A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for real-time creation of vessel performance models. Performance inputs are received from a set of sensors during a voyage of a vessel. The performance inputs are data associated with a performance of the vessel during the voyage. A real-time performance model is generated during the voyage using a subset of the performance inputs. A predicted value for velocity made good is identified for the vessel using the real-time performance model.

1. Field
The present application is related generally to a data processing system and in particular to a method and apparatus for real-time polars. More particularly, the present application is directed to a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for providing real-time performance models for vessels.
2. Background
A ship polar or sailing polar is a model of a vessel's theoretical performance. Performance in this context is defined as a vessel's progress into the wind, also referred to as velocity made good (VMG), given the angle of the wind in relation to the bow of the vessel. The ship polar, also referred to as a performance model, provides predictions of a ship's speed based on weather conditions and ship heading.
Generally, users have to purchase files of sailing polars or manually create sailing polars from pre-recorded data. Polars are sometimes generated using U.S. Sailings Velocity Predication Program (VPP). The Velocity Predication Program creates sailing polars based on vessel characteristics, such as hydrostatic analysis, stability analysis, body plan outlines, and lines processing. The results generated using these pre-generated, static polars do not generate results based on the actual performance of a particular vessel for which the polar is being used. This approach may be referred to as an off-line approach.
Another current solution is to produce polar diagrams based on wind speed, wind angle, and velocity made good. Those recordings are processed off-line using least mean squares fit. Polars may also be created manually by plotting velocity made good, true wind angle, and apparent wind angle values using currently available applications for creating polars. However, manually plotting polars may be unduly burdensome and inconvenient for a user.
Off-line techniques for creating polars use data regarding a particular vessel's expected or typical characteristics and recordings of weather conditions versus the expected performance for that type of vessel under the given set of weather conditions to pre-generate polars in an off-line or static approach. Sailing polars created using current solutions do not enable polars to account for real-time changes in a particular vessel's performance during an actual voyage. Thus, sailing polars, whether purchased by a user or manually created by the user, typically provide only a crude model of a ship's performance due to real-world variations in vessels, wear and tear, and other factors that may affect the performance of a particular vessel.

Real-time performance models for vessels


Provided are a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus and methods of controlling the transmission and reception. The transmitting apparatus includes: a baseband packet generator configured to, in response to input of data, generate a baseband packet for mapping the data with a physical layer; a baseband frame generator configured to generate a baseband frame including the baseband packet; a signal processor configured to signal-process the baseband frame; and a transmitter configured to transmit the baseband frame after the signal processing, wherein the baseband packet includes signaling information which indicates that the data comprises at least one of base layer data and enhancement layer data.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a transmitting apparatus which adopts an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) method, a receiving apparatus, and the methods of controlling the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A recent broadcast communication service is characterized by multi-functions, wideband, and high quality transmission and reception. In particular, with the development of electronic technologies, a portable broadcasting device, such as a high-definition digital television (HDTV), a high-end smart phone, etc., has become widely in use. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for broadcasting services which support various reception methods.
To meet such demand, as an example, a broadcast communication standard, such as the Digital Video Broadcasting the Second Generation Terrestrial (DVB-T2) has been developed. The DVB-T2 refers to a second generation European terrestrial digital broadcasting standard the performance of which has been improved from the DVB-T which is adopted as a standard in more than 35 countries in the world including Europe. For the DVB-T2, the transmission capacity and high bandwidth efficiency have been improved by applying technologies such as Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding and 256 QAM modulation methods. Accordingly, the DVB-T2 has an advantage of providing various high quality services, such as HDTV services, in a limited band.
In addition, with the development of a mobile network and popularization of a smart phone, there is a need for a physical standard of a terrestrial broadcasting including mobile broadcasting. HD content services were capable of being received through only a TV in a domestic environment, but with the development of a network, a user is able to receive HD content services through a mobile device.
Also, with the development of a large-volume content (for example, ultra high-definition (UHD) service), it is required to transmit a multi-layer content including a physical layer for a small-volume content and a physical layer for a large-volume content, in order to secure compatibility between a device receiving the existing content, that is, a small-volume content and a device receiving a large-volume content.

Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and method of controlling the same


A door latch 100 comprises a housing 110 fixed to a hinged door, and a knob 140 is slidably guided within a slit 112 formed to the housing 110. A bolt 130 inserted to a bolt guide 120 is fixed to the knob 140 using a screw 160. The sliding movement of said knob 140 is limited by both end portions 112a and 112b of a slit 112, against which said knob 140 collides. A plastic damper 150 is equipped to the position of collision for muffling collision noise. A ball 136 providing detent for said bolt is also made of plastic, providing a further muffling effect.

The present invention relates to a door latch used for locking a hinged door, and especially relates to a door latch used as the interior equipment of an aircraft.
A hinged door is equipped for example to the opening area of a galley (cooking facility) or a toilet equipped as an interior member of an aircraft.
The locking mechanism of a hinged door applies a structure where a knob fixed to a sliding bolt is used to insert the bolt to a catch or to remove it therefrom. The bolt is slidably inserted to a bolt guide equipped to a housing, and the knob is formed to slide along a slit opened to the housing.
When a user holds the knob and slides it, the knob moves toward the end of the slit: formed to the housing, and stops when it collides to the end portion. Since the housing and the knob are formed of metal members to provide them necessary strength, the collision of the knob against the housing generates a large noise. Further, in order to prevent the bolt from moving around freely in the bolt guide and to maintain the bolt at a fully pulled-in position, a holding mechanism (detent) using a ball and a spring is equipped thereto. The detent structure also causes noise.
Since the interior members of the aircraft is positioned near the cabin, these noises reach the passengers on board, and causes problems such as awaking the passengers when they are sleeping.
Therefore, the present invention provides a door latch having a structure enabling to reduce the collision noise when opening/closing the door.
The door latch according to the present invention comprises a bolt guide mounted on a housing, a housing fixed to the door, a bolt inserted slidably to the bolt guide, a knob slidably guided by a slit formed to the housing, and a fastening means for connecting the knob and the bolt, wherein the area where the knob collides with the end portions of the slit formed to the housing is equipped with a plastic damper.
The door latch further comprises a hole with a bottom formed orthogonal to the axial line of the bolt at the rear end area of the bolt, a coil-spring inserted to the hole with a bottom, and a plastic ball biased by the coil-spring, wherein the bolt guide is equipped with a hole for receiving the ball.


A storage medium includes a storage device for storing information, information required for encryption and encrypted information, and an I/F device for inputting and outputting information, information required for coding and store encrypted information in a storage device or from an external apparatus other than the storage device, and an encoding device for coding of information and decoding of encoded information. When outputting information stored inside the storage device, information is encoded using encryption key information, and along with obtaining the encoded information and obtaining the encoded encryption key information by using another encryption key. Both the encoded information and encoded encryption key information are output so that decoding the information without the storage medium is impossible.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information storage system, information transfer system and to a storage medium utilized in those systems for distributing information on a semiconductor storage medium, and relates in particular to a method for preventing illegal copying while storing information of high added value onto general information storage mediums such as large capacity magnetic storage in personal computers not having a function to prevent copying of information, and to a method for transferring the same information between storage mediums without copying.
1. Description of Related Art
One method of the related art for distributing information with high added value while preventing illegal copying is a system disclosed in unexamined Japanese Patent publication No. 2000-90039. A brief explanation of the operation of the device is given while referring to FIG. 9.
A block diagram showing a system for preventing unauthorized use by copying is shown in FIG. 9. In the system in FIG. 9, a music server 903 and a client 902 are connected by an Internet 901. A public key and a secret key are made based on the characteristic ID of the playback equipment 911, by the client 902. The public key is sent from a personal computer 910 to a server 903 and registered (stored). The secret key is retained in a playback equipment 911. The client 902 makes a request to the server 903 for distribution of the music data. Encryption with the registered public key is performed for music data extracted from a music data base 922. The encrypted music data is sent to the client 902 and stored in the playback equipment 911. During play, the music data is decrypted with the secret key held in the playback equipment 911 while being played. The music data stored in the playback equipment 911 was encrypted with a key made based on the unique ID of the playback equipment 911 and therefore cannot be played back on other playback equipment.
Another method for transferring information with high added value is disclosed in unexamined Japanese Patent publication No. H11-259964. The operation of the device is briefly described while referring to FIG. 10.
A flowchart of the information transfer system of the related art is shown in FIG. 10. In this device, when data is copied by transfer to the transfer destination, the playing back of the transfer source data is prohibited. A unique identifier is set beforehand into the device at the transfer destination. In step 1050, when the transfer source device is connected to the transfer destination device, an identifier is sent from transfer destination device in step 1051. In step 1052, a search is made in the (pre-registered) identifier control table for the identifier that was sent, and in step 1053 whether or not this identifier was found is determined. If not found, the process shifts to step 1061 and transfer is prohibited. In step 1053, if the identifier is found, a song is selected in step 1054, and a transfer command is made. Next, in step 1055, the data to be transferred is searched for from the data control table at the transfer source, and the flag is checked in step 1056. If the flag is a "1" in step 1057, then the process shifts to step 1061 and transfer of that data is prohibited since transfer has already occurred. If the flag is a "0", then the data is transferred instep 1058, and instep 1059 the data control table is rewritten.
The related art had the problem that imparting added (unique) value to information was difficult since information stored on a semiconductor storage medium was easily copied onto another semiconductor storage medium. Stated conversely, in order to prevent information of high added (unique) value from being easily copied this information was not distributed by semiconductor storage mediums.
In a method of the related art to distribute information of high added (unique) value while preventing illegal use by copying, the server 903 encoded the information of high added (unique) value based on the unique ID of the playback equipment 911 so that listening in on the communication system path and illegally using the same information could be prevented.
When passing encoded information from the transfer source device to the transfer destination device, a two-step combination, of "Encoding and transferring unique (added) value information such as music data by means of a common key encoding method." and "Encoding and sending the common key used for encoding by the public key encoding method." was generally used on account of the processing speed and simple key management. Since in the latter encoding, an encoding key capable of being decoded at the transfer destination device was utilized (keys were shared), information of significant value could be utilized at the transfer destination device.
In the method of the related art, for transferring information of high added (unique) value without copying the information between storage mediums, the transfer of data could be achieved by data copy permit/prohibit flags, and by installing a function to prohibit data at the data transfer source after copying the data. However, in both of these methods of the related art, the communication path for information between the transfer source and the transfer destination was not adequately protected and information of high added (unique) value could be illegally acquired by intercepting (listening in) information on the same communication path. Further, This procedure has a point when usable data was present at the data transfer source and the data transfer destination, so the data at data transfer source and the data transfer destination were both capable of being utilized due to an interruption in communications between the data transfer source and the transfer destination.

