A robotic surgical system has a robot arm holding an instrument for performing a surgical procedure, and a control system for controlling movement of the arm and its instrument according to user manipulation of a master manipulator. The control system includes a filter in its forward path to attenuate master input commands that may cause instrument tip vibrations, and an inverse filter in a feedback path to the master manipulator configured so as to compensate for delay introduced by the forward path filter. To enhance control, master command and slave joint observers are also inserted in the control system to estimate slave joint position, velocity and acceleration commands using received slave joint position commands and torque feedbacks, and estimate actual slave joint positions, velocities and accelerations using sensed slave joint positions and commanded slave joint motor torques.

Robotic surgical systems such as those used in performing minimally invasive surgical procedures offer many benefits over traditional open surgery techniques, including less pain, shorter hospital stays, quicker return to normal activities, minimal scarring, reduced recovery time, and less injury to tissue. Consequently, demand for minimally invasive surgery using robotic surgical systems is strong and growing.
One example of a robotic surgical system is the da Vinci® Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical, Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif. The da Vinci® system includes a surgeon's console, a patient-side cart, a high performance 3-D vision system, and Intuitive Surgical's proprietary EndoWrist™ articulating instruments, which are modeled after the human wrist so that when added to the motions of the robotic arm assembly holding the surgical instrument, they allow a full six degrees of freedom of motion, which is comparable to the natural motions of open surgery.
The da Vinci® surgeon's console has a high-resolution stereoscopic video display with two progressive scan cathode ray tubes ("CRTs"). The system offers higher fidelity than polarization, shutter eyeglass, or other techniques. Each eye views a separate CRT presenting the left or right eye perspective, through an objective lens and a series of mirrors. The surgeon sits comfortably and looks into this display throughout surgery, making it an ideal place for the surgeon to display and manipulate 3-D intraoperative imagery.
While performing a surgical procedure, vibrations experienced on a tip of a surgical instrument may cause control problems for a surgeon. For example, such vibrations may make it difficult for the surgeon to perform fine surgical manipulations of tissue, needles and sutures. A flexible robotic arm assembly, especially when mounted on flexible setup arms and/or with unbalanced link masses and inertias, may cause such vibrations to easily get started by fast transient motions commanded by the surgeon on a master manipulator. The vibrations in this case may be at the resonant frequency of the robotic arm assembly, or that of a mechanical structure supporting the robotic arm assembly. In addition, vibrations may also occur as a result of any non-smooth command motion of the master manipulator.
Although a low pass filter may be employed in a teleoperation control system to filter out master manipulator motion commands that may cause vibration occurring at frequencies above those of intended surgical motion, such a low pass filter also inserts delay into the teleoperation system, specifically between the master commanded motion and the actual robotic arm assembly motion. Unfortunately, when force feedback indicative of forces being asserted against the tip of the surgical instrument is provided back to the surgeon through the master manipulator, the delay added to the teleoperation control system by the low pass filter tends to drive the control system unstable. This greatly limits either the ability to filter out undesirable vibrations or the ability of the system to provide the surgeon with haptic force feedback.

Robotic surgical system with joint motion controller adapted to reduce instrument tip vibrations


An echo canceller is disclosed in which audio signals of the playback content received by one or more of the microphones from a loudspeaker of the device may be used as the playback reference signals to estimate the echo signals of the playback content received by a target microphone for echo cancellation. The echo canceller may estimate the transfer function between a reference microphone and the target microphone based on the playback reference signal of the reference microphone and the signal of the target microphone. To mitigate near-end speech cancellation at the target microphone, the echo canceller may compute a mask to distinguish between target microphone audio signals that are echo-signal dominant and near-end speech dominant. The echo canceller may use the mask to adaptively update the transfer function or to modify the playback reference signal used by the transfer function to estimate the echo signals of the playback content.

Consumer electronic devices such as smartphones, desktop computers, laptops, home assistant devices, etc., may play audio content and sense audio input such as user speech. Increasingly, users may control or interact with these devices through voice commands. For example, a user may issue voice commands to a smartphone to make phone calls, send messages, play media content, obtain query responses, get news, setup reminders, etc. In some scenarios, a user may issue a voice command while the smartphone is outputting audio playback signals such as music, podcast, speech, etc., from one or more loudspeakers on the smartphone. Echo signals from the audio playback output may be picked up along with the sound of the voice command by one or more microphones of the device. The echo signals may interfere with speech recognition of the voice command signal, causing the smartphone to misinterpret the voice command.

Echo cancellation using a subset of multiple microphones as reference channels


A portable communication terminal includes a non-contact IC card. The non-contact IC card receives, from a passage verification apparatus, information indicating a passage of the non-contact IC card through the passage verification apparatus including a gate for verifying a passage; a passage detection device receives the information on the passage from the non-contact IC card, and then detects the passage of the portable communication terminal through the passage verification apparatus; and a mail transmission control device controls transmission of the electronic mail reserved for transmission in accordance with the detection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable communication terminal and a method of transmission of an electronic mail and, more particularly, to a method of transmission of an electronic mail by use of a portable communication terminal which can detect a passage through a passage verification apparatus including a gate and ticket gate through which a passage is verified and by use of a portable communication terminal equipped with a non-contact IC card.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are an increasing number of people who are using a mail function of a cellular phone in accordance with rising proliferation of portable communication terminals such as cellular phones. The use of this mail function is accelerating in various communication scenarios, such as occasions of rendezvous in railway stations and theaters, and communications to inform on leaving for home from the railway stations and the theaters. Moreover, the cellular phone has excellent portability. Consequently, with a non-contact IC card equipped therein, a service in which the cellular phone is used to pass through an entrance/exit of theaters is under consideration. And a service in which the cellular phone is used to pass through a ticket gate of railway stations is under consideration.
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-298169 discloses a routing assistance system using a portable communication terminal equipped with a non-contact IC card. In this routing assistance system, information on a commuter pass such as a usable range of stations and a valid time period for commuting are previously stored in the non-contact IC card.
At the first time, automatic ticket gating is performed using the information on the commuter pass through the non-contact IC card when the portable communication terminal passes through an automatic gate. At the time when the automatic gating is performed, the portable communication terminal receives information on the entrance station transmitted from the automatic ticket gate, and in addition the current time is acquired from the inside clock means. Next, the portable communication terminal receives destination information from the user prior or even after passing through the automatic ticket gate. Thereafter, the portable communication terminal transmits information on the entrance station, the time at entrance, and the destination to a route search server. Finally, the portable communication terminal receives a result of route search from the route search server, and displays it.
As described above, the routing assistance system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-298169 uses a portable communication terminal equipped with a non-contact IC card as a portable communication terminal for substituting a commuter pass. However, this system only allows a user of the portable communication terminal to pass through a ticket gate, using this portable communication terminal as a commuter pass based on the functionality of a non-contact IC card. Adding to this, the system only allows the portable communication terminal to display a routing assistance when passing through a ticket gate.
Therefore, in the conventional portable communication terminal described hereinbefore, it is not possible for the portable communication terminal to automatically transmit an electronic mail with which the passage of the terminal at a ticket gate is reported to someone to whom a user of the terminal wants to inform his passage at the ticket gate.
Because of this, in the conventional portable communication terminal, a user of the portable communication terminal manually writes an electronic mail which the user wants to transfer at the time of exit and entrance at a ticket gate. Then, the user manually transmits the electronic mail to someone to whom the user wants to send an electronic mail. It is bothersome. Here, the content to be transferred by the electronic mail is a message, for example, "On the way home from the station", "Arrival at an exit of the station" or "Now, entering the station and on the way to get to the destination"

Portable communication terminal and method of transmission of electronic mail


Packet transmission is performed in a wireless adaptive hybrid automatic repeat request transmission system. An optimized assignment rate for a packet is determined based at least in part on a maximal number of transmission attempts and a long term signal to noise ration of the wireless transmission system, an optimized quadrature amplitude modulation set is determined for the packet based at least in part on the maximal number of transmission attempts and the long term signal to noise ration of the wireless transmission system, and information related to the packet is transmitted based at least in part on the determined optimized assignment rate and determined optimized quadrature amplitude modulation set.

