A time-sequential input pattern (20), which is derived from a continual physical quantity, such as speech is recognized. The system includes input means (30), which accesses the physical quantity and therefrom generates a sequence of input observation vectors. The input observation vectors represent the input pattern. A reference pattern database (40) is used for storing reference patterns, which consist of a sequence of reference units. Each reference unit is represented by associated reference probability densities. A tree builder (60) represents for each reference unit the set of associated reference probability densities as a tree structure. Each leaf node of the tree corresponds to a reference probability density. Each non-leaf node corresponds to a cluster probability density, which is derived from all reference probability densities corresponding to leaf nodes in branches below the non-leaf node. A localizer (50) is used for locating among the reference patterns stored in the reference pattern database (40) a recognised reference pattern, which corresponds to the input pattern. The locating includes, for each input observation vector, searching each tree structure for reference probability densities which give a high likelihood for the observation vector. Each tree is searched by selecting at the level immediately below the root node a number of nodes for which the corresponding cluster probability densities give an optimum cluster likelihood. This is repeated at successively lower levels of the tree by using each selected node as a root node, until the selected node is a leaf node. For each selected leaf node, the corresponding reference probability density is used to calculate the likelihood of the input observation vector. These likelihoods are combined per reference pattern to give a pattern similarity score. The recognised pattern is one of the reference patterns for which an optimum of the pattern similarity scores is calculated. Output means (70) are used for outputting the recognised pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for recognizing an input pattern which is derived from a continual physical quantity. The invention also relates to a system for recognizing a time-sequential input pattern, which is derived from a continual physical quantity.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recognition of a time-sequential input pattern, which is derived from a continual physical quantity, such as speech or images, is increasingly getting important. Particularly, speech recognition has recently been widely applied to areas such as telephone and telecommunications (various automated services), office and business systems (data entry), manufacturing (hands-free monitoring of manufacturing processes), medical (annotating of reports), games (voice input), voice-control of car functions and voice-control used by disabled people. For continuous speech recognition, the following signal processing steps are commonly used, as illustrated in FIG. 1 refer L. Rabiner "A Tutorial on Hidden Markov Models and Selected Applications in Speech Recognition", Proceeding of the IEEE, Vol. 77, No. 2, February 1989!:
Feature analysis: the speech input signal is spectrally and/or temporally analyzed to calculate a representative vector of features (observation vector o). Typically, the speech signal is digitized (e.g., sampled at a rate of 6.67 kHz.) and pre-processed, for instance, by applying pre-emphasis. Consecutive samples are grouped (blocked) into frames, corresponding to, for instance, 32 msec. of speech signal. Successive frames partially overlap, for instance, 16 msec. Often the Linear Predictive Coding (L.C.) spectral analysis method is used to calculate for each frame a representative vector of features (observation vector o). The feature vector may, for instance, have 24, 32 or 63 components (the feature space dimension). PA1 Lexical decoding: if sub-word units are used, a pronunciation lexicon describes how words are constructed of sub-word units. The possible sequence of sub-word units, investigated by the unit matching system, is then constrained to sequences in the lexicon. PA1 Syntactical analysis: further constraints are placed on the unit matching system so that the paths investigated are those corresponding to speech units which comprise words (lexical decoding) and for which the words are in a proper sequence as specified by a word grammar.
Unit matching system: the observation vectors are matched against an inventory of speech recognition units. Various forms of speech recognition units may be used. Some systems use linguistically based sub-word units, such as phones, diphones or syllables, as well as derivative units, such as fenenes and fenones. Other systems use a whole word or a group of words as a unit. The so-called hidden Markov model (HMM) is widely used to stochastically model speech signals. Using this model, each unit is typically characterized by an HMM, whose parameters are estimated from a training set of speech data. For large vocabulary speech recognition systems involving, for instance, 10,000 to 60,000 words, using a limited set of, for instance 40, sub-word units is used, since it would require a lot of training data to adequately train an HMM for larger units. The unit matching system matches the observation vectors against all sequences of speech recognition units and provides the likelihoods of a match between the vector and a sequence. Constraints can be placed on the matching, for instance by:
A discrete Markov process describes a system which at any time is in one of a set on N distinct states. At regular times, the system changes state according to a set of probabilities associated with the state. A special form of a discrete Markov process is shown in FIG. 2. In this so-called left-right model, the states proceed from left to right (or stay the same). This model is widely used for modeling speech, where the properties of the signal change over time. The model states can be seen as representing sounds. The number of states in a model for a sub-word unit could, for instance, be five or six., in which case, in average, a state corresponds to an observation interval. The model of FIG. 2 allows a state to stay the same, which can be associated with slow speaking. Alternatively, a state can be skipped, which can be associated with speaking fast (in FIG. 2, up to twice the average rate). The output of the discrete Markov process is the set of states at each instance of time, where each state corresponds to an observable event. For speech recognition system, the concept of discrete Markov processes is extended to the case where an observation is a probabilistic function of the state. This results in a double stochastic process. The underlying stochastic process of state changes is hidden (the hidden Markov model, HMM) and can only be observed through a stochastic process that produces the sequence of observations.
For speech, the observations represent continuous signals. The observations can be quantized to discrete symbols chosen from a finite alphabet of, for instance, 32 to 256 vectors. In such a case, a discrete probability density can be used for each state of the model. In order to avoid degradation associated with quantizing, many speech recognition systems use continuous mixture densities. Generally, the densities are derived from log-concave or elliptically symmetric densities, such as Gaussian (normal distribution) or Laplacian densities. During training, the training data (training observation sequences) is segmented into states using an initial model. This gives for each state a set of observations, referred to as training observation vectors or reference vectors. Next, the reference vectors for each state are clustered. Depending on the complexity of the system and the amount of training data, there may, for instance, be between 32 to 120 elementary clusters for each state. Each elementary cluster has its own probability density, referred to as reference probability density. The resulting mixture density for the state is then a weighted sum of the reference probability densities for a state.
To recognize a single speech recognition unit (e.g., word or sub-word unit) from a speech signal (observation sequence), for each speech recognition unit the likelihood is calculated that it produced the observation sequence. The speech recognition unit with maximum likelihood is selected. To recognize larger sequences of observations, a leveled approach is used. Starting at the first level, likelihoods are calculated as before. Whenever the last state of a model is reached, a switch is made to a higher level, repeating the same process for the remaining observations. When the last observation has been processed, the path with the maximum likelihood is selected and the path is backtracked to determine the sequence of involved speech recognition units.
The likelihood calculation involves calculating in each state the likelihood of the observation (feature vector) for each reference probability density for that state. Particularly, in large vocabulary speech recognition systems using continuous observation density HMMs, with, for instance, 40 sub-word units, 5 states per sub-word unit and 64 clusters per state this implies 12800 likelihood calculations for, for instance, 32 dimensional vectors. These calculations are repeated for each observation. Consequently, the likelihood calculation may consume 50%-75% of the computing resources.
It is known from EP-A-627-726 to reduce the percentage of time required for the likelihood calculation by organizing the reference probability densities, using a tree structure, and performing a tree search. At the lowest level of the tree (level 1), each of the leaf nodes corresponds to an actual reference probability density. As described earlier, a reference probability density represents an elementary cluster of reference vectors. At level two of the tree, each non-leaf node corresponds to a cluster probability density, which is derived from all reference probability densities corresponding to leaf nodes in branches below the non-leaf node. As such, a level two non-leaf node represents a cluster of a cluster of reference vectors. This hierarchical clustering is repeated for successively higher levels, until at the highest level of the tree, one non-leaf node (the root node) represents all reference vectors. During the pattern recognition, for each input observation vector, a tree search is performed starting at one level below the root. For each node at this level, the corresponding cluster probability density is used to calculate the likelihood of the observation vector. One or more nodes with maximum likelihood are selected. For these nodes, the same process is repeated one level lower. In this manner, finally a number of leaf nodes are selected for which the corresponding reference probability density is used to calculate the likelihood of the observation vector. For each leaf node which is not selected, the likelihood is approximated by the likelihood of its mother node, which was last selected.

Method and system for pattern recognition based on tree organized probability densities


The present invention relates to a biocompatible, three-dimensional scaffold useful to grow cells and to regenerate or repair tissue in predetermined orientations. The scaffold is particularly useful for regeneration and repair of cardiac tissue. The scaffold contains layers of alternating A-strips and S-strips, wherein the A-strips within each layer are aligned parallel to each other and preferentially promote cellular attachment over attachment to the S-strips. Methods of producing and implanting the scaffold are also provided.

Biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds are used in tissue reconstruction and repair. The scaffold, for example, can serve as both a physical support and adhesive substrate for cells during in vitro culturing and subsequent implantation in vivo. Scaffolds are utilized to deliver cells to desired sites in the body, to define a potential space for engineered tissue, and to guide the process of tissue development. Cell transplantation on scaffolds has been explored for the regeneration of skin, heart, nerve, liver, pancreas, cartilage, and bone tissue using various biological and synthetic materials. Scaffolds have also been implanted directly into patients without prior culturing of cells in vitro. In this case, the initially cell-free scaffold needs to be designed in a manner that cells from the surrounding living tissue can attach to the scaffold, migrate into it and form functional tissue.
Synthetic materials, such as polyester fiber (e.g., DACRON™) or polytetrafluororethylene (PTFE) (e.g., TEFLON™), have been extensively used as implants to replace diseased or damaged body parts. However, these materials have enjoyed limited success because of their poor biocompatibility. Synthetic materials frequently cause persistent inflammatory reactions and are further limited by their lack of biodegradation, which results in the failure of the body to integrate and/or remodel these materials into the surrounding tissue. Other synthetic materials that are more biodegradable than polyester fibers or PTFE have been used to fabricate tissue-engineering scaffolds such as polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA). PGA, PLA and their copolymers are the most commonly used synthetic polymers in tissue engineering. However, in order for these structures to promote functional tissue growth/reconstruction, a complex micro-architecture must be produced, and this requires difficult processing methods.
Non-synthetic materials, such as animal materials, have also been used to produce tissue-regeneration/repair scaffolds. Efforts to use animal materials have been unsatisfactory when these materials are cross-linked by formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, for example. This form of generalized aldehydic crosslinking tends to render biomaterials sufficiently unrecognizable to tissue cells such that normal remodeling and integration are not promoted. Similarly, other types of chemical processing of animal or human biomaterials, such as extraction with detergents, hypertonic buffers or hypotonic buffers can alter them to the degree that leave these biomaterials toxic to tissue cells, ineffective in promoting angiogenesis, and ineffective in stimulating repair and remodeling processes needed for the conversion of an implant into a functional substitute for the tissue or organ being replaced.
Another approach uses extracellular matrix (ECM) components in processed or natural forms to regenerate tissue in vitro and in vivo. The interaction of cells with ECM in in vivo and in vitro environments is important in the organization, function and growth of all tissues and organs. Biochemical and biophysical signals between the cell and the ECM regulate fundamental cellular activities including adhesion, migration, proliferation, differential gene expression, and programmed cell death. Processed forms of ECM have been used as tissue regeneration aids. For example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,826, fluidized intestinal submucosa can be injected into host tissues in need of repair or used in combination with other graft materials. Basement-membrane-derived ECM compositions (e.g., MATRIGEL™, BECTON-DICKINSON) in the form of polymerizable extracts have also been used to regenerate or repair tissue. These polymerizable extracts can be formed or molded into a three-dimensional gel structure attempting to resemble lamellar structures (U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,000). Collagen-based gels have also been combined with specialized cells. This process depends upon interactions between the cells and collagen filaments in the gel so that the cells condense and organize. While tissue-like constructs have been fabricated and been shown to have some resemblance to their natural counterparts, these constructs do not readily develop the matrix complexity characteristic of the actual tissues that they are meant to imitate (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,485,096 and 4,485,097).
Natural forms of ECM (e.g., isolated sheets or layers) can be obtained from tissue submucosa of warm-blooded vertebrates. For example, the tunica submucosa of the intestine is often used as tissue graft material; see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,902,508 and 5,281,422. Both stomach (U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,567) and urinary bladder (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,554,389 and 6,171,344) submucosa have also been described as natural sources of ECM. Large sheets of submucosal tissue can be prepared from smaller segments of submucosal tissue through conventional techniques such as weaving, knitting or the use of adhesives (U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,575). Purified submucosa can also be shaped into other forms with other graft materials, for example, a tubular graft composed of sheets of submucosa wrapped around a tube (U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,284). However, a limitation of these natural forms is that it is difficult to fashion three-dimensional tissue structures that mimic the endogenous tissue architecture where the graft or scaffold is to be used, for example, to form the complex shape of a valve.
Cardiac tissue repair presents challenges to tissue-engineering methods. Cardiac tissues are difficult to repair as the tissue has a limited ability to regenerate and because the tissue has a complex architecture that is difficult to mimic. For example, cardiomyocytes have a natural complex architecture with particular electromechanical properties. Endogenous cardiomyocytes are organized into parallel cardiac muscle fibers with intracellular contractile myofibrils oriented parallel to the long axis of each cell. Junctional complexes between abutting cells are concentrated at the ends of each cardiomyocyte. Such architecture provides the electromechanical coupling of cardiomyocytes needed to stimulate the transmission of directed contraction over long distances. However, cultured cardiomyocytes typically spread on a flat substrate to form an unorganized monolayer with disorganized myofibrils and junctions. In vitro methods have been created that align cardiomyoctes into functional organizations by growing cultured cardiomyocytes on flat micro-patterned substrates (McDevitt, T. C. et al., "In vitro generation of differentiated cardiac myofibers on micropatterned laminin surfaces," J. Biomed. Mater. Res., (2002), 60:472-479). However, such methods provide two-dimensional tissue layers that are difficult to transform into a three-dimensional tissue repair scaffold.
Thus, biocompatible, biodegradable, three-dimensional scaffolds that are adaptable to different in vivo tissue architectures and that promote the natural, functional coupling between cells present in the scaffold and cells in the surrounding tissue are desired. Further, methods of producing such improved scaffolds that are efficient and simple are also desired.

Aligned scaffolds for improved myocardial regeneration


Methods and systems for installing a drawworks on a drilling rig, the method, in certain aspects, including moving a drawworks on movement apparatus on the ground adjacent a drill floor of a rig, connecting the drawworks to the drill floor, moving the movement apparatus away from the rig, and raising the drill floor with the drawworks thereon using raising apparatus of a rig substructure supporting the drill floor. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to drilling rigs; drilling rigs with a drawworks; and to methods for installing a drawworks (or other equipment) on a rig.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art discloses a variety of rigs used in drilling and various wellbore operations; for example, and not by way of limitation, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,340,938; 3,807,109; 3,922,825; 3,942,593; 4,269,395; 4,290,495; 4,368,602; 4,489,526; 4,569,168; 4,837,992; 6,634,436; 6,523,319; and 7,306,055 and the references cited in these patents—all these patents incorporated fully herein for all purposes. The prior art discloses a variety of systems and methods for assembling and raising components of a drilling rig; for example, and not by way of limitation nor as an exhaustive listing, the disclosures in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,993,570; 3,201,091; 3,262,237; 3,749,183; 4,221,088; 4,269,009; 4,292,772; 4,305,237; 4,478,015; 4,587,778; 4,630,425; and 4,932,175.
Often drilling rigs and related systems, equipment, and apparatuses are delivered to a site, assembled, raised, disassembled, and transported to a new site. It is important that drilling rigs and their components be easily transported, assembled, and installed.
Often rig components such as a drawworks (or other equipment) are raised by a crane, positioned on a rig's drill floor, and then secured to the drill floor. Various problems and disadvantages are associated with a drawworks installation that requires using a crane.