Information storage system, information transfer system and storage medium thereof


The invention relates to a blocking device for a beverage dispenser. The technical problem exists of providing a lock for dispensers of this type that can be opened in an uncomplicated manner by the authorized individuals but reliably prevents unauthorized individuals from accessing the contents of the dispenser, however, while at the same time not elevating the security of the lock to such an extent that a loss of a key or of a locking device would lead to a complete inaccessibility to the system, that is to say, not by the authorized individuals as a result of their negligence (loss or misplacing of the key) but by generally unauthorized individuals. To this end, the invention provides a blocking device provided for or on a beverage dispenser comprising a holding device (10) for a beverage and a cover (20) situated above the holding device while provided for covering a filled beverage supply (G). When closed, the cover, with section (21), overlaps the holding device having an edge section (11, 12). A blocking device (30) is displaceably mounted (A,23) in the overlapping section (21). The displaceability (A) of the blocking device (30) is hindered by an obstructing device (40) when the obstructing device is located in a position of rest.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a barrier device for a drinks dispenser or such a device on a drinks dispenser. The invention also relates to a locking process for a drinks container, which consists of a lower part (as drinks reservoir for the drink to be mixed or finally mixed drink) and a cover, which as upper part covers the charged drink to air and foreign access. Finally, the invention also relates to the barrier device as such, with which a drinks dispenser made from upper and lower part may be fitted, or with which a process may be carried out, which may lock such a drinks container comprising upper and lower part.
2. Description of the Related Art
From U.S. Pat. No. 2,083,621 (Smith), a container in round form is known, which is covered by a cover, which engages over a container edge with an apron portion. A tongue (18, 32, 33 there), which engages through a flap or eyelet arranged on the container body, is arranged on the container edge when the cover (15, 16 there) is rotated in peripheral direction with respect to the container body. Locking is thus possible, reinforcing the lock by bending the flap, and a complete closure technology by introducing a seal or attaching a wire may completely secure the closed position. An intermediate solution between complete security and easy opening is however not provided due to the flap which is accessible at any time externally. On the other hand, DE-U-295 12 609 (Engelbrecht) intended for a distant technical specialist field, shows a locking device on a large base body which permits closing of the cover with respect to the body, to permit only authorized people to open by wrench, but to permit opening of the large container during emptying thereof (by tilting) to a quite specific circle of people, during which tilting movement the closure device is opened automatically even if no wrench is present. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 2,809,062 (Mainhardt) shows magnetic locking of door and soffit, wherein a bolt is displaced in its position by a magnet (acting externally), such that it can be displaced axially between a closed position and an open position. The closed position and the open position of the magnet also define the closed position and the open position of the door described there.
A drinks dispenser is described in for example EP-B 1 132 316 (Wolfgang Jobmann). There, the air closure and ensuring the quality of the contents of the drinks dispenser is crucial. With regard to a general design of such a dispenser, reference may be made to this publication. In problem areas, such as for example psychiatric departments or places of detention or even in normal canteen operation without a continuous monitoring facility of such a drinks dispenser, there is a problem inasmuch as unauthorized access to the contents of the drinks dispenser may not be monitored and consequently also not reliably prevented. Herein lies a potential danger not to be underestimated for the contents of the dispenser, which firstly would have to be protected against removal and secondly should also be protected against change (in color, the contents, the quality of the contents, the tone as regards taste of the contents or the medical and health harmlessness).

Blocking device for a beverage dispenser


Video processing system, computer program product and method for managing an exchange of information between a memory unit and a decoder, the method includes: (a) retrieving, from the memory unit, a first non-zero data structure that comprises only non-zero first transform coefficient groups; wherein first transform coefficient groups are associated with a first quality level; (b) retrieving, from the memory unit, second layer information; (c) processing, by the video decoder, the second layer information and the first non-zero data structure to provide second transform coefficient groups; (c) generating, by the video decoder, a second non-zero data structure that comprises only non-zero second transform coefficient groups; wherein the second non-zero data structure is associated with a second quality level that is higher than the first quality level; (d) generating second non-zero indicators that are indicative of non-zero transform coefficient groups, wherein the second non-zero data structure is associated with a second quality level that is higher than the first quality level; and (e) writing to the memory unit the second non-zero indicators.

The Scalable Video Coding (SVC) amendment to the H.264 recommendation (H.264 SVC) of ITU-T describes a scalable video stream decoder which is used to decode a subset of a bit stream in order to adapt it to the various needs or preferences of end users as well as to varying terminal capabilities or network conditions.
The SVC bit stream includes different layers of encoded video. Each layer includes a large number of images, and each image includes multiple slices that in turn are partitioned to macroblocks. The base layer is referred to as a first layer and is a valid H.264 AVC video stream. Additional layers are referred to as enhancement layer and provide higher quality or resolution levels or higher frame rates. Allowable sizes of a macroblock are defined in the H.264 SVC. For example, a macroblock may include 16×16 Luma samples and 16×8 Chroma samples. Such a macroblock is encoded to provide AN encoded macroblock.
The decoding process includes multiple stages. It may include receiving a bit stream, performing entropy decoding, up-sampling and de-blocking, as well as other operations. The entropy decoding may include generating transform coefficients and then using the transform coefficients to reconstruct images. These transform coefficients are also referred to as residuals because they represent a difference between currently decoded information and previously decoded information.
For example, the encoded macroblock is decoded to provide a macroblock. During the decoding process an encoded macroblock is converted (during an encoding process) to 16×16 Luma transform coefficients and 16×8 Chroma coefficients, arranged in 4×4 Luma transform coefficient groups and 4×2 Chroma transform coefficient groups. Each of these transform coefficient groups has its own motion vector (not shown). Each transform coefficient may be 2 bytes long.
The decoding process of a scalable video includes a large number of accesses to a memory unit, as the amount of information per each video image may exceed 2 Mega Bits.
These accesses are time and resource consuming, especially when the information is stored in a memory unit that is not an integral part of the decoder integrated circuit.

Video processing system, computer program product and method for managing a transfer of information between a memory unit and a decoder


A movable base support for a medical examination chair permits movement of the examination chair to provide a space allowing a wheelchair to be positioned adjacent medical instruments. The base support for the examination includes a power unit pivotally mounted to a rear of the platform and biased towards the floor. The bias force ensures that the power unit maintains contact with uneven floor surfaces. A guide system assembly limits the range of movement, and allows the examination chair to be returned to a precise original location adjacent to medical instruments.

This application relates to a movable medical examination chair mounted adjacent to fixed treatment equipment.
Several types of medical treatments utilize equipment mounted at a fixed location relative to an examination chair. An ophthalmologist, as an example, must use an array of sensitive instruments which are located in a fixed position. Under usual circumstances, an examination chair is located in a fixed location adjacent to the medical instruments. The prior art does not allow the examination chair to be moved away from the fixed medical instruments.
When undergoing an eye examination with the above-described equipment, a handicapped person must be physically moved from a wheelchair and manually lifted into the examination chair. The process of moving the handicapped person to the examination chair can be both uncomfortable to the handicapped person, and difficult for the medical personnel who must do the lifting.


