The disclosed invention is a coated optical waveguide. The invention includes an optical waveguide and a first coating encompassing the optical waveguide. The first coating has at least one functional group that is a selected from the group consisting of an acidic group or a basic group. The invention also includes a second coating having at least one functional group. The second coating is bonded to the first coating. The functional group of the second coating is a basic group when the first coating functional group is an acidic group. The second coating functional group is an acidic group when the first coating functional group is a basic group. The disclosed invention also includes the method of making the coated optical fiber. The disclosed invention further includes a method of controlling optical waveguide inter coating adhesion. The acid/base character between a plurality of adjacent coating layers is alternated.

The present invention relates generally to optical waveguides (xe2x80x9cOWGsxe2x80x9d), and particularly to the composition of the coatings applied to the OWG.
The use of OWGs is becoming more and more prevalent in the telecommunications industry. This trend is definitely apparent in the area of reliable long-range communications. In the case of long-range communications, the entire distance between telephone company switching offices is actually numerous OWGs connected to each other in a series alignment. An individual strand of an OWG may be as long as fifty (50) kilometers or more.
The typical OWG utilized consists of a glass fiber with a primary and secondary coating. The secondary coating is an exterior coating of the primary coating.
As a matter of cost savings and practicality, a plurality of coated OWGs are bundled into a final fiber optics cable. This plurality of OWGs is installed at one time. The plurality of OWGs is typically in a loose tube or ribbon format. Each one of the OWGs is spliced and connected to another OWG in the series alignment described above. This splicing together of two OWGs, aligned in series, is repeated until the entire length of OWGs extends between one switching office to another switching office.
In installing the OWG in the cable format and splicing the various OWGs together, the identification of each individual strand of fiber is important. To assist in the identification, each OWG is typically inked. Some OWGs have colored coatings that can be used for identification. The identification mechanism of inking may be color, a pattern applied to the OWG, or any other suitable technique to quickly identify objects to be spliced together.
Each OWG is extensively handled at each junction where two cables are spliced together. The adherence of the ink to the coated OWG is very important at this point. Typical problems that may be encountered include peeling, flaking, or pitting. Also the ink should not delaminate from the coating.
One aspect of the present invention is a coated OWG. The coated OWG includes an OWG having a first coating encompassing the OWG. The first coating has at least one functional group that is selected from a group consisting of an acidic group or a basic group. The coated OWG also includes a second coating having at least one functional group. The second coating functional group is a basic group when the first coating functional group is an acidic group. Alternatively, the second coating functional group is an acidic group when the first coating functional group is a basic group. The second coating is bonded to the first coating. The second coating may also include an ink. This aspect of the invention may also include additional adjacent coatings in which the acid/base character of each individual coating alternates between the respective adjacent coatings.
Another aspect of the present invention includes either the first or second coating having the acidic functional group in a greater amount than stoichiometric amount of the basic functional group.
A further aspect of the invention includes a method of coating an OWG. The method includes applying the first coating having at least one functional group that is selected from a group consisting of an acidic group or a basic group to the OWG. The method also includes applying the second coating having at least one functional group to the first coating, thereby bonding the second coating to the first coating. The second coating functional group is a basic group when the first coating functional group is an acidic group. Alternatively, the second coating functional group is an acidic group when the first coating functional group is a basic group.
An additional aspect of the invention includes a method of controlling optical waveguide inter coating adhesion. Acid/base character is alternated between a plurality of adjacent coating layers.
The coated OWG of the invention results in a several advantages over the prior art. For example, an OWG coated in accordance with the invention has exhibited improved adhesion between the first coating and the second coating. Consequently, the second coating of the invention has exhibited improved abrasion resistance and is less susceptible to peeling, flaking, or pitting.
Another advantage of the invention is an enhancement in the total adhesion strength of the coatings. The advantages also include high molecular adhesion between the coatings which include the bonded functional groups as well as increased adhesive strength. This may also be used to control the adhesion between coatings by means of acid/base interaction.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.


In an optical connection apparatus for use in optical connection, a shutter is held by a housing defining an optical axis of the optical connection. The shutter is formed by a single sheet of plate material and includes a plate-like light shielding portion positioned to cross the optical axis and a held portion held by the housing. The shielding portion has a width in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The held portion is shifted in position with respect to the light shielding portion in the direction of the width of the shielding portion.

This invention relates to an optical connection apparatus having a shutter for shielding outgoing light and to the shutter. Herein, the term "optical connection apparatus" is used in a broad sense and includes not only a typical optical connector such as an optical plug and an optical receptacle but also a connection assisting element or device called an adapter or an optical adapter and frequently used for connection of the optical connector.
Generally, an optical connector is used for connection of an optical fiber defining an optical path of laser light. Therefore, in a connected state, the laser light does not leak out from the optical connector. However, in a disconnected state, the laser light may possibly be emitted outward from an open end of the optical connector as outgoing light.
In order to protect user's eyes from the outgoing light emitted from the optical connector, it is proposed to provide the optical connector with a shutter for shielding the outgoing light. For example, a manually operable shutter is disposed at an end face of an opening portion of an adapter attached to the optical connector. However, an operation of the shutter is troublesome. In addition, the number of parts, the cost, and the size are disadvantageously increased.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2003-139999 discloses the technique of shielding outgoing light from an optical connector by the use of a shutter. The shutter is formed by a thin plate material such as metal and has a flat insert portion. On the other hand, an adapter to be attached to the optical connector has an insertion grove formed on its end face. By inserting the insert portion into the insertion groove, the shutter is attached to the adapter. In the above-mentioned method of fixing the shutter, the insert portion is inserted into and fixed to the insertion groove by so-called press-fitting. Therefore, a special press-fit tool is required and a place of production is limited.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2005-17598 also discloses an optical connector with a shutter. In the optical connector, the shutter comprises a plate-like shutter portion for shielding light, and an anchor portion folded back from the shutter portion and adapted to be inserted into an anchor hole formed on a wall portion of a connector body to penetrate therethrough. The anchor portion has a stopper portion passing through the anchor hole and engaged with the wall portion to prevent the shutter from being released. However, since the shutter portion and the anchor portion are faced to each other in a height direction of the connector, i.e., the anchor portion is positioned exactly below the shutter portion, the connector can not be reduced in height. When the shutter is fixed to an optical adapter, a front end plate portion between the shutter portion and the anchor portion is pressed. Therefore, the shutter portion may be deformed during operation.