The present invention relates generally to adaptive incremental redundant (IR) hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) schemes and more particularly to improving throughput in wireless transmission systems using adaptive IR hybrid ARQ schemes.
In most wireless communication systems, the channels are time-varying. In order to maintain high throughput and reliability simultaneously over such time-varying channels, the forward error correction (FEC) codes can be employed with the use of automatic repeat-request (ARQ) schemes, such as a hybrid ARQ scheme. With hybrid ARQ, the receiver first uses FEC codes to correct the errors and triggers the retransmission when residual error is detected. A simple hybrid ARQ scheme is type-I hybrid ARQ, in which the receiver discards the previous transmission and performs the detection and decoding over the retransmitted signal only. Although this scheme saves the buffer size by discarding the previously received packet, it is not an efficient method in term of throughput.
Generally, two types of hybrid ARQ schemes are of particular interest in data packet systems—Chase combining and incremental redundancy (IR) hybrid ARQ (e.g., type-II hybrid ARQ). In the Chase combining scheme, the repeated coded sequence is sent to receiver upon the ARQ request. The receiver then combines received multiple copies of coded sequence using maximum ratio combining (MRC) for the detection. In type-II hybrid ARQ, additional parity bits are transmitted at each retransmission. The receiver performs the decoding using all received sequences since they belong to one codeword. With IR hybrid ARQ, the throughput performance is improved with a coding gain in additional to the diversity gain. Both Chase combining and IR hybrid ARQ schemes provide throughput gain over type-I hybrid ARQ with the expense of additional buffers and complexity at the receiver.
To achieve high throughput efficiency, both Chase combining and IR hybrid ARQ schemes have been adopted in practical wireless systems. They have also been included in recently established wireless standards. Hybrid ARQ can be classified as synchronous and asynchronous. In synchronous hybrid ARQ, the retransmissions are restricted to occur at known time instants. In asynchronous hybrid ARQ, the retransmissions may occur at any time. For asynchronous hybrid ARQ, additional signaling of ARQ process number is required.
In terms of transmission attributes, the hybrid ARQ can be further classified as adaptive and non-adaptive. In adaptive hybrid ARQ, the transmitter may change the attributes at each retransmission including the modulation, coding rate, resource block allocation, etc. In non-adaptive hybrid ARQ, the modulation, coding rate, and the allocated resource block for retransmissions is the same as the original transmission.
Present, existing solutions have considered non-adaptive hybrid ARQ. That is, the block length and modulation in each retransmission is assumed to be the same as that in the original transmission. For adaptive hybrid ARQ, the conventional solutions only consider the binary coded system without employing the discrete quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).
Accordingly, improved systems and methods for improving throughput in adaptive IR hybrid ARQ wireless transmission systems are required.

Systems and methods for adaptive hybrid automatic retransmission requests


A method is disclosed that is implemented by a router for executing an internet protocol fast reroute process in response to a network event invalidating a current route to a destination node without degrading forwarding plane functionality or performance caused by indirect forwarding information base lookups. The method comprises a set steps including receiving or generating the network event by the router, the network event associated with a network event identifier and looking up the network event identifier in an event table to determine routes that are affected by the network event. The method further includes determining whether a route with a fast reroute forwarding object is affected by the network event in the routing information base and overwriting a current next hop forwarding object using a backup next hop forwarding object in the forwarding information base.

Internet Protocol (IP) traffic can be routed across the Internet by using discovery and routing protocols that are executed by the nodes of the Internet such that they can determine optimal and loop free routes from any data traffic source to any data traffic destination using topology information exchanged between the nodes. Each node in the network utilizes the topology ascertained through the discovery protocols to construct forwarding tables that are consistent across the network. The process of arriving at these routes and forwarding tables can be called 'convergence.' The routes and forwarding tables are recalculated when there is a change in network topology. However, re-calculating these routes and tables can take time (i.e., long convergence time) during which some traffic may be blocked or lost.
IP and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Fast Reroute technologies address the problem with the long convergence of routing protocols by providing backup paths, which are used when network failures occur. These technologies are important due to the increased use of IP transport for real time services such as video, voice and television and the increasing number of web services which all are expected to work without disruption.
The standard approach used in existing technologies, such as open shortest path first (OSPF)/intermediate system-intermediate system (ISIS)/link discovery protocol (LDP) loop free alternative (LFA), maximally redundant trees (MRT), border gateway protocol (BGP) fast reroute (FRR), is to gather network information using a routing/signaling protocol and based on that information compute the backup paths necessary to prepare for failures of adjacent links or nodes, and then to pre-provision the forwarding plane with those back-up paths. The forwarding plane is then able to react on a failure event and switch from a primary path to a back-up path without waiting for the routing protocol to gather updated network information and converge.

Method and apparatus for IP/MPLS fast reroute


The traditional method of carving out an electrical outlet box opening in a log wall consists of chiselling after a series of closely spaced holes are drilled in the log. It is a time consuming and difficult undertaking. An apparatus for quickly and easily cutting a rectangular opening in a log wall is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a saw jig, having a central opening, for mounting on an upright side of the log wall; a cutting drum having teeth around its periphery; drive means to revolve the cutting drum; and, a guide arm attached to the jig to guide the revolving drum into the central opening. Most preferably the drive means is a chain saw. A method of cutting a rectangular opening in a log wall comprises the following steps: mounting a jig having a central opening and a guide arm, on an upright side of the wall; and, guiding a revolving drum having teeth on its periphery through the central opening into the wall using the guide arm on the jig. A flat face plate mounting surface around the rectangular opening in the log wall is the provided by: mounting a flat jig having a rectangular central opening therein over the rectangular opening on the wall; and then, guiding a router around the rectangular opening in the flat jig.

Log cabins and homes having exterior walls made from horizontally stacked logs have a simplistic, rustic, and rugged appeal. A log wall which is several inches of solid wood thick does not need to be insulated. Before an electrical outlet box can be mounted on the interior slide of the wall a rectangular opening must be made in the solid wood to accommodate the electrical outlet box. Traditionally the ordeal of carving out the opening has been done with a wood chisel after a series of closely spaced holes are drilled in the log. It is a time consuming and difficult undertaking.

Rectangular opening box cutting apparatus


Closer spacing of elements for writing multiple tracks onto a magnetic media increases the areal density of stored information. A thin film multiple track recording head includes recording gaps in a plane parallel with the head substrate. This configuration allows for flexible placement of the elements within the head, improved control of recording gap geometry, and alternating azimuth gap angles.

Reliability, cost efficiency, and ease of use make magnetic media, such as magnetic tape, the medium of choice for many information storage and retrieval applications. Magnetic media may be made more useful and cost effective by increasing the areal density of stored information. One way of increasing areal density is to increase the track density. Track density determines the number of data tracks capable of being written onto a given width of magnetic media. Increasing the track density requires either an increase in the accuracy of head positioning or a head capable of reading and writing more closely spaced multiple tracks.
A recording head generally contains multiple write elements to simultaneously write multiple tracks for achieving a high rate of data transfer. Each write element typically includes a yoke constructed of a magnetic material. Current flowing through a conductive coil encircling a portion of the yoke induces magnetic flux in the yoke. A magnetic field is created across a gap in the yoke, inducing magnetic field patterns on magnetic media traveling by the recording head.
Constructing a recording head using thin film techniques permits the small element geometry required for high areal density recording and reduces costs by applying replication and manufacturing techniques similar to those used in integrated circuit production. Thin film write elements are typically built on a substrate with the conducting coil constructed as a spiral parallel to the substrate. The conductive coil therefore requires substantial substrate area, limiting how closely adjacent write elements can be spaced.
In tape systems, interleaving may be used to compensate for the problem of large spacing between write element gaps. In an interleaved tape system, adjacent data tracks are not written in the same pass requiring multiple passes of the tape head over the magnetic tape to fill all the data tracks. Interleaving requires highly accurate head-to-track positioning systems to properly align write gaps with data tracks. As track density increases, the head positioning accuracy to support interleaving becomes increasingly difficult.
Several designs have been proposed to reduce the spacing between write elements. In one design, the conductive coil is wound about the yoke with each loop substantially normal to the substrate. The yoke is constructed such that flux circulates in a path parallel to the substrate, limiting how closely adjacent yokes can be spaced. In addition, the recording gap is normal to the substrate, requiring difficult and complex manufacturing processes to achieve desired gap dimensions and limiting the placement of write elements in a multiple element head structure.
In another design, an array of write elements is formed with current supplied to a particular element from a row signal and a column signal in much the same way that a memory element is accessed. While this design permits close element spacing, its requirement for precise timing of row and column current pulse signals necessitates a complicated control system that limits the data rate.
The ability to read data from a particular data track while rejecting the effects of closely spaced adjacent tracks can be enhanced by using alternating write element gap azimuth angles. The gap azimuth angle can be defined as the angle made by the gap opening relative to a reference line drawn through the center of the gaps. Typical azimuth angles may alternate between +15° and −15° or more for adjacent write gaps.
What is needed is a write element design permitting close spacing of recording gaps, alternating azimuth angles between gaps, and the ability to place elements in a variety of two dimensional geometric configurations. Each write element should have a gap opening that can be constructed using standard thin film processing techniques. The write elements should be electrically driven by conventional, non-array means.