Provided is a method for manufacturing a flash memory device, in which an oxidation process is carried out on the disclosed top surface of a semiconductor substrate to form a surface oxide film in the form of bird's beak with an appropriate width before conducting an etching process for trench. Thus, the present invention prevents the effect of thinning tunnel oxide film while reducing a critical dimension of an active region. And, it is possible to assure a normal cell operation by the Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling effect owing to preventing the thinning tunnel oxide film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a flash memory device and specifically, to a method for manufacturing a flash memory device, which improves an operational characteristic of a memory cell by preventing the effect that a tunnel oxide film is formed thinner at top corners of a trench than in an active region while forming a field isolation film with a conventional shallow trench isolation (STI) process.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In fabricating a flash memory device, it is general to form a field isolation film by means of a self aligned shallow trench isolation (SA-STI) process. But, with the trends of higher integration density for flash memory devices, the technique of SA-STI becomes no more effective under the dimension of sub micron scheme. That is, it would be inevitable, under the sub micron dimension, to employ a typical shallow trench isolation (STI) technique that conducts an etching process (hereinafter, referred to as 'trench etching process') to form trenches in the structure including oxide and nitride films.
However, since the STI process forms a tunnel oxide film after forming a trench in first, there is a problem that a profile of the tunnel oxide film is affected from a profile of top corners of the trench. In general, as shown in FIG. 12, a part of the tunnel oxide film is formed thinner at the top corners of the trench, rather than the other part of the tunnel oxide film in an active region, because an oxidation rate is reduced due to plasma damages during an oxidation process to form the tunnel oxide film. As a result, it becomes difficult to accomplish a normal cell operation.

Method for manufacturing flash memory device


A shock compression jet gun with associated explosive charge assembly. The shock compression jet gun features a breech for storage of the explosive charge assembly, a projectile tube, and an expansion nozzle disposed between the breech and projectile tube. The expansion nozzle includes converging and diverging passageways. The explosive charge assembly includes a shock absorbing outer casing, a detonator, a shaped charged positioned within the casing and a compressible medium retained within a recess formed in the shaped charge. The compressible medium is maintained within the recess by way of a membrane sealing one end of the casing. In a preferred embodiment the compressible medium is a liquid such as ammonia, water or a mixture of liquid ammonia and water which dissociate(s) into a mixture of light gases upon detonation of the shaped charge.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to high velocity projectile launchers or guns as well as an explosive charge assembly specifically suited therefor. In particular, the present invention relates to a gun which utilizes an explosive charge assembly which utilizes low molecular weight gas or plasma to drive a projectile.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since about the 14th century, the term "gun" has commonly been used to represent a device which includes a long tube open at one end, the muzzle, and, closed at the other end, the breach. The projectile to be fired is placed part way down the tube from the breech, leaving a volume, the chamber, which holds the propellant. After ignition, the propellant combusts rapidly filling the chamber with propellant gas at high pressure and temperature. This released energy created by the ignition of the propellant is used to accelerate both the gas created by the detonation of the propellant and the projectile. In spite of improvements being made in propellants and materials for forming the muzzle and breech, the utilization of the products of the deflagration or detonation as the propelling gas has led to a limit on muzzle velocity (e.g., 1.4.about.1.8 km/sec) which is inadequate for many desired uses.
The realization that inherent high sound speed in light gases (especially, high temperature light gases) could lead to higher launch velocities led to the development of "light gas guns" such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,304. A light gas gun uses a low-molecular weight gas such as hydrogen which is compressed to high pressures and temperatures for use as a driver gas to accelerate projectiles to high velocities. Single and two-stage light gas guns capable of accelerating small projectiles to velocities in excess of 10 km/sec were developed in the late 1960's. The light gas gun technique centers around converting a substantial portion of the chemical energy from an explosive charge into the internal energy of a light gas. Strong shocks generated by the collapse of a light gas containment tube or by compression of a conventional piston produce high energy densities in light gases and lead to the increase in projectile velocities.
A single stage light gas gun utilizing a thin walled metal containment cylinder surrounded by a chemical explosive is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,465,638. Upon detonation, the thin wall of the containment cylinder accelerates inward forming a conical "piston" that compresses the gas.
A two stage light gas gun is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,311,020 and operates in a manner similar to that of the single stage light gas gun except for the use of a conventional piston as the means to compress the low molecular weight gas.
A modified form of the light gas gun, commonly referred to as a wavegun, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,699. The wavegun involves an initial detonation which causes a piston and shock wave to move forward compressing a light gas. The placement of a diaphragm at the end of the light gas chamber results in a deflection of the piston and a compression of the still-burning propellant. This process continues through several compressions and deflections with the number of cycles depending on the strength of the diaphragm and the type of propellant. By multiple compressions, higher temperatures and pressures are achieved than in the standard two-stage light gas gun. An advantage of the wavegun is that it allows a smaller pump tube and lighter piston than the standard two-stage light gas gun.
Despite the increase in projectile velocity obtainable by the various light gas guns, the use of these devices is restricted due to the light gas guns typically having pump tubes 10 to 20 meters in length and pistons typically weighing between 1 to 8 kg. These structural attributes of the standard light gas guns make them inappropriate for many uses such as use as a field weapon. In addition, although light gas guns can accelerate projectiles (about 5 kg) to velocities of 5 km/sec, they are difficult to mechanize and are limited to slow rates of fire.
The wavegun has overcome some of these problems with a pump tube that is typically less than 1 meter long and a piston mass of less than 1 kg, but is felt not to be capable of achieving 3 km/sec with a 1.4 kg. projectile.
A problem common to both the two-stage light gas gun and the wavegun is the inefficiency of having to drive a fairly massive piston to achieve compression of the light gas. Similarly, the problems presented by the single stage light gas gun such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,304 include the problem of achieving a suitable gas temperature and pressure within the gun that provides both high velocity projectiles as well as adaptability for use in the field.


A cutting board, including retaining holes in a side surface thereof, each retaining hole including a screw hole at an end side of the retaining hole and a first fitting portion at an opening side of the retaining hole; projecting rods inserted into the retaining holes each include a cylindrical second fitting portion and a threaded portion to be screwed onto the screw hole with ends of the second fitting portion projecting from the side surface of the cutting board; a remaining portion of each first fitting portion is fit into the fitting portion of each retaining hole; each projecting rod is pivoted in a forward and reverse direction to allow the threaded portion thereof to move in a left and right direction within the screw hole; the length of each of the projecting portions projecting from the side surface of the cutting board is adjusted to fasten each projecting rod.

The present invention relates to a cutting board intended to be used in such a way that it is placed on an upper section of a sink. More specifically, the invention relates to the cutting board excellent in a drainage function that includes projecting rods projecting from a side surface of the cutting board, a length of a projecting portion of each of the projecting rods being adjustable at will, which can be used for every shaped and every sized sink, and which can effectively drain water on the cutting board into an interior of a sink.
There has been a cutting board intended to be used in such a way that it is set slidably in an upper section of a sink, for example, of a built-in kitchen. Since such a cutting board is so structured that opposed side surfaces of the cutting board are directly set in upper steps of the sink, there are no sufficient space through which water on the cutting board is drained into an interior of the sink. As such, there may be a case where water on the cutting board flows along a peripheral wall of the sink, and then overflows from the sink to flood over the floor. Therefore, in a case where a person cooks or washes a surface of the cutting board with water running, there arises a problem in which water may spills out over the floor.
For resolving the above described problem, for example, patent document 1 discloses a cutting board with L-letter shaped leg sections, each leg section jettying out from each side of the cutting board to provide a space between the cutting board and fitting steps of a sink in order to allow water on the cutting board to drain out through the space. With such a cutting board, the problem regarding the drainage could be resolved. However, there is such a drawback that this cutting board is available only to such a sink having a width suitable for a distance between the leg sections. It will also be difficult to place the cutting board on the sink having supporting steps of a curved shape on a sink top for the cutting board (see FIG. 7), since the leg sections are not made separately and thus their lengths are not independently adjustable.
Patent document 2 discloses a cutting board including hole-shaped or groove-shaped drainage sections on both ends of the cutting board through which water on a cutting board is flown down into an interior of a sink after it is guided in an declining direction or a width direction of the cutting board main body. Such a cutting board, however, has a limit in sizing holes and grooves, since the strength of the supporting sections decrease as the width of the holes and the grooves becomes large if the cutting board is made of wood or plastic. There also has been such a problem that a workable area of the cutting board becomes narrower if the holes and the grooves are positioned near to a center of the cutting board in order to avoid such a problem that the holes and the grooves may be hidden in the width of steps of the sink if the steps of the sink on which the cutting board is placed is wide.    [Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Laying-open Publication No. 02-283338    [Patent document 2] The Japanese Patent Laying-open Publication No. 03-162809

