agents. A refined sugar and a refining run-off generally containing approximately 80-85% by weight of dry matter, which is essentially composed of sugar, are thus obtained. Said run-off is then subjected to several crystallisations in the low-grade product line to obtain a raw sugar (which will be remelted with the refined sugar) and molasses. Since the concentrated refining run-off has a high coloring agent content, the crystallisation operations require very long crystallisation times and consequently make the crystallisation equipment unavailable for other operations during an appreciable period. As concerns the refined sugar (high-grade products), it is subjected to an additional purification comprising the steps of remelting, carbonatation (treatment using calcium oxide or lime milk and carbon dioxide) or phosphatation (treatment using calcium oxide or lime milk and phosphoric acid), front filtration or clarification, decolorization and crystallisation.
It thus will be seen that, in the aggregate, these known processes are unsatisfactory economically, essentially because of the tedious nature and high cost of the refining run-off crystallisation operations and production of low-grade products (raw sugar and colored molasses) at the end of said run-off purification.

Process for refining a raw sugar, particulary raw sugar from the sugar cane sugar industry


There is disclosed a photographic device that uses an image sensor and an electronic viewfinder. When a release button is pressed halfway, an aperture value, an electronic shutter speed and a photosensitivity are decided based on the present subject brightness to provide a proper exposure value for photographing a still image. So long as the release button is kept being pressed halfway, a timing generator drives the image sensor to shoot video images at a frame rate of 20 Hz, and the aperture value decided for still image photography is fixed, whereas the electronic shutter speed and the photosensitivity are adjusted according to the subject brightness by use of an aperture-priority type video program. When the release button is pressed to the full, an exposure for a still image is done with the fixed aperture value.

Digital cameras have been widely used, wherein subjects are photographed through an imaging device such as a CCD image sensor. The digital camera shoots video images, and displays a slew of video images on a liquid crystal display that serves as an electronic viewfinder. In response to a release button being pressed, the digital camera photographs a still image and records data of the photographed still image on a recording medium like a memory card. There are such digital cameras that can record video image data.
In such a digital camera, the image sensor is exposed and read out generally at a frame rate or shooting frequency of 30 Hz, i.e. 30 frames per second, in synchronism with the recording and displaying of the video images. Meanwhile, there are two kinds of frequencies of commercial power source in Japan: 60 Hz and 50 Hz. Being powered with the 60 Hz commercial power source, a fluorescent light will blink 120 times per second. With the 50 Hz commercial power source, the fluorescent light will blink 100 times per second. Under these periodically blinking fluorescent lights, especially those activated with the 50 Hz commercial power source, so-called flicker occur in photography with the digital camera. The flicker is a phenomenon that brings variations in photographic lightness, and is caused where the frame rate of the image sensor using the 50 Hz commercial power source does not have any common multiple to the blinking cycle of the fluorescent lights.
To prevent the flicker on shooting video images of low-brightness subjects which are illuminated with fluorescent lights, especially the fluorescent lights activated with the 50 Hz commercial power source, the conventional digital camera uses a charging time of the image sensor, i.e. a shutter speed of an electronic shutter, hereinafter called the electronic shutter speed, that is set at 1/50 sec. or 1/100 sec. whenever possible, while an aperture value is adjusted to obtain a proper exposure value.
As described above, unless the release button is pressed down, the digital camera shoots video images through the image sensor so as to display a slew of images of the shot subjects on the LCD. The photographer frames a photographic field while observing the images on the LCD, and presses down the release button to photograph a still image. When the release button is pressed halfway, the digital camera carries out an automatic exposure (AE) process for deciding a aperture value and an electronic shutter speed for photographing a still image, and an automatic focusing (AF) process for focusing a taking lens onto the aimed subject. After the AE and AF processes are completed, the digital camera shoots video images again through the image sensor, to display a slew of images on the LCD. Thus, the LCD serves as an electronic viewfinder.
Upon the release button being fully pressed down, the digital still camera makes a freeze process to display a still image of the currently shot subject on the LCD, and then switches over the aperture value to a value predetermined in the AE process. Thereafter the digital camera makes a preparation operation for setting up a timing generator in order to drive the image sensor at a timing and an electronic shutter speed, which are determined for still image photography, as well as for setting up the timing generator with an actuation timing of a mechanical shutter. After the completion of this preparation operation, the image sensor is exposed to photograph a still image.
In some digital camera, a timing generator for outputting a variety of drive signals for driving the image sensor is set up to raise frequency of vertical synchronizing signals when the release button is fully pressed down, wherein the vertical synchronizing signals serve as a reference for the operation timing. As being loaded with parameters for deciding driving timings of the image sensor and other components, the timing generator makes the loaded parameters effective when the vertical synchronizing signal is generated first after the loading, and drives the image sensor and other components on the basis of these parameters from a frame period after the completion of setting. Therefore, raising the frequency of the vertical synchronizing signals reduces the delay from the completion of setting with respect to the still image photography through the image sensor.
As described above, since the conventional digital cameras starts many processing upon the release button being pressed to the full, there is a certain time lag to the actual start of exposure. As a known technique for minimizing the release time lag, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. Hei 2-185173 suggests controlling driving the image sensor by a timing generator so as to start charging of the image sensor for photographing a frame of still image in synchronism with an external trigger signal, although the charging conventionally starts after several electronic shutter pulses are given at the start of exposure for the still image photography.
One of factors that enlarge the release time lag is an operation to change the aperture value at the moment when the release button is fully pressed down. However, in order to shoot video images at such an aperture value that is adapted to the still image photography prior to the full press of the release button, the shutter speed must be changed in accordance with varying subject brightness. So it becomes impossible to keep the electronic shutter speed at a value preventive against the flicker.
In addition to that, although the method disclosed in the above prior art is effective for reducing the release time lag, this prior method needs a specific timing generator, and cannot be embodied with a general timing generator.
Since the conventional digital camera validates content set in the timing generator in synchronism with the vertical synchronizing signal, there is a delay from the shutter release to the actual start of an exposure for photographing a still image. As described above, the delay, a factor for the release time lag, can be reduced by raising the frequency of the vertical synchronizing signal. But because there is a limit in the available range of frequency of the vertical synchronizing signal, this method cannot sufficiently reduce the delay and the release time lag.