A hydraulic screw tensioning device includes a cylinder supported on a machine part that is to be clamped by a threaded bolt and nut. A first annular piston is guided in a sealed manner in a cylinder element, is disposed on the change sleeve, and is supported against an inclined surface of a monolithic collar of the change sleeve. At least one second annular piston is guided in a sealed manner in a cylinder element, is disposed on the change sleeve, and is supported against the first annular piston. Respective, facing inclined axial annular surfaces on the annular pistons and on the cylinder elements or annular shoulders thereof are inclined in the same direction and are pressure-remote. Annular surfaces on the second annular piston or pistons and on the annular shoulders of the cylinder elements extend perpendicular to the cylinder axis and are pressurized.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic screw tightening or tensioning device for tightening and loosening highly stressed screws or bolts.
Applicants' hydraulic threaded bolt tensioning devices known from DE 43 41 707 A1 and DE 196 38 901 A1 are comprised of a cylinder that is supported on a machine part that is to be clamped by a threaded bolt and a nut, at least one piston that is guided therein in a sealed manner, is periodically supplied with pressure, is supported on an extension of a change sleeve threaded onto a thread of the threaded bolt, and forms an annular chamber with the cylinder, and a pressure medium supply to the annular chamber.
The object of such screw tensioning devices is to apply a precisely prescribed tensioning force onto a screw in order to be able to tighten or loosen the nut that is threaded onto the screw. For this purpose, a change sleeve in the screw tensioning device is threaded onto the projecting thread above the nut, and thereafter the screw tensioning device is placed under hydraulic pressure. The result is that the screw is tensioned by extension. The forces thereby applied to the screw are extremely great, thus very greatly stressing the screw tensioning device and its components.
With these hydraulic screw tensioning devices: in particular the change sleeve is a highly stressed component that after a certain number of screw extensions, i.e. load changes, can fail in the region of the threaded end of the screw or bolt.
Since in such a case the entire system relaxes in an abrupt manner, the failed or broken-off part of the threaded sleeve, together with the piston and the cylinder, can be spun away with considerable energy, and significant damage to adjacent machine components can occur, and operators can be injured. To avoid this, a trapping or collection device for these parts of the screw tensioning device is provided in DE 43 41 707A1.
However, to avoid a failure of the change sleeve, and to prevent the load change that is absorbed by these parts from being exceeded up to a fatigue failure, the object of DE 196 38 901 A1 is to replace the parts that are endangered by fatigue failure before such fatigue failure can occur. For this purpose, provided on the hydraulic screw tensioning device is a load change counter that, by means of the periodic pressurization of the screw tensioning device, is advanced upon each actuation, whereby the counting of no-load or idle strokes is prevented in that the load change counter is advanced only above a prescribed pressure.
The known hydraulic screw tensioning devices have proven advantageous and can be designed to have single or multiple stages in order to apply the forces that are required for all current sizes of the threaded bolts in order to bring about a predetermined extension.
European patent application EP 0 200 459 A2 discloses a hydraulic screw tensioning device according to which a change sleeve that can be threaded onto the threaded bolt that is to be tensioned is provided with a collar having an inclined surface against which is supported an annular piston that is disposed on an annular change sleeve. The annular piston and an annular shoulder on a cylinder element interengage and are guided in a sealed manner against one another. The facing, pressurized surfaces of the annular piston and of the cylinder element are respectively angled off in the same direction, so that due to the pressurization, a very high, expanding bending moment acts upon these annular surfaces, whereby this bending moment can be counteracted only by an appropriately large dimensioning of the elements in order to prevent wear of the seals and on the surfaces that glide on one another. Since such hydraulic screw tensioning devices are often used on threaded bolts that are disposed close together, any enlargement of the dimensions in a radial direction is a drawback.
It is an object of the present invention to embody the components that are endangered by fatigue failure such that they can be subjected to a high number of load changes before fatigue failure can occur, in other words, that these highly stressed individual components can be used for a longer period of time before they have to be replaced. Furthermore, a screw tensioning device that is compact not only in diameter but also in length is to be made available, whereby the wear and tear of the piston and cylinder surfaces that slide against one another, as well as of the respective seals, is as low as possible.

Hydraulic screw tightening or tensioning device


In the metal piece 32 which diffuses into the fuse element so that an alloy layer is generated, there is formed an expanding slot 30, which is inserted and pressured in the fusing portion 25b of the fusible body 25 which forms the fuse element. Due to the foregoing, the metallic mass 32 of low fusing point is fixed to the fusible body 25 while it surrounds the circumferential surface of the fusing portion 25b.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuse including: a fuse element in which a pair of connecting terminals and a fusible body to connect electrically the pair of connecting terminals are integrally formed; and a chip-shaped metallic piece with low fusing point for adjusting the fusing characteristic of the fusible body, wherein the metallic piece is attached to the fuse element.
2. Related Art
In Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 3-13960 or Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-14494, there is disclosed a fuse of large electrical capacity in which a mass of metal of low fusing point such as tin or lead is held in the middle in the longitudinal direction of a fusible body which forms a fuse element, and the fusing characteristic of the fuse is improved by alloy generated by the diffusion of the metal of low fusing point.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the conventional fuse which is similar to the fuse disclosed in the above utility model and patent publications.
The fuse 1 shown here is a fusible link, which is attached to an insulating housing not shown in the drawing. This fuse 1 includes: terminal connecting portions 3, 3 formed at both ends; and a belt-shaped fusible body 5 to connect electrically the terminal connecting portions 3, 3 with each other, wherein the terminal connecting portions 3, 3 and the belt-shaped fusible body 5 are integrally formed by means of press forming.
In this connection, both ends of the connecting terminal portions 3, 3 are curved inside. Accordingly, on the fore end side of the connecting terminal, that is, at the lower portion of the connecting terminal in the drawing, there is formed an electrical contacting portion S with which a tongue-shaped male connecting terminal is engaged and connected.
The fusible body 5 is composed in such a manner that a pair of narrow leg pieces 5a, 5a continued to the connecting terminal portions 3, 3 are connected with each other and that a chip-shaped metallic mass 8 of low fusing point, which is lower than the fusing point of the fusible body 5, is attached to the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the connecting terminal portions by a pair of calking pieces 7. In this connection, the calking pieces 7 are formed in such a manner that they extend in the width direction of the fusible body 5. When the calking pieces 7 are calked being curved round the metallic mass 8 of low temperature, they can be pressured and fixed to the fusible body 5.
The fuse 1 composed as described above is attached to an electrical circuit via the electrical contacting portion S. When a voltage is impressed between the terminal connecting portions 3, 3, the fuse element 2 is energized with electric current. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the metallic mass 8 of low fusing point diffuses in the fuse element 2, so that an alloy layer 9 is formed on the fusible body 5 side. Since the specific resistance of the alloy layer 9 is higher than the specific resistances of the metallic mass 8 of low temperature and the fuse element 2, Joule's heat is generated on the alloy layer 9 at this time. Therefore, the fuse element 2 is fused off by the influence of Joule's heat.
In this connection, since diffusion of metal proceeds to the direction of gravity, a contact surface of the metallic mass 8 of low fusing point with the fuse element 2, that is, a surface on which the alloy layer 9 is formed remarkably appears in one direction which corresponds to the direction of fuse setting.
Accordingly, when the fuse setting direction is changed variously being restricted by the space in an actual vehicle when the fuse is incorporated into the vehicle, that is, when the fuse setting direction is set laterally or reversely, the fusion characteristic of the fuse is varied, that is, when the fuse setting direction is set laterally or reversely, the fusing time is extended.

Current limiting fuse having a non-directional fusing characteristic


A method of and system for wirelessly transmitting a tip from a tipper to a tippee is disclosed. The method and system each eliminate the need for a tipper to make a cash payment to a service provider. The method and system employ a sound-based technique for transferring payment information from a tipper to a tippee. The method and system also enable the tippee to deposit the tip amount into an account that is configured such that the tip is automatically dispersed to a group of service providers according to a predetermined allocation schedule.

Tipping is a common method of providing an incentive or reward for good service. Known methods of tipping generally involve a monetary payment from an individual receiving service to the person or persons providing the service. These sorts of payments are often given at the end of a meal or the provision of some sort of service. Providing a tip (also referred to as a gratuity) at the end of a meal may be relatively easy for the payer of the tip ("tipper"). Money is already exchanged to pay for the meal and generally, the tipper has time to consider the amount of the tip and some general guidance with regard to the amount. However, there are many circumstances in which the tipper and the person receiving the tip (the "tippee") are not in such a static environment. For example, a valet may have just delivered the tipper's automobile, or a bellman may be delivering luggage to a guest's hotel room. In such situations, there is often not time for the tipper to pause and consider how much to offer the valet. In other circumstances, the tipper may not want to pay cash when providing a tip, may not have the correct amount, or simply may not have available cash with which to pay. In other situations, the tipper may not know how much to offer as a tip for good service. What is needed is a system and method that facilitates the transfer of a tip from the tipper to the tippee without using cash when there is no prior financial relationship between the two parties.

Mobile-based electronic payment solution using sound transmission between parties in proximity


The bicycle-driven clothes washing machine includes a bicycle frame, a drive mechanism, and a washing machine drum assembly adjacent the bicycle frame. The drum assembly includes an outer drum having at least a portion thereof at least transparent or partially transparent, the outer drum selectively filled with a washing liquid. An inner drum having a plurality of perforations is rotatably positioned inside the outer drum and mounted to the drive mechanism to be driven thereby via pedal action, the inner drum holding contents to be washed. Both the outer drum and the inner drum can be provided with respective covers to secure contents within the respective drums. An inlet line for introducing washing liquid and an outlet line for draining are attached to the outer drum. Each inlet and outlet line is provided with a valve system selectively operable to supply washing liquid for washing and draining the washing liquid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pedal actuated devices, and particularly to a bicycle-driven clothes washing machine providing efficient use of exercise time for laundering and reduce energy consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
Time is a valuable commodity. Many strive to make efficient use of time for both professional and personal matters. Unfortunately, there usually never seems to be enough time to accomplish as much as desired in any given day. Another task always seems to loom on the horizon.
Many devices have been developed that ease the workload and oftentimes reduce the amount of time required to accomplish the same. Take, for example, laundry in the realm of household chores. Prior to automated washing machines, one had to wash clothes and linen by hand which could often require hours of manual labor for even one typical load of laundry. The conventional, modern washing machines typically can perform clothes washing in relatively less time with relatively minimal physical expenditure involved, such as toting the load of laundry to be washed, adding a measured amount of detergent and setting the cycles on the washing machine, for example.
While convenient and timesaving, these conventional washing machines can consume relatively large amounts of energy and water, for example. Also, relatively recently, energy and environmental conservation typically are of concern, particularly in view of rising energy costs and an increased awareness of long-range environmental impact considerations. Further, in some areas of the world, conveniences, such as electrical energy or a ready supply of water, are not readily available or are of limited supply. While energy efficient washing machines have been developed, they tend to be relatively more expensive and can be therefore unaffordable, such as to those with limited financial means.
In addition to regular household chores, many individuals also try to allocate some time for periodic exercise. Physical exercise can help maintain good health and longevity, for example. However, exercise time can often be overlooked in view of seemingly more pressing needs or demands. When an individual's time is viewed in relation to time expended for household chores, such as laundering, it can be beneficial to more efficiently utilize an individuals' time while performing household tasks, such as laundering or washing clothes or other items, by including some form of exercise together with performing such household tasks.
Thus, a bicycle-driven clothes washing machine addressing the aforementioned problems is desired.