Cutting board excellent in a drainage function


A theft preventing device comprises: a lock unit 11; and a coupling member 12 having both terminals 12a and 12b which are connected to the lock unit 11, at least one of the terminals being separable from the lock unit. In the device, the inside of the coupling member 12 is filled with a fluid including adhesive material, so that, when the coupling member 12 is damaged, the fluid is splashed out of the coupling member 12 whereby the adhesive material is stuck onto an object or objects around the device. Hence, from detection of the adhesive material, it can be determined who has broken it, and it can be confirmed that the lock unit has been locked.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to theft preventing devices, and more particularly to a theft preventing device which, when unlawfully damaged, splashes out a fluid containing adhesive material.
2. Description of the Conventional Art
For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,049 has proposed a theft preventing device which is designed as follows: The device has a material which is permanently stuck on an object or produces a strong smell. The material is fixedly stuck onto cloth, leather, leather goods, or objects made of cloth or leather. When an excessively great external force is applied to the theft preventing device, its closed space is broken, as a result of which the adhesive material or smelly material is discharged from the closed space, which prevents the theft of the article to which the theft preventing device is applied.
On the other hand, Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Publication Hei-6-33294/(1994) has disclosed a portable crime preventing device which discharges small pieces such as confetti so that they are stuck onto the person. The portable crime preventing device comprises; an accommodating case which has a blowing hole, and accommodates a number of small pieces such as confetti and a rotary wing, and a drive section for rotating the rotary wing in the accommodating case. When the switch is operated, the drive section is activated, so that the rotary wing is turned to discharge the small pieces out of the device.
A two-wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle and a motorcycle often employs a wire lock device in which a wire is detachably connected to a lock unit. However, since the wire can be cut, it is impossible to prevent the two-wheel vehicle from being stolen.


The present invention relates to a composition comprising bacteriophage SP-1, the bacteriophage capable of destroying Salmonella once being infected in Salmonella, as an active ingredient, and a method for prevention and treatment of Salmonella infection using the same. Bacteriophage SP-1, the active ingredient of the composition of the present invention, characteristically has the killing activity to Salmonella and has the genome represented by SEQ. ID. NO: 1.

Salmonella is similar to E. coli in the aspects of morphology or physiology but is categorized in an independent genus for the convenience in clinical use by the proposal of K. Kauffmann et al. Salmonella has been isolated from enteritis and gastroenteritis patients and from animals with diverse diseases since Salmonella choleraesuis was first isolated from a pig died of hog cholera by Salmon and Smith in 1885. Salmonella has also been isolated from health animals such as chicken, cow, pig, goat, dog, and cat and from our environment.
More than 2,000 serotypes of Salmonella have been reported so far and it can be largely divided into two groups, one of which is the group that has host specificity and the other of which is the group that does not have host specificity. Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped, Gram-negative and non-spore-forming It is a parasite living in a variety of animals.
Salmonella infectious disease is developed in different forms. Enteritis is the most general form of Salmonella infection. Once infected with Salmonella, such symptoms as rough skin, anorexia, conjunctivitis, depression, pale feces, spleen enlargement, and even death are observed.
Various drugs have been used for the treatment of Salmonella infection. However, those drugs known so far cannot lead complete cure. So, it is more important to prevent the infection than to treat it.
Damage in livestock industry caused by Salmonella infection is rather huge. Therefore, it is an urgent request to develop a method for prevention and effective treatment of Salmonella infection.
The utilization of bacteriophage is now highly drawing our attention as an effective way of treating bacterial disease. In particular, our interests in bacteriophage grow with the preference of nature-friendly method. Bacteriophage is an extremely small microorganism infecting bacteria, which is generally called phage in short. Bacteriophage is an obligate intracellular parasite that multiplis inside bacteria by making use of some or all of the host biosynthetic machinery. Upon completion of the multiplication, offspring bacteriophages are coming out of the host cell with destroying the host bacteria. The infection of bacteriophage in bacteria is very unique and specific, so only specific bacteria can be infected with a specific bacteriophage. That is, there is a limitation in bacteria that can be infected with bacteriophage. Thus, bacteriophage can only kill specific target bacteria without effecting on any other bacteria.
Bacteriophage was first found in 1915 when English bacteriologist Twort was studying on the phenomenon that micrococcus colony was being melted clearly by some reasons. And also, French bacteriologist d'Herelle noticed that Shigella disentriae was melted by something in filtrate of dysentery patient's feces and afterwards he separated bacteriophage independently by the following study and named it bacteriophage which meant 'eating bacteria'. Since then, bacteriophages corresponding to different pathogenic bacteria including Shigella, Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae have been continuously reported.
Owing to its capability of killing bacteria, bacteriophage has been in the center of our interest to fight with bacterial infection and studies followed thereon. However, since Flemming found out penicillin, antibiotics have been supplied and the study on bacteriophage has been limited in some east European countries and old Soviet Union. It was not until 2000 that the conventional antibiotics demonstrated their problems in use because of increasing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. So, once again, bacteriophage draws out attention as an alternative anti-bacterial agent that can take the place of the conventional antibiotics.
Therefore, the present inventors tried to develop a composition for prevention or treatment of Salmonella infection by using bacteriophage that can destroy Salmonella selectively and further tried to establish a method for prevention and treatment of Salmonella infection using the same. At last, the inventors isolated a proper bacteriophage from the nature and secured the gene sequence of its genome for the distinguishment from other bacteriophages. Then, the present inventors succeeded in developing a composition comprising the said bacteriophage as an active ingredient and further completed this invention by confirming that the said composition of the invention can be effectively used for prevention and treatment of Salmonella infection.


A method and apparatus is disclosed for making absorbent structures having a layer of discrete particulate absorbent material which is divided into two or more bands separated by a substantially particulate-free zone. The method of making such absorbent structures comprises the steps of first generating an initial particle suspension comprising a two-phase fluid of particles of absorbent gelling material suspended in a gas (such as air) flowing in an inlet duct. The initial particle suspension is then divided into multiple final particle suspensions in corresponding multiple branch ducts, each of the final particle suspensions having a given percentage of particles as a function of cross-sectional area of the inlet duct. The particles in the final particle suspensions are substantially uniformly distributed as a function of cross-sectional position in the branch ducts. Finally, the suspended particles are filtered from the final particle suspensions by capturing them on a substrate such as a layer of tissue. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention for practicing the above method comprises an inlet duct, a particle suspension generator in fluid communication with the inlet duct for generating the initial particle suspension, at least two branch ducts in fluid communication with the inlet duct, and a particle suspension divider disposed within the inlet duct for dividing the initial particle suspension into multiple final particle suspensions in the branch ducts. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an adhesive delivery device for adhesively coating the particles in the final particle suspensions to form adhesively coated particles.

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinence pads, and catamenial napkins generally include an absorbent core for receiving and holding body exudates. The absorbent core typically includes a fibrous web, which can be a nonwoven, airlaid web of natural or synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof. A class of particulate absorbent materials known as superabsorbent polymers or absorbent gelling materials can be incorporated into the fibrous web to improve the absorption and retention characteristics of the fibrous web.
Because absorbent gelling materials are generally significantly more expensive than readily available natural or synthetic fiber materials (e.g., cellulose fibers), it is advantageous to reduce the quantity of absorbent gelling material in the core. Rather than uniformly distributing such particles throughout the entire core, it is desirable to distribute the particles in the absorbent core in a predetermined manner such that the particles are located where they will be most effective in acquiring and retaining body exudates.
While various means of forming uniformly distributed particle streams and applying them to portions of the absorbent core (such as entraining individual particles in an air stream) have been developed, these methods typically either require multiple feed mechanisms or overapplication of particles to selectively-adhesive-coated zones of the core. The use of multiple feed mechanisms multiplies the capital cost required to produce such absorbent cores, while the overapplication of particles to selective adhesive zones increases material waste and accompanying material costs.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus for making absorbent structures having discrete bands or regions of absorbent particulate gelling materials separated by substantially particle-free zones which minimizes the equipment required.
It would also be desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus for making absorbent structures having discrete bands or regions of absorbent particulate gelling materials which reduces the amount of loose absorbent gelling material particles generated by the manufacturing process and provides reduced material waste.

Method and apparatus for making absorbent structures having divided particulate zones


A bandgap reference voltage generating circuit includes a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage generating means generating a PTAT voltage. A complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) voltage generating means generates a CTAT voltage. A temperature coefficient determining means interconnects the PTAT voltage generating means and the CTAT voltage generating means.