Optical connection apparatus which has a shutter and which can be designed to be small in size

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited


A process is provided for preparing the dipeptidyl peptidase of the structure I

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV is a membrane bound non-classical serine aminopeptidase which is located in a variety of tissues including, but not limited to, intestine, liver, lung, and kidney. This enzyme is also located on circulating T-lymphocytes wherein it is referred to as CD-26. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV is responsible for the metabolic cleavage of the endogenous peptides GLP-1(7-36) and glucagons in vivo and has demonstrated proteolytic activity against other peptides such as GHRH, NPY, GLP-2 and VIP in vitro.
GLP-1(7-36) is a 29 amino acid peptide derived from post-translational processing of proglucagon in the small intestine. This peptide has multiple actions in vivo. For example, GLP-1(7-36) stimulates insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion. This peptide promotes satiety and slows gastric emptying. Exogenous administration of GLP-1(7-36) via continuous infusion has been shown to be efficacious in diabetic patients. However, the exogenous peptide is degraded too rapidly for continual therapeutic use.
Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV have been developed to potentiate endogenous levels of GLP-1(7-36). U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,767 to Hamann et al. discloses cyclopropyl-fused pyrrolidine-based inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV. Methods for chemically synthesizing these inhibitors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,767 as well as in the literature. For example, see Sagnard et al. Tet-Lett. 1995 36:3148–3152; Tverezovsky et al. Tetrahedron 1997 53:14773–14792; and Hanessian et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 1998 8:2123–2128. A preferred inhibitor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,767 is (1S,3S,5S)-2-[(2S)-2-amino-2-(3-hydroxytricyclo[22.214.171.124,7]dec-1-yl)-1-oxoethyl]-2-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-3-carbonitrile, as depicted in Formulae M (HCl salt) and M′ (free base),
and the corresponding monohydrate of (1S,3S,5S)-2-[(2S)-2-amino-2-(3-hydroxytricyclo[22.214.171.124,7]dec-1-yl)-1-oxoethyl]-2-azabicyclo-[3.1.0]hexane-3-carbonitrile (M″) (all of which are collectively referred to as saxaglipitin).
Methods adapted for preparing intermediates used in the production of this dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor are disclosed in EP 0 808 824 A2. Also see, Imashiro and Kuroda Tetrahedron Letters 2001 42:1313–1315, Reetz et al. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1979 18:72, Reetz and Heimbach Chem. Ber. 1983 116:3702–3707, Reetz et al. Chem. Ber. 1983 116:3708–3724.
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/716,012 filed Nov. 18, 2003 discloses a method for preparing a DPP4 inhibitor compound 4 which requires a dehydration of compound 1 using pyridine-trifluoroacetic anhydride to give a mixture of products having trifluoroacetate group protection on hydroxy and amine or both (Compounds 6 and 7) and undehydrated-O-trifluoroacetate compound 5 as minor component. The nitrites 6 and 7 of the combined mixture then undergoes a hydrolysis step to give compound 2. Compound 1 is also formed in this reaction from compound 5, leading to loss of yield. If compound 1 is present in higher amounts after hydrolysis it may be difficult to remove it during crystallization of compound 2. Compound 2 is then subjected to another chemical process to deprotect the N-Boc group to form compound 3. HCl which on basification forms compound 4.
The above is illustrated by the following reaction sequence:

As can be seen from the above reaction scheme, the amide 1 is converted to the HCl salt 3 employing a three-step process wherein (1) amide 1 is made to undergo dehydration to form the cyano compounds 6 and 7; (2) the cyano compounds 6 and 7 are hydrolyzed to the alcohol 2, which is deprotected to form the HCl salt 3.
Although the above three-step procedure for producing HCl salt 3 from amide 1 is adequate, any improvement in such procedure which involves direct conversion of amide 1 to the HCl salt 3 (without the hydrolysis step) would be a most welcome improvement.

Process for producing a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor

Abstract: (also referred to as saxaglipitin)by direct dehydration, in one pot, of the amide II

Abstract: by reacting amide II with phosphorus oxychloride in an organic solvent such as dichloromethane, quenching the reaction mixture with water to form the hydrochloric acid salt of I, and treating the hydrochloric acid salt with base to form the free base of I.


Disclosed is a web browser based content management application with an integrated user configurable content interface whereby a user can manage a wide variety of content using a single window. The user interface includes a “browser window in a browser window” that provides transparent access to a host of underlying applications that are configured to manage the user's interaction with a wide variety of content, including multimedia content delivered via the Internet. The windowing functionality of the content management application can be set to automatically reconfigure based on the number and type of content accessed. A continuously playing video player is configured to appear within a web page when a user browses to the first web page and to render video overlayed on the web page. The player is configured to play the same video stream continuously while a user browses from the web page to a second web page.

The popularization of the Internet as a content delivery system in recent years has enabled any properly configured computer to extract various types of information from one or more servers, and to provide the extracted information to users all over the world easily and quickly. As the popularity of the Internet has grown, so has the type of information available via the Internet. For example, it is now possible to download, retrieve, and use streaming audio and video files as well as standard text, graphics and data files. Multimedia files are readily available for retrieval and use by Internet users. With the increasing popularity of complex content and multimedia files, users are now routinely accessing a large quantity of information in a wide variety of formats.
Some of the most popular Internet content applications of the present time include the following non-exhaustive categories: instant messaging; audio and video chat; recorded and live video feeds (i.e., television, movies, music videos, video podcasts, etc.), recorded and live audio feeds (i.e., audio podcasts, music, etc.) and other graphic files (still photos, graphics, etc.).
As explained above, there are numerous opportunities for users to access a wide variety of content, including multimedia content, via the Internet. Unfortunately, each of these different categories of content may be offered by a number of disparate companies, each with their own unique and sometimes proprietary approach to delivering the content over the Internet to the user. It is not uncommon for each new application to present the user with a completely different interface for interacting with the application. This means that the typical user must generally learn and become proficient with multiple mutually exclusive user interfaces. This learning curve can be intimidating to certain users who, rather than make the investment in mastering yet another user interface will simply "opt out" and choose to forgo accessing certain categories of content from certain sources. While this solution is practical for the user, it can limit the user's access to otherwise desirable media.
In addition to the numerous interfaces that must be learned, the sheer volume and diversity of content available and the physical logistics of managing the presentation of the content to a user can also be quite daunting. For example, if a user is watching a streaming video file on their computer monitor and simultaneously chatting with another user via an instant messaging application, the coordination of the content can be problematic or even incompatible. The issues related to "focus" for the competing content delivery applications can be overwhelming for the typical Internet browser. For example, the streaming video window may displace the chat window, or vice versa, temporarily or permanently terminating one of the content delivery applications. This may cause the user to switch back and forth between the applications, restart one or more applications and miss some portion of the chat and/or the streaming video.
This problem is only intensified for more sophisticated users who routinely access three, four, or even more sources of content simultaneously since each form of content is typically managed by a separate application in a separate window displayed on the user's computer monitor. The actual uploading and downloading of the content can also be technically challenging for many users since the wide variety of media types and lack of standardized interfaces are not always intuitive.
Another area of concern is the temporal and spatial management of the various types of content commonly accessed by users today. This relates to compatibility issues that may arise when using multiple applications to access and manipulate different forms of content at the same time. Not only is the screen real estate for the typical computer user limited in a physical sense, the practice of simultaneously accessing multiple applications can introduce a mental or psychological limitation as well. Although many users are fairly sophisticated and can "multi-task" with different content applications, there are practical limits that are exacerbated by the lack of standardized user interfaces. This is exhibited when a user constantly has to resize and reposition multiple windows in order to access multiple content applications.
As shown by the discussion above, although the present applications and application interfaces for accessing content via the Internet are not without merit, the diverse nature and nonstandard approach provided by multiple disparate vendors is sometimes challenging and, accordingly, certain users may have a difficult time accessing, managing, and utilizing the desired content as desired. Therefore, without improvements in the nature of the application and user interface for simultaneously working with multiple, disparate applications to access, manage, and utilize diverse forms of content, the user experience will continue to be sub-optimal.