High track density magnetic recording head


A secondary battery and a manufacturing method thereof, the secondary battery including a bare cell having an electrode terminal connected thereto; a protection circuit board (PCB) substrate; and a metal tab to connect the PCB substrate to the electrode terminal, disposed in an accommodating groove of the PCP substrate. The metal tab includes wing portions laid across the accommodating groove, a terminal contact portion that comes in contact with the electrode terminal, and curved portions disposed between the terminal contact portion and the wing portions.

1. Field
An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a metal tab and a secondary battery including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries that can be manufactured in a compact size or a large size. As portable wireless devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs, and notebook computers have become smaller and more functional, many studies have recently been conducted to develop secondary batteries for such portable wireless devices.
A secondary battery includes a bare cell, a protection circuit board, and a connection tab electrically connecting the protection circuit board to an electrode terminal of the bare cell. However, during the manufacturing the protection circuit board, the electrode terminal and the connection tab may not be closely adhered to each other by welding, due to fabrication errors, and therefore, a contact failure may occur.

Metal tab and secondary battery using the same


A blind adaptive filter of an apparatus in an example employs a frequency domain ECG-feature vector and a time domain ECG feature vector with a maternal ECG parameter estimate and a set of candidate fetal ECG estimates that satisfy the frequency domain ECG-feature-vector, to extract a fetal ECG signal estimate from raw abdominal ECG signals of a pregnant female. The fetal ECG signal estimate satisfies the frequency domain ECG feature-vector and the time domain ECG feature vector.

There are fundamental theoretical limitations on any conventional ICA-based (independent component analysis-based) or AMUSE-Based blind separation methods. These are due to their requirement that the number of observations (e.g., electrode pairs) must be less or equal to the number of uncorrelated signal sources.
In the fECG (fetal electrocardiogram) extraction, this is not the case. Each electrode has its own, at least partly uncorrelated noise, due to maternal abdominal myoelectric activity and other noises picked up by these electrodes and which differ per each abdominal electrode placement. Also, the mECG (maternal electrocardiogram) and fECG in each channel are partly uncorrelated. Hence, adding electrodes will increase the number of noise sources which are not negligible (amplitude-wise) in weeks 32 of gestation and earlier, thus preventing adequate noise filtering via ICA-based or AMUSE-based blind separation methods. Furthermore, the mECG is of many times (even hundreds) of times stronger that the fECG signal embedded in it and especially than the P or T components of the fECG. Finally, the various noises in which the fECG is embedded may also be stronger by a factor of ten or more (depending on gestation age) and more so with respect to its P or T components.
Whereas Doppler ultrasound methods allow detection of fetal heartbeat down to the 10th-12th gestation week, no ultrasound method can yield useful time recordings of fECG. However, access to reliable and easily extractable fECG recordings would help the physician to better determine fetal heart condition and in some cases, diagnose fetal cardiac defects early in the pregnancy. Hence, in some cases, these can be treated by medication administered to the mother.

Blind adaptive filter extraction of fetal electrocardiogram signal estimate

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


There is provided a mechanism for networking satellite and terrestrial networks. It comprises: maintaining subscriber-received power levels of terrestrial network transmissions about one order of magnitude above co-channel satellite transmissions to overcome interference and maintaining subscriber transmissions to terrestrial networks at power levels about one order of magnitude of the below co-channel transmissions to satellite networks to avoid causing interference at the satellite. Such power level maintenance is provided by the network in communication with such subscriber. Moreover, a non-orbiting ("grounded") satellite cooperates as a switching node of both the satellite network and a terrestrial network to relay information between a terrestrial subscriber and the satellite radiotelephone network over a terrestrial network. The terrestrial network and the satellite network may communicate via either the inter-satellite spectrum or the terrestrial-to-satellite spectrum.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one can envision a satellite-based cellular radiotelephone infrastructure as consisting of a constellation of satellites in a low Earth, polar orbit, each satellite having a number of satellite-to-ground frequencies that illuminate hundreds to thousands of square miles of global surface area. Each frequency (F3, for example) could be reused (both from the very same satellite 102 as well as by neighboring satellites 101), provided sufficient geographic separation is maintained to avoid causing interference among radio-telephone subscribers (168) on the ground. A subscriber (168) is handed off from frequency F3 to frequency F1 and from satellite (102) to satellite (101) as the constellation moves overhead. Using switch exchanges aboard the satellite, the satellites route calls among themselves over high speed, high bandwidth inter-satellite links (160, 161, 162) in order to globally connect conversants on the ground (168 and 170). A more complete presentation of such a satellite cellular system is given in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 263,849 to Bertiger, Satellite Cellular Telephone and Data Communication System, filed 28 Oct. 1988 assigned to Motorola.
Since the surface area illuminated by a single frequency is so large compared to terrestrial cellular radio-telephone systems, satellite cellular systems have far lower subscriber capacity and find limited utility in low density and rural markets; metropolitan cellular traffic is far too dense and demands much higher spectral reuse efficiency. With the high cost of building, launching, operating and maintaining a satellite infrastructure, the economic viability of offering radiotelephone service via satellite depends on the ability to integrate terrestrial radio-telephone networks into satellite cellular systems.
This invention takes as its object to overcome these shortcomings and to realize certain advantages presented below.

Networked satellite and terrestrial cellular radiotelephone systems


A transmitter is provided with a local oscillator (LO) processing unit to maintain stability in the transmitter's feedback loop. The LO processing unit includes at least one delay locked loop (DLL) and a programmable divider to generate phase shifted LO signals for adjusting a loop phase of the feedback loop in the transmitter. The generated phase shifted LO signals are of both a coarse and fine phase shifted nature. The adjustability and control of the coarse and fine phase shifting of the LO signals maintains linearity in the transmitter feedback loop.

Linear transmitters are known and are widely used in today's information age. A Cartesian feedback transmitter constitutes one such known transmitter. A Cartesian feedback loop is used to compensate for nonlinearities in a power amplifier of a Cartesian feedback transmitter. Loop phase of the Cartesian feedback loop must be properly adjusted; if not, the Cartesian feedback transmitter linearity may suffer. At worst, the feedback of the Cartesian feedback loop may function in a positive mode, causing undesirable oscillations.
One approach for adjusting phase within the Cartesian feedback loop employs a frequency domain technique. The frequency domain technique uses complex frequency mixers and quadrature generators to generate a phase shifted local oscillator (LO) signal, which introduces a controlled phase shift into the Cartesian feedback loop. The frequency domain technique uses mixers to mix sine and cosine components with a LO signal to shift the phase of the LO signal.
While the frequency domain technique has been effective, there are some limitations which still persist. First, due to harmonics created by phase shifting circuitry, filtering is required in the LO signal path to enable the transmitter to operate in a stable mode over multiple frequency bands. The wider the range of frequencies over which the transmitter is required to operate, the more filter components are required, which consumes space and current drain and adds complexity to the transmitter circuit.
Therefore, as we move towards multiple mode and multi-band technology, such as the next generation software definable radios; there is a need for an improved method and apparatus for generating phase shifted local oscillator signals for a feedback loop in a transmitter.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Method and apparatus for generating phase shifted local oscillator signals for a feedback loop on a transmitter


A flexible wear sleeve for protectively surrounding one or more flexible cables or conduits leading to a spot-welding machine or an arc-welding machine or robot, the wear sleeve being formed by joining opposed edges of a flexible web to one another by a zipper connection. The flexible web is formed from a tough, durable material, such as a KEVLAR.RTM. material, and its opposed edges are also provided with elements of a VELCRO.RTM. connection to overlie the zipper and protect the zipper from contact with welding flash and/or foreign material. The flexible web is provided with at least one longitudinally extending pocket, and a flexible rod is inserted into the pocket to provide the flexible wear sleeve and the flexible cables or conduits protected thereby with an elastic memory to cause them to return to an undistorted configuration after removal of a distorting load therefrom and to provide a controlled bend radius thereto. The flexible web is also provided with a longitudinally extending plurality of laterally extending flexible straps, whose opposed edges are releasably joined to one another by a VELCRO.RTM. connection to bundle the cables or conduits passing through the wear sleeve and to hold the wear sleeve in a fixed position relative to the cables or conduits passing therethrough.