Bandgap voltage reference circuits generate a reference voltage that is relatively stable over a wide temperature range by balancing a voltage having a negative temperature coefficient (TC) and which is thus complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) with a voltage having a positive temperature coefficient (TC) and which is thus proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT). Typically, the forward-biased p-n junction of a diode or the forward-biased base-to-emitter junction of a transistor provides the CTAT voltage, and the thermal voltage of a diode or transistor provides the PTAT voltage. Generally, the two voltages are scaled or voltage-divided as necessary and summed to produce the temperature-stable reference voltage.
The above-described concept is schematically and graphically depicted in FIG. 1, wherein it is shown that the base-to-emitter voltage VBE of a transistor T, having a temperature coefficient (TC) of approximately negative 2 millivolts (mV) per degree Celsius, is summed with the thermal voltage Vt of a transistor which is scaled by factor K. The result is a reference voltage VREF that is equal to VBE plus the product of a scaling constant K and the thermal voltage Vt. Typically, VREF is from about 1.2 to 1.3 V depending on the particular technology of the components, and is close to the theoretical bandgap of Silicon at 0 K.
The continued trend toward producing ever smaller and more portable electronic devices requires that power consumption be reduced in order to increase battery life. In order to reduce power consumption, the supply, operating, and reference voltages supplied to and used by the circuitry within such devices must also be reduced. However, it is difficult to further reduce supply and reference voltages since typical bandgap voltage reference circuits provide a minimum reference voltage VREF of about 1.2 to 1.3 V and therefore require a supply voltage of at least approximately 1.4 V (one drain-source voltage drop higher than the reference voltage).
Some bandgap circuits that do provide reference voltages of less than 1.2V use an approach commonly referred to as fractional VBE, wherein a fraction of the CTAT voltage drop across a base-to-emitter p-n junction is derived, typically via voltage division. A scaled PTAT voltage which is derived from a PTAT current is added to the CTAT fractional VBE to thereby produce a voltage that is relatively stable across a wide temperature range. The bandgap voltage reference circuits that use the fractional VBE approach, however, require additional voltage-dividing circuitry, such as resistors, that undesirably consume relatively large amounts of real estate on integrated circuit chips and raise power consumption.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is a bandgap voltage reference circuit that produces a reference voltage of less than 1.2 Volts.
Furthermore, what is needed in the art is a bandgap voltage reference circuit that operates with a reduced minimum supply voltage and thereby consumes less energy.
Moreover, what is needed in the art is a bandgap voltage reference circuit that provides a reference voltage of less than 1.2 Volts without the disadvantages of the fractional VBE approach.

Low-voltage bandgap voltage reference circuit


A cyclone dust-separating apparatus in which the electrical field and particle charge can be uniform and stable. The cyclone dust-separating apparatus comprises: a cyclone body; an air intake pipe, through which air flows from outside into the cyclone body; an air exhaust pipe, through which air flows out of the cyclone body; a grounding member installed on the inside surface of the cyclone body; a plurality of discharge electrode members installed on the air exhaust pipe; and a high voltage power source connected to the air exhaust pipe. The air exhaust pipe conducts electricity, and the discharge electrode members are installed on one or more sides of the air exhaust pipe, are needle-shaped, and protrude from the outer surface of the air exhaust pipe so as to form a uniform and stable electrical field.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a cyclone dust-separating apparatus, and more specifically to a cyclone dust-separating apparatus comprising a plurality of discharge electrodes to raise dust-separating efficiency by improving the form of the electrode that transmits a high voltage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cyclone dust-separating apparatus with discharge electrodes are widely used in vacuum cleaners in order to remove dust from the floor of homes and offices, and remove contaminants from gas released from boilers or incinerators.
A conventional cyclone dust-separating apparatus comprises an air intake pipe, which draws air or gas from outside the vacuum cleaner; discharge electrodes, which electrically charge the drawn-in fluid; and an air exhaust pipe, through which drawn-in fluid flows out of the vacuum cleaner. The flat bar or support rods of the discharge electrodes are generally installed extending downward from the center of the exhaust pipe.
However, although the electric field of conventional cyclone dust-separating apparatus with this kind of discharge electrode is axially symmetrical, because the strength of the electric field decreases nearer to the radial direction of the discharge electrodes formed as flat bars or support rods, or to the wall, the average electrical charge of particles varies depending on the radial direction and the axial direction. Moreover, the electrical charge is unstable at a high flow rate, so a spark can occur or dust can build up on the support rods.


A colorimetric sensor array includes a CMOS image sensor having a surface including pixels and a multiplicity of colorimetric sensing elements. Each sensing element has a sensing material disposed directly on one or more of the pixels. The colorimetric sensing elements are distributed randomly on the surface of the CMOS image sensor. Fabricating the colorimetric sensor array includes spraying a sensing fluid in the form of droplets directly on a surface of a CMOS image sensor and removing the solvent from the droplets to yield a multiplicity of sensing elements on the surface of the CMOS image sensor. Each droplet covers one or more pixels of the CMOS image sensor with the sensing fluid. The sensing fluid includes a solvent and a sensing material. The droplets are distributed randomly on the surface of the CMOS image sensor.

Chemical or biological sensors based on detecting or imaging color changes, known as colorimetric sensors, have been used for various applications, including sensing toxic chemicals in air, biomarkers in breath, urine, and body fluids (e.g., blood). A typical colorimetric sensor includes a solid support, such as a glass slide, a silicon chip, or a piece of paper, on which a sensing material is deposited. The sensing material interacts or reacts with a target substance (e.g., toxic chemicals or biomarkers), changing the color of the sensing material. For multiplexed detection of different substances, multiple sensing materials are printed as an array on the support. To measure the color change of each element of the array, a light source is used to illuminate the sensing material on the support, an optical system is used to detect light transmitted or reflected from the sensing material, and an image of the array on is formed on an image sensor with an optical system. However, lens-based and lens-less optical systems introduce complexities that complicate the device as well as its operation.

Chemical complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CCMOS) colorimetric sensors for multiplex detection and analysis

Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University


A method and an apparatus for communication between a coordinator-based wireless network and a different type of network interconnected through a wired backbone network by means of a wired/wireless connecting device are disclosed. In the method, in order to communicate with a network device connected to a different type of network other than a coordinator-based wireless network, a network device in the coordinator-based wireless network provides a frame containing type information on the different type of network and information on a length of a physical address supported by the different type of network, and a wireless/wired connecting device converts the frame of the coordinator-based wireless network to another type of frame supported by the different type of network, and transmits the converted frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for communication between a coordinator-based wireless network and a different type of network interconnected through a backbone network, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for communication between a coordinator-based wireless network and a different type of network interconnected through a wired backbone network by means of a wired/wireless connecting device.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the development of communication and network technologies, recent network environments have changed from wired network environments using wired media such as coaxial cables or optical cables to wireless network environments using radio signals over various frequency bands. Accordingly, computing devices (hereinafter, referred to as wireless network devices) have been developed, which include wireless network interface modules, have mobility, and perform specific functions by processing various information. In addition, wireless network technologies have emerged, which allow such wireless network devices to efficiently communicate with each other.
Generally, a wireless network may be classified into the following two types of networks.
First, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a type of wireless network including an access point, which is called an infrastructure mode wireless network.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, there is another type of wireless network including no access point, which is called an ad-hoc mode wireless network.
In the infrastructure mode wireless network, an access point performs a relay function of transmitting data in order to connect a wireless network to a wired network or communication between wireless network devices belonging to a wireless network. Accordingly, all data must pass through the access point.
Next, the ad-hoc mode wireless network is formed only when a network is required without an advance plan. In the ad-hoc mode wireless network, wireless network devices belonging to a single wireless network directly exchange data with each other without passing through a connecting device such as the access point.
Such a network type may be classified into two types of networks. In a first network type, a wireless network device designated randomly from among wireless network devices belonging to a single wireless network functions as a coordinator which assigns a time period (hereinafter, referred to as a channel time), for which data can be transmitted, to the other wireless network devices. Further, the other wireless network devices can transmit data only for a determined channel time. In a second network type, there is no wireless network device functioning as a coordinator, and all wireless network devices can transmit data whenever they are wanted to transmit data.
Herein, in the case of the former, that is, in the network type (hereinafter, referred to as a coordinator-based wireless network) in which a wireless network device functioning as a coordinator exists, an independent single wireless network is formed on the basis of the coordinator. Further, when a plurality of coordinator-based wireless networks exist in a predetermined area, each of the coordinator-based wireless networks has inherent identification information in order to be distinguished from other coordinator-based wireless networks.
Accordingly, wireless network devices belonging to a specific coordinator-based wireless network can exchange data with other wireless network devices in the specific coordinator-based wireless network for a channel time period determined by a coordinator. However, it may be impossible for the wireless network devices to communicate with network devices belonging to another type of network different from the coordinator-based wireless network, because the two different networks may support different protocols from each other.
For instance, when an IEEE 802.15.3 network is used as a coordinator-based wireless network, the IEEE 802.15.3 network uses a MAC address of eight bytes as the physical address of a network device. In addition, the IEEE 802.15.3 network converts the MAC address of eight bytes to a device ID of one byte in order to reduce an overhead of a frame. However, an IEEE 802.3 network uses a MAC address of six bytes as the physical address of a network device. Since the two networks use different physical address types of a network device, even though the two networks are interconnected through a backbone network by a wired/wireless connecting device, it is difficult for the two networks to directly communicate with each other.
Accordingly, it is necessary to construct a new network topology for exchanging data between a network device belonging to a coordinator-based wireless network and a network device connected to another type of network different from the coordinator-based wireless network.