Apparatus and method for user configurable content interface and continuously playing player


A drying system configured to dry the pedals of a vehicle as well as the footwear of the driver of the vehicle. The dry system includes an air trap for catching and diverting air from the ventilation system of the vehicle. A multi tube adapter is connected between the air trap and multiple tubes. The tubes are configured direct the air flow from the multi tube adapter to each of the pedals. The tubes are connected to the rear portion of the pedals and direct air flow into a chamber of each of the pedals. Each of the pedals includes multiple holes on the surface and bottom. The holes permit the air flow to exit the chamber of the pedal, thereby drying the pedals and further permit the air flow to blow onto the footwear of the driver, drying footwear of the driver. The holes on the bottom portion of each of the pedals permit air and liquid to exit the chamber of each of the pedals, thereby preventing liquid buildup within each of the chambers of the pedals.

Driving in vehicles can be a very demanding task. The driver must take extreme care to help prevent accidents. The driver must not only maker sure that they are physically able to drive, but they must also make sure that the vehicle is mechanically safe. Using the foot pedals in a vehicle, such as the accelerator and the brake pedals, are also vital in controlling a vehicle. The foot pedals are the only things that give a driver direct control of the speed of the vehicle. Even if the vehicle is mechanically safe, other things can create problems for the driver. One problem is wet and/or slippery pedals caused by water, snow or ice. One slip of the drivers foot off of an impaired pedal, such as at a busy intersection, could be disastrous.
Accordingly there is a need for a pedal drying system that works with existing vehicles, that can safely, and quickly dry wet foot pedals.


A method of remediating pesticides from an agricultural oil includes mixing a reaction solvent, a reducing agent, and an agricultural oil into a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel, controlling the temperature of the reaction mixture, producing a pre-neutralization mixture including a separation solvent, transferring the pre-neutralization mixture into a neutralization reactor that contains a neutralization agent, mixing the pre-neutralization mixture with the neutralization agent and allowing separation into an aqueous layer and a separation solvent layer, draining the aqueous layer, and distilling the separation solvent in the separation solvent layer from the remediated agricultural oils. A system has a reactor vessel, the reactor vessel having one or more inlets to allow a reducing agent, the agricultural oil, the separation solvent, and other additives as needed to produce a reaction mixture, a temperature control unit to control a temperature of the reaction mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, a neutralization vessel fluidically connected to the reactor vessel to receive the reaction mixture from the reactor vessel, the neutralization vessel having an inlet to allow a neutralization agent to be introduced into the neutralization vessel to produce a neutralized reaction mixture, and a valve arranged at a bottom of the neutralization vessel to allow an aqueous phase of the reaction mixture to be drained from the neutralization vessel.

Agricultural pesticides can harm humans and/or animals because of the manner in which the pesticides interact with certain neurotransmitters or other biological components within the organism. Often, the mechanism of action that enables the pesticides to kill pests is conserved or similar in higher organisms and therefor can cause problems for humans and other animals.
Little research exists on the acute or chronic effects of inhaling synthetic or naturally occurring agricultural pesticides on humans. As a result, regulators in the majority of states and countries where marijuana or hemp has been legalized for medical and/or recreational use have implemented stringent product quality testing procedures and market restrictions that prevent the sale and consumption of products contaminated with agricultural pesticides. All finished products must undergo analysis at third-party laboratories that test for the presence and concentration of pesticide contaminants using LCMS/MS (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) and GCMS/MS (gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry). The concentration of pesticides in a given product is quantified to levels well below 0.1 PPM (parts per million) in the majority of states and countries.
For example, Canada, Oregon and California have all implemented very stringent limits on the concentration of agriculture pesticides allowed in finished consumable products. The list of prohibited pesticides is very broad and the permitted limits are in the range of 0.1 PPM. These stringent limits and broad prohibition are more limiting than comparable standards in other industries.

Remediation of pesticides from agricultural oils


This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and particularly to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. It consists of a method and apparatus that can be implemented in access points (APs) and subscriber wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), in order to allow an AP to initiate re-association of a WTRU to itself or a different AP. The invention improves the robustness of the network by enabling more efficient load balancing, congestion control, and roaming, without compromising the user experience.

