A liquid abrasive jet focusing tube for making cuts in a workpiece at a predetermined non-perpendicular angle, and a method for making non-perpendicular cuts in a workpiece with a liquid abrasive jet. The focusing tube includes a body having an inlet end which defines an inlet opening, an outlet end which defines an outlet opening, and a cylindrical passage which extends between the openings and which has a longitudinal axis. The outlet end has a tip portion with an angled surface adjacent the outlet opening and oriented in relation to the passage axis at the predetermined non-perpendicular angle. The method includes positioning the focusing tube so that the angled surface is generally parallel to the workpiece surface and the passage axis is oriented in relation to the workpiece surface substantially at the predetermined non-perpendicular angle.

The present invention relates generally to liquid abrasive jet cutting devices and, more particularly, to a focusing tube for a liquid abrasive jet cutter for making non-perpendicular cuts in a workpiece.
It is known generally to use a high velocity liquid abrasive jet for making precise cuts in a variety of materials. Liquid abrasive jets are typically formed by producing a forceful stream of liquid at high pressure, aligning the liquid jet with a focusing tube, introducing fine abrasive particles into the liquid jet stream at an inlet end of the focusing tube, and accelerating the abrasive particles through the length of the focusing tube to form a stream of liquid and abrasive which is discharged at the outlet end of the tube onto a workpiece to be cut.
For the liquid abrasive jet to have sufficient cutting power, the stream of liquid and abrasive particles must be tightly concentrated in a coherent pattern as it strikes the workpiece. Maintenance of a coherent stream is essential if the liquid or abrasive jet is to have effective cutting power and to allow the jet to cut with a small kerf or hole, as is required for precision cutting operations.
The distance which the jet of liquid and abrasive must travel from the focusing tube tip to the workpiece, known as the stand-off distance, has a significant effect on the coherence of the jet pattern, since the jet rapidly disperses over distance. The liquid/abrasive jet also quickly loses energy as it moves away from the focusing tube, thereby resulting in a loss of effective cutting power. Therefore, it is desirable to place the outlet end of the focusing tube as close to the workpiece as possible, in order to reduce the stand-off distance.
For cuts that are to be made generally perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece, positioning of the focusing tube immediately adjacent the workpiece surface does not present any unusual problems. However, for cuts that are to be made at a non-perpendicular angle to the workpiece surface, minimizing the distance between the focusing tube tip and the surface to be cut can be difficult. Conventional focusing tubes are often formed in a cylindrical configuration, with a relatively thick cylinder wall that is squared at the tip of the tube so as to prevent chipping or other damage to the tip. Hashish et al U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,648,215 and 5,320,289 both disclose focusing tubes of this type, with the focusing tube disclosed therein being referenced as a "nozzle." Focusing tubes having an outlet end which is evenly tapered in a frusto-conical configuration are also known, as disclosed in Hashish et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,146. It is not desirable for the end to taper continuously down to form a knife edge at its extremity, however, as such a configuration would be particularly vulnerable to chipping or breakage in handling, while the thin knife edge would also quickly wear away as a result of the abrasive action of the jet. Consequently, conventional focusing tubes having a tapered outlet end typically include a squared-off portion at the extreme end to eliminate formation of a knife edge.
None of the above-described focusing tube configurations permit the tube to be positioned immediately adjacent the workpiece surface for a non-perpendicular cut. Thus, the liquid abrasive jet loses cutting power and produces a wider kerf than is desirable. A need, therefore, exists for a liquid abrasive jet focusing tube which minimizes the stand-off distance for non-perpendicular cuts.

Liquid abrasive jet focusing tube for making non-perpendicular cuts


A semiconductor element is sandwiched between a lower and upper surface of a cooling body. A connection circuit and a communication device are provided on the lower surface of the cooling body. A drive circuit and a communication device are provided on the upper surface of the cooling body. These components are encapsulated by a resin. The connection circuit generates a control signal in response to a signal from outside. The communication device transmits the control signal. The communication device receives the control signal and supplies the control signal to the drive circuit, which drives the semiconductor element in response to the control signal. The resin electrically insulates the connection circuit and the communication device from the communication device and the drive circuit enabling prevention of breakdown of the connection circuit caused by an application of a high voltage from the drive circuit to the connection circuit.

Conventional package-type power modules need gel encapsulation of semiconductor elements. A large number of assembly process steps and high parts cost are required for such power modules. Transfer-molded power modules having semiconductor elements therein are therefore being developed (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). A device having a resin-molded semiconductor package in which a circuit board including a drive circuit for driving a semiconductor element is fixed with screws or the like has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Literature 2).
However, in the case where screws or the like are used, there is a problem in that the number of component parts is increased, which leads to an increased overall weight. There is also a problem in that the device is increased in size by an amount corresponding to the circuit board. Further, in the case of a semiconductor device for use in a motor vehicle, the ambient temperature is high and a semiconductor element such as a SIC heats itself to a high temperature. Therefore, there is a need to use high-temperature-resistant parts, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost.
For this reason, a semiconductor device has been proposed in which a power semiconductor element and a control semiconductor element for controlling the power semiconductor element are mounted on one cooling body and are encapsulated in resin (see, for example, Patent Literature 3). With this arrangement, a reduction in the number of component parts and a reduction in weight can be achieved, the need for a circuit board such as a printed circuit board can be eliminated, and the control semiconductor element can be cooled.


Method and apparatus for storing, searching and playback of highly compressed audiovisual items of information and data files of a multimedia electronic mail system, using a protocol for multimedia multiplexing and multimedia control, with a control for the multimedia information streams in a separate virtual control channel according to ITU-T H.245, with multiplexers or, respectively, demultiplexers for information according to ITU-T H.223, with a video compression and coding means or, respectively, video decompression and decoding means, e.g. according to ITU-T H.263, with an audio/speech compression and audio/speech decompression means for compression or, respectively, decompression, using a high-compression speech compression algorithm, with at least one network access and with a control for controlling the multimedia electronic mail system via a separate logical control channel.