Photographic device and control method therefor


A triggered optical receiver includes a single-ended or double-ended detector for detecting the optical signal and responsively transmitting a corresponding electrical signal to a first stage amplifier. The first stage amplifier output is transmitted to a triggered circuit having an input/output voltage hysteresis characteristic for identifying whether the amplified signal is a logic low or high. The hysteresis characteristic minimizes the effect of input noise and supply noise on the output. The width of the hysteresis loop may be selectively controlled to balance the sensitivity of the circuit against its noise tolerance characteristics.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optical receiver circuits which include a triggered inverter stage for use in circuits having a noisy supply voltage. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a triggered receiver circuit that can be used on a dense optoelectronic-VLSI circuit which combines analog optoelectronic I/O devices with high-density digital logic circuits on the same integrated circuit substrate.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical receivers have the task of first converting the analog intensity-modulated optical energy emerging from the end of a fiber or other optical signal carrier into a digital electrical signal, and then amplifying the electrical signal to suitable logic voltage levels for further processing on the integrated circuit chip. To accomplish their functions, optical receivers generally include a photodetector, an amplifier, and signal processing circuitry. Electrical currents generated by the photodetector of the receiver are typically very weak and are therefore adversely affected by random noise on the input signal as well as in the power supply. This is especially true when the optical receiver is mounted close to a digital CMOS circuit which is a significant source of digital noise and crosstalk.
The optical signal experiences many obstacles which may corrupt its original form, such as attenuation and distortion in the optical fiber, photodetector noise in the photodetector and supply noise such as voltage pulses and amplifier noise in the amplifier.
Transimpedance amplifiers, which have a transimpedance feedback element, were developed to provide optical receivers with good sensitivity and dynamic range. A typical input output relationship of a transimpedance amplifier is shown in FIG. 1a, with the vertical portion of the relationship showing the switching threshold. Transimpedance receivers, which include a transimpedance amplifier, are typically biased very close to the switching threshold of the transinpedance amplifier. In a differential two-beam operation, the receiver is actually biased at the midpoint of the switching threshold of the transimpedance amplifier, allowing the receiver to be sensitive to small changes in the input voltage and hence be sensitive to the small amounts of photocurrent (the weak signal) operatively generated by the light detector. The output of the transimpedance amplifier is transmitted to further gain stages which amplify the detector output to low and high logic output levels.
This conventional design is well suited for low-noise systems or for small arrays, but lacks an adequate tolerance to variations in the supply voltage, i.e. supply noise, which may be associated with ground and power lines of high density VLSI circuits due to the simultaneous switching noise, ground bounce and cross-talk from the digital part of the circuit. This noise may be transmitted to the input lines and power supply lines of the receiver and cause the detection of erroneous or spurious signals by the receiver. Since the supply noise is amplified with the weak electrical signal generated by the photodetector, relatively small amounts of input and supply noise can easily corrupt the signal. And inasmuch as the addition of circuitry and related current draws on an already crowded circuit would only add to the problem to be avoided, it would be advantageous to be able to control the deleterious effects of supply noise in the receiver using the least possible amount of additional circuitry and power consumption.

Triggered receivers for optoelectronic-VLSI circuits


A simulated computer includes a plurality of images, including at least one character image and a plurality of activity images, and user-operable keys for selecting one of the images, a selected one of the activity images being illuminated to indicate the selected activity. A sound chip simulates talk by a character represented by the character image, the character image being illuminated during simulated talk by the character. User-operable keys are provided for selecting a simulated computer function. A microprocessor performs a sequence of simulated computer play, including a plurality of sequential events, the sequence of play commencing at an event responsive to the selected computer function.

The present invention relates to a simulated computer, and more particularly to a simulated talking laptop computer having user-operable selecting means.
In a conventional computer, the user has the option of selecting an activity or topic (for example, stock market reports, weather forecasts, and the like) and obtaining, via the computer, a response which is specific to the selected activity or topic. A simulated computer should offer the same option.
In addition, while a simulated computer cannot offer the entire sequence of events which may occur during use of a conventional computer, it should be able to provide a sequence of simulated computer play including a plurality of sequential events. Even a child-user will quickly realize that the computer is only a simulation if the sequence of simulated computer play always includes the exact same plurality of sequential events, regardless of the input provided by the user. A simulated computer should, at the very least, perform a sequence of simulated computer play which commences at an event responsive to some user input.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simulated computer, especially a simulated talking laptop computer, including user-operable selection means.
Another object is to provide such a simulated computer including means for performing a sequence of simulated computer play including a plurality of sequential events, with the sequence of play commencing at an event responsive to the user-operable selection means.


A high resolution, multi-layer resist for use in microlithography and a method is disclosed. The resist consists of a planarized layer deposited onto a substrate and an active layer, consisting of arsenic sulfide and silver is deposited onto the planarized layer. Irradiation with light, or other source of irradiation causes the silver to ionically diffuse into the arsenic sulfide, thereby creating a non-phase separate ternary chalcogenide glass. Removal of either the reacted or unreacted ternary compound will provide a positive or negative mask which may be used in subsequent processing or left as an intermetal dielectric as part of the underlying circuitry.

The present invention relates generally to resist materials employed in the manufacture of integrated circuits and microcomponents. More particularly, the present invention relates to a high resolution, multi-layer resist for use in microlithography for the formation of microelectronic circuits.
The rapid movement toward higher levels of integration in monolithic circuits has been made possible by increased component packing densities and smaller geometries within the devices and circuits. These advances are due principally as a result of advances in lithographic techniques and in resist technology, however limitations in the resists have become the resolution limiting factor.
The minimum feature size is determined by the combination of the capabilities of the system optics and the contrast value of the photoresist. The photoresist contrast values for conventional optical resists are actually quite poor. Theoretical resolution of a typical lithography system must be two or more times greater than the feature size being defined. Thus, the equipment is theoretically capable of resolving features which are finer than those currently achieved. This characteristic suggests that current systems may be used to achieve higher resolution if higher contrast resists were available.
The difficulties in achieving higher resolution may be met by providing thinner resist coatings. However, thinner coatings typically cannot withstand subsequent processing. Thin organic films produced by spin casting are prone to pin holes, which are remedied b compromising thickness. Conventional organic resists are developed with wet developers which often causes resist swelling which, in turn, causes resolution loss, bridging of adjacent features and snaking of narrow lines. Moreover, with wet development schemes, desired materials will not readily dissolve into small spaces due to surface tension exclusion effects.
The problems of the current lithographic techniques are not met solely with higher resolution capabilities. Higher numerical aperture (NA) lenses may provide better resolution, but also result in decreased depth of focus and decreased field size. Reduced depth of focus is a serious deficiency when the systems are employed in modern integrated circuits having multiple levels of metalization. These types of circuits tend to have relatively large changes in surface elevation which may cause some regions to be out of focus. Additionally, conventional spin-on techniques tend to deposit a layer having varying thickness which is thinner at the edges of raised features. These thinner resist areas are then prone to overexposure and a change in line width occurs at the steps between the raised feature and its adjacent depression. The current tri-level resist schemes help to solve these problems but are non-ideal due to the complexity of the deposition and development processes. Tri-layer schemes also employ conventional organic photoresists and will, therefore, suffer from many of the aforementioned problems related to these materials.
With conventional photoresists, reflections from the substrate may create standing waves which reduce photo speed and create an uneven exposure in the resist. If the underlying layer is highly reflective, incident light is reflected laterally into the resist where the layer passes over steps. This leads to a change of line width at the steps known as "reflective notching".
Thus, the resist systems currently employed in microlithographic techniques suffer from a variety of problems which may be met by providing a high contrast resist system which can be dry developed, a resist material which is self-planarizing to avoid focus problems and which facilitates deposition of a uniformly thick photoactive layer, and which has a light absorbing photoactive region at the surface to guard against reflective notching. Additionally, the deficiencies of the current multi-layer resists dictate their solution by a new multi-layer resist scheme having enhanced high resolution capability and which will exhibit utility using a wide range of exposure methods including without limitation, light, x-ray, laser, ion beam and electron beam systems.