Wireless communication systems are well known in the art. Generally, such systems comprise communication stations, which transmit and receive wireless communication signals between each other. Depending upon the type of system, communication stations typically are one of two types of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs): one type is the base station, the other is the subscriber unit, which may be mobile.
The term base station as used herein includes, but is not limited to, a base station, access point, Node B, site controller, or other interfacing device or WTRU in a wireless environment, that provides other WTRUs with wireless access to a network with which the AP is associated.
The term wireless transmit/receive units (WTRU) as used herein includes, but is not limited to, a user equipment, mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. Such WTRUs include personal communication devices, such as phones, video phones, and Internet ready phones that have network connections. In addition, WTRUs include portable personal computing devices, such as PDAs and notebook computers with wireless modems that have similar network capabilities. WTRUs that are portable or can otherwise change location are referred to as mobile units.
Typically, a network of base stations is provided wherein each base station is capable of conducting concurrent wireless communications with appropriately configured WTRUs, as well as multiple appropriately configured base stations. Some WTRUs may alternatively be configured to conduct wireless communications directly between each other, i.e., without being relayed through a network via a base station. This is commonly called peer-to-peer wireless communications. Where a WTRU is configured to communicate directly with other WTRUs it may itself also be configured as and function as a base station. WTRUs can be configured for use in multiple networks, with both network and peer-to-peer communications capabilities.
One type of wireless system, called a wireless local area network (WLAN), can be configured to conduct wireless communications with WTRUs equipped with WLAN modems that are also able to conduct peer-to-peer communications with similarly equipped WTRUs. Currently, WLAN modems are being integrated into many traditional communicating and computing devices by manufacturers. For example, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, and laptop computers are being built with one or more WLAN modems.
Popular WLAN environments with one or more WLAN base stations, typically called access points (APs), include those constructed according to one or more of the IEEE 802 family of standards. Access to these networks usually requires user authentication procedures. Protocols for such systems are presently being standardized in the WLAN technology area. One such framework of protocols is represented by the IEEE 802 family of standards.
A basic service set (BSS) is the basic building block of an IEEE 802.11 WLAN, which comprises WTRUs also referred to as stations (STAs). A set of STAs which can talk to each other can form a BSS. Multiple BSSs are interconnected through an architectural component called a distribution system (DS), to form an extended service set (ESS). An access point (AP) is a WTRU that provides access to the DS by providing DS services, and generally allows concurrent access to the DS by multiple STAs.
A network of WTRUs operating with peer to peer communications in an IEEE 802.11 environment, typically referred to as "ad hoc" mode, is also called an "independent BSS." In an independent BSS, two or more WTRUs establish communication among themselves without the need of a coordinating network element. No AP-to-network infrastructure is required. However, an AP can be configured to use the ad hoc protocols and act as the WTRUs do in peer to peer communications. In such case an AP may act as a bridge or router to another network or to the Internet.
A WTRU that starts an ad hoc network selects the ad hoc network's operating parameters, such as the service set identifier (SSID), channel, and beacon timing, and transmits this information in communication frames, for example, in beacon frames. As other WTRUs join the ad hoc network, they detect and use the ad hoc network's operating parameters.
Where a network infrastructure is used and wireless communications are controlled through APs, parameters such as the SSID are normally specified by a network controller associated with the APs. The APs periodically broadcast beacon frames to enable WTRUs to identify the APs and attempt to establish communications with them.
The SSID in an IEEE 802 based system can be a 32-character unique identifier attached to a header of packets sent over a WLAN. The SSID then acts as a password when a WTRU attempts to connect to a BSS or an independent BSS. The SSID differentiates one WLAN from another, so all base stations and all other devices connected to or attempting to connect to a specific WLAN normally use the same SSID. A device will not normally be permitted to join a BSS unless it can provide the correct SSID.
In an AP-based WLAN, a mobile WTRU communicates wirelessly with a specific AP when in the geographic service area of that AP. The WTRU is said to be associated with the AP through which it is conducting wireless communications. It is sometimes necessary or desirable for a WTRU to change the AP with which it is associated. For example, the WTRU may be experiencing poor signal conditions because it is moving out of the geographic area served by the AP with which it is associated. The need to associate to another AP can also be caused by congestion arising in the basic service set (BSS) served by that AP. Re-association is also referred to as roaming, particularly if the WTRU has an assigned "home" AP (or network of APs) and then "roams" when the WTRU communicates via a different AP (or different network's AP).
In WLANs compliant with the current 802.11 standards, the re-association of a WTRU to a new AP is initiated entirely by the WTRU. To accomplish this, a WTRU must first identify APs in its vicinity that can potentially provide network services to the WTRU. This is conventionally achieved by a scanning process, which may be active or passive.
In active scanning, the WTRU transmits probe requests on one or more channels on which the WTRU is configured to communicate. The WTRU selects a new AP from among the APs from which it receives probe responses. In passive scanning, the WTRU dwells on the channels it can use in an attempt to receive beacon packets transmitted by APs which serve the geographic location where the WTRU is then located. The WTRU then selects a new AP from among the APs from which it receives beacon packets. Both active and passive scanning can take a significant amount of time in terms of being able to maintain an ongoing communication, particularly when the WTRU is moving.
The inventors have recognized that it is sometimes desirable that an AP take the initiative of reassociating a WTRU. For example, APs (or some other node controlling the WTRU's behavior) may determine a current "load" condition based on the collective volume of wireless communication traffic due to the number of WTRUs associated with the AP an/or the types of communications being conducted. Also a WTRU may be located at location served by several neighboring APs each of which may be using a different channel from among the set of channels over which the WTRU can communicate. Where the collective traffic volume is relatively high (heavy load) for one AP and the volume of traffic on one or more neighboring APs is relatively low (light load), it would be desirable that one or more WTRUs associated with the heavily loaded AP re-associate with a neighboring lightly loaded AP.
In WLANs compliant with the current 802.11 standards, however, these re-associations take place only if WTRUs associated with the heavily loaded AP are equipped with a sophisticated algorithm allowing them to autonomously decide re-association to another available AP is desirable, based on traffic estimations on the channels. It is difficult to be certain that all WTRUs would be equipped with such an algorithm, and the design and implementation of such an algorithm can be quite complex. Even if all WTRUs operating in a given geographical area are equipped with such an algorithm, it is difficult to guarantee that the WTRUs would not re-associate to other APs in a disorderly fashion, possibly resulting in multiple re-associations taking place back and forth between the same APs.
To avoid these issues, the inventors have considered potential solutions. For example, a heavily loaded AP could forcefully disassociate some selected WTRUs, hoping that these WTRUs would then find another AP with which they can re-associate. It could also induce disassociations indirectly by reducing the transmission power level of certain key packets it transmits, for example, beacon or probe response packets. The problem with these disassociation techniques is that they can result in a disruption of service unacceptable to certain WTRU users, for example, users of real-time services such as voice or video. This disruption is caused by the WTRU having to scan for a new AP after disassociation, a process which can take a significant amount of time. In consideration of the overall problems, the inventors have recognized it would be desirable to provide for allowing an AP to initiate the re-association of a WTRU from one AP to another without loss of performance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Wireless communication methods and components that implement handoff in wireless local area networks