1. Field of The Invention
The invention relates to a flexible wear sleeve for protectively surrounding one or more fluid hoses and electrical cables, as used in connection with spot-welding or arc-welding robots and machines. More particularly, this invention relates to a wear sleeve of the foregoing character that can be provided with a variable degree of elastic memory.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Spot-welding and arc-welding robots and machines require electrical cables, water hoses and pneumatic and /or hydraulic hoses, and the cables, hoses and lines used to provide such utility sources must be flexible to accommodate the motions required of such welding robots and machines. The cables, lines and hoses used to provide such utility sources are subject to substantial wear and/or snagging, are also subject to being spattered by high temperature welding flash. Thus, it is desirable to protect such cables, lines and hoses by surrounding them with a flexible wear sleeve. In such an installation, it is also often desirable to provide the wear sleeve with a degree of elastic memory so that it and the cable(s) or conduit(s) protected thereby will return to their original shapes after removal of loads that cause them to distort therefrom. It is also often desirable to be able to bundle two or more cables or conduits surrounded by a single wear sleeve that is somewhat larger on its inner dimension than the outer dimensions of the cables or conduits surrounded thereby.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,149 (Ford et al) discloses a sleeve for use as a protector surrounding cables and conduits, but there is no disclosure in this reference that the sleeve described therein would be sufficiently rugged and temperature resistant to operate in a satisfactory manner to protect the flexible cables and conduits that lead to a spot-welding or arc-welding machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,787 (Howell) discloses a flexible cable holder for surrounding cables in an office or home environment. Again, there is no disclosure in this reference that the holder described therein would be sufficiently rugged and temperature resistant to operate in a satisfactory manner to protect the flexible cables and conduits that lead to a spot-welding or arc-welding machine.


A library of reentrant networking functions organized with file system semantics is provided to allow a client application on a client computer connected to a computer network to establish communications with and exchange information with a server application on a server network computer. The library of reentrant networking functions are organized with file system semantics and parallel the function, structure and organization of a file system. Individual reentrant networking functions provide multiple networking features. The reentrant networking functions also provide asynchronous operations and security features. The library of reentrant networking functions can be included in, and called from multiple client applications. This library of reentrant networking function simplifies the creation of client applications such as network browsers that communicate with the Internet or an intranet computer network.

The Internet is a world-wide network of cooperating computer networks. Connected to the cooperating network of computer networks which make up the Internet are thousands of individual computers. The individual computers use network protocols to communicate with other computers connected to the Internet. A network protocol is a set of rules defining how a computer can "talk" to another computer. Computers connected to the Internet typically use the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP) protocol suite to communicate.
TCP/IP is a layered set of protocols which is conceptualized as being stacked vertically into layers. TCP is a transport layer that defines data flow, acknowledges data, and retransmits lost or damaged data. However, the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is also commonly used as a transport layer in place of TCP. IP is a network layer that defines the format of data and the basic unit of data transfer. TCP/IP provides a reliable, byte-stream-oriented virtual circuit for data transfer and is known in the art. There are also higher level application protocols in the Internet protocol suite including File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Gopher, etc. which use TCP/IP to pass data across the Internet.
From a user's point of view, access to the Internet and its services typically are accomplished by invoking application programs (e.g., Internet browsers, e-mail, etc.). The application programs act as an interface between a user and the Internet. The application programs are "client" programs that accept commands from the user and obtain Internet information and services by sending requests to "server" programs on another computer at some other location on the Internet. With the increasing popularity and accessibility of the Internet, a wide variety of application programs such as word processors, personal finance managers, and spreadsheets, etc., are emerging with embedded Internet access software or functionality.
Creating application programs which act as an interface between a user and the Internet is not a trivial task and presents a number of difficult problems. An Internet application program must recognize, understand, and properly handle all of the details of multiple application protocols in the Internet protocol suite (e.g., HTTP, FTP, Gopher, etc.). Internet application protocols typically communicate with the underlying protocols (e.g., TCP/IP) through software communication facilities (e.g., sockets). These communication facilities as well as the underlying protocols must also be managed by an application.
To provide the necessary functionality for a user, the application program must a manage a large number of details for the Internet application protocols, communication facilities, and underlying protocols, including establishing/terminating connections, filing data structures, setting flags, setting timers, creating data packets, sequencing data, sending/receving data, error handling for bad or incomplete data, etc.
If multiple simultaneous Internet application protocol connections are desired (e.g., HTTP and an FTP connection), then the application program must manage the large number of details for each of the multiple connections. If security features are desired (e.g., encryption, secure sockets layer (SSL), etc.) then the application program must also handle the security details.
If a new Internet protocol or communication facility is desired, new source code must be added to the application program. If an existing Internet protocol or communication facility is changed to comply with an evolving standard or the addition of an advanced feature (as is common in the rapidly changing Internet environment), the source code for the application program must be modified at a number of different levels to comply with the desired changes.
As is known in the art, networking function can be created and stored in standard function libraries, such as the "libwww.ext" (e.g., "libwww.lib" for the Windows operating system, "libwww.a" for the UNIX.RTM. operating system, etc.) by the Worldwide Web (W3) Consortium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, Mass.
Such standard networking libraries are linked to an application program to provide networking functionality. However, standard function libraries known in the art are typically not reentrant. Reentrant functions are functions that can be repeatedly called from one or more application program without interference.
Every application program which desires to use the standard function library links in its own copy of the function library. This significantly increases the overall size of the application program, and may result in multiple copies of the same function library linked to a number of different application programs which wastes a significant amount of computer resources (e.g., memory, secondary storage, etc.).
As a result, the application programs are very complex and very costly to develop. In addition, this complex application program code is often hard to modify without introducing new or additional software defects, and is very difficult to debug after modifications are made.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, problems associated with creating application programs which access the Internet and other computer networks are overcome. An Internet application program interface (API) (which will be explained in detail below) including a set of reentrant Internet-specific functions is used. The reentrant functions in the Internet API reside in a dynamic link library (DLL) which is used by multiple application programs. There is typically only one copy of the Internet API DLL on any computer, and all application programs which need to contact a computer network like the Internet use the same reentrant function calls stored in the DLL. In contrast, a copy of a non-reentrant networking function would reside in every application program that needed it, and the non-reentrant function in a given application program could not be called by any other application program.
The reentrant Internet API functions also eliminate the need to embed source code directly in an application program to manage Internet application protocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP, Gopher, etc), communication facilities (e.g., sockets) or the underlying protocols (e.g., TCP/IP).
The reentrant Internet functions provided by the Internet API of the present invention manage connection to and communication with the Internet for the application program. The reentrant Internet functions comply with standard API programming standards and treat arguments and errors in a consistent manner. The reentrant functions provide a clean and concise interface to the Internet or other computer networks (e.g., a Local Area Network or intranet) for an application program. The reentrant functions use file system semantics (e.g., InternetOpenUrl().apprxeq.OpenFile(), InternetReadFile().apprxeq.ReadFile(), etc.) and have a logical syntax, functionality, structure and organization that parallels file system operations that are well known in the art. The file system semantics used by the Internet API abstract a large number of network connection details to a level of file system commands. This is not the case for other libraries of networking functions such as the "libwww.ext" described above. The other libraries require a developer to become familiar with a large number of unique function call names to use the networking functions.
The Internet API functions are also provide a hierarchical relationship between the functions. The function hierarchy is the result defining a number of independent and dependent function levels, where the functions at each level return Internet handles. A Internet handle is an index into an application specific object table. The Internet handles returned at level-N are used to call the Internet API functions on level-N-1. The function hierarchy provides a concise way to manage a large number of networking details by propagating access to networking data to the next lower function level through the Internet handle, thereby eliminating a significant amount of data management overhead. The function hierarchy and Internet handles will be explained in detail below.
As an example, suppose an Internet application program is to open an FTP session with a remote server application at a desired location on the Internet. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, calls to two of the reentrant Internet API functions (e.g., InternetOpen(. . . ),InternetConnect(. . . ,FTP, . . . ), which will be explained in detail below) will initialized an Internet session, establish a connection, and manage all the underlying details including the FTP protocol, the communication facilities required (e.g., a socket connection), and the underlying protocols (e.g., TCP/IP) to establish communications with a remote server application on a remote computer connected to the Internet. The Internet application program does not have to include source code to establish an Internet connection, handle the FTP protocol, the communications facilities, or the underlying protocols. All of these details are abstracted in the Internet API and are hidden from or transparent to the application program.
The reentrant Internet API functions also provide built-in security features and asynchronous operations. An Internet application program can use the security features (e.g., encrypt data, use a proxy application as a "firewall, etc.) by setting parameters and calling selected Internet API functions. Many of the reentrant. Internet API functions can be used in an asynchronous mode of operation. In a synchronous mode of operation, an application program makes a function call, and then waits for the completion of the function call before it can continue executing. In an asynchronous mode of operation, an application program makes a function call and immediately continues executing other program operations. When the asynchronous function call operations are complete, the application program is contacted and can then process any data returned from the asynchronous function call. The use of asynchronous operations dramatically improves the operation of application programs which provide user interfaces (e.g., an Internet browser). Since the application program is not blocked while waiting for an asynchronous function call to complete, it can continue to interact with a user.
If an existing Internet protocol or communication facility is modified or evolved, an application program which uses the Internet API will require minimal or possibly no modifications. The reentrant Internet API functions would instead be modified, and the details of the changes would not be visible to, and need not be incorporated in, the application program. If a new Internet protocol, communication facility, etc. is added, the application would require minimal modification (e.g., adding a new argument to an existing re-entrant Internet API function call or calling a new Internet API function).
The reentrant functions in the Internet API allow application programs to be written for the Internet without large amounts of source code to manage the details of Internet application protocols, communications facilities and underlying protocols. The Internet API functions allow a developer to focus on the development of a specific application program, instead of spending a large amount of time handling Internet connection details. As a result, Internet application programs are less complex, less costly to develop, smaller in size, and easier to modify if new functionality is desired since most of the Internet details an application program typically needs to manage are handled by the Internet API functions. In addition the Internet API functions can also be used for intranet applications for establishing communications with a variety of computer networks.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