High resolution, multi-layer resist for microlithography and method therefor


Cardiac defibrillation or cardioversion waveform energy control systems employ transvenous ICDs, subcutaneous SICDs, or pacemakers for treating cardiac conditions. The systems comprise differentially driven amplifier circuit operational modes to control the delivery of pacing, anti-tachycardia pacing, defibrillation, and/or cardioversion electrical shocks, wherein the pacing, anti-tachycardia pacing, and shock waveforms employ constant current, constant voltage, or constant energy. Biphasic arbitrary shock waveforms deliver increasing energy with increasing time as represented by phase 1 ascending ramp, ascending exponential, ascending chopped, ascending stepped, ascending curved, square, or rectilinear and/or any combination of geometric shaped ascending arbitrary waveforms or any BTE waveform.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a cause of cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. During VF, the ventricular muscle contracts in a much less organized pattern than during normal sinus rhythm, so the ventricles fail to pump blood into the arteries and systemic circulation. VF is a sudden, lethal arrhythmia responsible for many deaths in the Western world, mostly brought on by ischemic heart disease. VF, which occurs in approximately 2 out of 10,000 people per year, is a medical emergency. If the arrhythmia continues for more than a few seconds, blood circulation will cease as evidenced by lack of pulse, blood pressure and respiration, and death will occur.
Despite much work, the underlying nature of VF is not completely understood. Most episodes of VF occur in diseased hearts, but other episodes occur in structurally normal hearts. Much work still has to be done to understand the mechanisms of VF.
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a tachyarrhythmia originating from an ectopic ventricular region, characterized by a rate typically greater than 100 beats per minute and wide QRS complexes. VT may be monomorphic, i.e., originating from a single repeating pathway with identical QRS complexes, or polymorphic, i.e., following changing pathways, with varying QRS complexes. Non-sustained VT is defined as an episode of tachycardia of less than 30 seconds duration; longer runs are considered sustained VT.
No absolute ECG criteria exist for establishing the presence of VT. However, several factors suggest VT, including the following: rate greater than 100 beats per minute (usually 150-200), wide QRS complexes (>120 ms), presence of AV dissociation, and fusion beats, which are integrated into the VT complex.
VT may develop without hemodynamic deterioration. Nevertheless, it often causes severe hemodynamic compromise and may deteriorate rapidly into VF. Therefore, this tachyarrhythmia also must be addressed swiftly to avoid morbidity or mortality.
VT is defined as three or more beats of ventricular origin in succession at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute. There are no normal-looking QRS complexes. The rhythm is usually regular, but on occasion it may be modestly irregular. The arrhythmia may be either well-tolerated or associated with grave, life-threatening hemodynamic compromise. The hemodynamic consequences of VT depend largely on the presence or absence or myocardial dysfunction (such as might result from ischemia or infarction) and on the rate of VT. AV dissociation usually is present, which means that the sinus node is depolarizing the atria in a normal manner at a rate either equal to, or slower than, the ventricular rate. Thus, sinus P waves sometimes can be recognized between QRS complexes. They bear no fixed relation to the QRS complexes unless the atrial and ventricular rates happen to be equal. Conduction from atria to ventricles is usually prevented because the AV node or ventricular conduction system is refractory due to ventricular depolarizations caused by the VT. VT is uncommon in the absence of apparent heart disease.
Myocardial infarcts heal by forming scar tissue, which can lead to VT. This can occur days, months, or years after the infarction. VT can also result from anti-arrhythmic medications (an undesired effect) or from altered blood chemistries (such as low potassium or magnesium levels), pH (acid-base) changes, or insufficient oxygenation.
Fast atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial tachycardia (AT) are abnormal heart rhythms which afflict around three million people each year in the United States. The most prevalent electrical manifestation of the disease electrically is a preponderance of irregular AF wavelets of activation. These irregular AF wavelets are frequently generated in the pulmonary veins (PVs) and are conducted into the left atrium and then the right atrium, causing chaotic and rapid activation that interferes with the normal sino-atrial and atrio-ventricular (SA/AV) node cardiac electrical pathways and generates rapid, irregular ventricular contractions. These irregular AF wavelets can be in the form of AF or atrial flutters, typical and atypical, which may vary in terms of severity and rate. AF makes the ventricular response so irregular and fast that it interferes with normal blood flow through the heart chambers, can lead to severe structural heart disease, and can be life-threatening if not treated effectively. While the irregular rate of ventricular contraction during AF and AT may compromise cardiac output and cause fatigue, much of the increased mortality associated with AF is due to clot formation resulting from poor circulation in the atria that embolizes to cause stroke, renal infarcts, etc. Persistent AF over weeks or months is particularly dangerous.
A procedure to treat AF or AT is DC cardioversion shock therapy to convert AF/flutter to sinus rhythm. This is an excellent conversion tool; however, unless the underlying cause of the AF is resolved, it most likely will recur. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have been used for conversion of AF; however, since the patient is conscious when the shock is delivered, many individuals find the discomfort of the shock intolerable.
Modern ICDs operate basically by using a high voltage capacitor discharge which consists of four IGBT or MOSFET saturated switches in an H-bridge configuration which produces biphasic truncated exponential (BTE) waveforms. This consists of a phase 1 positive pulse and a phase 2 negative pulse that makes up the BTE waveform. There are only a few manufacturers of ICDs in the world, and the BTE waveform may vary between brands. However, this would be relative to peak voltage for phase 1, the tilt angle or decay of the capacitor discharge, and the pulse-width variability of phase 1 and phase 2. The anode lead is generally inserted in the RV at the apex or most distal end of the RV heart chamber. The cathode is generally the "Hot Can" which is the ICD case.
The more sophisticated of these technologies sample the impedance as the fast leading edge of phase 1 shock is delivered through the heart. Based on the impedance calculated from the initial phase 1 shock, the microprocessor within the ICD adjusts the phase 1 pulse width which minimizes the tilt or rate of decay or discharge from the capacitors. In other words, in the depolarization phase, total pulse width is adjusted in an attempt to maintain the tilt angle of phase 1 by narrowing the pulse width to maintain as much constant energy delivery as possible.
In phase 2, known as the hyperpolarization phase, the pulse is generated by truncating or fast switching from one pair of IGBTs to the second pair which switches the remaining energy stored in the capacitor(s) negative with respect to the zero voltage crossing point. The remaining energy is delivered and usually presented by an appearance of having approximately one half the peak voltage of phase 1 and is conducting until the manufacturer decides a pre-determined pulse width time period which is adequate for hyper-polarization of the ventricular cardiac syncytium. The appearance will also present a positive tilt angle based on the decay rate of the remaining energy stored within the capacitors. Some stored voltage and energy may be remaining on the capacitor(s). Anode and cathode are swapped electrically when the voltage and current change direction between phase 1 and phase 2.
Different manufacturers have made their own calculations and their own determinations regarding phase 1 and phase 2 peak voltages and time periods.
In sum, the only dynamic, "real time" adjustments that can be made on-the-fly during a cardioversion or defibrillation shock is the ability to (1) measure the impedance of the cardiac muscle, and (2) change the phase 1 and phase 2 pulse widths in an attempt to adjust and hold up the tilt angle, particularly of phase 1, to statistically most effectively and reliably cardiovert and/or defibrillate. BTE waveforms contain a fast leading edge rise time from zero to about +600 VDC to +800 VDC. However, the remainder phase 1 and 2 waveforms are descending in nature, that is, they deliver decreasing energy with increasing time.
All of the conditions described above can be treated by defibrillation, including external defibrillation or cardioversion. There is a need for devices for delivering more appropriate waveform shocks and for improved waveform management systems.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (SICD), and waveform energy control systems


A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.