A plasma display panel and a driving method thereof that are capable of improving the discharge efficiency and the brightness. In the panel, sustaining electrodes are formed at the boundary portions between the discharge cells. Trigger electrodes are formed at the inner sides of the discharge cells. Lattice-shaped barrier ribs are formed in such a manner to surround the discharge cells. The method of driving the panel includes a reset period, an address period and a sustaining period. In the method, a reset pulse is applied to the sustaining electrodes during the reset period. A scanning pulse is applied to the trigger electrodes during the address period. A first sustaining pulse is applied to the trigger electrodes during the sustaining period. A second sustaining pulse is applied to the sustaining electrodes in such a manner to be alternate with the first sustaining pulse. Accordingly, the PDP causes a sustaining discharge using three electrodes within the discharge cell to increase a discharge frequency per sustaining pulse into two time in comparison to the prior art and to make a long-distance discharge and an enlargement of light-emission area, thereby realizing a high efficiency and a high brightness.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a plasma display panel, and more particularly to a plasma display panel that is capable of improving the discharge efficiency and the brightness. The present invention also is directed to a method for driving the plasma display panel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a plasma display panel (PDP) radiates a fluorescent body by an ultraviolet with a wavelength of 147 nm generated during a discharge of He+Xe or Ne+Xe gas to thereby display a picture. Such a PDP is easy to be made into a thin-film and large-dimension type. Moreover, the PDP provides a very improved picture quality owing to a recent technical development. Such a PDP is largely classified into a direct current (DC) type and an alternating current (AC) type. The DC-type PDP causes an opposite discharge between an anode and a cathode provided at a front substrate and a rear substrate, respectively to display a picture. On the other hand, the AC-type PDP allows an AC voltage signal to be applied between electrodes having dielectric layer therebetween to generate a discharge every half-period of the signal, thereby displaying a picture. Such a PDP typically includes an AC-type, surface-discharge PDP that has three electrodes as shown in FIG. 1 and is driven with an AC voltage.
Referring to FIG. 1, a scanning/sustaining electrode 16 and a common sustaining electrode 17 making a sustaining surface-discharge by an application of a AC driving signal are arranged, in parallel, at the rear side of an upper glass substrate 14 constructing the upper substrate 10. The scanning/sustaining electrode 16 and the common sustaining electrode 17 are transparent electrodes made from indium-tin-oxide (ITO), and metal bus electrodes 20 for supplying AC signals are formed, in parallel, on each of the scanning/sustaining electrode 16 and the common sustaining electrode 17. Because of a high resistance of the transparent electrode, a signal applied from a real external driver is applied, via the metal bus electrode 20, to the transparent electrode of each discharge cell. An upper dielectric layer 18 is entirely formed at the rear side of the upper glass substrate 14 provided with the scanning/sustaining electrode 16 and the common sustaining electrode 17. The upper dielectric layer 18 is responsible for accumulating electric charges during the discharge and limiting a discharge current. A protective layer 21 entirely coated on the upper dielectric layer 18 protects the upper dielectric layer 18 from the sputtering during the discharge to prolong a life of the pixel cell as well as to enhance an emission efficiency of secondary electrons, thereby improving a discharge efficiency. On a lower glass substrate 22 constructing the lower substrate 12, an address electrode 22 is arranged perpendicularly to the scanning/sustaining electrode 16 and the common sustaining electrode 17. A lower dielectric layer 26 for forming wall charges during the discharge is entirely coated on the lower glass substrate 22 and the address electrode 24. Barrier ribs 32 are vertically formed between the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12. The barrier ribs 32 arranged, in parallel to the address electrode 24, on the lower dielectric layer 26 defines a discharge space 28 along with the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 12, and shut off an electrical and optical interference between the adjacent discharge cells. In order to minimize an interference between the adjacent discharge cells, the barrier ribs 32 may be formed in a direction horizontal to the address electrode 24 as well as in a direction vertical to the address electrode 24 to have a lattice-shaped structure. A fluorescent material 30 are coated on the surfaces of the lower dielectric layer 26 and the barrier ribs 32. The discharge space 28 is filled with a mixture gas of He+Xe or Ne+Xe.
Referring to FIG. 2, a driving apparatus for the AC-type PDP includes a PDP 40 in which m×n discharge cells 44 are arranged in a matrix pattern in such a manner to be connected to scanning/sustaining electrode lines Y1 to Ym, common sustaining electrode lines Z1 to Zm and address electrode lines X1 to Xn, a scanning/sustaining electrode driver 36 for driving the scanning/sustaining electrode lines Y1 to Ym, a sustaining electrode driver 34 for driving the common sustaining electrode lines z1 to Zm, and first and second address electrode drivers 38A and 38B for making a divisional driving of odd-numbered address electrode lines X1, X3, . . . , Xn−3, Xn−1 and even-numbered address electrode lines X2, X4, . . . Xn−2, Xn. The scanning/sustaining electrode driver 36 sequentially applies a scanning pulse and a sustaining pulse to the scanning/sustaining electrode lines Y1 to Ym, thereby allowing the discharge cells to be sequentially scanned line by line and allowing a discharge at each of the m×n discharge cells 44 to be sustained. The common sustaining electrode driver 34 applies a sustaining pulse to all of the common sustaining electrode lines Z1 to Zm. The first and second address electrode drivers 38A and 38B supplies an image data to the address electrode lines X1 to Xm in such a manner to be synchronized with the scanning pulse. The first address electrode driver 38A supplies the odd-numbered address electrode lines X1, X3, . . . , Xn−3, Xn−1 with an image data while the second address electrode driver 38B supplies the even-numbered address electrode lines X2, X4, . . . , Xn−2, Xn with an image data.
Such a PDP driving method typically includes a sub-field driving method in which the address interval and the discharge-sustaining interval are separated. In this sub-field driving method, as shown in FIG. 3, one frame 1F is divided into n sub-fields SF1 to SFn corresponding to each bit of an n-bit image data. Each sub-field SF1 to SFn is again divided into a reset interval RP, an address interval AP and a discharge-sustaining interval SP. The reset interval RP is an interval for initializing a discharge cell, the address interval AP is an interval for generating a selective address discharge in accordance with a logical value of a video data, and the sustaining interval SP is an interval for sustaining a discharge at the discharge cell 44 in which the address discharge has been generated. The reset interval RP and the address interval AP are equally allocated in each sub-field interval. A weighting value with a ratio of 20: 21: 22: . . . :2n−1 is given to the discharge sustaining interval SP to express a gray scale by a combination of the discharge sustaining intervals SP.
FIG. 4 is waveform diagrams of driving signals applied to the PDP during a certain one sub-field interval SFi. In the reset interval RP, a priming pulse Pp is applied to the common sustaining electrode. By this priming pulse Pp, a reset discharge is generated between each common sustaining electrode Zm and each scanning/sustaining electrode Y1 to Ym of the entire discharge cells to initialize the discharge cells. At this time, a voltage pulse lower than the priming pulse Pp is applied to the address electrode An so as to prevent a discharge between the address electrode An and the common sustaining electrode Zm. By the reset discharge, a large amount of wall charges are formed at the common sustaining electrode Zm and the scanning/sustaining electrode Y1 to Ym of each discharge cell. Subsequently, a self-erasure discharge is generated at the discharge cells by the large amount of wall charges to eliminate the wall charges and leave a small amount of charged particles. These small amount of charged particles help an address discharge in the following address interval. In the address interval AP, a scanning voltage pulse −Vs is applied line-sequentially to the first to mth scanning/sustaining electrodes Y1 to Ym. At the same time, a data pulse Vd according to a logical value of a data is applied to the address electrodes An. Thus, an address discharge is generated at discharge cells to which the scanning voltage pulse −Vs and the data pulse Vd are simultaneously applied. Wall charges are formed at the discharge cells in which the address discharge has been generated. During this address interval AP, a desired constant Voltage is applied to the common sustaining electrodes Zm to prevent a discharge between each address electrode An and each common sustaining electrode Zm. In the sustaining interval SP, a sustaining pulse Sp is alternately applied to the first to mth scanning/sustaining electrodes Y1 to Ym and the common sustaining electrodes Zm. Accordingly, a sustaining discharge is generated continuously only at the discharge cells formed with the wall charges by the address discharge to emit a visible light.
The AC-type PDP driven in this manner still requires to overcome several factors causing deterioration in the efficiency and the brightness. In the AC-type PDP as shown in FIG. 1, the scanning/sustaining electrode Ym and the common sustaining electrode Zm causing a sustaining surface-discharge are arranged in such a manner to be spaced at a short distance within a narrow discharge cell. When a scanning voltage pulse is alternately applied to the scanning/sustaining electrode Ym and the common sustaining electrode Zm, a discharge is initiated at a gap between the two electrodes and then a discharge area is enlarged into the surfaces of the two electrodes.
However, in such an AC-type PDP structure, since a distance between the scanning/sustaining electrode Ym and the common sustaining electrode Zm is short, a discharge path upon sustaining discharge is short to generate a small quantity of ultraviolet rays and a light-emission area within the discharge cell is extremely limited. This causes a deterioration of brightness.
Also, the AC-type PDP structure has a problem in that, as a distance between the scanning/sustaining electrode Ym and the common sustaining electrode Zm is increased so as to increase the discharge path and the light-emission area, an erroneous discharge with other adjacent cells is generated. Furthermore, a ratio of time contributing to a real light-emission in the entire sustaining interval during the sustaining period determining the brightness of the PDP is very low to cause a deterioration in the efficiency and the brightness.
A pulse width of the sustaining pulse alternately applied to the scanning/sustaining electrode Ym and the common sustaining electrode Zm in the sustaining interval SP is several μs. But, since a discharge is really generated only at a short instant supplied with a pulse, a time contributing to a real light-emission becomes merely 1 μs for each pulse. The discharge is generated once only at a very short instant for a single pulse while charged particles produced upon discharge in the remaining time are moved along the discharge path in accordance with the polarity of the electrode to form wall charges at the surface of the dielectric layer positioned at the lower portion of the electrode. Thus, an electric field at the discharge space is lowered and a discharge voltage is decreased, to thereby stop the discharge. As a result, since the major time of the sustaining interval SP is wasted for a formation of wall charges and a preparation for the next discharge, the entire sustaining interval fails to be exploited efficiently, thereby causing a deterioration in the discharge and light-emission efficiency and the brightness.