Described is a system, method, and computer program product to perform bi-directional mapping of hierarchical data (e.g. JSON, XML) to database object types (e.g., user defined database object types).

Many types of data can be stored in a database system. Examples of well-recognized datatypes that are natively used in almost every database systems include strings, numbers, and dates. These database-specific types are well-integrated into the functioning of the database system such that database mechanisms, protocols, and procedures are able to read and write to these datatypes. For example, SQL (structured query language)-based tools are able to access database tables that store content using recognized database datatypes. The database may also include custom object types that are object-based representations of data content.
Outside of a database system, other data formats and types are also commonly employed in numerous computing contexts. For example, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that is very commonly employed for, e.g., browser-server communications. XML (extensible markup language) is an example of a markup language that allows encoding of documents into a standard format useable by a wide array of computing devices and contexts.
It is often desirable to allow database systems that employ database-specific data formats, such as custom database object types, to be able to interact with other computing systems that use non-database specific formats. The problem is that, conventionally, custom code needs to be written to allow the interchange of content in a database-specific format in a database and a non-database format outside of the database. The custom code may be included in the database (e.g., using the PL/SQL language) or in a system outside the database (e.g., using JAVA or C). This approach of requiring custom code is highly inefficient, especially given that the software code may need to be customized for each and every class of object sought to be interchanged between the multiple systems.
What is needed, therefore, is a method and/or system that overcomes these problems, and which more efficiently implements data interaction between a database system and a non-database system.

Bidirectional mapping of hierarchical data to database object types


I An endoscope having a deflection control and a shaft connected to the deflection control. The shaft has a deflectable section operably connected to the deflection control by drive cables. The deflectable section comprises rigid rings and flexible connection members connecting the rings to each other. The connection members are comprised of a superelastic shape memory alloy. The connection members retain the deflectable section in a predetermined shape. The connection members can be resiliently bent to bend the deflectable section without permanent deformation of the connection member over a working life of the endoscope.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medical instruments and, more particularly, to an endoscope with a deflectable section.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,558 discloses an endoscope with ring link members connected by flexible connection members. Various materials to make the flexible connection members are disclosed along with different shapes including a coil, a wire, a tube, and a stick or rod. Various other types of endoscopes with deflectable sections are also known in the art.

Endoscope with resilient deflectable section


A vehicle suspension system (19) includes a suspension (47). A lateral acceleration sensor (32) generates a lateral acceleration signal. A roll rate sensor (34) generates a roll rate signal. A controller (26) detects an irregularity in the suspension in response to the lateral acceleration signal and the roll rate signal. A method of detecting suspension irregularities in a vehicle (10) includes the generating of a lateral acceleration signal and a roll rate signal. Roll angle is determined in response to the lateral acceleration signal and roll rate signal. A roll gradient, a roll acceleration coefficient, and a roll damping parameter are determined in response to at least the roll angle. The roll gradient, the roll acceleration coefficient, and the roll damping parameter are compared to associated nominal values. A suspension irregularity is indicated in response to the comparison.

Recently, vehicle roll stability control (RSC) schemes, i.e., U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,446, have been proposed to address the issue of friction-induced rollovers. RSC system includes a variety of sensors sensing vehicle states and a controller that controls a distributed brake pressure to reduce a tire force so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction.
During an event causing the vehicle to roll, the vehicle body is subject to a roll moment due to the coupling of the lateral tire force and the lateral acceleration applied to the center of gravity of vehicle body. This roll moment causes suspension height variation, which in turn results in a vehicle relative roll angle (also called chassis roll angle or suspension roll angle). The relative roll angle is an important variable that is used as an input to the activation criteria and to construct the feedback brake pressure command, since it captures the relative roll between the vehicle body and the axle. The sum of such a chassis roll angle and the roll angle between wheel axle and the road surface (called wheel departure angle) provides the roll angle between the vehicle body and the average road surface, which is one of the important variables feeding back to the roll stability control module.
The chassis roll angle can be calculated as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,908 using the lateral acceleration of the center of gravity of the vehicle body, the roll angular acceleration, and the roll angular velocity, together with vehicle-specific parameters, such as the sprung mass, the vehicle body roll moment of inertia, the roll stiffness and damping ratio of the suspensions and the anti-roll-bars, and the distance between the center of gravity of the vehicle body and the floor of the vehicle body. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,908 is hereby incorporated by reference.
One problem with using these parameters in determining relative roll angle is that the variables may vary with vehicle operating conditions. For example, a 150 pound roof loading for a typical SUW with a curb weight of 5000 pounds may cause more than 30% error in relative roll angle calculations if computed assuming no roof load. From the vehicle mass point of view, although a 150 pound roof loading accounts for only a 3% mass variation over the vehicle curb weight, it could account for a 30% error in the chassis roll computation, which is ten times larger. If the above parameters are fixed at certain nominal values in the RSC system, it is conceivable that optimal control performance may not be achieved under a different loading condition. For example, if the relative roll angle is computed with nominal vehicle loading condition assumptions, without considering roof loading, the relative roll angle may be under estimated for vehicles with roof loadings, which results in a reduced control. That is, the control system may not be as effective as desired. On the other hand, if the relative roll angle is computed with maximum roof loading, it may be over estimated for vehicles without roof loadings causing unintended control. That is, the control system may become too sensitive or intrusive. Therefore, in order to improve the overall performance of the RSC system, it may be desirable to estimate and update the vehicle parameters periodically or adaptively adjust in real time based on the detected vehicle loading.
Certain schemes for obtaining vehicle parameters have been disclosed. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,079, a method is disclosed for determining vehicle mass directly using engine output torque and vehicle acceleration. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,063, push force is determined from the driveline torque and gear ratio to obtain vehicle mass. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,357, instead of calculating vehicle mass directly, a recursive least square (RLS) algorithm is proposed to estimate both vehicle mass and aerodynamic coefficient online. The latter method is considered to be more reliable since it recursively adjusts for estimation error of the previous estimates. Furthermore, the use of vehicle acceleration, which is usually very noisy, is avoided. Notice that the mass estimation schemes proposed in the above-cited patents may not accurately indicate changes to parameters that impact the roll dynamics of the vehicle. For example, a 150 pound roof loading on a 5000 pound SUV, i.e., 3% mass change, might be undetectable in the above schemes due to the potential error in the engine torque, which usually is much larger than 3%. Other error sources include the road grade, the tire rolling radius change due to tire pressure drop and due to the vehicle loading variations and the vehicle drag.
The above schemes focus mainly on large mass variations, which may have significant influences on the vehicle longitudinal dynamics and vehicle fuel consumption. The above schemes do not determine the vehicle parameters related to the vehicle's roll dynamics, such as the roll stiffness, the roll inertia, and the roof loading.
The aforementioned schemes do not determine the suspension operating errors or irregularities. Suspension irregularities occur frequently and may, for example, be due to aging of a suspension component, excessive usage of suspension components on bumpy roads, and excessive wear of moving parts used in the suspension components.
When the irregularity in a suspension damper happens, vehicle handling suffers, and tires and suspension components are prone to large sustained motions, which further cause those components to wear abnormally. Such irregularity also reduces vehicle ride comfort and degrades cornering ability of the vehicle, as well as vehicle stopping distances. Since most vehicle stability control systems are designed based on the nominal suspension system setup, the reduced suspension damping ratio also deteriorates the stability control performance. For example, an irregularity in suspension dampers for a vehicle that is equipped with a roll stability control system might lead to a longer period of roll bouncing, i.e., the vehicle body roll vibrates with large magnitudes during a potential rollover event.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved vehicle suspension system or roll stability system that accounts for such irregularities.

Suspension irregularity detecting system


A valve is disclosed having a closure member which co-operates with a valve seat and is movable by an actuating device with a driver element, which driver element is guided in a housing. It is desirable for such a valve to operate reliably and have a long service life. For that purpose, a high-temperature thermoplast is arranged between the housing and the driver element.