Computer generated virtual environments are increasingly popular methods for people, both real and automated, to interact within a networked system. The creation of virtualized worlds, three dimensional or otherwise, is well known. Simple text based adventures such as "Zork", early "first person shooter" games such as "Doom", and ultimately numerous highly complex environments such as "Halo" are well known in the art. Various on-line environments are known in which a 3-D physical world (actual or fantasy) is simulated. Environments of this type are sometimes referred to as "virtual reality" or "virtual reality universe" (VRU) environments.
In known VRU environments, an actual or fantasy universe is simulated within a computer memory. Multiple players may participate in the environment through a computer network, such as a local area network or a wide area network. Each player selects an "avatar," which may comprise a three-dimensional figure of a man, woman, or other being, to represent them in the VRU environment. Players send inputs to a VRU engine to move their avatars around the VRU environment, and are able to cause interaction between their avatars and objects in the VRU. For example, a player's avatar may interact with an automated entity or person, simulated static objects, or avatars operated by other players.
The VRU may take the form of at least one area or environment which is a virtual-reality three-dimensional map existing in a computer memory, consisting of elements that may include but are not limited to representations of rooms, outdoor areas, exotic environments, objects, people, animals, robots, avatars, robot avatars, time elements, additional spatial elements, and activities. Users establish a presence in the VRU by creating or using an avatar, which is a three-dimensional representative of the user in the VRU, and which can be navigated by the user operating a remote client computer around various environments in the VRU. A view or views of the VRU are displayed to the user using a computer display and user interface software of the client as known in the art. Each user provides input commands to a computer controlling the VRU using an input device connected to a local node or client, which is in turn connected to the networked computer system. The VRU is shared by all players and participants, using elements from the common memory.
The computer system is used to control the action of the avatars in response to client input. For example, avatars may be limited to simply observing the environment or area. But usually, avatars can interact with some or all of: other avatars, objects, the environment (e.g., walls, floors, roads, lakes, etc.), and automated or robotic avatars within at least one environment. Interactions by one avatar with any other avatar, object, the environment or automated or robotic avatars may result in outcomes that may effect or can be otherwise observed or experienced by other avatars, objects, the environment, and automated or robotic avatars within the at least one environment of the VRU.
Typically, within VRU environments, when the client stops providing commands to direct the actions of the chosen avatar, the avatar ceases all affirmative action. In some environments, the avatar simply ceases all motion and movement. In other environments, the graphical representation of the avatar is pre-programmed to mimic an action a person might perform while waiting, such as tapping a foot or pacing. In some VRU environments, the avatar might continue to mimic the waiting action indefinitely. In others, following a predetermined amount of time for the inactivity, the VRU environment will automatically log the client out of the environment, making the avatar appear to suddenly vanish when viewed by other users within the environment.

Time-dependent client inactivity indicia in a multi-user animation environment


Apparatus for controlling an electrical device by remote control including a control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having an actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device and a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna for adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to control information in a radio frequency signal. The transmitter/receiver receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna and transmits a status radio frequency signal with information regarding the status of the electrical device. A master control unit has at least one actuator and status indicator and a transmitter/receiver for transmitting a radio frequency signal having the control information therein to control the status of the electrical device and for receiving the status information from the control device. The status indicator indicates the status of the electrical device in response to the status information. A repeater receives the radio frequency signal from the master unit and transmits the control information to the control device and receives the status information from the control device and transmits it to the master unit.

The present invention relates to the control of electrical devices, and in particular, electric lamps, from remote locations. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to the control of electrical devices such as electric lamps from remote locations through communication links, e.g., radio frequency links. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for controlling electrical devices from remote locations over, for example, radio frequency links and which dispenses with any need to alter the internal wiring of the electrical system, i.e., the internal wiring of a building.
The present invention provides a system for controlling the status of electrical devices, for example, electric lamps, from a remote location via communication links such as radio frequency links, power line carrier links or infrared links. The present invention allows the status of the electrical devices, e.g., on, off and intensity level, to be transmitted back to a master location. The present invention may employ at least one repeater to help ensure reliable communications between the control devices for the electrical devices, for example, specially adapted lighting control devices in accordance with the invention, and at least one master unit. In the preferred embodiment, the master unit generates a radio frequency signal which is transmitted to and received by either or both a control device, such as a light dimmer, and a repeater, which is provided also to relay the control signals to the control device. The repeater is important in the case where the control device is unable to receive the control signals directly from the master unit. The control device then actuates the electrical device to the desired status, returning a radio frequency signal via an antenna to the master unit or to the master unit via the repeater indicating the true status of the electrical device.
In another embodiment, the invention uses power line carrier signals to communicate from master unit to control device and radio frequency signals to communicate from control device to master unit, optionally via a repeater.
In yet another embodiment, the invention uses an RF to power line carrier bridge. RF control signals are transmitted from a master unit to the bridge and converted to PLC signals for receipt by the control devices. The control devices transmit status RF signals to the bridge for conversion to PLC signals for receipt by the master unit.
Although the present invention is directed particularly to a lighting control system, the present invention can be applied to the communication of signals relating to the control and status of other devices, for example, communication equipment, motors, security systems, computers, audio/visual systems, appliances, HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) systems, etc.
The present invention preferably includes one or more lighting control devices which each include an antenna and a control and communications circuit which activates a controllably conductive device contained within the lighting control device. A controllably conductive device may comprise, e.g. a semiconductor device such as a TRIAC, bipolar transistor, FET, IGBT, etc. or a switch or relay or any other device whose conductive state can be controlled. The lighting control device can also be manually actuable. The lighting control device, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, includes an RF antenna, a transmitter/receiver and a control circuit for processing signals received from a master unit and for communicating status information to the master unit.
The lighting control device preferably fits into a standard electrical wall box, and the antenna which comprises a part of the control device is sized so as to fit within the standard electrical wallbox or at least within the area defined by the faceplate for the opening of a standard electrical wall box.
According to the invention, the master units can take several forms. In one embodiment, the master unit comprises a table top master which can plug into an electrical outlet, and has a conventional antenna for transmitting and receiving signals. In another form, the master is a wall mount master and is sized such that it fits within the confines of a standard electrical wall box. In either embodiment, the master unit preferably includes a plurality of controls, each associated with a particular electrical control device or a plurality of electrical control devices. As will be explained herein, the association of the electrical control devices to a particular control on the master unit is freely programmable by the user. Further, the master unit may include functions which allow all electrical control devices to be turned on or off simultaneously. In addition, the present invention can include at least one repeater, which helps to ensure that all signals communicated between master and control devices are received by the appropriate receiver, whether the master or the electrical control device. The repeaters employ a repeater sequence for helping to ensure that each receiver receives those signals intended for it.
There are various systems known in the prior art which allow for remote control of electric lamps without hard wiring control lines to the lighting control devices.
In one prior art system, a user can install a so-called three-way electrical switch, i.e., an additional light control switch, into an existing hard wired single control system by replacing an existing manually operated lighting control device with a lighting control device having a radio frequency receiver incorporated therein. The replacement lighting control device is hard wired into the electrical system in the same way as the conventional device to control the lamp in a lighting fixture. The radio frequency receiver is responsive to radio frequency signals generated by a remote battery powered switching device having a transmitter which can be conveniently affixed to a building wall at another location, thereby to provide the three-way switch circuit. The additional battery powered lighting control device has a manually operated lever, which when operated, sends an RF signal to the other electrical control device which is hard wired into the building's electrical system. The hard wired device will then toggle in response from its present state to the opposite state, i.e., from on to off or off to on. Thus, either switching device, the hard wired replacement or the battery powered device, can operate the lamp. Accordingly, a three-way electrical switch can be provided into an existing electrical system without hard wiring the three-way switch into the system. In this prior art system, having the battery powered transmitting switch and the hard wired switch including the receiver, the hard wired receiving switch includes a whip antenna made from a piece of insulated wire which may be allowed to dangle out of the electrical box either outside the building wall or inside the wall. The receiver in the hard wired switch allows only one way communication i.e., it receives signals from the battery powered transmitting switch. Two-way communication between the hard wired switch and the transmitting switch is not provided. A system of this type is sold by Heath Zenith as the Reflex switch. Another device of this type, which instead employs a hand-held remote control to provide a three way switching function, is manufactured by Dimango.
In another prior art system an existing hard wired manually operated lighting control device is replaced with a lighting control device having a radio frequency receiver incorporated therein. The replacement lighting control device is hard wired into the electrical system in the same way as the conventional device to control the lamp in a lighting fixture. The radio frequency receiver is responsive to radio frequency signals generated by a remote battery powered control device having a transmitter which can be conveniently affixed to a building wall at another location. The battery powered control device has switches to enable the selection of four different light levels. The switches when operated cause an RF signal to be sent to the electrical control device which is hard wired into the building's electrical system. The hard wired device responds to the RF signals by adjusting its output to cause the lamp to operate at one of four different predetermined light levels. In addition to responding to RF signals, the hard wired device can also operate in response to the actuation of manually actuated switches incorporated within it. Two way communication between the hard wired device and the battery powered control device is not provided. A system of this type is sold by Leviton as the Anywhere switch.
In another prior art system, known as the X10 system, standard lighting control devices are replaced by lighting control devices operating via a power line carrier (PLC) communication system, i.e., information for operating the lighting control devices is provided over the building existing power line by a power line carrier (PLC). In addition, in some of these systems, an RF communications link is also provided so that a hand held remote control master device can be used to operate the various lighting fixtures. In these systems, an RF repeater may also be provided. In the X10 system, only one way communication is provided so that a master unit is not apprised by a lighting control device of the status of the controlled light fixtures. Also, the user is unable to tell if the command sent by the master was carried out by the lighting control device due to poor communication links caused by noise, burned out light bulbs, etc.
In the X10 system, a radio frequency to PLC bridge is provided to convert radio frequency signals into power line carrier (PLC) communication signals. The RF to PLC bridge plugs into an existing wall outlet and provides the PLC carrier onto the electrical power line to be received by controlled lighting control devices. Typically, the RF to PLC bridge comprises a box which is plugged into an existing wall or electrical outlet and has an antenna for receiving signals from the master controller or a repeater.
In addition to the X10 system, there are also known two-way communications links for providing, in general, home automation. These include the Electronic Industries Association Consumer Electronics Bus (CEBus) (EIAIS-60) protocols for radio frequency media, power line carrier, infrared media and twisted pair media, and the Echelon Corporation LONworks. Intellon Corp. provides transceivers that comply with the CEBus standards for RF and power line carrier. Echelon provides transceivers that comply with their communications protocol. Although these systems in general provide communications links which can be adapted to consumer and home use, none of them provide for the integrated system for controlling electrical devices as described herein.
In addition to the above, a system known as the Smart House supplied by Smart House LP is also available. This system comprises a wired system and, accordingly, would entail expensive alteration and dislocation if applied to the control of electrical devices, particularly lighting in a home.
In addition to the above, the assignee of the present application offers systems known as HomeWorks, NetWorks and LuMaster which are hard-wired control systems controlling lighting devices. Although these systems are suitable for new construction, they entail major alteration and dislocation when applied to existing homes.
Also becoming available are wireless local area networks (LANs) for computer systems, which employ radio frequency communication methods ensuring that all nodes of the network can communicate with each other. See, for example, Electronic Design, Jun. 26, 1995, page 55.