Plasma display panel and driving method thereof


Provided is a fabricating method of a semiconductor device, including the following. Fin structures are formed on a substrate, and the adjacent fin structures have an opening therebetween. A conductive material layer is formed to cover the fin structures and fill the opening. The conductive material layer and the fin structures are patterned to form a mesh structure. The mesh structure includes first strips extending in a first direction and second strips extending in a second direction. The first strips and the second strips intersect each other, and the mesh structure has holes. The first strips are located on the substrate at positions corresponding to the fin structures. The second strips are located on the substrate, and the conductive material layer in the second strips spans the fin structures. The hole is formed in the opening and surrounded by the first strips and the second strips.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same.
Description of Related Art
With the integration of semiconductor devices, in order to achieve high density and high performance, fabrication of semiconductor devices has evolved into stacking upward in the vertical direction, such that the wafer area can be used more efficiently. Therefore, semiconductor structures or openings having a high aspect ratio are common in small-sized devices.
When fabricating the aforementioned devices, the patterning process is usually carried out with very high etching selectivity in order to form trenches having a high aspect ratio. However, in the case of using very high etching selectivity, the problem of residual material layer on the sidewall of the trench may occur. If there is residual material layer on the sidewall of the trench and the residual material layer is conductive, improper conduction may occur between the semiconductor devices and impair the electrical performance of the devices. In view of the above, how to pattern the material layer (conductive layer) in the semiconductor structure with the trench having a high aspect ratio without leaving residual material layer on the sidewall of the trench is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same


A communication apparatus selects, among a plurality of control information, the control information matching a packet received and which is highest in a priority level. The communication apparatus processes a packet received based on the selected control information. The control apparatus includes a control information generation unit that generates a plurality of control information having match conditions overlapping at least partially one with another, a ranking in a priority level different one from another and processing contents different one from another, and a control unit that sets the plurality of control information in the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus performs the processing of modifying the control information, among the plurality of control information, which is highest in a priority level, based on a modifying condition previously set on the control information basis. Communication policies may be changed over by modifying the priority level.