The storing and playing back of multimedia items of information (video, audio, data, and control items of information) on digital storage media is one of the most important functions in a multimedia electronic mail system, also called an electronic multimedia mail system. In a multimedia electronic mail system, each subscriber is provided with a separate electronic mail compartment (called a mailbox), in which messages sent by other mail subscribers are deposited as multimedia mail messages. Each subscriber can fetch the separate multimedia mail from his mail compartment at any time.
The electronic mail compartments are installed on large digital mass memories. Although the capacity of storable items of information on digital storage media is constantly growing, the large quantity of data of multimedia items of information continues to present a massive storage problem.
In relation to the known methods, the present inventive method leads to a substantially higher compression and to a more effective multiplexing of multimedia data streams in a multimedia electronic mail system (see Table 1).
In contrast, the method known as MPEG-1 (ISO/IEC 11172), with 1.5 Mbit/s, requires about 11 Mbytes of memory space for the storing of a multimedia message of one minute. Seen from the perspective of memory volume, the currently known methods for multimedia electronic mail are hardly suitable in practice.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Examples for the storage of multimedia mail messages Playback time with 512 kbit/s non-ime with 128time standard kbit/s non- ITU-R 601 (720 .times. 576) (360 .times. 288) image image0 .times. 144) resolution of resolution of H.263; G.728, H.263;tion of G.729; G.722 H.263; audio; G.723.1; 64 G.728; G.729 ISO/IEC Medium (Mbytes): kbit/s audio audio 11172-3 ______________________________________ Hard disk/ -- about 240 about 1 about 4 minute Mbyte/min Mbyte/min (average for a mul- timedia mail message Sample 1,000 about 4,000 about 1,000 about 250 MM hard disk: MM messages messages ______________________________________
A further advantage of inventive video and audio methods in relation to the known methods is that they relate to "symmetrical real-time compression/decompression methods." The symmetry holds both for the complexity of the coder, or, respectively, of the decoder, and for the time characteristic of the coding and decoding (i.e., the complexity of the coder and of the decoder are approximately equal, or, respectively, the time expense for the coding and decoding are also approximately equal and isochronous).
The quality of the MPEG-1 video and of the MPEG-1 audio is indeed better than that of the methods listed in Table 1, but what are thereby concerned are asymmetrical methods, which require a tedious and complicated coding. The only advantage lies in the simpler decoding. However, there are numerous applications in which a reduced video and audio quality is entirely sufficient (e.g., multimedia mail, video images with head and shoulders), in which, however, a real-time coding/decoding is required, with approximately equal coding/decoding complexity.
In the present invention, a terminal for electronic multimedia mail, an ITU-T H.324 videotelephone apparatus is proposed (FIG. 1). An advantage of the videotelephone terminal is that it already contains elements of the system, such as for example audio codec, video codec, multimedia multiplexer, multimedia control, which can be of benefit to the electronic multimedia mail system. It is true that the H.324 videotelephone is tailored to a GSTN, thus to an analog telephone network. However, the invention can also be used on other networks, in particular mobile communication networks and ISDN networks. For the terminal access to the electronic multimedia mail system, in the H.324 videotelephone an additional data channel is opened, in addition to the control channel for video, speech and H.245 videotelephone. This data channel serves for controlling and communication between the terminal of the electronic multimedia mail system and the electronic mail system. In this data channel, e.g. the X.400 commands or, respectively, the X.500 commands are exchanged, using X.400 protocols and X.500 protocols, and the electronic multimedia mail system is operated.
After the connection setup between a terminal and the multimedia electronic mail system, both terminal units must mutually indicate (e.g. using ITU-T H.245) whether the one videotelephone is at the same time also a terminal for the multimedia electronic mail system, and whether the other terminal unit is the multimedia electronic mail system. If yes, then, using ITU-T H.245, either an additional data channel is opened for the operation of the multimedia electronic mail system, or in the audio channel the controlling of the multimedia electronic mail system is controlled using audible DTMF signals.
Via this data channel, the selection (login of the user) to the electronic mail system and the inputting of the password is actuated from the terminal.
If the user of the electronic mail is accepted by the system as authorized for access, he can carry out various mail system functions, e.g., querying the separate electronic mail compartment for new multimedia items of information, and fetching these if any such are present.
During fetching, the electronic mail system is the transmitter. The required multimedia channels are also selected and controlled for this purpose using a method according to H.245. The receiving multimedia terminal (videotelephone) isochronously indicates, e.g., the video image, and outputs the associated speech information.
During the sending out of a multimedia message, the required multimedia channels are opened in the separate multimedia control channel using a procedure according to ITU-T H.245. Subsequently, the address of the addressee is input into the separate control channel for the multimedia electronic mail. Next, the videotelephone terminal serves as an input means for the multimedia electronic mail. As a rule, a camera takes the picture, a microphone records the sound or, respectively, the voice of the speaker, and the H.223 multiplexer assembles the video and audio items of information. The multimedia electronic mail system stores the multimedia mail in the desired mail compartment of the addressee.
Dependent on the individual embodiments and special features, the invention preferably makes use of the following information technology standards and/or communication technology standards:
The present standardization in the ITU-T of speech coders with very low bit rates for videotelephony (ITU-T G.723) in the public telephone dialing network (GSTN) leads to qualitatively good speech coders (approximating the quality of the CCITT G.726 recommendation) with transmission speed of 5.3-6.3 kbit/s. The ITU-T G.729 speech coder also enables a digital speech transmission with a speed of 8 kbit/s. In the future, a 4 kbit/s coder will also be standardized (ITU-T G.4 kbit/s). PA1 The present standardization in the ITU-T of moving image coders with very low bit rates, e.g. for videotelephony in the public telephone dialing network (ITU-T H.263), leads to qualitatively good (QCIF resolution (180.times.144) and lower) moving image coders with the necessary transmission speed of 8-24 kbit/s or a still higher transmission speed, which require a secured type of transmission (e.g., with ITU-T H.223). An increase of the image resolution over the values defined in the standard, e.g. to CIF (360.times.288) or ITU-T 601 (720.times.576), enables the transmission of moving images with television studio quality or, respectively, with digital studio quality. PA1 The present ITU-T standardization of multiplexers (ITU-T H.223) of the audiovisual information types with very low bit rates, e.g. for videotelephony in the public telephone dialing networks, with transmission speed of 9.6-32 kbit/s or higher, enables a secured type of transmission (H.223). PA1 The present ITU-T standardization (ITU-T H.245) relating to the controlling of audiovisual types of data with very low bit rates, for example for videotelephony in public telephone dialing networks, which enables a flexible allocation of up to 15 independent useful channels, respectively with audio/speech information, video information, or data information. Each channel is provided with a flexible bandwidth, which can vary arbitrarily from application to application in the running of the multimedia electronic mail application. PA1 The concluded standardization of the ITU-T for electronic mail (recommendations of the ITU-X.400 series and ITU-T X.500 series).
These and other features of the invention are discussed in greater detail below in the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for storing, searching and playback of items of information of a multimedia electronic mail system


Operating a data storage device may include reading a first data group, detecting errors in the first data group, correcting the errors in the first data group, if the errors detected in the first data group can be corrected, and estimating a read retry estimation voltage for a subsequent read retry operation of a second data group that is different than the first data group and associated with the data storage device based on error correction data associated with the correcting the errors of the first data group.

1. Technical Field
Various implementations relate to a data storage device, and more particularly, to a device capable of reducing an occurrence rate of read fails of a memory device to improve the reliability of a data storage device, an operating method thereof, and a data processing system including the same.
2. Related Art
The recent paradigm for computer surroundings has changed to a ubiquitous computing environment in which computer systems may be used anytime and anywhere. Thus, the use of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and notebook computers has rapidly increased. Such portable electronic devices generally use a data storage device using a memory device. The data storage device may be used as a main memory device or auxiliary memory device of the portable electronic devices.
Since the data storage device using a memory device has no mechanical driver, the data storage device has excellent stability and durability. Furthermore, the data storage device may have a high access speed and a small power consumption. A data storage device having such advantages may include a universal serial bus (USB) memory device, a memory card having various interfaces, or a solid state drive (SSD).
Write data requested by a host may be stored in a memory device of a data storage device. The memory device of the data storage device may cause a read fail due to various reasons. For example, data stored in a memory cell of the memory device may be sensed as if the data was changed because of interference between memory cells. In addition, data stored in a memory cell of the memory device may be changed by disturbance between memory cells. For another example, data stored in a memory cell of the memory device may be changed when the memory cell is worn out through repeated erase/program operations. In addition, if the data stored in the memory cell is changed or identified as being changed then, the data stored in the memory cell may contain an error. Due to the error contained in the data, the memory device may cause a read fail.
The data storage device may perform an error correction algorithm for checking and correcting the error contained in the data, in order to process the read fail of the memory device.

Data storage device having a reduced error occurrence, operating method thereof, and data processing system including the same


The invention relates to a lighting device and a method of manufacturing such a lighting device. The lighting device (1) comprises a first light emitting element (101) being optically coupled to a light guide (110) having an out-coupling surface (111) for illumination via the light guide. Further, the lighting device comprises a second light emitting element (102) dedicated for direct illumination from the lighting device. The invention is advantageous in that the lighting device provides both a decorative look and a functional illumination, and is still energy-efficient since the light emitted from the second light emitting element is directly emitted from the light emitting element without unnecessary energy-loss.

Traditional incandescent light bulbs are available in various designs such as plain functional bulbs with different glass finishes (e.g. transparent, diffuse or colored) and decorative bulbs with complex filaments, wherein the filament itself serves a decorative purpose. However, due to demands on power saving in lighting devices, driven by eco awareness and legislation, traditional incandescent light bulbs are being replaced by more power efficient light sources such as fluorescent lamps and LED (light emitting diode) lamps. Such conventional eco-friendly lamps do not provide the same various designs as traditional incandescent light bulbs.
A solution of how to provide a lighting device resembling a carbon filament lamp is disclosed in WO 2006/035349. The document shows a lighting device comprising a solid state light source optically coupled to an optical fiber having an out-coupling surface. A drawback with such a lighting device is that it does not provide a sufficiently energy-efficient functional lighting (such as e.g. general lighting or task lighting).

Lighting device and method for manufacturing a lighting device


A method and implementing electronic tri-plate connection system are provided including a nested set of RF Faraday cages within the system with integrated circuit packages containing the core drivers and receivers as the innermost Faraday cage, and additional Faraday cages being implemented at each outward level through card, board, backplane and unit level and into the network level. There is no distinction between power ground, signal ground or shield ground. All grounds throughout the system are at the same level and all package ground levels are interconnected.