The invention relates to a valve having a closure member which co-operates with a valve seat and is movable by an actuating device with a driver element, which driver element is guided in a housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,148 discloses such a valve, which is used in a brake system to control the flow, or the pressure, of the brake fluid. There, the driver element is in the form of a rod which, on actuation by an armature, which changes its position when current flows through a coil surrounding it, pushes a ball away from a valve seat. The rod is in this particular case surrounded by a nylon bushing which guides the rod in the housing. The rod is relatively thin in order not to disrupt the magnetic circuit. The nylon bushing is correspondingly thick.
In such a construction, malfunctioning of the valve can occasionally be observed, that is, the valve does not open or does not close when desired, but remains in the position it has assumed. This is attributed to the different thermal expansion coefficients of driver element and housing on the one hand and of the nylon bushing on the other hand. If the nylon bushing expands to a relatively great extent, the driver element becomes jammed in the housing. This effect can be partly eliminated by providing a larger clearance between the nylon bushing and the housing, but this clearance leads to imprecise guiding. This measure is also not suitable if it is wished to guide the driver element in the housing with an improved seal, nor if a defined gap between the driver element and the housing is an important factor, the gap being intended to damp the movements of the driver element.
Such a gap also causes accelerated wear of the valve, because as the driver element moves, not only is there purely frictional loading on adjacent surfaces, but as the driver element vibrates in the housing there is also a possibility that impact loading will occur, to the detriment of the plastics material.

Valve driver element including a high temperature thermoplast for reducing friction


A method for playing a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player. Each player places an first wager, the outcome of which is determined by conventional rules of blackjack. Players may optionally place an additional wager corresponding to a predicted total point value or point value range of an initial hand of two cards dealt to the player. After the dealer has dealt a player placing an additional wager a second card from one or more standard decks of playing cards, an actual total point value is computed for the two-card hand of that player. If an actual total point value is equal to or in a range of a predicted total point value or range, a player placing an additional wager wins a predetermined multiple of an amount of the additional wager. A second predetermined multiple may be paid if a player's two card hand includes two cards of the same suit.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of casino gaming. More particularly, the invention relates to a variation or modification of the card game known as blackjack or twenty-one. The invention further relates to a card game wherein players place a wager which corresponds to a predicted total point value of two cards dealt to the player.
2. The Prior Art
Blackjack or twenty-one is a well-known casino card game. Blackjack is played with one or more standard decks of 52 playing cards. Typically, the game is played on a table having a straight edge behind which a dealer stands and a semi-circular edge around which one or more players are positioned. The maximum number of players at a table may be, for example, seven. The blackjack table may have a top surface covered with felt or another material which is imprinted with various indicia. These various indicia may include text describing basic and house rules of play and may indicate areas where players' cards are to be dealt and where players' bets are to be placed.
The object of blackjack is for a player to accumulate a hand of cards which has a point total exceeding that of the blackjack dealer, without exceeding twenty-one. Numbered cards have a point value which equals their number value. Face cards (kings, queens, and jacks) are assigned a point value of ten and aces are assigned a point value of either one or eleven as determined by the person holding the hand including one or more aces. A two-card hand having a point total of twenty-one is known as blackjack.
Blackjack play is commenced by a player making an initial wager or bet on the outcome of the upcoming hand. An amount of this initial bet, also known as an ante, may be regulated between a minimum and maximum amount set by the casino or house for the particular table of play. Players typically indicate their bet or wager by placing an appropriate number of chips or markers, each of which has a designated value or values assigned to it, in a designated area of the blackjack table.
Following the placing of bets or wagers, the dealer deals cards to each player and to himself or herself. Each player and the dealer are initially dealt two cards. Each of the players' cards is dealt face up. The dealer's initial two cards are typically dealt one face up and one face down. The dealer generally deals one card to each player in turn, starting from the dealer's left and proceeding to the dealer's right. The dealer then deals a card to himself or herself and proceeds to deal a second card to each player, again moving from left to right and to himself or herself.
After the dealer and the players have been dealt an initial hand of two cards, each player in turn elects to receive one or more additional cards ("hit") or to take no additional cards ("stand"). A player may elect to take additional cards until they decide to stand or until the point total of the player's hand exceeds twenty-one, known as "busting." Once all players have either received their desired number of cards or have busted, the dealer elects to take additional cards or to stand. Under most rules, a dealer is not permitted to receive additional cards if the dealer's existing hand has a total point value of seventeen or greater and a dealer is required to take an additional card if the dealer's existing hand has a point total of less than seventeen.
Once all of the players and the dealer have either received a desired number of cards or have busted, the outcome of the game is determined. A player wins if either the dealer's point total exceeds twenty-one (i.e. the dealer busts) or if the player's point total exceeds the dealer's point total for a particular hand. In either event, the winning player is paid an amount equal to his or her initial bet in addition to receiving his or her initial bet back. If the dealer's hand exceeds that of a player's or if a player busts, that player loses and forfeits his or her bet. If a dealer's point total for a hand equals that of a player, a tie or push is declared and that player receives his or her initial bet back.
The conventional game of blackjack described above has been supplemented with a number of alternative betting procedures, including insurance, doubling down, and splitting pairs. Additionally, various methods or procedures relating to variations on or modifications of a conventional blackjack game are disclosed in the following references, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,041 to Jones et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,586 to Marks et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,042 to Lo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,675 to Handelman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,102 to Marks et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,456 to Long; U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,500 to Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,020 to Broadnax; U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,767 to Keller; U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,003 to Potter et al.; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2003/0222400 to Collins et al.; 2003/0218303 to Walker et al.; and 2003/0057648 to Webb.


A shock absorber for a vehicle includes a fluid-filled cylinder having a closed end, a shaft extending partially into the cylinder, a valve attached to the first end of the shaft, and a power supply. The valve includes a valve piston and a bender. The valve piston includes at least one orifice extending therethrough. The bender is seated adjacent the orifice in the piston. The bender includes a piezoelectric material embedded therein. The piezoelectric material includes sides with conductive material disposed thereon. The power supply is attached to the conductive material across the piezoelectric material in the bender to apply a voltage across the piezoelectric material to change the stiffness of the bender. A sensor is also included for monitoring the displacement and velocity of the piston within the fluid-filled cylinder. The biasing force on the bender is changed on sensor readings according to predetermined logic sequence.

Front and rear suspensions have improved the performance and comfort of mountain bicycles. Over rough terrain the suspension system can improve traction and handling by keeping the wheels on the ground. A rider can more easily maintain control at higher speeds and with less effort when the suspension absorbs some of the shock encountered when riding. Ideally the suspension should react well to both (1) low amplitude, high frequency bumps and (2) high amplitude, low frequency bumps. However, these can be competing requirements for the damping systems in conventional shock absorbers.
Higher rebound damping is desirable for high amplitude, low frequency bumps than for low amplitude, high frequency bumps. With high frequency, low amplitude bumps, such as may be encountered on a washboard gravel fireroad, minimal damping may be preferable so the spring can quickly recover from a minor impact before the next is encountered. However, with a large bump (such as the size of a curb) increased rebound damping aids the rider by keeping the bike from forcefully springing back too quickly, causing loss of traction and control on the rebound. Compression damping will also stop the bike from bottoming out with large bumps and make for a smoother absorption of the bumps.
Some current shock absorbers that include springs and dampeners allow the rider to adjust rebound and/or compression damping before a ride. Other air shock absorbers include an on/off switch to disable the shock absorber all together. However, such preadjustment is at best a compromise; the rider must select better damping in one scenario at the expense of the other. A typical off-road mountain bike ride will include small bumps, medium, and large bumps, as well as possibly jumps, drop offs, and tight descending to ascending transitions. If the rider significantly reduces the damping to ride smoothly over high frequency, low amplitude bumps then the bike may lose traction and control when a large bump is encountered or may "bottom out" the shock absorber. If the rider increases the damping force of the shock absorber, then the system will not recover fast enough to quickly absorb high frequency bumps, the rider will be rattled, and the bike will lose traction.
Another limitation of current shock absorbers is evidenced by rider-induced bobbing: suspension movement caused by rider movement during pedaling. Related to this is pedal-induced suspension action: the cyclic forces on the chain pulling the rear swingarm up or down relative to the frame. If the damping in the shock absorber is greater, these influences will not be felt as much by the rider. However, a stiff suspension, especially at the beginning of the stroke of the shock absorber, can decrease the ability of the suspension to absorb small bumps well.
Attempts to overcome the current limitations in suspension systems have focused on swingarm linkages and pivot arrangements. At a significant cost, some amelioration of rider- or pedal-induced suspension action has resulted, but much less progress has been made on the dilemma of large and small bump absorption.


A chemical mechanical polishing composition for polishing a substrate having copper, barrier, and dielectric layers includes a water based liquid carrier, cationic silica abrasive particles dispersed in the liquid carrier, and a triazole compound, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of greater than about 6 and the cationic silica abrasive particles have a zeta potential of at least 10 mV. The triazole compound is not benzotriazole or a benzotriazole compound. A method for chemical mechanical polishing a substrate including copper, barrier, and dielectric layers includes contacting the substrate with the above described polishing composition, moving the polishing composition relative to the substrate, and abrading the substrate to remove a portion of the copper, barrier, and dielectric layers from the substrate and thereby polish the substrate.