Method and apparatus for controlling and determining the status of electrical devices from remote locations


Improved magnetic rotor assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic rotor assembly includes two or more rotor disks. The rotor disks may each contain corresponding sets of permanent magnets, which may be circumferentially disposed around the disks. The disks may then positioned near one another such that the disks are magnetically coupled. In certain instances, the N-poles of the permanent magnets may face one another. In other instances, the S-poles of the permanent magnets may face one another.

Mechanical machines transform and/or transfer energy through the use of fixed and moving components interposed between the source of power and the load or work to be done. The result is a kinematic chain of linkages, couplings, gears, and other such mechanical interfaces that are prone to frictional energy loss in the form of heat and sound. These and other such dissipative forces can significantly reduce a system's efficiency, which is typically expressed as the ratio of power output to power input.
While various types of low-friction couplings have been developed over the years, such designs are unsatisfactory in a number of respects. For example, magnetic "gears" have been developed that feature an array of strong permanent magnets disposed circumferentially at regular angular intervals around their perimeters. Such mechanical couplings have been successful in providing gear-like movement with little or no friction; however, their use of a simple, single layer of magnets has proven non-optimal with respect to providing a strong, slip-free rotational coupling between elements at high rotational speeds and torques.
Accordingly, systems and methods are needed that overcome these and other limitations of the prior art. For example, there is a long-felt need for highly efficient, frictionless rotational couplings that can operate under high power conditions.

Systems and methods for magnetic rotational coupling devices


The invention provides a computer with refrigeration. The computer has a housing, a processor, a refrigeration loop and a fan. The processor is located within the housing at a location distant from an air inlet into the housing. The refrigeration loop includes a compressor, a condenser, and expansion valve and an evaporator located in line one after the other. The evaporator is near the air inlet. The fan causes movement of air through the housing. The air passes over the evaporator to cool the air and the processor is primarily cooled by the air.

1). Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a computer utilizing refrigeration for cooling.
2). Discussion of Related Art
Computers include processors, chipsets, and other components that generate large amounts of heat and for that reason have to be cooled. A heat sink is usually attached to a processor. Air is blown through a housing of the computer to cool the heat sink which includes a plurality of fins from which heat can be convected to the air.
The temperatures that are generated in personal computers are reaching levels which cannot be controlled by normal forced air convection. Larger computers such as centralized servers generate even more heat and therefore require even more cooling than personal computers.

Computer utilizing refrigeration for cooling


Disclosed is an authentication mechanism that provides much of the security of heavyweight authentication mechanisms, but with lower administrative and communicative overhead while at the same time not being limited to a 64-bit limit on the length of a cryptographic hash value. Removal of this limitation is achieved by increasing the cost of both address generation and brute-force attacks by the same parameterized factor while keeping the cost of address use and verification constant. The address owner computes two hash values using its public key and other parameters. The first hash value is used by the owner to derive its network address. The purpose of the second hash is to artificially increase that computational complexity of generating new addresses and, consequently, the cost of brute-force attacks. As another measure against brute-force attacks, the routing prefix (i.e., the non-node selectable portion) of the address is included in the first hash input.

Authentication is an important issue in many types of network communications. Many messages are meaningful only if the recipient can verify the identity of the sender. In some cases, the recipient associates a particular characteristic with a sender's identity. When a message is received that is known to come from that sender, the recipient refers to the characteristic in deciding what action to take. For example, a company employee associates the characteristic "authority to issue certain orders" with the company's president. Upon receiving the message "Take tomorrow off," the employee treats the message with more respect if the message is known to come from the company president than if it came from an anonymous person. In another example, the recipient associates the characteristic "truth in reporting" with the identity of certain news outlets but not with other news outlets nor with the populace in general. Even if a message is received from a sender for whom the recipient has no pre-established association, the sender's identity may be meaningful in linking multiple messages together. For example, a police department receiving the message "False alarm: I'm not being robbed after all" would presumably accept the message at face value only if it could verify that the sender was indeed the same person who sent the earlier "Help! I'm being robbed!" message.
In network communications, an often used form of identity is the network address used by a device to identify itself on the network. Messages are typically tagged with this form of identity, which can be used by a recipient to address a message in response. However, a nefarious party may easily send a message with a deceptive sender's address. Without an authentication mechanism verifying that the sender's network address contained in the message is actually the originating address, this form of identity is vulnerable to fraudulent misrepresentation.
In addition to sending unauthentic messages, a nefarious party may try to prevent other parties from communicating with each other. This type of threat is called denial-of-service. There are many types of denial-of-service attacks against communication systems. In computer networks, one particular type of denial-of-service attack is one where the attacker prevents a network node from obtaining a network address. More generally, in any system where an identifier or identity authentication is a pre-requisite for participation in the system, an attacker may try to prevent the participants from obtaining suitable identifiers.
Protocols address the problem of fraudulent misrepresentation and denial-of-service by implementing authentication services. The recipient of a message uses the authentication services to verify the identity of the sender of the message. The recipient then takes action based on the characteristics associated with the sender's identity. Formerly, a perceived difficulty in implementing authentication was that some of the authentication services provided their security by means of quite complicated mechanisms. They came at a heavy perceived price in terms of a significant investment in administrative and communicative overhead. Several earlier proposals focused on easing this administrative burden. For example, cryptographically generated addresses (CGAs)-IPv6 addresses where some of the address bits, usually the 64-bit interface identifier, are created from a cryptographic hash of the address owner's public key—offer an advantage in that no third parties or additional infrastructure, such as a public-key infrastructure (PKI), is needed to verify signatures. Any IPv6 node capable of basic cryptographic operations could generate a CGA address locally, and only the address and the public key were needed for verifying the signatures. Though initially promising, earlier contemplated CGA proposals present a major security weakness inherent in the 64-bit limit on the hash length.