Recently, a network called an OpenFlow is attracting the attention (see Patent Literature 1 and Non Patent Literatures 1, 2). The OpenFlow uses a centralized control type network architecture in which a control apparatus termed an OpenFlow controller controls the behavior of a switch termed an OpenFlow switch. With the OpenFlow, it is possible to flexibly modify the behavior of switches, together making up a virtual network, in keeping with the status of the network in its entirety. Thus, with the use of the OpenFlow, a virtual network high in flexibility can be constructed with much ease.
On the other hand, a network management system (NMS) or a policy server is used in a network system in order to exercise monistic control over security, service quality or otherwise in a network system.
In Patent Literature 2, there is disclosed a management computer that generates the port setting information (paragraphs 0043, 0044 and 0062). The port setting information provides for the information on whether or not each port provided in each switch is to carry out the client authentication function based on the setting policy and the network configuring information. This setting policy provides for a switch or a port which does not automatically set whether client authentication is to be performed. In the Patent Literature, it is stated that the management computer generates the configuration definition based on the port setting information 1140 and causes it to be reflected in the switch as necessary (see paragraphs 0029 and 0063).
In Patent Literature 3, there is disclosed a policy management system including a polling means and a trap means, configured for monitoring the network, and a policy application instruction means, configured for correcting the policy as necessary. In Patent Literature 4, there is disclosed a quarantine network system which enlarges the possible accessing range stepwise as security check goes on.    [PATENT LITERATURE 1]    Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-P2011-170718A    [PATENT LITERATURE 2]    Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-P2008-060692A    [PATENT LITERATURE 3]    Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-P2004-236030A    [PATENT LITERATURE 4]    Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-P2010-287932A    [NON-PATENT LITERATURE 1]    Nick McKeown and seven others, "OpenFlow: Enabling Innovation in Campus Networks", [online], [retrieved Heisei24 (2012) February 14], Internet <URL: http://www.openflow.org/documents/openflow-wp-latest.pdf>    [NON-PATENT LITERATURE 2]    "OpenFlow Switch Specification" Version 1.1.0 Implemented (Wire Protocol 0x02), [online], [retrieved Heisei24 (2012) February 14], Internet <URL: http://www.openflow.org/documents/openflow-spec-v1.1.0pdf>

Control apparatus, communication apparatus, communication method and program


Apparatus for producing a waterfall at the edge of a swimming pool, spa or pond, the apparatus including a generally cylindrical reservoir in the water circulation system path, with at least one water discharge metering rod on the axial centerline of the reservoir, configured for directing water in a first direction diametrically opposite an elongate discharge plenum having a second plenum in fluid flow communication therewith for discharging the water into the pool through a sidewall thereof. The apparatus is placed inside the wall on the side of the pool and produces a smooth even sheet of water which is directed away from the side of the pool. The metering rods are constructed for adjusting pressure along the axial length thereof to cause the water pressure inside of the unit to be maintained evenly across its length thereby directing the water out through the throat of the discharge plenum.

This invention relates to apparatus for swimming pools, spas and the like, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for producing an esthetically pleasing water stream or flow in such a pool or spa.
In order to add an esthetically pleasing flow of water to a pool or spa it has been necessary to construct a waterfall at the edge of the pool. The water is typically drawn out of the pool and passed over a weir at the edge of the pool, or water is drawn out of the pool and fills a vessel where a series of baffles and ribs smoothes and directs the water before it exits the unit.
The current prior art methods, while esthetically pleasing, have drawbacks. First, water which is drawn out of a pool and spills over a weir at the edge of a pool does not have enough forward movement to esthetically move the water away from the side of the pool. Secondly, the construction of this type of waterfall is very expensive since it requires extra gunite-forming and tile finishing.
The container method is also esthetically pleasing but relies on a rising water principle to achieve a smooth and even flow of water. It is expensive to make and it is expensive to install because it does not lend itself to installation at the time when a pool or spa is being gunite-formed.
It is the object of this invention to provide not only a low cost unit for producing a smooth sheet of water at the edge of a pool, but also a unit that can be easily embedded into the gunite at the time of gunite-forming.