System having a library of protocol independent reentrant network interface functions for providing common calling interface for communication and application protocols


The present invention relates to a genetic marker used to distinguish amongst animals a trait for milk producing capabilities or muscular beef producing capabilities, said genetic marker comprising a mutation in a fragment of a Pit-1 gene. After digestion with a restriction endonuclease, three allele patterns are observed, the fully digested pattern being indicative of a trait for muscularity in said animal, while the intermediate digested / nondigested pattern or the nondigested pattern being indicative of a milk producing trait in said animal. A process and kit using this genetic marker is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a genetic marker associated with different conformational traits. More specifically, the present invention describes a process wherein a polymorphism in a Pit-1 gene is used to determine traits in animals such as milk production and muscularity with ease.
Selection of a particular trait in a mammal is presently very expensive and very slow. Usually the selection process involves a genealogical evaluation of the mammals history over a long period of time. This evaluation is based on various traits of the mammal or animal such as birth weight, growth weight, build, muscle strength, firmness, marbling, color, and the like.
Most of the selection of a particular trait in an animal to date, involves visually characterizing the specific traits over a time frame or weighing the animal at particular times. The animals with the quality traits that are to be selected are then bred with similar animals such that the particular trait is hopefully dominant in the next generation or the generations to follow.
The present methods for trait selection in mammals are often tedious and open to judgment of an expert in the field, such as a breeder. However, there is never any real assurance that the choice being made will dominate over the forthcoming generations. For example, in order to select a cow that is a good milk producing animal, it takes between 36 to 48 months to make such choice and after the choice is made, it is often based on hypothesis and the breeder""s judgment.
In view of the uncertainty, expense and time involved with the current methods of trait selection in animals, new methods are currently under development which methods utilize a more scientific process which will hopefully improve the selection process.
One such method is the study of candidate genes to determine whether specific genes are associated with conformational traits in mammals and therefore these genes can be used as molecular markers to select particular traits of interest. This method first requires identification of candidate genes or anonymous genetic markers associated with the traits of interest. The candidate gene approach can be successful, but first genes must be identified in the species of interest and correlated to the traits of interest.
The somatotropin system has several genes that may play a role in the control of particular traits in animals since this system is associated with growth, lactation, reproduction and immunity. The somatotropin system is quite complicated and involves at a hypothalamic level, somatocrinin and somatostatin; at a pituitary level, pituitary-specific transcription factor (Pit-1) which is responsible for growth hormone expression in mammals; at a hepatic level, growth hormone receptor and growth hormone plasmatic transport protein; and at a cellular level, growth hormone receptor, insulin-growth factor-1 and insulin growth factor transport protein.
Selection of genes from this somatotropin system that may influence particular traits in animals is quite complicated, since this system has many different functions in different parts of the animal, from the pituitary to the cellular level.
The present invention involves the selection of a gene, the pituitary-specific transcription factor (hereinafter referred to as Pit-1) that can act as a genetic marker to characterize specific traits in animals.
Pit-1 is a member of the POU family of homeo-domain transcription factors and plays an important role in developmental processes. The POU-domain was originally identified as a highly conserved region of 150 to 160 amino acids found in three mammalian transcription factors, Pit-1, Oct-1, Oct-2 and also in the product of nematode gene unc-86 (Herr et al., Genes and Dev. 2: 1513 (1988); Ruvkun and Finnery, Cell 64:475 (1991)).
Pit-1 is a pituitary-specific transcription factor that regulates growth hormone, activates prolactin and has a role in pituitary cell differentiation and proliferation (Steinfelder et al., P.N.A.S., USA 88:3130 (1991). Mutations in the Pit-1 gene responsible for the dwarf phenotypes of the Snell and Jackson mice and lead to anterior pituitary hypoplasia (Li et al., Nature 347:528 (1992)). Moreover, it has been shown that the inhibition of Pit-1 synthesis leads to a decrease in prolactin and growth hormone (GH) expression and to a dramatic decrease in cell proliferation in GH and prolactin producing cell lines (McCormick et al., Nature 345:829 (1990)).
In human, different mutations in the Pit-1 gene have also been reported in patients with familial pituitary hypoplasia (Pfaffie et al., Science 257:1118 (1992)); and in patients with sporadic combined pituitary hormone deficiency (Radovick et al., Science 257:1115 (1992); Tatsumi et al., Nature Genetics 1: 56 (1992).
The cDNA sequence of bovine Pit-1 has been published by Bonder, M. et al, Cell 55 (3): 505-568 (1988)and is shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO:7).
The Association of Pit-1 polymorphisms with growth and carcass traits in pigs has been described by Yu et al., J. Anim. Sci. 73: 1282 (1995). Yu et al., supra described three Pit-1 polymorphisms in pigs based on two restriction fragment length polymorphisms (hereinafter referred to as RFLP) using a Pit-1 POU-domain cDNA probe and the restriction enzymes BamHI and MspI and a PCR/RFLP using RsaI.
Results from Yu et al.""s, supra, mixed-model analysis revealed that pigs with the MspI CC genotype were associated with heavier birth rate than the DD genotype pigs. Moreover, with the Pit-1 BamHI polymorphisms heavier birth weight was significantly associated with the BB genotype, although the authors cautioned against concluding such association since the BB genotype population was extremely small.
Although Woolard et al., J. Anim. Sci. 72:3267 1994) recognized a HinfI polymorphism at the bovine Pit-1 gene locus, these authors failed to link this mutation to the selection trait in animals. The conclusion drawn in Woolard, supra was that polymorphic fragments that were observed were consistent with autosomal Mendelian inheritance.
There is no disclosure in Yu et al. or Woolard et al of any association of the allele pattern AB with milk production, nor the allele pattern BB with muscularity in animals.
Therefore, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the current methods of trait selection in animals by providing a scientific basis for selection of traits by use of a genetic marker.
Moreover, the process described in the present invention can be used to characterize superior milk producing animals from animals having meat producing characteristics.
It has been surprisingly discovered that a polymorphism in the Pit-1 gene can be used to characterize traits such as milk production and muscularity in animals. Two alleles, A and B were distinguished for the Pit-1 gene responsible for the activation of prolactin and growth hormone gene expression. The AA pattern was less frequent than the AB or BB pattern. The significant superiority of the Pit-1 AB pattern or AA pattern over the BB pattern was observed for milk, protein and angularity. Likewise the BB genotype pattern was associated with animal muscularity.
This discovery permits the use of the mutation in the Pit-1 gene to be utilized as a genetic marker to identify certain traits in animals: Once these particular traits are identified, the animals can be sold at market with increased value due to their superior traits.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a genetic marker for trait selection in animals.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a process to characterize animals having superior milk production traits or muscularity traits.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides genetically engineered animals that have superior milk production, angularity, fat, protein or muscularity traits. These and other objects are achieved by the present invention as evidenced by the summary of the invention, description of the preferred embodiments and the claims.
The present invention thus provides a genetic marker that can be used for trait selection in mammals.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a method to identify a polymorphism present in the Pit-1 gene which polymorphism can be utilized to select superior traits in animals for angularity, fat, muscularity, protein or milk production.
Accordingly, in one of the composition aspects, the present invention relates to a genetic marker used to distinguish amongst animals a trait for milk producing capabilities or meat producing capabilities said genetic marker comprising a mutation in a fragment of a Pit-1 gene, wherein three allele patterns are observed, the fully mutated pattern being indicative.
In the present application, the marker characteristic of milk producing capabilities is called AA for its homozygous state of the allele and the marker characteristic of meat producing capabilities is called BB for its homozygous state.
The sequences of alleles A and B differ only by one transition from the Adenosine in position 1178 of the sequence of FIG. 2 in Pit-1 AA to a guanine, in Pit-1 BB, as demonstrated by the inventors by experiments shown in Example B.
In a preferred embodiment for the present invention, the three allele patterns are distinguished after digestion with a restriction endonuclease, which cleaves the mutated Pit-1 gene fragment and not the non-mutated Pit-1 gene fragment, the fully digested pattern being indicative of a trait for muscularity in said animal, while the intermediate digested/non-digested pattern or the fully non-digested pattern being indicative of a milk producing trait in said animal.
In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention the restriction endonuclease utilized is HinfI.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the three allele patterns are distinguished using probes which overlap the mutated region in said Pit-1 gene, one probe being specific for the mutated Pit-1 gene and another one being specific for the non-mutated Pit-1 gene.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a process for detecting certain traits in an animal, said process comprising the steps of:
(1) isolating genomic DNA from an animal;
(2) optionally isolating a fragment from said genomic DNA comprising a fragment of a Pit-1 gene;
(3) detecting a mutation in the Pit-1 gene; and
(4) analyzing said mutation to determine a trait in said animal wherein upon analysis traits of muscularity and fat can be distinguished from milk producing traits in said animals.
In particular embodiment of the present invention, detection is accomplished by using restriction endonucleases.
In another particular embodiment of the present invention, detection is accomplished by using probes which overlap the mutated gene in said Pit-1 gene, more particularly the 1178 position.
In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to genetically engineered animals that have the characteristic traits described in the present invention.