Methods and systems for authenticating messages


The invention relates to a water-dispersible or water-soluble compound having the structure I ##STR1## wherein, R.sup.1,R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are, independently, hydrogen or methyl, and R.sup.4 is--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, wherein n is from 10 to 100, wherein compound I is the substantially pure D-enantiomer. The invention further relates to a water-dispersible or water-soluble compound having the structure II ##STR2## wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are, independently, hydrogen or methyl, or the salt thereof, wherein compound II is the substantially pure D-enantiomer. The invention further relates to methods for making the tocotrienol compounds of the present invention.

D-Tocotrienols possess a number of properties that can aid in the treatment of various human diseases. In particular, D-gamma-tocotrienol is reported to have several beneficial physiological effects in humans. D-gamma-tocotrienol is a substance that occurs naturally at low levels in many plant tissues (see Bauernfield in "Vitamin E, A Comprehensive Treatise," ed. L. Machlin, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1980, pp. 99-167). D-gamma-tocotrienol possesses antitumor activity (see Kato et al., J. Jpn. Oil Chemists Soc. 34, pp. 375, 1985; Komiyama et al., Chem. Pharm, Bull. 37, pp. 1369, 1989), antihypercholesterolemic activity (see Qureshi et al., Am. J Clin. Nutr. 53, pp. 1021S, 1991; Watkins et al., Lipids 28, pp. 1113, 1993; Tan et al., Am. J Clin. Nutr. 53, pp. 1027S, 1991; Parker et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268, pp. 11230, 1993; European Patent Application No. 90119040.5, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,992), and antioxidant activity (see Yamaoka et al., J. Am. Oil Chemists Soc. 68, pp. 114, 1991). Thus, D-tocotrienols are useful as pharmaceutical materials and as nutritional supplements.
One problem associated with naturally-occurring D-tocotrienols is their poor solubility or insolubility in water. The poor solubility in water limits the ability of D-tocotrienols to be admixed with other components in an aqueous media. The poor solubility of tocotrienols also limits their usefulness for parental injection. The prior art does not disclose a method for overcoming this problem. Thus, one object of the present invention is to increase the water-solubility of D-tocotrienols.
The prior art discloses the preparation of water-soluble tocopherol compounds. U.S. Pat. No. 2,680,749 to Cawley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,078 to Robeson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,021 to Rudnic et al.; and International Publication No. WO 95/31217 to Sonne disclose polyethoxylated succinate esters of tocopherol. These references, however, do not disclose the preparation of polyethoxylated succinate esters of tocotrienols, particularly of D-tocotrienols.
The prior art also discloses the synthesis of succinate esters of tocotrienols (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,974 to Wright et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,647 to Perricone; European Patent Publication No. 0571928 A1 to Pearce; European Patent Publication No. 0669132 A1 to Liqui; Japanese Patent Application No. 61060619; and Goh et al., J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc., 67, pp 250-254, 1990). These references, however, do not disclose polyethoxylating the tocotrienol succinate esters. Additionally, these references only disclose the preparation of succinate esters of racemic mixtures of tocotrienols and not the D-enantiomer.
Korean Patent Application No. 9507722 B to Ha et al. discloses a composition for skin detergent possessing protective properties against UV light. The composition contains polyethoxylated tocopherols or tocotrienols and its ester thereof. These compounds are not a feature of the present invention. Moreover, there is no disclosure in Ha et al. for preparing the succinate ester of D-tocotrienols.
In light of the above, it would be very desirable to produce water-dispersible D-tocotrienol compounds that can be used as pharmaceutical materials and nutritional supplements.

Water-dispersible or water-soluble D-tocotrienol compounds and methods for making therefor


Provided herein are trispecific antigen-binding proteins comprising a domain binding to CD3, a half-life extension domain, and a domain binding to a target antigen. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions thereof, as well as nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such trispecific antigen-binding proteins. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed trispecific antigen-binding proteins in the prevention, and/or treatment diseases, conditions and disorders.

The selective destruction of an individual cell or a specific cell type is often desirable in a variety of clinical settings. For example, it is a primary goal of cancer therapy to specifically destroy tumor cells, while leaving healthy cells and tissues intact and undamaged. One such method is by inducing an immune response against the tumor, to make immune effector cells such as natural killer (NK) cells or cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) attack and destroy tumor cells.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Trispecific binding proteins and methods of use


A system comprising an amplifier for amplifying signals of frequencies less than one kilohertz generated by a vibration sensor and using the amplified signal to amplitude modulate a carrier signal at a frequency in excess of one kilohertz and applying the amplitude modulated carrier signal to a sensor interface circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vibration sensing equipment to monitor the operating conditions of mechanical assemblies.
2. Description of Related Art
This invention relates specifically to the use of an inexpensive type of sensor and the low cost conditioning electronics developed exclusively for use with it. These products are normally used on automobile engines to sense a particular type of vibration normally referred to as engine detonation. The invention described herein makes use of the same low cost components specifically developed for the automotive mass market and applies them to general vibration monitoring on industrial equipment, especially stationary engines and their driven loads and accessories.