The present invention relates generally to information processing systems and more particularly to a methodology and implementation for electromagnetic radiation protection in digital electronic systems.
Subject matter disclosed and not claimed herein is disclosed and claimed in one or more of the following related co-pending applications, which are assigned to the assignee of the present application and included herein by reference:
Attorney Docket AUS-2000-0248-US1;
Attorney Docket AUS-2000-0250-US1; and
Attorney Docket AUS-2000-0251-US1.
As the operating frequencies of digital computers continues to increase over time, the higher frequencies present scalability problems for other system elements, such as the electromagnetic shields of the input-output (I/O) subsystem and electronic packaging. Such shielding is required in order to meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements to avoid interference with other electronic equipment. It is common practice to use the external chassis as the major radio frequency (RF) EMC shield or xe2x80x9cFaraday cagexe2x80x9d. Above 500 MHz, containment of the RF fields by such a Faraday cage at the box level becomes very difficult, since shielding at the box level becomes much more difficult at those frequencies. Further, current packaging technologies do not scale very well at all at the higher frequencies because of difficulties in providing adequate shielding at the box level for RF EMC noise isolation.
An RF Faraday cage is an electrically closed box of conducting surfaces. Where the conducting surfaces are sufficiently thicker than the electromagnetic skin depth at the RF frequency of interest so that internally generated RF fields are kept within the box. This is normally done by interconnecting the various parts of a unit""s electrically conducting exterior surfaces in order to form the equivalent of a seamlessly closed box of conducting surfaces. By necessity, these surfaces are formed by many different smaller surfaces in order to meet normal reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) requirements. This leaves many openings of slots and holes in the conducting surfaces. For mid frequencies, these openings can be kept much smaller than the wavelength of the RF to be contained so that the RF coupling through the openings is sufficiently small. Also, for mid frequencies, the interior dimensions of a typical box are sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of the RF so that no significant resonance enhancement of the RF coupling through the openings occurs. Above 500 MHz, containment of the RF fields by such a Faraday cage at the box level becomes very difficult. This is because the shorter wavelength itself enhances the coupling through standard size holes and because at the shorter wavelength, there is so much internal resonance, that one can always be found in any frequency band that will greatly enhance the coupling through some hole or slot.
Thus there is a need for an improved methodology and implementing system which provides for improved electromagnetic radiation protection in a digital signal processing system.
A method and implementing electronic connection system are provided including a nested set of RF Faraday cages within the system with integrated circuit packages containing the core drivers and receivers as the innermost Faraday cage, with additional Faraday cages being implemented at each outward level through card, board, backplane and unit level and into the network level.

International Business Machines Corporation


A self-regulating gastric band apparatus for adjusting stoma size is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adjustable gastric band that has an expandable portion containing a volume of fluid. A band adjustment assembly is provided for implanting with the gastric band that includes a sensor for sensing fluid pressure in the expandable portion. The band adjustment assembly further includes a pump assembly connected to the expandable portion and to a controller that can operate the pump assembly to adjust the volume of the fluid in the band based on the sensed fluid pressure. The band adjustment assembly includes memory storing an operating range relative to a target fluid pressure, and the pump assembly is operated to maintain the sensed band pressure within the operating range. The target pressure is set to maintain pressure variations below a predefined variation limit generally corresponding with satiated fill volumes for a particular patient and implanted band.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to devices and methods for controlling obesity, and, more particularly, a gastric band or gastric band assembly/system, and corresponding methods, configured for self-monitoring and adjustment of the size, i.e., internal diameter, of the gastric band so as to provide ongoing adjustment of stoma size in a patient.
2. Relevant Background
Severe obesity is an increasingly prevalent chronic condition that is difficult for physicians to treat in their patients through diet and exercise alone. Gastrointestinal surgery is used by physicians to treat people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means or who suffer from serious obesity-related health problems. Generally, gastrointestinal surgery promotes weight loss by restricting food intake, and more specifically, restrictive operations limit food intake by creating a narrow passage or "stoma" from the upper part of the stomach into the larger lower part, which reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold and slows the passage of food through the stomach. Initially, the stoma was of a fixed size, but physicians have more recently determined that the procedure is more effective if the stoma can be adjusted to alter its size.
One of the more commonly used of these purely restrictive operations for obesity is adjustable gastric banding (AGB). In an exemplary AGB procedure, a hollow band (i.e., a gastric band) made of silicone elastomer is placed around the stomach near its upper end, creating a small pouch and a narrow passage (i.e., a stoma) into the rest of the stomach. The band is then inflated with a saline solution by using a non-coring needle and syringe to access a small port that is placed under the skin. To control the size of the stoma, the gastric band can be tightened or loosened over time by the physician or another technician extracorporeally by increasing or decreasing the amount of saline solution in the band via the access port to change the size of the passage or stoma.
Providing fine adjustments of the gastric band after initial stoma sizing has proven a significant improvement in the adjustable gastric banding procedure. However, there is an ongoing difficulty in determining when to further adjust the gastric band and how much to increase or decrease the band's size or diameter to achieve a desired stoma size. Numerous gastric bands have been developed to allow a physician or other technician to adjust an implanted gastric band. In general, these band systems include a sensor for measuring or determining parameters associated with the patient and in response, the physician or technician acts to adjust the volume of fluid in the band based on the patient parameters. For example, one adjustable gastric band system determines when the pressure in a patient's stomach exceeds a pre-set limit and provides an alarm to an external control device. A doctor or other operator then responds by loosening the gastric band by removing an amount of fluid from the band via the external access port and fill line. In another gastric band system, components for adjusting the size of the gastric band are implanted within the patient, and when a physical parameter related to the patient, such as stomach pressure or the physical position of the patient, are determined, an external control unit outside the patient's body is operated to power the implanted components to adjust the size of the band, e.g., by adding or removing a preset volume of fluid from the band.
While providing improved control over adjustable gastric bands, the existing gastric bands do not meet the needs of patients. In part, the deficiencies in the existing adjustable gastric bands are due to the need for the patient to be treated by a doctor or other technician to adjust the size of the gastric band and the formed stoma via an external control unit. Other deficiencies are related to the unreliability or inaccuracy of sensing parameters related to the patient and correlating this to a desired stoma size. Further, some of the existing gastric bands require insertion of sensors into the patient, such as into or onto the stomach to determine stomach pressure. Due to these and other limitations of existing technologies, there remains a need for an improved gastric banding system, and associated adjustment methods, for providing improved adjustments to the size of a stoma in a patient being treated for obesity.

Self-regulating gastric band with pressure data processing


The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing temporary electrical power to stationary locations and moveable locations. For example, vessel marine power systems may be directed to the reduction and elimination of air pollutants produced when using a ship's generator while at dock. The power system is modular, portable, and generates electricity over a wide range of voltages and frequencies.

The present invention relates generally to switching the frequency of electrical power provided by power modules and, more particularly, to systems and methods for the reduction and elimination of air pollutants by providing electrical power by power modules.
Electrical generators are commonly used for temporarily generating electricity for small loads at facilities that are remote or mobile. One current disadvantage with many such generators is that they use diesel fuel, which creates a very high quantity of air pollution. A commonly used type of diesel fuel is bunker fuel, which is one of the most air polluting fuels that can be used. Additionally, such generators commonly lack catalytic converters and other pollution control devices to minimize air pollution.
Another disadvantage of current generators is that they are built for a specific installation or use. In other words, such electrical generators are single voltage and single frequency systems and cannot be used at multiple sites that may have different voltage and frequency requirements.
The limited use of generators is evident in many environments, such as the marine environment. There is a lack of uniformity in electrical equipment used internationally. Some on-board electrical equipment may function with 50 or 60 Hz alternating current (AC). The same electrical equipment may need a voltage of 110, 220, 380, 400, 480, or even 600 volts. For a ship traveling internationally, its ability to connect to an onshore generator (which can vary from country to country) will be limited to the electrical compatibility between the generator and onboard equipment (which can also vary from country to country based on the ship's origin). Thus, the ability of a port to provide electrical power to the ship's onboard equipment will be limited to the electrical compatibility between the generator and onboard equipment.
Providing a range of voltage generation or frequency generation has required using more than one generator and more than one transformer. However, it is unfeasible to equip a port with multiple generators and multiple transformers. Doing so would require much space, huge investment costs, and increased safety risks.
Another problem is that a ship may berth at different locations of the same port depending on the type and size of cargo. Installation of an extensive electrical cable network would be required to connect a stationary generator or electrical source at a berth for ships at various locations within a port.
One attempt to provide a solution to the above problems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,247 to Campion ("Campion"). A frequency switching system for portable power modules includes a turbocharger operatively connected to a motor and has interchangeable components that allow selecting a first or second turbocharger configuration. Frequency output may be varied by interchanging turbochargers, and voltage switching is accomplished by operating a voltage switch. To switch electrical frequencies, the design described in the Campion patent requires connecting and disconnecting integral portions of the frequency switching system. For example, the design described in the Campion patent involves switching frequency by disconnecting a first driving portion of a turbocharger from an exhaust duct, disconnecting the first driving portion from a turbocharger bypass, disconnecting the first driving portion from an exhaust gas manifold, disconnecting the first driving portion from a driven portion, and making connections between a second driving portion and corresponding locations previously disconnected from the first driving portion. Thus, much mechanical work is required to change the frequency output.
Besides the mechanical concerns in changing frequency output, Campion lacks effective methods for reducing air pollution and/or taking advantage of pollution control incentives offered by environmental regulatory agencies. Those agencies often offer financial incentives for reducing air pollution. For example, if an electrical power plant reduces air pollution by adopting technology that reduces emissions, then the environmental regulatory agency may issue the operator of the electrical power plant with pollution credits. A pollution credit is an incentive for reduction in air pollutants that may be used by the polluter to offset excess air pollutants at another facility. A pollution credit may be bought, sold, banked, or traded. For example, if the operator of the electrical power plant has another facility that is environmentally regulated, then the operator may use the pollution credits earned from the electrical power plant to offset pollution "penalties" for the other facility. If the operator of the electrical power plant desires to not use the pollution credits, then the operator may sell the pollution credits to operators of other facilities who can, in turn, use the credits to offset their penalties.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved apparatus and methods for providing electrical power to varying electrical equipment having varying frequency and voltage needs, needing minimal use of space and capital equipment, being portable, being easily switchable between electrical frequencies and electrical voltages, and providing reduced air pollution.