Pit-1 gene polymorphism and trait selection in animals


Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to analyze time series data are disclosed. An example method includes sub sampling time series data collected by a sensor to generate one or more candidate samples of interest within the time series data. Feature vectors are generated for respective ones of the one or more candidate samples of interest. Classification of the feature vectors is attempted based on a model. In response to a classification of one of the feature vectors, the classification is stored in connection with the corresponding candidate sample.

It is important to find points of interest when analyzing time-series data. Such identification has wide applicability across many different fields. For example, time-series data such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) may be analyzed to identify data points in the ECG that correspond to pattern of data points expected to appear in a heartbeat signal.
The figures are not to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.

Methods and apparatus to analyze time series data


Example embodiments relate to methods of doping a 2-dimensional semiconductor. The method includes forming a semiconductor layer on a substrate, implanting ions into the semiconductor layer, forming a doped layer formed of a 2-dimensional semiconductor layer or an organic semiconductor layer on the semiconductor layer, and doping the doped layer by diffusing the ions of the semiconductor layer into the doped layer through annealing the substrate.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to methods of doping a 2-dimensional semiconductor and an organic semiconductor, and/or flexible switching devices that use the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, 2-dimensional semiconductors and organic semiconductors that are used in flexible electronic devices have drawn attention. In particular, many studies have been conducted about methods of manufacturing a switching device by using 2-dimensional semiconductors and organic semiconductors. A 2-dimensional semiconductor, such as graphene, may easily have a p-type characteristic by reacting with air. In a semiconductor integrated circuit, not only a p-type semiconductor but also an n-type semiconductor is typically required.
However, it is generally difficult to use an ion injection method to dope a 2-dimensional semiconductor and an organic semiconductor, such as graphene, with an impurity.
There is a need to develop a method of doping a 2-dimensional semiconductor and an organic semiconductor with an impurity.

Method of doping 2-dimensional semiconductor and switching device

Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University


A tappet carrier for a barrel type internal combustion engine includes a body having a central bore that is coaxial with a camshaft of a barrel engine. The tappet carrier further comprises a plurality of radially extending bores that are continuous with the central bore so as to allow mechanical communication between the tappets and the camshaft.

Internal combustion (IC) engines are widely used for providing mechanical power to drive a variety of devices. IC engines typically include a cylinder in which a fuel-air mixture is ignited, a piston movable in a reciprocating manner within the cylinder due to forces created by the ignition of the fuel-air mixture, and an output shaft driven by the reciprocating motion of the piston. IC engines also typically include a valve assembly for controlling the intake of fuel-air and exhaust of combustion products. The valve assembly is timed for appropriate intake and exhaust during intake compression powered exhaust strokes of the engine. Valve assemblies and the valve actuating mechanisms for barrel type internal combustion engines can be complicated or complex. It remains desirable to provide an improved structure for supporting the valve actuating mechanism and ensuring robust and reliable operation of the valve assembly.


A computerized data capture system for processing applications for merchant card service processing accounts is provided. The system has a project database that includes a plurality of data capture objects that are relevant to the system and table structures which define the relationship between the data capture objects. A subset of the data capture objects are defined to process applications for merchant card service processing accounts. Applications for merchant card service processing accounts are captured and processed using the plurality of data capture objects and the table structures of the project database.