Copper interconnect and dual damascene processes are back end of the line (BEOL) processes that have long been employed to form the network of metal wires that connect the transistors in a conventional semiconductor device. In these processes copper metal is deposited in openings formed in a dielectric material (e.g., TEOS). Tantalum and/or tantalum nitride are commonly used as barrier layers between the copper and dielectric materials. CMP processes are used to remove the excess copper and barrier layers from the surface of the dielectric to form the copper interconnects.
Copper CMP processes generally employ two or more polishing steps, the first of which is intended to remove most of the copper overburden and a subsequent (e.g., second or third) step that is intended to remove the barrier material and thereby expose the underlying dielectric layer. Advanced node copper barrier CMP operations have stringent planarity requirements. These planarity requirements can sometimes be met via the use of non-selective slurries that polish the copper, barrier, and dielectric layers at similar low removal rates. Such slurries commonly employ a hydrogen peroxide oxidizer and a relatively high loading of abrasive particles (e.g., about 5 weight percent).
The use of hydrogen peroxide can be problematic in that it tends to reduce the pot life of the slurry formulation (e.g., by decomposing and reacting with organic components in the slurry). Hydrogen peroxide can also accelerate corrosion of the copper interconnects. The use of high abrasive loading (concentration) increases cost of ownership by increasing the cost of the slurry.
As is well known in the art, the semiconductor industry is subject to continuing and severe downward pricing pressure. Such pricing pressure poses a challenge to the slurry formulator as the pressure to reduce costs often conflicts with the required performance metrics. For example, slurry costs may be reduced by reducing abrasive loading. However, in certain applications reducing the abrasive loading can severely and negatively impact the performance of the slurry. There is a real need in the industry for a copper barrier slurry formulation that reduces overall costs without sacrificing performance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Composition and method for copper barrier CMP


An electrical control or signaling device such as a push button or lamp includes a body which is fixed on a support wall and a baseplate for receiving contact blocks. The baseplate 20 houses a slide 30 and a manipulation screw having arms 33 and 34, acts on the slide 30 to translate the slide. The arms 33 and 34 have sharp edges or points (A1, A2) which act against the support wall and are displaced within a plane (P3) which is perpendicular to the plane S of the wall.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrical control or signalling device such as a push button or lamp or analogous device including a dialogue element intended to be fixed on one side of a support wall, this element being extended by a tubular part to be engaged in an orifice in the wall in order to receive, from the other side of the wall, means of attachment to the wall and an electrical unit such as a switch contact block or an auxiliary unit.

Electrical control signaling device with a fastening baseplate


The present invention provides methods of amplifying target sequences without including regions flanking the target sequence in the amplified product or imposing amplification primer sequences on the amplified product. Also provided are methods of preparing a library from such amplified target sequences.

Methods for amplifying nucleic acids provide useful tools for the detection of human pathogens, detection of human genetic polymorphisms, detection of RNA and DNA sequences, for molecular cloning, sequencing of nucleic acids, and the like. In particular, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become an important tool in the cloning of DNA sequences, forensics, paternity testing, pathogen identification, disease diagnosis, and other useful methods where the amplification of a nucleic acid sequence is desired. (See e.g., PCR Technology: Principles and Applications for DNA Amplification (See, Erlich, ed., 1992); PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications (See, Innis et al., eds, 1990)).
PCR permits the copying, and resultant amplification, of a target nucleic acid. Briefly, a target nucleic acid, e.g. DNA, is combined with a sense and antisense primers, dNTPs, DNA polymerase and other reaction components. (See, Innis et al., supra) The sense primer can anneal to the antisense strand of a DNA sequence of interest. The antisense primer can anneal to the sense strand of the DNA sequence, downstream of the location where the sense primer anneals to the DNA target. In the first round of amplification, the DNA polymerase extends the antisense and sense primers that are annealed to the target nucleic acid. The first strands are synthesized as long strands of indiscriminate length. In the second round of amplification, the antisense and sense primers anneal to the parent target nucleic acid and to the complementary sequences on the long strands. The DNA polymerase then extends the annealed primers to form strands of discrete length that are complementary to each other. The subsequent rounds serve to predominantly amplify the DNA molecules of the discrete length.
In general, PCR and other methods of amplification use primers which anneal to either end of the DNA of interest. While such methods are easy when there is only a single target, and the ends are well defined and invariable, they become more difficult when there are multiple targets in which the sequences are not identical. This is a particular problem with antibody variable genes and the hypervariable regions within variable genes, especially in the creation of ligand libraries where unbiased amplification and cloning of numerous different ligands is required. Degenerate primers which anneal to regions of similarity (but not identity) at the ends of the variable gene and primers which anneal to constant sequences flanking the antibody variable gene have been used to overcome this problem. Each of these approaches, however, has disadvantages. For example, using degenerate primers may introduce foreign sequences into the priming site and also may not amplify all members of the library. Furthermore, amino acid modification as a result of these changes have adversely affected solubility, expression levels, and affinity. (See, e.g. de Haard H J, et al. (1998) Protein Eng. 11(12):1267. Honegger and Pluckthun (2001) J Mol Biol. 309(3):687.). Using primers which anneal to constant sequences flanking the antibody variable gene also typically may lead to the addition of extra conserved sequences to the variable sequences of interest, which may not be required.
The complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of immunoglobulin molecules have evolved over millions of years to specifically bind antigens within the context of the immunoglobulin molecule structure. The immunoglobulin molecule structure provides a scaffold for the CDRs so that they can extend out and contact antigen. During the maturation of antibody producing B cells, recombinations of variable region encoding genes, V, D, and J. Recombinations of V, D, and J which do not create functional antibody genes have their expression levels downregulated. As a result, most of the mRNA which can be isolated from circulating lymphocytes corresponds to functional V genes. The CDRs found within such functional V genes, and hence mRNA, thus provide a very rich source of potential binding elements. Although such CDRs could be amplified using primers annealing to the adjacent antibody framework regions, the PCR products arising from such an amplification, would always have the framework regions recognized by such primers attached to the PCR product. In applications in which CDRs would be transplanted from antibodies to another scaffold, such framework regions may interfere with the correct folding of the scaffold. Because of the high degree of variablility of the antibody hypervariable regions, there has been no method available to isolate variable or hypervariable regions, free of flanking sequences.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a method of amplifying target sequences without including regions flanking the target sequence in the amplified product or imposing primer sequences on the amplified product.

Method to amplify variable sequences without imposing primer sequences

The Regents of the University of California


An electrode for a spark plug includes an electrode base material and a noble metal element, the noble metal element being fastened to the electrode base material using a welding connection. The welding connection has a maximum extension perpendicular to an area of the electrode at which the noble metal element is fastened, and the welding connection has a maximum width at the area. A ratio of the maximum extension to the maximum width is greater than, or equal to 3.

An electrode for a spark plug is described in German Application No. DE 102 05 078, in which a noble metal platelet is welded onto a base material of the electrode, using laser welding. In this connection, a large molten section is created of molten materials of the base electrode and the noble metal platelet of more than 50 vol.-% of the noble metal platelet. It therefore becomes necessary to use a large quantity of costly noble metal to produce the electrode. This, however, leads to high production costs of the electrode.

Electrode for a spark plug and method for its production


A clip includes a flange part capable of face-contacting a periphery part of an opening formed in an attachment member, and a main body part provided on the flange part and inserted into the opening. A locking claw is formed on the main body part to be inserted into an attachment hole formed in an attachment receiving member to which the attachment part is attached for locking on a peripheral part of the attachment hole. An operation piece extends from the locking claw for converting a pressing force pressed by a tool inserted into an operation hole formed in the flange part into a force causing the locking claw to be unlocked from the peripheral part of the attachment hole.