Method and apparatus for communication between coordinator-based wireless network and different type of network which are interconnected through a backbone network


To turn on a JFET, a two-stage turn-on current control is employed in a JFET driver circuit and a JFET driving method, by which a shortly pulsed high sourcing current is provided to turn on the JFET rapidly and efficiently, and a continuous low sourcing current is provided after the JFET turns on for reducing the power dissipation. After the JFET turns off, a negative charge pump is also employed to promise the JFET at a turn-off state. A special power sequence is further employed to ensure the JFET could be turned off during the power supply coupled to the JFET starts up.

Conventionally, a DC-to-DC converter employs Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) in its power stage to serve as the high-side and low-side switches alternatively switched to convert a supply voltage to a desired output voltage. However, when semiconductor processes are developed to shrink integrated circuits more and more, the function of a MOSFET is limited due to the high conductive resistance and large gate capacitance of the MOSFET, and thereby the design requirements are not satisfied any more. Recently, Junction Field-Effect Transistors (JFETs) attract circuit designers' attention more and more, for a JFET has a lower conductive resistance and smaller gate capacitance than a MOSFET. Unfortunately, conventional MOSFET driver circuits are not applicable for JFET driver circuits, and therefore it is required to find new solution for driving JFETs.
A current art uses a conventional MOSFET driver in association with an RC circuit outside of the MOSFET driver chip to drive a JFET. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional JFET driver circuit 100 comprises a switching circuit composed of PMOSFET 102 and NMOSFET 104 coupled between a voltage VDD and ground GND, which are alternatively switched by a voltage signal Vs to generate a voltage signal 106 having a high level 108 approximately equal to VDD and a low level 110 approximately equal to zero, and the voltage signal 106 is supplied to an RC circuit composed of a current limit resistor 112 and a capacitor 114 shunt to the resistor 112, to thereby generate a JFET driving signal 116. The capacitor 114 is charged and discharged by the voltage signal 106 in the manner that, during the high level 108 of the voltage signal 106, the capacitor 114 is charged to thereby have the JFET driving signal 116 at a high level 118 of about 0.7V, and in response to the voltage signal 106 transiting to the low level 110, the capacitor 114 begins to discharge, resulting in the JFET driving signal 116 suddenly dropping to a low level 120 of about −(VDD−0.7V) and then increasing gradually.
In the conventional JFET driver circuit 100, the turn-on speed of the driven JFET 122 is determined by the current flowing through the resistor 112, and therefore, for a greater current to turn on the JFET 122 more rapidly, the resistor 112 has a lower resistance. However, a greater current results in a greater power dissipation, and thus conflict is present between the turn-on speed and the power dissipation. Namely, the fast turn-on of a JFET is achieved always together with a high power dissipation. In addition, referring to the JFET driving signal 116 shown in FIG. 1, due to the RC leakage, it is hard to hold a negative turn-off voltage for the driven JFET 122. During the low level 110 of the voltage signal 106, the JFET driving signal 116 will increase gradually, and the JFET 122 may not maintained at the turn-off state. Moreover, if the JFET 122 is a depletion type device, it is hard to promise a turn-off state of the JFET 122 at power start-up state. In detail, at a power start-up of the power supply Vin coupled to the JFET 122, the increasing voltage Vin is applied to the JFET 122, while the conventional JFET driver circuit 100 is unable to turn off the JFET 122 in time. As a result, the power supply Vin will be directly short to ground GND or to the load circuit coupled to the power stage of the converter.
Therefore, it is desired a JFET driver circuit and a JFET driving method, by which low power dissipation, rapid and efficient turn-on of a JFET, holding a negative turn-off voltage for a depletion type JFET, and ensuring a turn-off state of a JFET at power start-up state are all achieved.

JFET driver circuit and JFET driving method


Microfluidic devices for splitting an established fluidic flow through a microfluidic channel among multiple downstream microfluidic channels include a plurality of elevated flow resistance regions to promote precise and predictable splitting. Each elevated resistance region imparts a flow resistance that is substantially greater than the characteristic resistance to established flow of its associated downstream channel. Elevated flow resistance regions may include one or more porous materials and/or alterations to the channel geometry of at least a portion of a downstream channel.

The present invention relates to passive control of fluid flow through microfluidic conduits.
There has been a growing interest in the application of microfluidic systems to a variety of technical areas. For example, use of microfluidic systems for the acquisition of chemical and biological information presents certain advantages. In particular, when conducted in microfluidic volumes, complicated biochemical reactions and processes may be carried out using very small volumes of fluid. In addition to minimizing sample volume, microfluidic systems increase the response time of reactions and lower reagent consumption. Furthermore, when conducted in microfluidic volumes, a large number of complicated biochemical reactions and/or processes may be carried out (whether in serial, in parallel, or multiplexed) in a small area, such as in a single integrated device.
In the interest of minimizing the number of external interfaces to a microfluidic device having a number of fluidic circuits, it is often desirable to split a fluid flow from a single microfluidic channel into multiple channels. Beyond providing mere splitting utility, however, it would be further desirable to split flowing streams of fluid into precise and predictable proportions within a microfluidic device. Providing precise and predictable microfluidic flows can be particularly valuable in performing reactions such as chemical or biological synthesis, for example.
Generally, flow within a fluid conduit takes the path of least resistance to flow. Further generally, fluidic channels have a characteristic flow resistance that depends on factors including geometry and surface chemistry, and this characteristic flow resistance may not be easily controllable or reproducible from channel to channel within a device. The difficulty in controlling or reproducing the characteristic flow resistance is likely due in substantial part to the high surface-to-volume ratio in a microfluidic channel. It is believed that this high ratio significantly magnifies the effect of surface interactions between microscopic volumes of fluid and their associated microfluidic conduits. Thus, even slight variations in flow resistance between seemingly identical microfluidic channels receiving fluid from a common splitter may have a tangible impact on the proportion of fluid flowing in the respective channels.
A method of controlling fluid flow through microchannels by using stopping means has been proposed by McNeely, et al., in WIPO International Application Number PCT/US99123729 (Publication Number WO 00/22436), published Apr. 20, 2000. There, passive stopping means act as pressure barriers to stop fluid flow until enough pressure is generated to push, the fluid past the stopping means. McNeely, et al., is specifically directed to controlling developing flow (an advancing stream of fluid having a moving interface of liquid and gas), however, as opposed to established flow (where there is no moving meniscus and all surfaces are significantly wetted). Since the stopping means advantageously have negligible effect on established flow within the channels, they are ill-suited for splitting flowing streams of fluid into precise and predictable proportions.
Accordingly, there exists a need for devices and methods capable of precisely and predictably splitting established flows of fluids.
This invention relates to built-in means for controlling fluid flow in microfluidic devices. In one aspect of the invention, a method for precisely splitting an established fluidic flow through an upstream microfluidic channel among a plurality of downstream microfluidic channels includes the step of substantially and permanently elevating the flow resistance of each downstream channel relative to its characteristic resistance to established flow.
In another aspect of the invention, a microfluidic device includes an upstream channel containing a first established flow, a plurality of downstream channels in fluid communication with the upstream channel, a plurality of regions of permanently elevated resistance to established flow, each elevated flow resistance region associated with one of the plurality of downstream channels. Each elevated resistance region imparts a flow resistance that is substantially greater than the characteristic resistance to established flow of its associated downstream channel.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the figures.
Definitions
The term xe2x80x9cchannelxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cchamberxe2x80x9d as used herein is to be interpreted in a broad sense. Thus, it is not intended to be restricted to elongated configurations where the transverse or longitudinal dimension greatly exceeds the diameter or cross-sectional dimension. Rather, such terms are meant to comprise cavities or tunnels of any desired shape or configuration through which fluids may be directed. Such a fluid cavity may, for example, comprise a flow-through cell where fluid is to be continually passed or, alternatively, a chamber for holding a specified, discrete amount of fluid for a specified amount of time. xe2x80x9cChannelsxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cchambersxe2x80x9d may be filled with or may contain internal structures comprising, for example, valves, filters, or equivalent components and materials. A microfluidic channel has a smallest dimension that is at least about 1 micron but is less than about 500 microns.
The term xe2x80x9ccircuitxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cfluidic circuitxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a fluidic path that may include one or more fluidic channels or other structures, such as may be formed in a microfluidic device and any associated fluidic interface.
The term xe2x80x9cflow resistancexe2x80x9d refers to a resistance to an established fluid flow (as opposed to the term xe2x80x9cstatic resistancexe2x80x9d that would apply to a developing fluid flow). Given that flow resistance may vary with pressure, one measure of flow resistance might be the local slope of a graph of pressure versus flow rate. Since the present invention involves elevation of flow resistance, however, relative measures of flow resistance are more pertinent than absolute measures. The magnitude of a characteristic flow resistance (associated with an unmodified microfluidic channel or fluid circuit) relative to an elevated flow resistance (associated with a modified microfluidic channel or fluid circuit) may be obtained by the following procedure: (1) flowing an established flow of fluid at a constant (e.g. regulated) pressure through an unmodified microfluidic circuit, capturing the exiting fluid, and calculating the flow rate (from measured volumetric output over time); (2) flowing an established flow of fluid at the same constant pressure through a modified circuit having an elevated flow resistance and calculating the flow rate (from measured volumetric output over time); and (3) comparing the original flow rate to the modified flow rate. Original flow rate divided by the modified flow rate yields a flow resistance factor. For example, if the modified flow rate is equal to only one-third of the original flow rate, then the flow resistance factor would be 3. A slightly different situation is the comparison of flow resistances between adjacent channels each positioned downstream of a common splitter. If a single upstream channel communicates an established flow of fluid to multiple downstream channels (each subject to an equal back-pressure, such as by connecting them to a common vent), then the relative magnitude of the flow resistance for each downstream channel may be inferred by the amount of fluid flowing through each downstream channel.
The term xe2x80x9ccharacteristic flow resistancexe2x80x9d refers to the resistance to established flow that is exhibited by an unmodified microfluidic channel or fluid circuit. Flow resistance may be elevated by various means, such as, for example, by adding a porous material to a channel or fluid circuit, or by significantly reducing one or more dimensions of a channel region.
The term xe2x80x9cmicrofluidicxe2x80x9d as used herein is to be understood, without any restriction thereto, to refer to structures or devices through which a fluid is capable of being passed or directed, wherein one or more of the dimensions is less than about 500 microns. The construction of microfluidic devices is described in co-pending applications, U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/550,184 and 09/453,029, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such disclosures are also provided in two WIPO PCT patent applications, nos. PCT/US00/27366 and PCT/US00/27313, which were published on Apr. 12, 2001.
The term xe2x80x9coverlap regionxe2x80x9d refers to a fluidic passage between different, preferably adjacent, layers of a microfluidic device. Channels in non-adjacent layers may meet at an overlap region and be in fluid communication, such as across a porous layer disposed between the non-adjacent layers.
The term xe2x80x9cpermanently elevatedxe2x80x9d as used herein and applied to the elevation of flow resistance refers to a substantially non-reversible elevation. Preferably, flow resistance of a particular channel or fluidic circuit is permanently elevated during the manufacture of a microfluidic device. This is to be distinguished from a temporary elevation of flow resistance by reversible elevation means (e.g. a reversible valve) applied to a microfluidic channel.
The term xe2x80x9cstencilxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a preferably substantially planar material from which one or more variously shaped and oriented portions are cut (or otherwise removed) through the thickness of the material layer to form microstructures. The outlines of the cut or removed portions comprise the lateral boundaries of microstructures that are formed by sandwiching one or more stencil layers between other stencils and/or substrates.
The term xe2x80x9cviaxe2x80x9d refers to a fluidic passage between non-adjacent layers of a microfluidic device. A simple via may include an aperture defined in a device layer that is sandwiched between other layers. A via is preferably aligned with one or more fluidic channels, chambers, or other vias. A via may be smaller, larger, or the same size as channels or vias defined in one or more adjacent device layers.