The present invention relates to systems and methods to apply for processing accounts and, more particularly, to enable a merchant to apply for a credit card processing account using a small form factor computing device such as a handheld computer with modem, PDA with modem, or phone connecting to a server through a communications medium.
Customers use credit cards and other bankcards, such as direct debit cards, to purchase and order goods and services from merchants. Banks and other financial service organizations complete, collect and process merchant applications to sign up for card processing, either directly with the merchant, through a sales representative of the bank or indirectly, through an outsource company that specializes in obtaining merchant applications. The faster that a merchant can sign up for customer card processing, the faster the merchant can collect revenues from credit card and bank card sales. In addition, the customer is given the convenience of multiple options for payment. It is estimated that an electronic and automated method for data capture and data distribution can reduce the time of merchant sign up from 28 days to 2 days. The faster the bank or financial services institution can get the merchant signed up, the faster they can collect funds for processing credit card transactions, and the faster they can generate revenue from the use of a card for the transaction. Merchants are located in many different places across the globe and the sales force that visits them covers a large territory. Organizing and tracking the collected merchant applications, distributing and reporting the data to the proper parties, and distributing the merchant number that signals the approval for services for card processing is a daunting task of data distribution and logistics management that spans across several organizations. Sales representatives are required to learn the complex process of completing a merchant application, which requires coordinating pricing models (which change very frequently), and discounts available along with a complete listing of hardware and software that the merchant can choose from to process cards at the store. The sales rep must also know the rules for making a decision about which combination of hardware is best suited for the merchant and which software is configured for that hardware. Often the merchant application is completed and approved only to be delayed by the delivery of the incorrect hardware and software for "card swiping" or credit entry. A delay in getting the right solution to the customer delays the realization of financial services organization revenue for transactions and merchant revenue for card use by the customer. Some sales reps, in an effort to avoid all the inconvenience of the process, have the merchant sign the application in blank, for later input into a laptop system. Relying on human memory leads to errors, or at best, makes the process of completing a merchant card processing application redundant.
Typical methods for merchant card processing applications are solutions that automate and allow for electronic data capture for certain portions of the sale and merchant application process. Some sales representatives who visit a merchant location to collect data for the merchant's application use laptop solutions. A laptop solution, or a laptop with a handheld device that connects to it, eliminates the need for manual completion of paperwork associated with the process, yet requires sales representatives to carry a heavy laptop into a sales call with a merchant. These laptops are expensive and easily damaged or stolen and cumbersome to set up in a retail store where space is very valuable. The laptop solution is also lacking a mechanism for sales representatives to receive information about potential customers who have notified a bank of their interest in signing up for card processing services. The solution provided to a sales force is usually a piecemeal combination of hardware, software and connectivity that is not easily updated if and when frequent changes are implemented in a merchant application. In addition, completing a credit processing application using a laptop system is cumbersome for data entry and is obtrusive to the merchant. Connecting to a server for delivery of the data from the laptop is a complicated process of sign-on and requires constant connectivity to the database during the process. Sales reps and merchant are alienated as a result of the complex system of software and laptop to make the solution work. Complaints about this method include the following comments from sales reps: "There is no place to set up the laptop with the merchant"; "It takes too much time to boot up the laptop"; "Making corrections to errors is not easy"; and "Laptops are expensive to purchase and support". Another method for completion of a merchant application is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,349 (Zirkel) entitled "System and Method for Enabling a Merchant to Apply for a Credit Card Account Using the Internet." The scheme in this patent is an advance over paper-based system of a sales representative completing an application for a merchant. However, there are several problems with this approach:
(1) A merchant must purchase and install or must have available to them a computer with browser software and Internet connectivity. Then the merchant must install the hardware, software and connectivity and maintain the system.
(2) Connection to the Internet must be continuous during completion of the application process or all input that was made in an application will be lost and the input must be reentered.
(3) Two-way synchronization is not available to return the status of the application (whether it was approved) or to ask additional questions to approve the application.
(4) Brick and Mortar stores require additional hardware and software in order to electronically process the cards, yet a mechanism for calculating the right combination of hardware and software is not available as part of the Internet solution.
(5) Merchants are very seldom at their desk and are often "minding the store" so that a desktop solution cannot be easily accessed anytime.
(6) Laptops, laptops with handhelds, or handhelds with browser capabilities require recompiling to configure changes in the applications on the handheld or laptop.
The present invention solves each of those problems and is a significant improvement over a laptop solution.
Requirements of a mobile wireless merchant bankcard processing application—Such an application must solve the problems listed above. In one solution set forth in the present invention, four main components are required as follows:
1. A computer system for portable digital data capture and data distribution—This system will manage the design and assembly of the complex components that make up the entire application process. This includes the logistics management of card processing hardware and software inventory, configuration for the merchant and delivery of the desired solution.
2. A set of specialized programs that consist of interfaces, logic and edit checks on handheld computing devices or phones that enable a user to enter and view data, assignments, help text, answer choices, and other items and help the user calculate the needs of the customer based on input made in the interface.
3. A set of specialized tools that enable a user to make changes to data and information that will be revealed to the user of the handheld device and to enable other users to distribute and view data collected with the devices.
4. A means for delivering new programs specific to each handheld device based on data received from other databases, interfaces, or based on data received from the handheld device. An example of this is the delivery of the merchant number, which designates the approval of the merchant's card processing account or the delivery of a request for additional information. The advantage of this is that it speeds time to revenues for both the financial service organization and the merchant.
5. A means for automated synchronization of the programs to deliver data, receive data, or be updated with new program functionality and configurations.
These requirements can be met with the following six elements:
1. A Computer System for Portable Digital Data Capture and Data Distribution
One system that is suitable for use in the present invention is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/724,541. A mobile electronic merchant application is used to capture and distribute different data within the project. It may also be used to capture and distribute different data between projects. For example, within the project, one sales rep may serve the needs of the lodging merchants with all the associated questions, pricing models and hardware and software for "card swiping", while another sales rep may serve the restaurant merchants with a different set of information required for them. Within the project, the two different sales reps would receive a different directory of data capture objects on their handheld device that will enable them to view and enter data without sorting through questions and screens that do not pertain to their work. In addition, different questions might be required across different sales forces and/or different financial service firms. To manage this customization across companies and sales reps, the system must automate the design, creation, manipulation, tracking, visualizing, and distribution of a data capture and data distribution project, as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/724,541. The logistics requirements of managing the merchant's hardware and software needs for card processing and the ordering and delivery of this equipment are a complex. This problem can be solved by the use of the system in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/724,541.
2. Significant Number of Data Elements
The merchant application process requires the entry of a large number of data elements (questions). On average, there are 1,000-1,500 questions for data capture in a merchant application. Merchants and the sales rep must answer demographic information about the business and other business locations, and about the owners of the business. There are questions about bank references, credit references, expected sales and type of goods sold. There is legal information needed regarding bankruptcies, credit history and other businesses. Then there are questions about the services that the merchant will require for card processing, for example, is a PIN Pad for entry of a PIN needed, a barcode scanner for check reading, or does the merchant want VISA, MasterCard and AMEX. On a handheld computing device or a phone, the screen is small and not easily visualized so that it would be necessary to present multiple questions on an individual screen without crowding the screen with information and making it difficult to visualize. In addition the device does not have the computing capabilities of a laptop or desktop PC. It is therefore important to present the questions in a simple computing format so that complex calculations, logic that sorts through and presents screens, navigation and edit checks might be included in each of the questions.
3. Store and Forward Architecture Enabling Offline Browsing
The use of HTML pages in U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,349 requires that the HTML pages with answers input by the merchant be returned to the server and then returned to the device if the answers are not completely filled out. This would be similar with Wireless Markup Language (WML) pages or with the presentation of a form on a device. Waiting for a message that the page is not completely filled would take time and would require a constant connection to the server. The constant connectivity needed for pages and forms may be impossible with the short supply of bandwidth and with the drop off of connectivity in wireless networks. The requirements for a mobile wireless merchant application system should include a store and forward architecture that enables objects to be delivered to the handheld computer and enables the user to work "offline" and then connect to the server to transmit data that has been collected and verified as accurate by the objects on the device. Being tethered to an Internet connection in order to perform work is not a mobile solution. Neither is a solution that requires the user to synchronize with the desktop or laptop. In comparison, this would be like a mobile phone that requires one to return to a desk station to connect and receive all calls. This is not a truly mobile solution. To utilize an Internet connection with HTML pages would limit the mobile capabilities of the device and limit the benefits for a mobile workforce. The use of object-based architecture, where each of the individual screens or questions is an object that is forwarded to the device for use while not connected, creates additional flexibility and mobility for the sales rep. With architecture such as described above, there is one point of entry for the changes, which are forwarded to all users. Changes to the application, pricing, or product availability can be immediately forwarded to all users in the field, eliminating the need to return to a central location for updates. In addition, if a problem arises that the device becomes lost or the battery drains, the lost objects can be immediately remotely forwarded to the device during a connection with the server. Information, as well as data capture objects, can be forwarded. For example, the in-house sales group that has obtained sales leads can forward the merchant application that was started over the phone to the appropriate sales rep.
A mobile wireless merchant card processing application system provides for the capture and distribution of an organization's mission critical data. An important requirement for this solution is to provide this functionality via wireless devices with no drop-off despite the narrow bandwidth available today. Bandwidth cannot be a primary concern with the need for large sets of answers and other information transmitted to and from the handheld device. Meticulous organization tracking and delivery of project subsets using a system such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/724,541 eliminates the need for a lot of bandwidth required during transmission of the objects with any standard operating system including Palm OS, Win CE and RIM. Telecommunications carriers use a host of network options for connectivity such as CDMA, CDPD, TDMA, GSM and 802.11 networks. A system will need to optimize the use of the spectrum by using both circuit switched and packet-switched data services. Store and forward technology in combination with the efficient use of bandwidth enables the user to enter data in the handheld device or phone without a constant connection to a wireless network. Data organized and communicated by a system such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/724,541 during transmission to make the most efficient use of bandwidth provides communications that are relatively short and tightly controlled. This flexibility gives users a choice regarding the best possible communications mechanism. The network, the carrier, the bandwidth should not be a concern and there should not be a problem with stopped data due to bandwidth limitations.
4. Safety and Security of Data Transmission
Sensitive financial information is collected during data input by a sales rep and it is essential to maintain control with user ID and PIN so that information is available to only those with permission to view it. User ID and PIN is in addition to the security of the server that recognizes only devices approved for access. Encryption on the device and during transmission and transmissions of answers only (not questions with answers) is necessary so that interrupted transmissions are not read. When transmissions are interrupted, the system needs to prevent loss of data.
5. Signature Capture and Specialized Functionality
The ability to collect the signature of the merchant is an essential part of the application. There may be additional functionality requirements among the different user groups/sales force that will need the ability to add new sets of objects that automate other aspects of the sales process, such as the presales encounter and sales encounter process, among others.
6. Reporting
Although reports may not be essential for a system such as this, the availability of reports distributed to the handheld device or the phone eliminate the need for the sales rep to return to the office to view the status of accounts, view their work for the month, get assignments, and get updates in pricing and product/service offerings. Reporting, as discussed herein, also includes the ability to translate and distribute data returned to the project database into other databases and the ability to translate and return data from other databases to the project database to be forwarded as a subset of objects to a specific user's device.
7. Synchronization for Program Changes and Data Exchange
The ability to connect to a small storage computer to receive updates to the program without the intervention of technical support. This remote configuration allows changes to be made to the program without the need to remove the handheld device from use in the field.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for mobile wireless electronic data capture and distribution of a merchant card-processing application