Modular power generation apparatus and method

Wittmar Engineering and Construction, Inc.


A multichannel audio format provides a truly discrete as well as a backward compatible mix for surround-sound, front or other discrete audio channels in cinema, home theater, or music environments. The additional discrete audio signals are mixed with the existing discrete audio channels into a predetermined format such as the 5.1 audio format. In addition these additional discrete audio channels are encoded and appended to the predetermined format as extension bits in the bitstream. The existing base of multichannel decoders can be used in combination with a mix decoder to reproduce truly discrete N.1 multichannel audio.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to multichannel audio and more specifically to a multichannel audio format that provides a truly discrete as well as a backward compatible mix for surround-sound, front or other discrete audio channels in cinema, home theater, or music environments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multichannel audio has become the standard for cinema and home theater, and is gaining rapid acceptance in music, automotive, computers, gaming and other audio applications. Multichannel audio provides a surround-sound environment that greatly enhances the listening experience and the overall presentation of any audio-visual system. The earliest multichannel systems included left, right, center and surround (L, R, C, S) channels. The current standard in consumer applications is 5.1 channel audio, which splits the surround channel into left and right surround channels and adds a subwoofer channel (L, R, C, Ls, Rs, Sub).
The move from stereo to multichannel audio has been driven by a number of factors paramount among them being the consumers' desire for higher quality audio presentation. Higher quality means not only more channels but higher fidelity channels and improved separation or "discreteness" between the channels. In a truly discrete environment, discrete channels carry discrete audio signals to discrete speakers.
To satisfy this demand, the audio industry had to provide a multichannel mix from the studio or content provider, multichannel encoding/decoding techniques, a media capable of supporting multichannel audio and multichannel speaker configurations. By its very nature, multichannel audio includes significantly more data than stereo audio, which has to be compressed to fit in the existing formats and on the existing media. With the advent of media such as DVD, new formats such as 5.1 have been developed specifically for multichannel audio to enhance the listening experience.
The extension of multichannel audio beyond the 5.1 standard has once again raised the challenge of developing new encoding/decoding techniques that move the state-of-the-art forward while maintaining backward compatibility with the 5.1 standard. Having become accustomed to discrete audio, the consumer will demand the same performance as more channels are added. Backward compatibility is critical because of the great investment in 5.1 equipment by consumers and professionals alike.
Dolby Prologic™ provided one of the earliest multichannel systems. Prologic squeezes 4-channels (L, R, C, S) into 2-channels (Lt,Rt) by introducing a phase-shifted surround sound term. These 2-channels are then encoded into the existing 2-channel formats. Decoding is a two step process in which an existing decoder receives Lt,Rt and then a Prologic decoder expands Lt,Rt into L, R, C, S. Because four signals (unknowns) are carried on only two channels (equations), the Prologic decoding operation is only an approximation and cannot provide true discrete multichannel audio. As shown in FIG. 1, a studio 10 will mix several, e.g. 48, audio sources to provide a four-channel mix (L, R, C, S). (This mix may be monitored through a matrix encode and decode process.) The Prologic encoder 12 matrix encodes this mix as follows:Lt=L+0.707C+S(+90°), and  (1)Rt=R+0.707C+S(−90),  (2)which are carried on the two discrete channels, encoded into the existing two-channel format and recorded on a media 14 such as film.
A matrix decoder 16 decodes the two discrete channels Lt,Rt and expands them into four discrete reconstructed channels Lr, Rr, Cr and Sr. A passive matrix decoder decodes the audio data as follows:Lr=Lt,Rr=Rt,Cr=(Lt+Rt)/2, andSr=(Lt−Rt)/2.In general, the Lr and Rr channels have significant center and surround components and Cr and Sr have left and right components. The reproduced audio signals, although carried on discrete channels to discrete speakers in a speaker configuration 18, are not discrete, but in fact are characterized by significant crosstalk and phase distortion. For this reason passive decoders are rarely used.
Active matrix decoders reduce crosstalk and phase distortion but at best approximate a discrete audio presentation. Many different proprietary algorithms are used to perform an active decode and all are based on measuring the power of Lt+Rt, Lt−Rt, Lt and Rt to calculate gain factors Gi whereby,Lr=G1*Lt+G2*Rt Rr=G3*Lt+G4*Rt Cr=G5*Lt+G6*Rt, andSr=G7*Lt+G8*Rt. Active decode provides better compensation based on the power of the signal but crosstalk among components remains and true discrete reproduction is not possible.
The advent of the 5.1 format represented a fundamental shift in multichannel audio away from squeezing multiple channels into an existing stereo format and the phase distortion and crosstalk associated with matrix coding and to a truly discrete multichannel format, which provides higher fidelity and improved separation and directionality. Furthermore, two additional channels were added. The subwoofer ("Sub") (0.1 channel) provides enhanced low frequency capability. The surround channel S consists of left Ls and right Rs channels indicating the consumers' strong preference for true discrete sound even in the surround channels. Each signal (L, C, R, Ls, Rs, Sub) is compressed independently and then mixed together in a 5.1 format thereby maintaining the discreteness of each signal. Dolby AC-3™, Sony SDDS™ and DTS Coherent Acoustics™ are all examples of 5.1 systems.
As shown in FIG. 2, the studio 20 provides a 5.1 channel mix. A 5.1 encoder 22 compresses each signal or channel independently, multiplexes them together and packs the audio data into a given 5.1 format, which is recorded on a suitable media 24 such as a DVD. A 5.1 decoder 26 decodes the bitstream a frame at a time by extracting the audio data, demultiplexing it into the 5.1 channels and then decompressing each channel to reproduce the signals (Lr, Rr, Cr, Lsr, Rsr, Sub). These 5.1 discrete channels, which carry the 5.1 discrete audio signals are directed to the appropriate discrete speakers in speaker configuration 28 (subwoofer not shown).
In its cinema products, DTS implemented its 5.1 system with 5 single channel APT-X encoders by taking advantage of the spectral characteristics of the surround and subwoofer channels without sacrificing performance. The use of five rather than six processors reduced system cost As shown in FIG. 3, the 5.1 signal is reformatted into a 5 channel signal with a mixer 32 that mixes the Ls, Sub and Rs into two channels using standard studio mixing techniques, i.e. the sub is reduced by 3 dB and added to the L and R surround channels. More specifically, the left and right surround channels Ls, Rs are high pass filtered, the subwoofer channel Sub is low pass filtered, and then mixed together. The Sub channel carries low frequencies and has a bandwidth less than 150 Hz and the Ls and Rs signals have only minimal low frequency content. An APT-X decoder 34 decodes the five channels and passes Lts and Rts to a demixer 36, which high pass filters them to reproduce Lrs and Rrs, and low pass filters and sums them to reproduce the subwoofer channel Sub.
Extension to discrete 6.1 and higher multichannel formats is limited by space availability on the media, reliability and the strong desire to maintain backward compatibility with existing 5.1 decoders. Multichannel audio consumes a lot of space on the medium. Providers want to extend playtime, include multiple different audio formats including 2-channel PCM, Dolby AC-3 and DTS Coherent Acoustics, add other content such as director's comments, outtakes, etc.
Dolby has developed Dolby EX, as described in PCT Publication W099/57941, which provides more than two surround-sound channels in the current 5.1 formats and does so without increasing space requirements (number of bits or film space). Dolby EX provides more than two surround sound channels within the format of a digital soundtrack system designed to provide only two surround sound channels. Three main channels are recorded in the discrete soundtrack channels and 3, 4 or 5 surround-sound channels are matrix-encoded and recorded in two discrete surround-sound soundtrack channels. The digital audio stream of the digital soundtrack system designed to provide only two surround sound channels remains unaltered, thus providing compatibility with existing playback equipment. Moreover, the format of the media carrying the digital sound tracks is unaltered. Dolby asserts that the "discreteness" of the digital soundtrack system is not audibly diminished by employing matrix technology to surround sound channels, particularly if active matrix decoding is employed.
Dolby EX introduces phase-shifted surround sound terms to matrix encode the 3, 4 or 5 surround-sound signals into two channels, which facilitates decoding the two channels into 3, 4 or 5 audio channels. The introduction of the phase-shifted terms is essential to Dolby EX as it was to Dolby Prologic. The encoding process is given by the following generalized equations:Lts=Ls+ΣGi*Si(φi) for i=0, 1, 2, andRts=Rs+ΣHi*Si(−φi) for i=0, 1, 2where Gi and Hi are the gain coefficients, Si are the additional surround-sound channels and φi are the phase distortion components. The decoding process is given by the following generalized equations:Lrs=G1*Lts+G2*Rts Rrs=G3*Lts+G4*Rts Crs=G5*Lts+G6*Rts In the special case of three surround-sound channels (Ls, Rs, Cs), these generalized equations default to the well known mix equations where the Cs channel is reduced by 3 dB and added to the Ls and Rs channels as follows:Lts=Ls+0.707Cs, andRts=Rs+0.707Cs. It is believed that actual Dolby Ex systems phase shift Ls and Rs by plus and minus 45 degrees, respectively, to provide more depth to the surround sound. The QS or SQ matrix systems cited in the PCT Publication teach that technique.
As shown in FIG. 4, in a Dolby Ex system 40 the studio 42 provides a 6.1 channel mix (L, R, C, Ls, Rs, Cs, Sub) where Cs is an additional center surround channel. A matrix encoder 44 applies the Prologic coding algorithm to the three surround sound channels (Ls, Cs, Rs) to matrix encode them into Lts and Rts. The 5.1 channels L, R, C, sub, Lts, Rts are encoded using an AC-3, Sony or DTS encoder 46 and recorded onto a media 48. A 5.1 decoder 50 decodes the audio data to reproduce the discrete L, R, C and Sub audio channels and pass the matrix encoded Lts and Rts channels to a matrix decoder 52, which matrix decodes the channels into Lrs, Crs and Rrs using the same active matrix techniques as the Pro Logic decoders. The 6.1 discrete channels are directed to discrete speakers 54 for audio playback.
It is important to note that the three discrete surround channels do NOT carry discrete signals. The same crosstalk and phase distortion limitations associated with Prologic are now reintroduced into what was a truly discrete multichannel system. While it is true that a listener's sensitivity to position and direction is less for rear signals, true discrete audio reproduction will provide better sound separation and directionality. For the same reasons consumers preferred 2-channel surround over mono surround they will prefer 3-channel discrete surround over matrixed 2 channel surround.
Dolby EX represents a first step toward enhanced multichannel audio. Dolby EX provides additional surround sound channels using existing 5.1 formats without increasing the bit rate. Furthermore, Dolby EX preserves the discrete coding of L, R, C and sub audio signals. However, Dolby EX achieves these desirable results by sacrificing the true discreteness of the surround sound channels. A 3:2:3 system will suffer the same crosstalk limitation as Pro Logic. 4:2:4 and greater systems will also suffer phase distortion problems due to the matrix decode.
Dolby cannot provide true discrete N.1 audio because audio quality and/or reliability will suffer. The PCT Publication contemplates and then dismisses a new N.1 format for truly discrete audio stating "Although, in theory, additional channels could be carried by reducing the symbol size in order to provide more bits and allowing the storage of more data in the same physical area, such a reduction would introduce unwanted difficulties in the printing process and require substantial modification or recorder and player units in the field." A true N.1 format would be incompatible with existing hardware and would require at least substantial modification if not total replacement.
Accordingly, there remains an unfulfilled need in the industry to provide a truly discrete multichannel surround sound environment with more than two surround channels while maintaining backward compatibility with existing 5.1 decoders without sacrificing audio quality or reliability.