Flow control in multi-stream microfluidic devices


A sprayer includes: a sprayer body; a nozzle extending from the sprayer body; and an irradiation unit disposed on a leading end of the nozzle and emitting light that is oriented and diffuses in a leading end direction of the nozzle. The nozzle includes: an elongated nozzle body extending from the sprayer body and having a curved portion on a leading end side; and a nozzle head disposed on a leading end of the nozzle body. The irradiation unit is arranged inside a curve shape of the curved portion.

Formation of adhesion between an incisional wound and its peripheral tissue after a laparotomy can induce various disorders. To prevent such adhesion, an anti-adhesive material is used. A sheet-like anti-adhesive material is attached below an incisional wound. However, since the tissue below an incisional wound moves, the incisional wound and the tissue cannot be surely isolated. Also, it is difficult to attach the anti-adhesive material over the incisional wound after a laparotomy.
There is a known method of applying a liquid anti-adhesive material using a sprayer in which an incised portion is sutured while leaving a part of the incised portion as an opening, and a nozzle of the sprayer is inserted from the opening. An example of this method is described in Japanese Application Publication No. 2008-289617. However, in the case of a laparotomy, the direction of a nozzle and the distance from the nozzle to a target site cannot be directly viewed, and whether or not the anti-adhesive material is sprayed toward the incisional wound is not known. In the case of a laparoscopic surgery, the direction of a nozzle and the distance from the nozzle to a target site is difficult to be known using a monitor. Therefore, uneven spraying and increased use of a drug are caused.


The present invention discloses system and method for fake face identification. The system is a multi-spectral sensing based bio-security system. The system uses CNN module along with thermal sensors to detect human face and also detects the human temperature. The system authenticates a human face and in case of temperature generates an alarm as an alert.

Traditionally, with the rapid development of smart devices, IoT, and artificial intelligence, face recognition technology has become an indispensable function on smart devices due to its security and contactless advantages. However, the face recognition system is very vulnerable to malicious attacks, which poses a great threat to the security of the system. Faced with malicious attacks, face recognition anti-spoofing detection has become a vital part of face recognition systems.
At present, the common ways to deceive the face recognition system are photo attacks, video attacks, and 3D mask attacks. In recent years, researches on the detection of human face and living body have developed rapidly, and many valuable research results have been obtained. Near infrared cameras, structured light/ToF sensors, light field cameras, etc. have also been used as auxiliary hardware for face recognition and anti-spoofing. In the next section, we will propose a new method of face recognition anti-spoofing, RGB camera together with IR Thermal Sensor, using the IR Thermal sensor temperature measurement function to obtain the temperature distribution of the face area, according to the face temperature distribution model to determine whether the test face is a fake face.
In recent years, some large-scale influenza and virus outbreaks have spread around the world. In 2009, there was a large-scale H1N1 influenza and a large-scale new corona virus that broke out in 2020, which bring inestimable losses to human security. Fever is one of the symptoms of infected people, but most people in concentrated areas take the body temperature of incoming and outgoing people to check the infected people. Traditional thermometers have obvious weakness in the requirements of the rapid and accurate temperature measurement of the flu/virus that has burst in. Along with face recognition anti-spoofing function, we will also propose a method for human body temperature measurement. Through the fusion of infrared thermal sensors and RGB cameras, the face temperature can be accurately measured.
An issued US patent 20070153871 assigned to Jacob Fraden discloses a technology related to a system for fast noncontact screening for fever human subjects by means of a thermal imaging camera. Furthermore, the patent discloses a device for the automatic screening of people for fever by means of a thermal imaging device. This invention provides noncontact screening through a thermal imaging camera, which is quite an expensive system,
Another WO patent 2018058554 assigned to Intel Corp. discloses a technology related to a for detecting a facial image including generating a spatial convolutional neural network score for one or more detected facial images from a facial image detector. Though, the invention is advancement to the prior invention to detect the facial image using CNN module. Still, it lacks to authenticate the face in case of any hurdle as it doesn't include a temperature sensor to scan a face and authenticate it.
The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the face recognition, more specifically, but not exclusively, in the field of CNN based face recognition. Moreover, the invention proposes a multi-spectral fusion security system, which has the capabilities of face recognition anti-spoofing and human body temperature measurement
Therefore to overcome the shortcomings of the prior-arts, there is a need to provide a multi-spectral fusion security system for face recognition. Moreover, the system uses major modules as an RGB camera with an IR Thermal sensor and a CNN based module for anti-spoofing. In view of the foregoing inventions, there is a need in the art for a system to overcome or alleviate the before mentioned shortcomings of the prior arts.
It is apparent now that numerous methods and systems are developed in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these inventions may be suitable for the specific purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. Thus, there is a need for an advanced texture replacement system that recognizes textures in the background of the multimedia in real-time using a deep neural network for recognising.