A new hop plant named ‘HBC 1019’ is disclosed. ‘HBC 1019’ is used for its exceptional and unique aromatic qualities, and is suitable for beer flavoring.

'HBC 1019' is a product of a controlled breeding program carried out by the co-inventors in the Yakima Valley of Washington State. 'HBC 1019' was one of several seedlings resulting from a controlled cross made in 2016 with female parent 'HBC 476' an unpatented variety, and male pollen parent 'ZRCBM'. 'ZRCBM' is a pollen bulk of a multiple of male hop plants, selected for desirable traits including elevated alpha acids, strong vigor, and high pollen shed. Seedling plants from this cross were planted in 2017 and screened for disease resistance and sex in a greenhouse and field nursery near Granger, Wash. A single plant of 'HBC 1019' was selected in 2017. In 2018, 'HBC 1019' was asexually reproduced and expanded to a seven hill plot. In 2019, 'HBC 1019' was asexually reproduced via softwood cuttings near Granger, Wash., and expanded to thirty plants in an evaluation block near Toppenish, Wash. In 2020 'HBC 1019' was further expanded to a two-acre test block near Toppenish, Wash., again with plants asexually reproduced via softwood cuttings. The 'HBC 1019' plants have now been observed and evaluated for several years. Throughout several generations of asexual propagation, 'HBC 1019' has been observed to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type.


A medical device is provided which comprises a suction conduit and an energy-transmitting conduit wherein at least some of the transmitted energy is directed to the distal region of the suction conduit. The device may include an optical apparatus for directing the energy. The device has applications in lithotripsy and tissue-removal in a patient.

Open surgical intervention was once the standard treatment for the removal of calculi or stones, especially when such calculi are deposited in a body lumen other than the bladder. But other less invasive techniques have emerged as safe and effective alternatives. Lithotripsy, the crushing of stones that develops in the body into fragments that are easier to remove, is one such technique. Lithotripsy devices have been developed which utilize electrohydraulic probes, ultrasonic probes, electromechanical impactors, or a pin driven by compressed air. These devices typically use percutaneous endoscopic techniques and are configured to be introduced into the body through small puncture sites to avoid open surgical intervention. Focused shock waves can also be delivered from an external source in a non-invasive procedure known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Recently, lasers have been used as an alternative source of energy in lithotripsy, especially for the destruction of renal and bilary stones. Lasers are suited for minimally invasive lithotripsy because the diameter of the laser fiber is small and the aperture of the working channel can be minimized. An extensive review of the use of lasers for lithotripsy is provided in the book entitled "Laser Lithotripsy," edited by R. Stein, Springer Verlag, 1988. A fiber optic that travels along the longitudinal axis of a rigid or flexible endoscope typically transmits the laser beam. Various types of laser lithotripsy systems with a variety of laser sources, including pulsed dye laser, alexandrite laser, neodymium laser and holmium laser, have been developed.
A common problem in intracorporeal lithotripsy treatment is the difficulty in restricting target movement. For example, when using pulsed lasers such as the holmium yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser, higher frequency pulsation and higher energy in each pulse produce quicker fragmentation of the stone, but also produce significant stone mobility, which decreases treatment efficiency. Lower frequency to pulsation and lower pulse energy may result in less significant stone mobility, but the treatment time will be prolonged. Regardless of energy level of each emission, stones of smaller sizes present an inherent mobility problem. Incomplete lithotripsy treatment of smaller stones or debris can leave a nidus for future stone growth.
Another problem often encountered by a lithotripsy endoscopist involves the suction tube that is found in some endoscopes. Such a conduit is generally connected to a pump that produces a vacuum when in operation and clogging at distal ends by stones and their fragments has been widely reported. See. e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,019 to Bass et al. Severe clogging may necessitate repeated removal, cleaning and reinsertion of the endoscope during an operation.


The invention provides a gasoline composition which comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons of the gasoline boiling range containing an octane requirement reducing amount of an additive which comprises a furfuryl alcohol resin or derivative thereof and the use of the additive in a concentrate for a preparation of such gasoline composition and a method of operating a spark-ignition engine using such gasoline composition.

The octane requirement increase (ORI) effect exhibited by internal combustion engines, e.g. spark ignition engines, is well known in the art. This effect may be described as the tendency for an initially new or clean engine to require higher octane quality fuel as operating time accumulates, and is coincidental with the formation of deposits in the region of the combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, during the initial operation of a new or clean engine, a gradual increase in octane requirement (OR), i.e. fuel octane number required for knock-free operation, is observed with an increasing build-up of combustion chamber deposits until a rather stable OR level is reached. This, in turn, seems to correspond to a point in time where the quantity of deposit accumulation on the combustion chamber and valve surfaces no longer increase but remains relatively constant. This so-called "equilibrium value" is usually reached between about 4,800 and 32,000 km. or corresponding hours of operation. The actual equilibrium value of this increase can vary with engine design and even with individual engines of the same design. However, in almost all cases the increase appears to be significant, with ORI values ranging from about 2 to 14 Research Octane Numbers (RON) being commonly observed in modern engines.
Various types of additives are known which may prevent or reduce deposit formation, or remove or modify deposits, in the combustion chamber and adjacent surfaces and hence decrease OR. These additives are generally known as octane requirement reduction (ORR) agents.
Object of the present invention is to provide a gasoline composition containing an additive selected from a particular class of furan derivatives which exhibit a surprisingly high octane requirement reduction activity.