Discrete multichannel audio with a backward compatible mix


A method is implemented by a network device to improve efficiency for clear channel assessment (CCA) by tracking a set of neighboring stations in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes detecting, by the first network device, a wireless signal from a second network device on a wireless medium. A target network device of the wireless signal detects whether the target network device is a neighbor of the first network device. The wireless medium is determined to be busy in response to determining that the target network device is a neighbor of the first network device.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 is a set of physical and media access control (MAC) specifications for implementing wireless local area network (WLAN) communications. These specifications provide the basis for wireless network products using the Wi-Fi brand managed and defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The specifications define the use of the 2.400-2.500 GHz as well as the 4.915-5.825 GHz bands. These spectrum bands are commonly referred to as the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Each spectrum is subdivided into channels with a center frequency and bandwidth. The 2.4 GHz band is divided into 14 channels spaced 5 MHz apart, though some countries regulate the availability of these channels. The 5 GHz band is more heavily regulated than the 2.4 GHz band and the spacing of channels varies across the spectrum with a minimum of a 5 MHs spacing dependent on the regulations of the respective country or territory.
Communication on any given channel of either the 2.4 GHz or the 5 GHz band between network elements of the WLAN utilizes the clear channel assessment (CCA) protocol. CCA is defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard as part of the Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) and Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) layer. Clear Channel Assessment is composed of two related functions, carrier sense (CS) and energy detection (ED).
Carrier sense (CS) refers to the ability of the receiver to detect and decode an incoming Wi-Fi signal preamble. In addition, CCA must be reported as BUSY when another Wi-Fi signal preamble is detected, and must be held as BUSY for the length of the received frame as indicated in the frame's PLCP Length field. Typically, any incoming Wi-Fi frame whose PLCP header can be decoded will cause CCA to report the medium as busy for the time required for the frame transmission to complete.
The PLCP header Length field indicates either the number of microseconds required for transmission of the full frame MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) payload, or the number of octets carried in the frame MPDU payload which is then used in combination with the Rate field (which identifies the modulation used for the payload) to determine the time required for MPDU transmission. In any case, the length or rate+length fields of the MPDU give the receiver the information required to de-modulate the frame and determine how long the wireless medium will be busy.
Energy detection (ED) refers to the ability of the receiver to detect the energy level present on a given channel where a discernable Wi-Fi preamble cannot be decoded. ED is based on the noise floor, ambient energy, interference sources, and unidentifiable Wi-Fi transmissions that may have been corrupted but can no longer be decoded. ED cannot predict the exact length of time the wireless medium will be busy, instead ED must sample the wireless medium in every slot time to determine if the energy still exists. ED utilizes a threshold level above which the detected energy level must exceed before the wireless medium is classified as busy or idle. This minimum threshold level can be referred to as the ED threshold level or CCA sensitivity level. The CCA sensitivity level is usually much lower for valid Wi-Fi signals that can be decoded using CS than it is for other signals where a discernable preamble cannot be decoded.

System and method for wireless channel assessment


The invention provides a method for the separation and purification of two or three cellular components selected from genomic DNA, RNA and proteins from a single biological sample. The method comprises generating an aqueous solution containing the cellular components by lysing cells with a lysis solution; contacting the aqueous solution with an ion exchanger for genomic DNA and RNA to bind to the ion exchanger; collecting the flow-through which contains unbound proteins; eluting RNA from the ion exchanger; and eluting DNA from the ion exchanger. For the purification of any two of the cellular components, one of the components is not collected. The invention also provides reagent kits for carrying out the methods.

The last three decades has seen considerable effort in the development of improved methods for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids and proteins from biological sources. This has been due mainly to the increasing applications of these materials in the medical and biological sciences. Although it is advantageous in many occasions to isolate nucleic acids and proteins from the same sample, effective methods have been lacking.
Currently the most used protocol for simultaneous isolation of genomic DNA, RNA and proteins from different types of samples is a solution phase based method which utilizes TRI reagent (TRIzol; BioTechniques, 35, 450-456 (2003)). This process is based on organic/aqueous extractions and it involves the use of toxic chemicals, which include chloroform, bromochloropropane, phenol and guanidine isothiocyanate. The other drawback of this solution phase method is the difficulty in separation of the layers. If the layers are not completely separated there will be considerable amount of cross contamination.
Recently Norgen Biotek launched a silicon carbide bead based chromatography product for the isolation of DNA, RNA and protein (RNA/DNA/Protein Purification Kit). Macherey-Nagel offers a product for isolation of RNA and Protein (NUCLEOSPIN® RNA/Protein Kit). This product can be combined with a buffer set commercialized by Macherey-Nagel to accomplish the isolation of all three components. All these products are silica based technologies.
Another method for the simultaneous isolation of genomic DNA, RNA and proteins is recently disclosed in PCT application WO 03/062462 by Dynal Biotech. In this patent application, the authors propose using distinct solid supports for the isolation of DNA, mRNA and protein. The specific solid supports are dT or dU oligo derivatized support, carboxylic acid derivatized support, dynabeads derivatized with amine and magnetic particles. In summary they use different types of resins for the isolation of three different components from one sample. This is done by a stepwise addition of a specific solid support to the lysate, removal of this support and then the addition of a second support to the lysate to isolate the second component and so on. Here DNA is isolated by complexation mechanism and mRNA is isolated by affinity methods.
Currently several procedures are available for the chromatographic purification of DNA (genomic and plasmid) and RNA, for example, by employing silica based membrane purification, size exclusion chromatography, reversed phase chromatography, gel filtration, magnetic bead based purification, or ion-exchange chromatography. Ion exchange chromatography is one of the most commonly used separation and purification methods and has been used for purification of plasmid DNA, genomic DNA and RNA. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,274 (Bhikhabhai), U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,199 (Smith et al), U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,288 (Berlund et al), U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,301 (Colpan et al), U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,192, U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,428 (Bloch), U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,237 (Johansson), EP 1125943 B1 (Macherey-Nagel GmbH & Co), EP 992583 B1, EP 616639 (Qiagen), U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,812 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,064 (Vical Inc.).
While anion exchange chromatographic procedures for the purification of nucleic acids have been extensively referenced, one of the shortcomings of current protocols is the impaired recovery of nucleic acid during the elution step. Addition of organic agents such as polyols and alcohols during adsorption and desorption has been shown to improve selectivity and recovery during anion exchange purification of DNA (Tseng, W. C. et al, J. Chromatogr. B Analyt. Technol. Biomed. Life Sci., (2003), 791(1-2), 263-72). Recently, improvements have been made to the elution buffer that specifically address the recovery issues often seen during DNA desorption from anion exchange resins (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,655,792 and 7,655,793). These improved methods whether by an increase in the pH of the elution solution, or by the inclusion of specific salt compositions, greatly increase the recovery rate of bound nucleic acids from an anion exchange column.
There remains a need for improved methods for the simultaneous isolation of genomic DNA, RNA and proteins from a single sample.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Isolation of DNA, RNA and protein from a single sample