The present invention relates to a clip for attaching an attachment member to an attachment receiving member such that the attachment member can be removed from the attachment receiving member.
A coupling member such as a clip is often used for attaching an attachment member to an attachment receiving member. For example, in Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokoku) No. 06-643, a claw part 106 of a locking part 104 provided on one end of a clip 102 is locked in a state being placed in contact with a peripheral part of an opening 100A formed in an attachment receiving member 100, as shown in FIG. 8.
A stand 108 is provided on the other end of the clip 102, and a pair of coupling pieces 110 is placed upright on the stand 108. Insert-through holes 114 are formed in the attachment member 112 for inserting the coupling pieces 110, and coupling holes 116 having a width smaller than that of the insert-through holes 114 are formed outside the insert-through holes 114 in a state connecting with the insert-through holes 114. A head part 110B of the coupling piece 110 contacts a peripheral part of the coupling hole 116 in a state in which a neck part 110A of the coupling piece 110 is placed inside the coupling hole 116, and the coupling piece 110 is locked on a periphery of the coupling hole 116.
The attachment member 112 is attached to the attachment receiving member 100 with the clip 102 in a state in which the claw part 106 is locked to the attachment receiving member 100 and the coupling pieces 110 are locked to the attachment member 112.
An operation piece 118 extends from an upper surface of the claw part 106 toward the stand 108, and passes through a hole part 120 formed in the center part of the stand 108. An operation hole 122 is formed between the insert-through holes 114 of the attachment member 112, and the operation piece 118 is exposed from the operation hole 122 in a state in which the clip 102 is attached to the attachment member 112.
When the operation piece 118 is moved following the operation hole 122, the locking part 104 of the claw part 106 bends inwardly. Also, the claw part 106 is unlocked from the peripheral part of the opening 10A, and the opening 10A becomes capable of inserting therethrough. In this state, when the clip 102 is pulled away from the attachment receiving member 100, the claw part 106 is inserted into the opening 10A, and the clip 102 is removed from the attachment receiving member 100.
When the pair of coupling pieces 110 is moved in the direction of approaching each other, the coupling pieces 110 are placed inside the insert-through holes 114. In this state, when the attachment member 112 is pulled, the coupling pieces 110 escape from the pass-through holes 114, and the attachment member 112 is removed from the clip 102.
Accordingly, the attachment receiving member 100, clip 102, and attachment member 112 are capable of attachment and removal, respectively. It is necessary to provide the operation hole 122 and insert-through holes 114 in the attachment member 112, thereby deteriorating appearance. The operation piece 118 is exposed from the operation hole 122, so that the operation piece 118 may be operated erroneously to remove the clip 102 from the attachment receiving member 100.
In Japanese Patent Publication (Kokia) No. 2002-65980, a coupling member 130 having locking claw parts 128 for locking on a peripheral part of an attachment hole 126A of an attachment receiving member 126 is coupled on an underside of an attachment base 124 to which an attachment member (not illustrated) is capable of attachment, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. Accordingly, the attachment member becomes capable of attachment to the attachment receiving member 126 by the coupling member 130 and the attachment base 124.
An uncoupling member 132 having about the same length as the coupling member 130 is coupled to the coupling member 130 for sliding along a longitudinal direction of the coupling member 130. On the uncoupling member 132, sloping cams 134 are formed on sides of the locking claw parts 128 of the coupling member 130. When the uncoupling member 132 is pressed to slide against the coupling member 130, two ends of the uncoupling projections 136 protruding from a backside of the locking claw parts 128 are pressed in the direction of approaching each other in a state of contacting the sloping cams 134. Accordingly, the locking claw parts 128 are unlocked from the peripheral part of the attachment hole 126A.
The sloping cams 134 converts the force causing the uncoupling member 132 to slide against the coupling member 130 into a force causing the locking claw parts 128 of the coupling member 130 to contract in a diameter. Accordingly, the locking claw parts 128 can be unlocked from the peripheral part of the attachment hole 126A just by pressing the uncoupling member 132.
The uncoupling member 132 is pressed by a pin 138 and the like. Accordingly, it is sufficient to provide a hole having a size capable of inserting the pin 138 in the attachment base 124, thereby improving appearance. In such a constitution, however, the number of parts increases, thereby increasing cost.


A trailer for all terrain vehicles and/or snowmobiles for transporting injured persons from remote locations. Trailer has a frame of tubing, a main axle, spring and shock suspension, flotation type tires, IV pole with multiple mounting locations, carrier area for injured personnel transport, and accessory tube for attaching miscellaneous accessories.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to trailer apparatus and more particularly to an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or Snowmobile rescue trailer apparatus with extended versatility having transformation to fire suppression system, cargo carrier and other uses using rear accessory tube.
2. Description of Related Art
Various types of utility trailers have been developed for use with ATVs and snowmobiles depending on the task to be performed. ATV/snowmobile trailers differ from other types of trailers such as they may be towed by off road vehicles in that by their nature must be capable of a wide range of terrain; in many cases it is required to be towed over uncleared land. They are generally no wider than the towing ATV/snowmobile and must be tough enough to take substantial abuse while towing over uneven terrain.
Since ATVs/snowmobiles are commonly used for recreation, as well as work related tasks there have become more accidents that occur in areas that are inaccessible via a normal jeep, truck, tractor, etc. In the fire/rescue service there has been a greater use of all terrain vehicles (ATV's) and snowmobiles to access injured parties into areas not accessible by other means of transportation (e.g. forested, steep areas.) Many trailers pulled behind ATV's can access these areas but cannot be used for the safe transport of injured parties to awaiting medical services without extensive work to modify existing trailers or extra manpower to safely steady the injured party.


A loadbreak connector system and methods for visible break include first and second mating connector assemblies configured to make or break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions, the first and second mating connectors selectively positionable relative to one another. One of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc follower, and the other of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc interrupter. The arc interrupter is configured to receive the arc follower, and the first and second meting connectors are positionable in an disconnected position wherein the arc follower remains engaged to and is located within the arc interrupter. Arc energy is distributed among multiple locations to reduce arc intensity.

The invention relates generally to separable loadbreak connector systems for electric power systems, aid more particularly to insulated loadbreak connector systems to interface deadfront electrical apparatus and power distribution cables. Electrical power is typically transmitted from substations through cables which interconnect other cables and electrical apparatus in a power distribution network. The cables are typically terminated on bushings that may pass through walls of metal encased equipment such as capacitors, transformers or switchgear.
Because of increased safety, increased reliability and increased operability of the deadfront system, deadfront electrical apparatus is increasingly being used in lieu of livefront apparatus. Using a deadfront system, because there is no exposed voltage, safety is increased for both the operator and the public, and the ability to operate the apparatus easily and efficiently either with grounded, visible break connection points or loadbreak connection points with a one or two man crew lessens the operating danger. The deadfront system has proven to be extremely reliable with very low failure rate.
Various safety codes and operating procedures for underground power systems require a visible break disconnect for safely performing routine maintenance work on the cable system, such as line energization checks, grounding, fault location, or hi-potting, may also be required. High voltage, separable connector systems have been developed that allow disconnection of the electrical path from a deadfront apparatus to the feeder cables connected to the apparatus bushings without moving the feeder cables and while providing visible-break isolation. Connector systems are known including a removable link or positionable connector assembly extending between a deadfront junction mounted to the electrical apparatus proximate the bushing of the apparatus and a mating connector joined to a cable. When the linking assembly is removed and the connector assembly is repositioned, the visible link is immediately recognizable. While such connector systems for deadfront apparatus can be effective to provide the visible break, they can be complicated to use, and generally require that the cables be de-energized prior to operation of the connectors. It would be desirable to provide a deadfront visible break that can be operated while the cables are energized, especially for medium voltage switchgear apparatus and the like.
Additionally, known separable loadbreak connectors are operable in "loadmake", "loadbreak", and "fault closure" conditions. Considerable arcing can occur in any of the operating conditions when energized connectors are joined and separated. It would be desirable to reduce arcing intensity as the connectors are mated and separated.