The present flying ski is designed to be towed behind a conventional powered watercraft with the rider in a seated position. The flying ski comprises an elongate board and a seat that extends generally perpendicular to and upward from the board to support the seated rider. The seat preferably includes a flexible C-shaped member for absorbing impacts during use. An elongate strut extends downward from the board and couples the seat to a planing blade. The planing blade advantageously has a front blade and a rear blade interconnected by a fuselage. The present flying ski also accommodates a variety of rider skill levels by incorporating a mechanism and system that allows the rider to selectively adjust performance characteristics of the ski. In particular, the rider can control stability, lift and maneuverability ski characteristics to accommodate the rider's particular skill level and the particular challenge that the rider seeks. More particularly, the position of the rear blade may be selectively movable with respect to the fuselage to change the hydrodynamic characteristics of the flying ski.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to recreational water equipment and, in particular, to a flying ski and method of use therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art and Summary of the Invention
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,100,354 and 5,249,998 disclose an apparatus known as a flying ski. The flying ski is a device adapted to be towed behind a powered watercraft in a manner similar to a water ski. In contrast to a water ski, however, the rider sits on a seat spaced above the ski board and primarily rides on a blade structure that is spaced below the ski board by a vertical strut. When the ski is in use, the rider, seat and board are above the water surface and the blade structure is submerged below the water surface. The flying ski disclosed in the above-identified patents was a pioneering recreational water device.
While the basic flying ski structure remains highly desirable, a number of significant improvements have been developed. First, beginning riders with low skill levels can find the flying ski relatively difficult to operate and can become frustrated to the point that they do not attempt to use the ski again. Second, advanced riders with high skill levels can find the flying ski too easy to operate and insufficiently challenging. A modification that allows for quick adjustment of the flying ski, so as to alter the difficulty of maneuvering the ski would allow both skilled and novice riders to use the device at the same time. Third, the device is currently adapted only for those people who have full use and control of their lower bodies. An improvement to the device that allowed the flying ski to be used by paraplegics would be desirable. Lastly, the device currently has a safety belt that tends to wear out relatively quickly under the high stresses associated with normal use of the flying ski. A more desirable safety belt design would thus be desirable.
The present invention provides several significant improvements to a flying ski. One aspect of the present invention is a ski that accommodates a variety of rider skill levels by incorporating a mechanism and system that allows the rider to selectively adjust performance characteristics of the ski. In particular, ski stability, lift and maneuverability can be controlled by the rider to accommodate the rider's particular skill level and the particular challenge that the rider seeks. A second aspect of the present invention is a ski that accommodates paraplegic riders. In particular, the seat of the ski is capable of receiving a back support, which a paraplegic rider can use as a lever to manipulate the orientation of the ski. A third aspect of the present invention is a flying ski having a dramatically improved safety belt.
The original safety belt safely secures the rider to the ski, even in high-impact falls. The original safety belt design was subject to wear, however, due to the tendency of the belt to loosen somewhat upon impact. Earlier efforts to overcome this problem were successful in overcoming the problem of slight loosening, but resulted in a seatbelt that was subject to full release/failure. Given the risks associated with unintended full release during a fall, the original design remained preferred, despite the problem of durability. A new seat belt structure has been developed, however, which yields very little, if at all, during the most extreme impacts associated with normal use of the ski and yet prevents full release upon impact. This improvement assures the safety of the rider, while at the same time increasing the life span of the safety belt.
The improved flying ski must be appreciated in the context of the conditions to which it is subjected and the environment within which it is used. Flying skis can be used to jump over twenty feet in the air. Landing impacts from such jumps are very large. Accordingly, the ski structural configuration must be adapted to withstand these forces. Additionally, it is highly desirable that the ski configuration be adapted to minimize the transfer of these forces to the spine of the rider. Finally, riders of different skill levels will often be riding in the same boat and wish to use the same flying ski. Accordingly, it is highly desirable that the flying ski be easily and reliably adjustable to accommodate the various skill levels. The ski configuration should also require a minimum of parts and disassembly thereof, to avoid the risk of parts falling overboard or being lost.
One aspect of the present invention involves a recreational device that supports a seated human rider while the rider and the device are towed behind a powered watercraft. This recreational device comprises an elongated board having a front end and a back end, a seat, a strut which depends from one end of the board and the seat and defines a plane of symmetry, and a blade assembly secured to the strut.
The seat extends from the board for supporting the buttocks of the seated rider at a position spaced above the board.
The blade assembly has a front blade and a rear blade connected by a fuselage. The front blade includes a first portion defining a first surface on a first side of the plane of symmetry. The front blade also includes a second portion defining a second surface on a second side of the plane of symmetry. The first surface and the second surface direct water toward the plane of symmetry upon landing of the front blade on water.
The front blade has a leading edge and the rear blade has a first edge and a second edge. The rear blade is mountable on the fuselage in a first position wherein the first edge defines a trailing edge of the blade assembly. The rear blade is mountable on the fuselage in a second position wherein the second edge defines a trailing edge of the blade assembly. In one embodiment, the greatest perpendicular distance between the leading edge and the first edge when the rear blade is in the first position is longer than the greatest perpendicular distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge when the rear blade is in the second position.
The rear blade may include a first portion defining a first surface on a first side of the plane of symmetry and a second portion defining a second surface on a second side of the plane of symmetry wherein the first surface and the second surface directed water away from the plane of symmetry upon landing of the rear blade on water.
The front blade may further comprise a first depending fin on the first side of the plane of symmetry at a first outer side of the front blade and a second depending fin on the second side of the plane of symmetry at a second outer side of the front blade. These first and second fins may be angled toward the plane of symmetry from front to back.
The front blade may further comprise a third portion which defines a third surface on the first side of the plane of symmetry which directs water away from the plane of symmetry upon landing of the front blade on water as well as a fourth portion which defines a fourth surface on the second side of the plane of symmetry which directs water away from the plane of symmetry upon landing of the front blade on water.
In accordance with the present invention, the front blade may have an upper surface that is curved such that the pressure exerted on said front blade from above is lower than the pressure exerted on the front blade from below.
The rear blade may include a first upwardly curved portion defining a first surface on a first side of the plane of symmetry and a second upwardly curved portion defining a second surface on a second side of the plane of symmetry. In this embodiment, the first surface and the second surface direct water away from the plane of symmetry upon landing of the rear blade on water.
Another aspect of the present invention also involves a recreational device that supports a seated human rider while the rider and the device are towed behind a powered watercraft. This recreational device comprises an elongated board having a front end and a back end, a seat, a strut depending from either the board or the seat and defining a plane of symmetry, and a blade assembly secured to the strut.
The seat extends from the board and supports the buttocks of the seated rider at a position spaced above the board.
At least a portion of the strut is submerged underwater when the device is in use.
The blade assembly has a front blade and a rear blade connected by a fuselage. The front blade has a leading edge and the rear blade has a first edge and a second edge. The rear blade is mountable on the fuselage in a first position wherein the first edge defines a trailing edge of the blade assembly. The rear blade is mountable on the fuselage in a second position wherein the second edge defines a trailing edge of the blade assembly. The greatest perpendicular distance between the leading edge and the first edge when the rear blade is in the first position is longer than the greatest perpendicular distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge when the rear blade is in the second position.
The recreational device may further comprise a blade support mounted between the fuselage and the rear blade. The blade support has a first position in which the blade support cooperates with the fuselage to position the rear blade so as to have a first angle of attack. The blade support has a second position in which the blade support cooperates with the fuselage to position the rear blade so as to have a second angle of attack. A fastener may selectively secure both the rear blade and the blade support in a fixed position.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a kit which can be assembled to form a recreational device that supports a seated human rider while the rider and the device are towed behind a powered watercraft. The kit comprises an elongated board having a front end and a back end, a seat, a strut which is securable to one of the board and the seat and which defines a plane of symmetry, a blade assembly, and a plurality of blade supports.
The seat extends from the board for supporting the buttocks of the seated rider at a position spaced above the board.
The blade assembly is securable to the strut. The blade assembly has a front blade and a rear blade connected by a fuselage. The front blade has a leading edge and the rear blade has a first edge and a second edge. The rear blade is mountable on the fuselage in a first position wherein the first edge defines a trailing edge of the blade assembly. The rear blade is mountable on the fuselage in a second position wherein the second edge defines a trailing edge of the blade assembly. The greatest perpendicular distance between the leading edge and the first edge when the rear blade is in the first position is longer than the greatest perpendicular distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge when the rear blade is in the second position.
Each of the blade supports are alternatively mountable between the fuselage and the rear blade. Each of the plurality of blade supports are sized and shaped to cooperate with the fuselage to position the rear blade so as to have an angle of attack.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a blade for use with a flying ski type recreational device that supports a seated human rider while the rider and the device are towed behind a powered watercraft. The blade defines a plane of symmetry and includes a first portion defining a first surface on a first side of the plane of symmetry and a second portion defining a second surface on a second side of the plane of symmetry. The first surface and the second surface direct water toward the plane of symmetry upon landing of the blade on water.
This embodiment includes a first depending fin on the first side of said plane of symmetry at a first outer side of the blade as well as a second depending fin on the second side of the plane of symmetry at a second outer side of the blade.
The first and second fins can be angled toward the plane of symmetry from front to back.
The blade may further comprises a third portion which defines a third surface on the first side of the plane of symmetry which directs water away from the plane of symmetry upon landing of the blade on water as well as a fourth portion which defines a fourth surface on the second side of the plane of symmetry which also directs water away from the plane of symmetry upon landing of the blade on water.
This blade may define between 69 and 114 square inches. Alternatively, this blade may define between 82 and 101 square inches.
Another aspect of the invention involves a method of varying the attack angle of a planing blade for use with a flying ski type recreational device that supports a seated human rider while the rider and the device are towed behind a powered watercraft. The method comprises providing a fuselage that removably attaches to any one of a plurality of rear planing blades and selecting one rear planing blade and attaching the selected rear planing blade to the fuselage.
The step of selecting one rear planing blade may include selecting one rear planing blade with a generally planar surface or one with a curved rear planing blade. A curved rear planing blade that has a pair of spaced apart upswept wings may be selected. The curved rear planing blade may be detached from the fuselage and the orientation of the curved rear planing blade reversed so that the curved rear planing blade has a pair of spaced apart frontswept wings. The rear planing blade is then reattached to the fuselage.
The method also may comprise the steps of detaching the rear planing blade from the fuselage, placing a blade support in a cut-out formed in the fuselage and reattaching the rear planing blade to the fuselage.
The apparatus, in any of the embodiments described so far, may also comprise a detachable back support. The back support is constructed from two principal pieces, the first being a flat rectangular sheet of material having a thickness that is much less than either its length or its width. This piece is bent at a ninety-degree angle along an axis that lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular sheet, thus forming a horizontal section and a vertical section. The vertical section is preferably approximately two and one-half times the length of the horizontal section.
The second principal piece is a spine, also "L"-shaped, and attached to the back of the vertical segment and the underside of the horizontal segment. The spine has a significant thickness in the direction perpendicular to the rider's back, so that the spine imparts a substantial amount of rigidity to the seat back. This rigidity ensures that the seat back will act as a lever, enabling the rider to alter the angle of attack of the planing blades by exerting pressure on the upper end of the seat back. The rider applies this pressure by raising or lowering his hands.
A further aspect is an improved safety belt. The belt has two straps, each having a free end, and a stationary end that is secured to the seat of the flying ski. The "female" strap is fitted with a clamp at its mating end, into which the "male" strap is inserted when the belt is fastened. To adjust the fit of the belt, the male strap is pulled through the clamp until the desired tightness is reached. The clamp is then closed, allowing the teeth of the clamp to engage the male strap and prevent the male and female straps from moving relative to one another.
Since the effectiveness of the belt is dependent upon the strength of the engagement between the clamp and the male strap, it is desirable to provide a connection that will not yield, even when subjected to extreme tensile force. In order to increase the strength of the connection, the frictional force generated by the interaction of the clamp and the strap must be increased. This frictional force is equal to the product of the normal force and the coefficient of static friction between the two straps. Therefore, in order to increase the frictional force present, one of these two components must be increased.
Preferably the coefficient of static friction between the clamp and the male strap is increased by providing, on the surface of the strap, a material comprised of a multitude of tightly packed loop fibers. The loops engage the teeth of the clamp and act as anchors, preventing the teeth from advancing along the surface of the strap.
The apparatus, in any of the embodiments described so far, may also comprise a padded safety belt. The belt is preferably substantially identical to the improved safety belt described above, and includes first and second padded strips attached to an underside. The strips are substantially rectangular lengths of resilient material covered by a durable fabric. The strips are preferably releasably attached to the belt with a hook and loop fastener. Alternatively, the strips may be secured to the belt with straps that wrap around the belt, such that the strips are slidable along the belt. The strips provide a soft interface between the rider and the belt, thus increasing the rider's comfort and enabling the rider to enjoy using the flying ski for longer periods of time.
In another aspect, a flexible member may be provided along the seat portion for improving the quality of the ride. The flexible member preferably takes the form of a C-shaped member that flexes to attenuate vertical forces felt by the rider.
In another aspect, an alternative vertical strut is provided wherein the strut is formed with a V-shape to improve stiffness along the top end.
In another aspect, an alternative planing blade configuration is provided wherein the rear blade is vertically displaced from the front blade. As a result, the rear blade is further spaced away from the turbulence created by the front blade, thereby providing enhanced control and stability.
In yet another aspect, an alternative planing blade configuration is provided wherein the rear blade is slidably coupled to the fuselage. As a result, the rear blade may be slid up or back along the fuselage for selecting the desired performance characteristics.
Further aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that follows.