Bio-security system based on multi-spectral sensing


Techniques suitable for controlling the action power of a player character are disclosed. The techniques can be implemented in a video game that represents battles between characters. A command can specify an action of a character. A plurality of color attributes are respectively assigned to actions of the character. A number of color attributes which are the same as that of the action identified by the command can then be obtained. The action power of the player character is increased in accordance with the obtained number of color attributes to make the player character execute the action identified by the command. The color attribute of action executed in the player character is stored in the historical information. Finally, the color attributes in the historical information can be displayed in respective colors on a screen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to video games. More particularly the present invention relates to a control method for controlling the action power of a player character in a video game which implements a battle between characters on a display screen on a virtual basis.
2. Related Background Art
Role playing games (hereinafter referred to as RPGs) are a type or class of video games. In conventional RPGs, the power of the player character may be enhanced by providing the player character with various items. For example, attack power is often added to by providing the player character with a sword, whereas defense power is added to by providing a protector. If the player character is allowed to use magic or magical powers, the use of the magic may cause damage to the enemy.
The effect of the use of the items and magic is determined by the effect preliminarily defined for them and a level of a character using them. Since the level of each character increases through repetition of battles in the game, a character experiencing more battles may cause greater damage to the enemy in an attack. A player has to consider whether an attack should be made against the enemy with the items and magic as described above, which may keep the player from feeling bored.
In conventional RPGs, however, the effect in the use of the items etc. varies depending upon only the attribute (level) of the player character, and thus they were not always satisfactory in terms of interestingness, xe2x80x9ce.g., player appeal.xe2x80x9d In order to raise the interestingness more, it is desirable to allow the effect of the items etc. to vary depending upon additional factors in addition to the attribute of the player character as well.
The present invention has been accomplished noting such a conventional problem, and one embodiment of the present invention provides a control method for controlling the action power associated with a player character. The control method is generally capable of enhancing the interestingness by allowing the effect of an attack etc. to vary depending upon factors such as the action of an enemy character. Computer code associated with the present invention may be embodied, for example, on a storage medium for storing an action power control program, a game apparatus, and a computer data signal.
In order to solve the above problem by increasing the interestingness or the player appeal of RPGs, the present invention provides a new control method for controlling player characters.
One aspect of the present invention, a control method is provided for controlling the action power of a player character in a video game which implements a battle between characters on a display screen on a virtual basis. The control method includes: receiving a command that specifies an action of the character. A plurality of color attributes are respectively assigned to the actions of the character. The method also includes obtaining the number of color attributes which are the same as that of the action identified by a command from historical information in which color attributes of actions of the character which have been executed in past are stored. Additionally, the method includes increasing the action power of the player character in accordance with the obtained number of color attributes to make the player character execute the action identified by the command, storing the color attribute of the executed action in the player character in the historical information, and displaying the color attributes in the historical information, in respective colors on a screen.
Therefore, with manipulation input to make the player character execute an action using one of the elements, the action power of the player character is enhanced according to the number of the same color attributes in the historical information as the element used. In one embodiment, the historical information is information which changes the composition of held color attributes when not only the player character but also one of the characters involved in the battle executes an action using an element. In such an embodiment, if the action power of the player character is enhanced according to the number of varying color attributes by the action of not only the player character but also the characters involved in the battle, the power will vary not only depending upon the player character but also depending upon all the characters involved in the battle, which can enhance the interestingness or player appeal of an RPG.
Since the color attributes in the historical information are typically displayed in their respective colors on the screen, the player may visually recognize the implications of the colors and, hence, elaborate a strategy, which may provide added interest. However, since the color attributes in the history information vary depending upon all the characters involved in the battle as described above, the same color attributes as those in the strategy elaborated by the player are may not be included in the historical information. Thus, the player may proceed with or otherwise continue the game while appropriately modifying the strategy and groping for timing of use of an element. The interestingness is thus also enhanced by the forwarding or continuation of the game while groping for timing of use of an element.
In the above invention, in the execution of action of the player character, when the historical information includes a color attribute which contradicts, e.g., is opposite to, the color attribute of the element used, the power of action may be lowered according to an appropriate number thereof.
Lowering the power of the action may cause difficulty in finding the timing of the use of an element, which enhances the interestingness further.
In addition, in the above invention, the characters may be the player character and an enemy character.
Consequently, the action power of the player character varies in various ways, depending upon when and which element the two characters use in a battle, and this also varies the development of the battle in many ways. This development of the battle varying in many ways adds to amusingness or interestingness of the RPGs.
Further, in the above invention, in the storing of the color attributes, a predetermined number of color attributes may be stored in the historical information. As a consequence, the predetermined number of color attributes are held in the historical information to be displayed on the screen, whereby the player can quickly ascertain the power of the player character in use of an element by visually checking the predetermined number of color attributes.
Still further, a game apparatus of the present invention may be realized by the creation of a computer that reads in a program that is stored in a storage medium. Therefore, storage media allow the program to be distributed and sold readily in the form of software products independent of the apparatus. When this software is used in such hardware as general purpose computers, general purpose game apparatus, etc., the game technology of the present invention may be carried out readily by these hardware.
Additionally a game apparatus of the present invention which is dedicated to the present invention may implement program which contains computer code for implementing the embodiments of the present invention thereby achieving the effect as stated above.

Game apparatus and control method for controlling the action power level of a player character, in an action power control program


A method for detecting low level of alkylbenzene or mineral oil impurity in polyol ester lubricants for compressors. This method comprises mixing a mixture of alcohol and water with a sample of the lubricant and then observe the presence or absence of turbidity.

The present invention relates to a novel method of detecting low levels of impurities in lubricants for compressors. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel but simple method for detecting low levels of alklybenzene or mineral oil which may be present as an impurity in polyol ester (POE) lubricants in compressors.
Lubricants are generally added in refrigeration units in order to protect and prolong the life of the frictionally engaged machine components from wear. One class of lubricants comprises, for example, mineral oils. They are produced by known techniques such as by distillation of crude and subsequent refining of petroleum. Depending on the origin of the raw material petroleum, mineral oils produced may be designated paraffin-or naphthenic-base lubricating oil. Paraffin-base lubricating oils comprise paraffinic molecules while naphthenic-base oil comprise napthenic or cycloparaffinic molecules. These oils generally do not contain additives. To improve wear resistance additives such as phosphate esters have been suggested.
Another class of lubricants comprises alkylbenzenes. They have the general formula as shown in FIG. 1. ##STR1## in which n is a positive integer.
The alkylbenzenes are produced by the known Friedel Crafts synthesis such as by alkylation of benzene with alkylchlorides or olefins. Lubricants serve a very important function in refrigeration units. Low levels of lubricants or impurities therein could cause premature fatigue resulting in failure of engaged machine components. A satisfactory lubricant should exhibit good low-temperature characteristics and thermal stability.
Commercial manufactures such as Thermo King has a large number of refrigeration units in the field which are operating with R-12 which is a fluoro carbon refrigerant and alkylbenzene or mineral oil as lubricants in the refrigeration systems. With the legislative changes which prohibit the use of high Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, R-I2 refrigerant will be banned in the near future. The retrofit of these compressors will require a change from chlorinated fluorinated hydrocarbon (CFCs) to fluorinated hydrocarbon (HFCs), such as R-134a. Due to incompatibility of R-134a which is tetrafluoro ethane, with the presently used lubricants (alkylbenzene and mineral oil), new polyol ester (POE) lubricants have to be used. The retrofit procedure recommended by the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers and our own studies suggest at least three separate lubricant changes in the compressor in order to remove the existing lubricant to an acceptable level.
It has been documented in some studies and further confirmed by miscibility studies that even low concentrations of alkylbenzene or mineral oil in polyol ester can alter the low temperature miscibility drastically. Poor miscibility will affect the performance of the lubricant at low temperature. Table 1 shows the adverse effects of low levels of mineral oil which is present as an impurity in the Castrol SW-32 a polyol ester lubricant.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Effect of Mineral Oil Impurity in POE Lubricant on Miscibility Miscibility of 90% R-134a and 10 SW-32 Mineral Oil Lowest Impurity Level Temperature (% of Oil) Miscibility .degree.C. ______________________________________ 0 <-50 1 -35 3 0 5 +18 ______________________________________
These results suggest that it is important to reduce the mineral oil/alkylbenzene concentration in POE to a minimum during retrofitting.
At present there is no practical method to detect low concentrations of impurities in the form of alkylbenzene/mineral oil in POE, especially where the refrigeration units had been installed. Typical procedures recommended to refrigeration engineers for retrofitting requires three changes of the POE lubricant, which reduces the concentration of alkylbenzene or mineral oil to less than 3%. The method used for testing the presence of the impurity involves withdrawing a sample and then determining the level of the said impurity by infra-red (IR) spectroscopy. When an operator is carrying out this procedure in the field, it is obviously inconvenient to service the test and requires an IR instrument.

Method for detecting low levels of alkylbenzene or mineral oil in polyol ester lubricants in the compressors