Actuating device for separable connector system


Provided is a system and method for reliably processing changes in signaling bits for telecommunication transmitted over a network. The system includes a plurality of framer farms adapted to generate a corresponding plurality of event signals responsive to a corresponding plurality of signaling events. An event manager is adapted to sequence the plurality of event signals. The plurality of framers is adapted to receive a corresponding plurality of digital signals, extract therefrom corresponding signaling data, and generate a corresponding event signal responsive to the signaling data. A signaling queue is adapted to queue the signaling data and a signal register is adapted to read the signaling queue. The event manager includes an event queue adapted to queue the plurality of event signals, a status register adapted to maintain a status of the event queue, and an event register adapted to read the event queue. The event manager further includes a queue depth register adapted to indicate a number of event signals received at the event queue and a maximum queue depth register adapted to indicate a maximum number of event signals capable of being received at the event queue. A partially full register is adapted to indicate a fraction of the maximum number of event signals capable of being received at the event queue. The status register includes a queue full field, an almost full field, an overrun field, and a queue empty field adapted to maintain a status of the event queue.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a system and method for improving telecommunications and, more particularly, to a system and method for reliably processing changes in signaling bits in multichannel telecommunication lines sent over a global network.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Digital carrier technology is the predominant means of transmitting voice communication over global computer networks in use today. The North American T-carrier system of voice transmission, introduced in the 1960s by Bell System, operates using the Digital Signal (DS) series as a base multiple. DS is a term used for the series of standard digital transmission rates or levels based on DS0, a transmission rate of 64 Kbps. 64 Kbps is the standardized bandwidth typically associated with a single telephone voice channel. DS1, used as the signal in the T1 carrier, comprises 24 DS0 (64 Kbps) signals, channels, or timeslots transmitted using pulse-code modulation (PCM) and time-division multiplexing (TDM). The DS1 frame has a duration of 125 μsec.
In the T1 system, voice signals are sampled 8,000 times a second and each sample is digitized into an 8-bit word. With 24 timeslots being digitized at the same time, a 192-bit frame (24 timeslots each with an 8-bit word) is thus being transmitted 8,000 times a second. Each frame is separated from the next by a single framing bit, resulting in a 193-bit block. The 192-bit frame multiplied by 8,000 and the additional 8,000 framing bits make up the T-1's 1.544 Mbps data rate. The signaling bits are the least significant bits per frame.
The E1 system is the European format for digital transmission. In the E1 system, signals are carried at 2.048 Mbps (32 timeslots at 64 Kbps). E1 and T1 lines are often interconnected for international use.
Channel Associated Signaling (CAS) refers to signaling in which control signals, such as those for synchronizing and bounding frames, are carried in the same channel or timeslot along with the voice and data signals. In DS1 CAS, control information is embedded in signaling frames where the least significant bit of each DS0 within the frame is robbed for signaling. Signaling frames are found every 6th frame. For AB signaling, frame 6 carries the A bit and frame 12 carries the B bit. For ABCD signaling, frames 6, 12, 18, and 24 carry the corresponding ABCD bits. The 24 frames form what is known as Extended Super Frame or ESF. CAS signaling is used for call set up and termination. Signaling is accomplished by detecting changes in the ABCD bits.
In E1, the signaling bits are presented in timeslot 16 of frames within a E1 multiframe.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional signaling system 10 for processing changes in signaling bits for telecommunication transmitted over a global network. The signaling system includes framers 1, 2, . . . , N for receiving corresponding DS1/E1 signals.
The framers 1, 2, . . . , N extract the signaling bits from the DS1/E1 signals, store them in corresponding buffers 14A, 14B, . . . , 14N, and present them to processor 12 for further processing. Buffers 14A, 14B, . . . , 14N are often sized to allow one entry for each channel, timeslot, or DS0. Thus, buffers 14A, 14B, . . . , 14N shown in FIG. 1 have, e.g., 24 registers, one for each of the 24 timeslots making up a single DS1 signal. As new events arrive with signaling bit changes for a particular timeslot on a corresponding DS1/E1 signal, the framers 1, 2, . . . , N overwrite the pre-existing entry. Alternatively, the framers 1, 2, . . . , N each include a fixed buffer (not shown in FIG. 1) that is overwritten every time a new bit changes in an ESF.
In both cases, signaling bits can be lost before being processed by the processor 12. In the first case, if a new event arrives for a timeslot before the microprocessor 12 services the preexisting event, the preexisting event is lost. In the second case, the microprocessor 12 must process all events before a new DS1/E1 signal arrives with its consequent bit changes, e.g., within 3 ms.
Lost signaling bits result in unsuccessful call set up and termination. Lost signaling bits increase the incidence of dropped calls. Lost signaling bits also cause problems to higher layers of the signaling stack as changes are simply overwritten without notification. Finally, lost signaling bits increase call retries adversely affecting the operating speed.
Accordingly, a need remains for a scalable system and method for reliably sequencing signaling bit changes in telecommunications transmitted over a global network.

Scalable system and method for reliably sequencing changes in signaling bits in multichannel telecommunication lines transmitted over a network


Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode display device in which at least one lateral surface of an encapsulation substrate is inclined to prevent disconnection of a film connected to a pad, thereby achieving a narrow bezel and enhanced reliability. The display device includes a substrate, an organic light emitting diode array including a thin film transistor arranged on the substrate and an organic light emitting diode connected to the thin film transistor, a pad disposed on the substrate and configured to receive a drive signal to drive the organic light emitting diode array, an encapsulation substrate bonded to the substrate to face each other so as to cover the organic light emitting diode array, and a film connected to the pad and provided with a drive chip thereon. At least one lateral surface of the encapsulation substrate is inclined.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting diode display device, and more particularly to an organic light emitting diode display device which may achieve a narrow bezel and enhance reliability.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Image display devices to display various information on a screen are core technologies of the information age and are being developed to achieve thinner, lighter and higher performance portable designs. Organic light emitting diode display devices to display an image via control of light emission of an emission layer are getting the spotlight as flat panel display devices that may reduce disadvantageous weight and volume of a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).
Such organic light emitting diode display devices include Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) that are self-luminous using a thin emission layer between electrodes. A typical organic light emitting diode includes a first electrode that is an anode connected to a thin film transistor formed in each sub-pixel area, an Emission Layer (EML), and a second electrode that is a cathode.
The above-described organic light emitting diode forms excitons via recombination of holes and electrons in the emission layer when voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes, and light is emitted as the excitons return to the grounded state. A protective film is disposed on the organic light emitting diode to cover the organic light emitting diode and serves to prevent invasion of moisture and oxygen to the organic light emitting diode.
The organic light emitting diode is easily deteriorated by external factors, such as moisture, oxygen, ultraviolet light, device fabrication conditions, and the like. Therefore, in a typical organic light emitting diode display device, a substrate provided with organic light emitting diodes is bonded to an encapsulation substrate via an adhesive layer.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are sectional views of a typical organic light emitting diode display device which is of a bottom emission type. FIG. 2 is a photograph of an edge of a typical encapsulation substrate.
As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1A, a typical organic light emitting diode display device includes a substrate, an organic light emitting diode array 10 that includes thin film transistors arranged on the substrate and organic light emitting diodes connected to the thin film transistors, an encapsulation substrate 20 configured to cover the organic light emitting diode array 10, and a polarizer 40 attached to a bottom surface of the organic light emitting diode array 10. In addition, a border 50 is provided to surround edges of the organic light emitting diode array 10, the encapsulation substrate 20, and the polarizer 40.
In particular, in the case of an organic light emitting diode display device having a Chip On Film (COF) structure, a film 30a on which a drive chip 30b to drive the organic light emitting diode array 10 is mounted is connected to a pad 10a of the organic light emitting diode array 10. To enhance adhesion between the pad 10a and the film 30a, however, the film 30a needs be folded once. Accordingly, in this case, a sufficient distance D between the border 50 and the organic light emitting diode array 10 is needed, which makes it impossible to achieve a narrow bezel.
As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1B, such a narrow bezel may be achieved if the film 30a is configured to directly extend to the encapsulation substrate 20. However, cracks or disconnection of the film 30a may occur due to an edge of the encapsulation substrate 20 as exemplarily shown in FIG. 2. In addition, although providing the film 30a with a buffer may prevent damage to the film 30a, this may increase a thickness of the film 30a. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a width of the pad 10a and a design margin between the pad 10a and the encapsulation substrate 20.


Proposed is a cam follower (1) for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, having a roller (3), which is rotatably mounted on a journal (2), as a cam thrust face, which journal (2) runs with its outer casing (4) in a respective bore (5, 6) of a first and second guide wall (7, 8) of the cam follower (1), between which guide walls (7, 8) the roller (3) is held, which outer casing (4) is composed of a first and a second section (9, 10), which first section (9) intrinsically has a greater diameter than the second section (10), wherein the journal (2) has an axial travel limitation in one direction by means of its collar (11) which is situated between the sections (9, 10), and in the other direction by means of a radially projecting element such as a securing ring (12), which collar (11) and which securing ring (12) abut against one of the guide walls (7, 8).

A cam follower of said type can be gathered from U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,124 which is considered as generic. The journal is secured axially by means of two securing rings which run in annular grooves of bores in the guide walls. The formation of the two annular grooves for the securing rings is complex. It is also observed that the assembly of the journal, with the snapping-in of the two securing rings, is unnecessarily complex.
GB 2 233 418 A (FIG. 2) discloses a cam follower whose journal is calked at both ends. Said calked connection can become loosened during operation, for example in the event of unfavorable tolerancing. It is otherwise clear that undesired influencing of the bore region of the respective guide wall can occur as a result of the material displacement which has taken place during the calking. In addition, calking of said type requires increased checking expenditure at the quality control stage.

Cam follower for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine


A printer includes a configuration, in which a paper is delivered between a recording head which is positioned upwards from a tray and a support member, and the recording is performed, and then the paper is discharged towards a discharged-paper receiving tray. The discharged-paper receiving tray is configured such that a relief section is formed to avoid an arrangement region of an oscillation member configuring a feeding unit upstream thereof, and the oscillation member is able to oscillate inside the relief section.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a medium receiving tray which receives a medium to be discharged by performing a recording.
2. Related Art
A printer as an example of a recording apparatus is configured such that a discharged-paper receiving tray (also, referred to as a discharged-paper stacker and, hereinafter, referred to as "a tray") is provided which receives a medium (for example, a recording paper) discharged by performing a recording and the recording papers on which the recording is performed are stacked sequentially in the tray.
A tray may be configured in a multi-stage type so that occupation space thereof is small when not in use and a surface receiving the recording medium may be widely developed when in use (for example, see, JP-A-2006-001705).
However, in a case where a configuration may take a storage state in which the tray is stored inside a recording apparatus and an used state in which the tray is used by drawing out from the recording apparatus, since the tray occupies space inside the apparatus in the storage state, it is easy to cause an increase in size of the apparatus.

Recording apparatus with medium receiving tray having recess for storing feeding unit