Methods and apparatus for performing a medical procedure which involves penetrating a bone structure are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for performing a surgical procedure includes introducing an assembly that includes a threaded cannula and a stylet into a bone structure. The threads have a shape that allows the cannula tip to be pushed into the bone body yet prevent the tip from being pulled out of the bone body. In one embodiment, the threads have a buttress shape. The method may also include applying a rotational motion, as for example a torque, to the threaded cannula to adjust the depth of insertion with respect to the implantation site when it is determined that the depth of insertion is to be adjusted.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for facilitating the formation of cavities in bone or tissue structures for therapeutic applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to cannulae which may be utilized to penetrate bone or other tissue for applications involving the injection of or the implantation of material into the bone or other tissue.
2. Description of the Related Art
In vertebroplasty, cancellous bone of the vertebrae is supplemented with bone "cement," e.g., polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or another filler material, in order to provide for anterior and posterior stabilization of the spine in various diseases. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a vertebra included in the spine includes an exterior formed from cortical bone, and an interior formed of cancellous or trabecular bone. Vertebroplasty often involves inserting a cannula into a target area of bone or tissue to achieve access to an implantation site for the bone cement.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is desirable from the standpoint that it is minimally invasive as compared to a conventional alternative of surgically exposing a tissue site to be supplemented with bone cement. Several procedures are known for accessing a desired site in the cancellous bone of a vertebral body, or substantially any other cancellous bone, to deliver bone cement or any other suitable hard tissue implant material to stabilize, or build up, a site once expanded as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,456; U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,110; U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,404 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,888, which are each incorporated herein by reference.
To gain access to a hard tissue implantation site, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,019,776 and 6,933,411, which are each incorporated herein by reference, a straight needle or cannula in combination with a stylet may be employed. Once access is achieved and the stylet is removed from the cannula, bone cement may be delivered through the cannula for the purposes of filling the hard tissue implantation site. However, a shortcoming with the above mentioned straight cannula assembly is that once the cannula is driven into the bone body, there is no feature and/or structure to grip the bone wall and provide controlled advancement of the cannula.
Another cannula is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,886. Referring to FIG. 1, the prior art cannula includes threads at a distal portion. However, a shortcoming with the above mentioned threaded cannulae is that once the cannula is driven into the bone body, the threads are shaped such that the bone tends to be sheared as the cannula is inserted, destroying or stripping the bone wall. Consequently, controllably advancing the cannula is inhibited.
What is desirable is a cannula having a thread structure that facilitates convenient insertion, minimizes the damage to the bony wall, and maximizes the ability to be driven forward by the threads in a controlled manner.

Cannula having asymmetrically-shaped threads


This invention is directed to novel indole and benzothiazole compounds which are selective for cloned human alpha 2 receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for any indication where use of an alpha 2 agonist may be appropriate. Specifically, this includes use as analgesic, sedative and anaesthetic agents. In addition, this invention includes using such compounds for lowering intraocular pressure, presbyopia, treating migraine, hypertension, alcohol withdrawal, drug addiction, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic pain, spasticity, diarrhea, nasal decongestion, urinary incontinence as well as for use as cognition enhancers and ocular vasoconstriction agents. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Throughout this application, various references are referred to within parentheses. Disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to describe more fully the state of the art to which this invention pertains.
Alpha adrenergic receptors are plasma membrane receptors which are located in the peripheral and central nervous systems throughout the body. They are members of a diverse family of structurally related receptors which contain seven putative helical domains and transduce signals by coupling to guanine nucleotide binding * proteins (G-proteins). These receptors are important for controlling many physiological functions and, thus, have been important targets for drug development during the past 40 years. Examples of alpha adrenergic drugs include clonidine, phenoxybenzamine and prazosin (for treatment of hypertension), naphazoline (for nasal decongestion), medetomidine (for veterinary analgesia), UK-14,304 and p-aminocionidine (for glaucoma). However, most of these drugs produce undesirable side effects, possibly due to their interactions with other receptor subtypes. For example, clonidine is a well known centrally acting antihypertensive agent. However, it also produces untoward side effects such as analgesia, sedation, bradycardia and dry mouth which may be due to its lack of selectivity at xcex12 receptors.
xcex1-Adrenergic receptors were originally proposed to have only two (alpha and beta) subtypes (Berthelsen, S.; Pettinger W. Life Sci., 21, 595 (1977)). However, modern molecular biological and pharmacological techniques have led to the identification of at least 6 subtypes (xcex11a, xcex11b, xcex11c, xcex12a, xcex12b and xcex12c) of the adrenergic receptors (Bylund, D. B., Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 9, 356 (1988)).
Among many other therapeutic indications, xcex12 receptors are believed to modulate pain and behavioral depression by regulating locus coeruleus firing. In addition, xcex12 receptors are well known to be involved in effects on blood pressure, heart rate, vasoconstriction and on glaucoma. However, it is not known which therapeutic indications are controlled by each of these subtypes.
The effects of xcex12 receptor agonists on analgesia, anesthesia and sedation have been well documented for past 10 years (Pertovaara, A., Progress in Neurobiology, 40, 691 (1993)). For example, systematic administration of clonidine has been shown to produce antinociception in various species including human patients in addition to its well known sedative effects. Intrathecal and epidural administration of clonidine has also proved effective in producing antinociception. Another xcex12 agonist, medetomidine, which has better xcex12/xcex11 selectivity and is more potent at xcex12 receptors than clonidine, has been extensively studied for its antinociception effect. In the spinally-initiated heat-induced tail flick test in rats, systemic administration of medetomidine produced a dose-dependent antinociception which could be totally reversed by xcex12 receptor antagonists, atipamazole or idazoxan. Experimental studies of medetomidine on pain sensitivity in humans also indicated that this agent is very effective for ischemic pain, even though effective drug doses were high enough to produce sedation and considerable decreases in blood pressure.
Effects of xcex12 receptor agonists in anaesthetic practice have also been investigated (Bloor, B. C.; Flacke, W. E., Anesth. Analg., 61, 741 (1982)). The sedative effect of xcex12 agonists is regarded as good component of premedication. Another beneficial effect of xcex12 agonists in anaesthetic practice is their ability to potentiate the anaesthetic action of other agents and to reduce anaesthetic requirements of other drugs during surgery. Studies shows that premedication with 5 xcexcg kgxe2x88x921 of oral clonidine administration reduced fentanyl requirements for induction and intubation by 45% in patients undergoing aortoccronary bypass surgery (Ghingnone, M., et al., Anesthesiology, 64, 36 (1986)).
This invention is directed to novel indole and benzothiazole compounds which are selective for cloned human xcex12 adrenergic receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for any indication where use of an xcex12 adrenergic receptor agonist may be appropriate. Specifically, this includes use as analgesic, sedative and anaesthetic agents. In addition, this invention includes using such compounds for lowering intraocular pressure, treating migraine headache, hypertension, presbyopia, alcohol withdrawal, drug addiction, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemia, spasticity, diarrhea, nasal decongestion, urinary incontinence as well as for use as cognition enhancers and ocular vasoconstriction agents. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
The present invention is directed to compounds having the structure;
where each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently xe2x80x94H; straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl, monofluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl, straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl;
where each of R4, R5 and R6 is independently xe2x80x94H, xe2x80x94F, xe2x80x94Cl, xe2x80x94Br, xe2x80x94I, xe2x80x94OH, xe2x80x94OR7, xe2x80x94OCOR7, xe2x80x94SR1, xe2x80x94N(R7)2, xe2x80x94CN, xe2x80x94CO2R7, xe2x80x94CON(R7)2, or xe2x80x94COR7; straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl, monofluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl; straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl; C3-C7 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl; C4-C7 heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl; phenyl, substituted phenyl or phenyl substituted C1-C4 alkyl where the substituted phenyl or phenyl substituted C1-C4 alkyl is substituted with xe2x80x94H, xe2x80x94F, xe2x80x94Cl, xe2x80x94Br, xe2x80x94I, xe2x80x94NO2, xe2x80x94CN, straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl, straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl, xe2x80x94NR10, xe2x80x94OR10, xe2x80x94COR10, xe2x80x94CO7R10, or xe2x80x94CON(R10)2;
where each R7 is independently xe2x80x94H; xe2x80x94N(R10)2, xe2x80x94NR10COR10, xe2x80x94(C2)nOR10, xe2x80x94SOnR10, xe2x80x94SOnN(R10)2, xe2x80x94(CH2)nN(R10)2, or xe2x80x94(CH2)nNRO10COR10; straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl; straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl; phenyl, substituted phenyl or phenyl substituted C1-C4 alkyl where the substituted phenyl or phenyl substituted C1-4 alkyl is substituted with xe2x80x94H, xe2x80x94F, xe2x80x94Cl, xe2x80x94Br, xe2x80x94I, xe2x80x94NO2, xe2x80x94CN, straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl, straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl, xe2x80x94NR10, xe2x80x94OR10, xe2x80x94COR10, xe2x80x94CO2R10, or xe2x80x94CON(R10)2;
where each n is independently an integer from 1 to 4;
where each R8 is independently xe2x80x94H; straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl; straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl; C3-C7 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl; phenyl, substituted phenyl or phenyl substituted C1-C4 alkyl where the substituted phenyl or phenyl substituted C1-C4 alkyl is substituted with xe2x80x94H, xe2x80x94F, xe2x80x94Cl, xe2x80x94Br, xe2x80x94I, xe2x80x94NO2, xe2x80x94CN, straight chained or branched C1-7 alkyl, straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl, xe2x80x94NR10, xe2x80x94OR10, xe2x80x94COR10, xe2x80x94CO2R10, or xe2x80x94CON(R10)2;
where R9 is independently xe2x80x94H; straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl; straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl; C3-C7 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl; C4-C7 heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl; phenyl, substituted phenyl or phenyl substituted C1-C4 alkyl where the substituted phenyl or phenyl substituted C1-C4 alkyl is substituted with xe2x80x94H, xe2x80x94F, xe2x80x94Cl, xe2x80x94Br, xe2x80x94I, xe2x80x94NO2, xe2x80x94CN, straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl, straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl, xe2x80x94NR10, xe2x80x94OR10, xe2x80x94COR10, xe2x80x94CO2R10, or xe2x80x94CON(R10)2;
where each R10 is independently xe2x80x94H; straight chained or branched C1-C7 alkyl; straight chained or branched C2-C7 alkenyl or alkynyl; and
where X is independently CH2, O, NH or S; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Note that when R9 is H, the H undergoes exchange between the adjacent amine and imidazole nitrogen atoms, in a phenomenon called xe2x80x9ctautomerization.xe2x80x9d Throughout this application, the pictorial representation of this structure where R9 is H places the exchangeable H on the amine nitrogen atom.
In a preferred embodiment, the compounds may have the structure:
where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are as defined above.
In preferred embodiments, the invention includes compounds having the structures:


The inventive device includes a game board having an playing surface illustrated to represent terrain and having a plurality of spaces, each space having a type of terrain represented therein. A plurality of gold playing coins and a plurality of silver playing coins are provided. A plurality of playing piece sets are provided, each set including: a ruler piece, a queen piece, a plurality of soldier pieces. Each piece of the playing piece set is assigned an associated coin value, the coin values determining the number of playing coins required to purchase its respective piece of the playing piece set. A plurality of siege pieces are also provided and include catapults, a battering ram, an assault tower, and a bridge. The system includes a plurality of dice which are divided into a number of dice sets.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to war games and more particularly pertains to a new wargame playing system for providing a game of skill, knowledge of history, and fun.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of war games is known in the prior art. More specifically, war games heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art war games include U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,460; U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,887; U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,160; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,695.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new wargame playing system. The inventive device includes a game board having an playing surface is illustrated to represent terrain and having a plurality of spaces, each the space having a type of terrain represented therein. A plurality of gold playing coins and a plurality of silver playing coins are provided. A plurality of playing piece sets are provided, each set including: a ruler piece, a queen piece, a plurality of soldier pieces. Each piece of the playing piece set is assigned an associated coin value, the coin values determining the number of playing coins required to purchase its respective piece of the playing piece set. A plurality of siege pieces are also provided and include catapults, a battering ram, an assault tower, and a bridge. The system includes a plurality of dice which are divided into a number of dice sets including: a movement set of dice for determining the movement of a piece of the playing sets; a defender damage set of dice for determining the amount of damage sustained by a piece of the playing set designated as a defender; an attacker damage set of dice for determining the amount of damage sustained by a piece of the playing set designated as an attacker; a weather set of dice for representing a number of types of weather, each of the weathers affecting the movement of the pieces of the playing piece sets; a bonus die for determining the amount of bonus during a combat; a silver die for determining the number of silver playing coins a player will receive; and a gold die for determining the number of gold playing coins a player will receive.
In these respects, the wargame playing system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a game of skill, knowledge of history, and fun.


A preferred embodiment alarm device for use with fall protection equipment includes an elongating member, an alarm, an activation member, and a connecting member. The elongating member has a first end and a second end and extends in length as the first end and the second end are pulled in different directions. The alarm is operatively connected to the first end of the elongating member, and the activation member is releasably connected to the alarm. The activation member activates the alarm when disconnected from the alarm. The connecting member interconnects the activation member and the second end of the elongating member, and the activation member becomes disconnected from the alarm when the elongating member is extended in length as the first end and the second end are pulled in different directions thereby activating the alarm when the elongating member is extended.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an alarm device for use with fall protection equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With regard to one possible application of the present invention, motorized tugger lines (winch lines on hoists commonly referred to as tuggers) are commonly used in the petroleum drilling industry to raise and/or lower equipment and/or workers up to and down from a derrick. A derrick is a framework over a drill hole (as of an oil well) for supporting boring tackle and/or for hoisting and lowering equipment and/or workers. Commonly, a worker will sit on a boatswain chair connected to the tugger line.
A risk of using motorized tugger lines is the possibility of workers getting caught on obstructions such as the oil derrick structure or other structures as the workers are being raised and/or lowered by the tugger lines. If a worker gets caught on an obstruction, the tugger continues to pull the tugger line thereby continuing to pull the worker, which could result in serious injury or death. "Man-rated" tuggers are available and typically include a clutch mechanism that limits the load of the tuggers to reduce the risk of injury to the workers. Once a predetermined load on the tugger line is reached, the "man-rated" tugger stops pulling the tugger line. However, even with "man-rated" tuggers having such a built-in safety precaution, the "man-rated" tuggers may actually provide a false sense of security and may still have risks of serious injury or death should workers get caught on obstructions. Typical "man-rated" tuggers lift from approximately 1,000 to 40,000 pounds, which is questionable for safety purposes.
With regard to another possible application of the present invention, shock absorbing devices are commonly used with fall protection equipment to reduce the force of a fall on workers. Should a worker fall, the worker may need to be rescued, especially if the worker has been injured during the fall. In some instances, it is critical to rescue a worker within a relatively short period of time. One example is to prevent the onset of orthostatic intolerance when unconscious and/or immobile workers are suspended in their harnesses unable to move their legs. Therefore, timely rescue may be critical.

Alarm device for use with fall protection equipment


The delivery of targeted advertisements (ads) to wireless mobile handheld display devices (MHDDs) with client specific advertisement and dynamic content for response and feedback is becoming important in advertising. As the return for ads on MHDDs becomes higher, there is a push to show larger, complex, and more interactive ads on small displays. This has created a need to maximize the area available for ad viewing. The need also exists for increasing the engagement time of the ads. An embodiment of the invention establishes such capability by providing a rolled up ad display where the banner area is used to present a continuously rolling, rolled up ad, which is displayed on the screen at the ad spots by unrolling. Furthermore, the use of transparent hot-spots on the ad allows the whole display screen of the MHDD to be used for presentation of such large and complex ads.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to advertisements (ads) and content viewing on wireless enabled mobile handheld display devices (MHDDs). More specifically, the invention relates to the delivery of large, complex targeted advertisements to MHDDs with the capability for client specific response and feedback to the advertisements to maximize return on investment.
2. Description of the Background Art
The use of MHDDs has been increasing very fast. Such devices are now commonly used for providing selective delivery of focused ads to different target groups of mobile viewers. Such mobile viewer groups (MVGs) are becoming increasingly important and valuable to advertisers as the numbers of such groups continue to increase. There is limited capability of delivering customer and/or group specific ads using specific preferred ad interaction methods to target MVGs today. The ads and the contents thereof must be delivered to the MHDDs of target MVGs, and responses to such ads are collected back, using an interactive call-to-action enabler, such as switches or inserts instantiated on the display of the MHDDs. Methods for delivery of these complex ads are still not optimized for the small MHDD screens.
FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram showing a prior art instantiation 100 of the call-to-action enablers on the display screen 102 of the MHDD 100 during an ad display, during an ad spot. The call-to-action enablers Click-to-Call, Click-to-Browse, Click-to-Jump page, Click-to-Message, Click-to-Mail, Click-to-Bookmark, Click-to-Share, or Click-to-download are instantiated as switches 111, 112, 113 and as inserts 114, 115. These take up space 105 on the display screen 102, at times more space than the amount of banner space 104 that is available. The use of the space 105 that includes the banner space 104 for the switches 111, 112, 113 and inserts 114, 115 limits the space available for display of the ad 106 to even less than the space 103.
Targeted large display on the MHDD 101 is increasing in number and complexity. Larger ads are being developed to convey fully the inherent messages to the viewing users. Generating and displaying these ads is expensive and, to provide return on these large complex ads, it is necessary to provide maximum exposure to the ad during ad spots by using the full available area of display. It is also advantageous to provide continuous exposure to ads during content viewing so that mind share of the viewer can be captured and the viewer's interest in the ad can be enhanced. Providing the capability for user interaction with the ad during these times is also of utmost importance. Hence, for maximizing return from any ad, it would be advantageous to retain the ability for the full ad to be displayed on screen during ad spots, while keeping the important sections and messages of the ad displayed, during content viewing. It would be further advantageous to provide the customer with some ability to interact with the ad, even during content viewing.