An automatically controlled clutch is arranged between the engine and the driving wheels in the transmission line of a motor vehicle having a transmission which can be shifted manually in an arbitrary manner between idling and driving positions. A control device used for operating the clutch constantly determines the operating performance of the clutch and stores correspondingly adapted characteristic values.

This application claims the priority of 196 30 014.2, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to an automatically controlled clutch which is arranged between the engine and the driving wheels in the transmission line of a motor vehicle having a transmission which can be shifted arbitrarily and manually between idling and driving positions. A control device operates a clutch actuating assembly as a function of given parameters sensed by an assigned sensing system.
Motor vehicles having automatic clutches are known and are produced as standard models. In comparison to vehicles having a clutch to be operated by the driver, an increased comfort is offered. In combination with conventional, manually shifted mechanical transmissions, only extremely low power losses must be accepted in the driving operation so that also comparatively low-power vehicles can be used with automatic clutches. The operating performance of the known automatic clutch is subjected to constant changes which are caused, for example, by changing temperatures as well as setting and wear phenomena. An object of the invention to ensure an operating performance of the automatic clutch which is as constant as possible.
According to the present invention, this object achieved by providing that the signals of the sensing system reflect the actuating path of the actuating assembly as well as the torque of the engine, and indicate whether the vehicle is stopped, whether the service brake is operated and whether a or which driving position is engaged. A control device sets the clutch, while the vehicle is stopped and the driving position is simultaneously engaged and the service brake is operated, at least temporarily to its present gripping point and stores an adapted gripping point actuating stroke which corresponds to the previous gripping point actuating stroke plus a given larger fraction of the deviation between the previous gripping point actuating stroke and the actuating stroke which occurred during the setting of the present gripping point.
The present invention is based on the concept of letting the control device operate with a continuously adapted gripping point actuating stroke so that the control device "knows" sufficiently precisely when the clutch starts to grip during the engaging or has almost opened during the disengaging. During the adaptation according to the present invention it is, on one hand, it is also account that, particularly as a result of temperature influences, fairly large changes of the gripping point actuating stroke may occur relatively frequently. On the other hand, it is also taken into account that the direction of the changes can be altered. In that now, during the adaptation, in each case, only a fraction, for example, half of the deviation between the previously stored gripping point actuating stroke and an actually implemented gripping point actuating stroke is taken into account, a fast adaptation can be achieved during changes of the gripping point position with an alternating direction as well as during changes with a constant direction. As a result, the respective stored gripping point actuating stroke is situated in a narrow tolerance band close to the optimum.
According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device stores continuously adapted data which reflect the dependence of the torque transmitted by the clutch on the actuating stroke of the actuating assembly. That is, the control device therefore "knows" the characteristic curve between the actuating stroke and the clutch torque. This characteristic curve is essentially determined by its gradient (slope) as well as by the position of the gripping point.
According to the present invention, the gradient can be determined during the change of a driving position and the resulting automatically occurring engaging and disengaging of the clutch because the torque transmitted by the clutch is determined by the torque generated by the engine as well as the time variation of the rotational speed of the engine. If now, during a change of the actuating stroke, the torque of the engine as well as the time variation of the rotational speed of the engine are recorded, a value can in each case be determined for the above-mentioned gradient.
The present invention allows an adaptation here to be carried out which is similar to that of the gripping point determination. The adapted value of the gradient to be stored will then in each case correspond to the last-stored value of the gradient plus a given larger fraction of the deviation between the actual value of the gradient and the previously stored value. In this manner, when controlling the clutch, the control device can continuously take into account an updated characteristic curve between the actuating stroke and the clutch torque.

Clutch assembly with control device which determines adapted gripping point and gradient of clutch characteristic curve