Method and apparatus for maximizing brand exposure in a minimal mobile display


A method of making a fur product from dressed animal pelts having fur and leather sides includes cutting the fur pelts into elongated strips of generally equal width, aligning the elongated strips alternating fur up, leather up, fur up, leather up and so on, edge sewing the aligned strips together to form a panel, cutting the sewn together panel at an angle to the edge sewn seams into elongate sections, shifting every other section longitudinally a distance generally equal to the width of the cut sections, and edge sewing the sections together to form a two sided fur blanket.

It is known in the art relating to fur processing to sew dressed pelts edge to edge to form a blanket having leather on one side and fur on the other side. This blanket is fashioned or tailored into a coat or other garment. The fashioned garment is typically lined with cloth to cover the leather side.
The fashioned garment is wearable only on one side and the look of the garment is that of the animal of which the garment is made.


A method of controlling an idle speed for an engine of a vehicle includes the steps of sensing a vehicle speed. At least one of a parking brake position and a clutch position is also sensed. When it is determined that the vehicle speed is below a maximum vehicle speed, and either the parking brake is released or the clutch is depressed, the engine idle speed is increased from a base idle speed to a launch idle speed.

When a running vehicle is stationary, such as at a stop sign or traffic light, the vehicle operator will often place the vehicle transmission in neutral or engages the clutch and release the throttle pedal (accelerator). With the engine uncoupled from the drivetrain and the throttle pedal released, the engine of the vehicle operates at a predetermined base idle speed, typically measured in revolutions per minute and controlled by an engine idle speed governor. Idle speed governors are normally configured to maintain a base idle speed in order to allow the engine to run on its own without any external intervention and comply with regulatory fuel consumption and emissions standards. In this regard, some idle speed governors use control loop feedback controllers with feedforward input from auxiliary components to control the fuel provided to the engine in order to regulate engine speed.
To launch a vehicle with a manual transmission from a stationary position, the operator first; applies the service brake, releases the parking brake, engages the clutch and puts the transmission in gear. Second; the operator slowly releases the clutch and service brake to launch the vehicle. For heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, it is desirable to launch the vehicle from the stationary position without having to press the throttle pedal, i.e., to launch "unassisted." During some conditions, such as when the truck is heavily loaded or stopped on an uphill incline, the idling engine does not provide enough torque to allow for a smooth unassisted launch. As a result, the vehicle may lurch or the engine may stall—unless the driver intervenes. Driver intervention is a wholly undesirable characteristic of having to launch a vehicle.

Method to elevate idle speed to launch a vehicle with manual transmission


Provided is a power supply device including a power supply unit that supplies a driving voltage for driving at least one or more loads; a current balancing unit that maintains a current balance of the driving voltage supplied to the respective loads; a detection unit that detects currents flowing in the current balancing unit through electromagnetic induction so as to output a detection signal; and a control unit that receives the detection signal to judge whether the loads are opened or not and outputs a control signal for controlling the magnitude of the driving voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power supply device which can detect an open load through electromagnetic induction.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, since LCD products such as LCD TVs or LCD monitors cannot emit light by themselves, a backlight device for providing light to an LCD panel is used therein. Such a backlight device provides light by using a plurality of discharge lamps. The resistance value of the respective lamps when the backlight device is initially driven is different from that of the lamps when the backlight device is normally driven. Therefore, when the lamps are driven in parallel, a current balance should be maintained using a current balancing transformer.
Further, when the lamps adopted in the backlight device are driven in parallel, the brightness of the lamps should be constantly maintained and adjusted. For this, a power supply unit of the backlight device is provided with a feedback circuit and a protection circuit. The feedback circuit receives the currents of the lamps to constantly maintain the lamp currents, and the protection circuit protects the lamps and the power supply unit when an excessive voltage is applied to the lamps.
Hereinafter, a conventional power supply device will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional power supply device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional power supply device includes a power supply unit 110, a current balancing unit 120, a detection unit 130, and a control unit 140 and drives a plurality of loads L1 to L6 with constant brightness.
The power supply unit 110 is connected to the plurality of loads L1 to L6, the current balancing unit 120, and the control unit 140 and is controlled by the control unit 140 so as to output a driving voltage Vin for driving the plurality of loads L1 to L6.
The current balancing unit 120 is composed of a plurality of transformers T1 to T6 having primary and secondary sides. The current balancing unit 120 receives the driving voltage Vin output from the power supply unit 110 so as to balance currents of the driving voltage Vin. Then, the current balancing unit 120 supplies the driving voltage with a constant magnitude to the respective loads L1 to L6.
The number of the transformers T1 to T6 is equal to the number of the loads L1 to L6 such that the transformers T1 to T6 are connected to the respective loads L1 to L6 one by one. The primary sides of the transformers T1 to T6 receive the driving voltage Vin to supply to the respective loads L1 to L6. Further, the secondary sides thereof are connected in series to each other so as to maintain a current balance of the driving voltage Vin applied from the primary sides.
The detection unit 130 is connected to the current balancing unit 120 and the control unit 140 and includes a plurality of voltage dividing sections 131 to 136, first to sixth diodes D1 to D6, and a capacitor C0. The detection unit 130 detects a current flowing in the current balancing unit 120 so as to output a detection signal P corresponding to the detected current.
At this time, the plurality of voltage dividing sections 131 to 136 are connected to the secondary sides of the respective transformers T1 to T6 and respectively have two resistors. The voltage dividing sections 131 to 136 receive and divide a voltage corresponding to the current flowing in the connected transformers.
The first to sixth diodes D1 to D6 receive and output the voltages divided by the plurality of voltage dividing sections 131 and 136, and the capacitor C0 smoothes the divided voltages applied through the first to sixth diodes D1 to D6 to output as a detection signal P.
The control unit 140 is connected to the detection unit 130 and the power supply unit 110. When the detection signal P delivered through the detection unit 130 is larger or smaller than a preset reference voltage, the control unit 140 judges that one or more of the loads L1 to L6 are opened or short-circuited. Then, the control unit 140 outputs a control signal S for controlling the power supply unit 110.
Accordingly, when the loads are opened or short-circuited, the control unit 140 controls the power supply unit 110 so as to control the output of the driving voltages Vin is controlled. Then, it is possible to protect the plurality of loads L1 to L6 and the power supply device.
However, the conventional power supply device has the following problems.
In the conventional power supply device, one transformer should be provided to drive one load. In FIG. 1, six of the transformers T1 to T6 should be provided in the current balancing unit 120 to drive six of the loads L1 to L6. Therefore, as the number of loads increases, the volume of the power supply device increases, and the circuit becomes complex.
Further, the detection unit 130 of the conventional power supply device is directly connected to the plurality of transformers T1 to T6 required for insulation design. Therefore, there are difficulties in applying the detection unit 130 to a load requiring a high voltage.


Distributed trick play resolution in a distributed video viewing group network includes determining trick play preferences for each device of a plurality of nodes in the distributed video viewing group network with respect to a video item. Conflicting trick play preferences between the nodes is determined based on one or more of a group consisting of: user rankings, user voting, trick play ranking, and owner resolution. The determined conflicting trick play preferences are resolved.

In distributed video viewing systems, where a group of users are viewing videos in a peer-to-peer (P2P) or distributed computing model, users will inevitably want to use certain functions such as trick play functionality. However, the video is viewed in a group and also in distributed locations. Thus, the individual preferences of each user often conflict with that of the entire group of users when viewing a video in the P2P or distributed viewing setting.

System and method for distributed trick play resolution using user preferences