A toothbrush for the treatment of tooth sensitivity is disclosed. The toothbrush disclosed herein incorporates the use of disposable desensitizing agent cartridges thru a pump mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to toothbrushes and, more specifically, to a toothbrush for the preventive treatment of tooth sensitivity offering the user the ability to brush his or her teeth in a manner that prevents the ailment of tooth sensitivity.
2. Discussion of the Background
Tooth sensitivity, also known as dentinal sensitivity has been identified as a very common problem among dental patients. Approximately one out of every four adults has one or more sensitive teeth and although once believed to affect mostly older adults, this sensitivity is now being experienced in patients of all ages. It is estimated that at least 45 million Americans suffer at some time from sensitive teeth and 10 million are chronically affected with sensitive teeth. Sensitivity can be described as a short sharp pain triggered by a stimulus such as cold or hot foods/beverages, sweet, sour, or acidic foods and even brushing and flossing.
People at the highest risk of dentinal sensitivity are the aggressive brushers. These people strip the gum tissue away and remove the underlying layer of the tooth root surface (the cementum). Because the cementum is very thin, it doesn't take much pressure to wear away this surface and expose the inner substance, dentin.
Dentin contains numerous tubules (tiny tubes) filled with fluid that extend from the pulp chamber in the center of the tooth to the outer surface of the tooth. The pulp chamber houses the nerves that signal the pain response. So when a stimulus such as cold air or drink comes into contact with the open and exposed tubule on the outside of the tooth, it creates a pressure change in the fluid in the tubules. This pressure change then triggers the nerves in the pulp chamber, resulting in a short, sharp pain response, known as tooth sensitivity.
Although, once developed, patients cannot control sensitivity, they can take proactive steps to decrease or even alleviate the pain. However, there are ways to avoid tooth sensitivity. For instance, having your dentist apply desensitizing agents such as fluoride or varnish, using a desensitizing toothpaste, minimizing use of tartar control toothpastes, minimizing acid food intake—soda-pop, spicy foods etc., controlling clenching/grinding of teeth, not brushing too hard, or using an extra soft toothbrush.
Prevention begins with minimizing the risk of exposing dentinal tubules by brushing gently and using a toothbrush that will be soft on your teeth and gums.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
                Brushing too hard—Over time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush may cause excessive wear of your enamel and/or cementum, causing dentin to become exposed.        Gum disease—Inflamed and sore gums may cause sensitivity due to loss of supporting tissues and the resulting exposure of root surfaces.        Gum recession—Movement of the gums away from the tooth due to periodontal disease will expose root surfaces.        Cracked teeth—Chipped or broken teeth may fill with bacteria and plaque resulting in decay and pain.        Grinding your teeth—Grinding or clenching your teeth may wear down the enamel and expose underlying dentin.        Advanced carious lesions close to pulp tissue which is the nerve of the tooth.        Plaque—The presence of plaque on the root surfaces can cause sensitivity.
Effective tooth brushing requires a user to impart a controlled amount of force in applying the toothbrush to the teeth. If too little force is applied, ineffective cleaning results. If excessive force is used, injury to the surface of the gums surrounding the teeth, as well as excessive erosion of the enamel, dentin, and root on the teeth, can result. It has been found that a brushing force, applied normal to the teeth, of 200 to 300 grams is required for effective brushing. Various devices have been designed to teach the proper brushing force to be imparted during tooth brushing in order to obtain effective cleaning without damage. U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,212 ('212) discloses a pressure detection device which may be provided inside or outside of the stem of the toothbrush. U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,604 ('604) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,825 ('825) disclose toothbrush holders which sense the amount of force being applied to the toothbrush. Each holder clamps onto and about the toothbrush handle and emits an audio or visual signal when a certain force is applied. The holder is adjustable to permit the users to change their brushing habits by incrementally increasing the applied force until the desired level is reached. The devices disclosed in these prior patents have several drawbacks. The device disclosed in the '212 patent requires a separate training appliance which is attached to a toothbrush handle. This separate add-on training appliance extends the handle to a longer than standard length. This affects the balance of the toothbrush and the user's grip, which can cause variations in brushing force once the training device is removed. Thus, it produces an unnatural instrument. The pressure sensing toothbrush holders disclosed in the '604 and '825 patents are also add-on devices which attach to the toothbrush handles. Additionally, the holders are bulky in comparison to the toothbrush handle itself and require the user to adjust their grip to accommodate the larger holder size. Once again, they produce an unnatural instrument. In addition to the foregoing, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,291 to Spieler, et al. for a force sensitive handle for hand operated implement discloses an improved handle for a hand operated implement of the type for which it is desirable to control the force of application. The handle has bifurcated sections which are connected by a means for sensing the applied force and indicating a variation of the applied force from a desired level. There are several other toothbrushes in the prior art which try to offer solutions to the problem of tooth sensitivity. For instance, the Philips Sonicare toothbrush has extra-soft, nylon bristles and an extra-wide sweeping motion.
Every dentist has encountered patients with dentin hypersensitivity, either on exposed root or underneath fillings. Advances in research and the development of products have enabled dentistry to better deal with this painful problem.
Fluoride salts have been used for years for desensitization of root surfaces. Forms of fluorides such as sodium fluoride preparations are found in toothpastes such as Prevident 500 Plus® from Colgate®. When used, this fluoride causes the formation of calcium fluoride and other minerals that close the dentinal tubules. A more concentrated sodium fluoride product is the fluoride varnish. This product provides immediate relief for large areas of exposed root surfaces causing hypersensitivity.
Oxalate crystal solutions are another means of mineralizing the dentinal tubule openings. Butler Protect® is an example of a product that causes potassium oxalate to form sealing the tubules. It is available as a toothpaste for patient use or as a solution for professional application.
Other products that are available for professional use include dentinal bonding agents and depolarizing agents. These may be used by dentists if the over-the-counter products fail.
Maintenance of healthy gums is the best way to protect tooth dentin from exposure. The seal made between healthy gums, teeth, and underlying bone provides protection by keeping highly sensitive root surfaces covered.
Proper brushing and flossing are the basis for a good oral care routine. However, overly vigorous brushing, with a hard-bristled toothbrush and/or an abrasive toothpaste may wear tooth enamel and can cause gum recession.
Oral-B® provides a regular, manual sensitive toothbrush and an extra-soft brushhead refill for the Oral-B® range of power toothbrushes. Both brushes have ultra-soft, end rounded bristles that are specially designed to be gentle on sensitive tissue.
In particular, the application of fluoride directly to the sensitive areas of the teeth, is known to be a good desensitizing agent that forms a protective barrier for exposed dentin. There are products, such as Oral-B STOP® Gel, a fluoride gel that is brushed directly onto the affected area with a toothbrush to reduce symptoms.
Fluoridated sealants are one of the many treatments used for prevention of caries and for more advanced sensitivity conditions.
In order to treat sensitive teeth, toothpastes and other dentifrices that include desensitizing agents have been developed for topical treatment of sensitive teeth. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,475 to Reynolds discloses an oral composition for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. Table I shows a number of patient applied over-the-counter desensitizing agents.
However, since desensitizing agents only provide temporary relief of painful or sensitive teeth, desensitizing agents applied by the dentist will quickly wear off, leaving the patient with sensitive teeth shortly following the dental visit and long before the next scheduled visit. On the other hand, although a person can use desensitizing toothpaste on a regular basis as part of his or her daily oral hygiene, the time in which a person typically brushes does not provide enough contact time in order to provide the same level of pain relief that is afforded by desensitizing treatments applied by a dentist. A person will typically brush for only one minute or less, which is generally an insufficient amount of time for a desensitizing agent to permeate into the pores and/or fissures within a person's teeth in a high enough concentration in order to desensitize the teeth. Nor are toothpastes able to provide a high enough concentration of desensitizing agent since toothpastes by necessity must include abrasives for cleaning the teeth, surfactants, fluoride, fillers and other agents.
All cited patents and publications on this application are hereby incorporated on by reference on its totality.
Thus, there has been shown and described a toothbrush for the treatment of tooth sensitivity which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. The invention is not limited to the precise configuration described above. While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. For example, the particular shapes and proportions of the elements of the toothbrush may be varied as desired. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents.
TABLE IPatient-applied Over the Counter desensitizing agentsActiveProductManufacturerAgentMechanism of ActionDental Care ® SensitiveArm & HammerPotassiumBlocks nerve repolarizationnitrateSensodyne ® OriginalBlock DrugPotassium*Blocks nerve repolarizationCompanynitrateSensodyne ® Cool GelBlock DrugPotassium*Blocks nerve repolarizationCompanynitrateSensodyne ® Fresh MintBlock DrugPotassium*Blocks nerve repolarizationCompanynitrateSensodyne ® Baking SodaBlock DrugPotassium*Blocks nerve repolarizationCompanynitrateSensodyne ® Tartar +Block DrugPotassium*Blocks nerve repolarizationWhiteningCompanynitrateSensodyne ® ExtraBlock DrugPotassium*Blocks nerve repolarizationWhiteningCompanynitrateColgate ® SensitiveColgate-PotassiumBlocks nerve repolarizationPalmolivenitrate,(Dual chamber delivery)CompanystannousfluorideMentadent ® SensitiveChesebrough-PotassiumBlocks nerve repolarizationPonds CofluorideCrest ® SensitiveProcter &PotassiumBlocks nerve repolarizationGamblenitrateRembrandt Whitening forRembrandtPotassiumBlocks nerve repolarizationSensitive TeethnitrateAquaFresh ® SensitiveSmithKlinePotassiumBlocks nerve repolarizationBeechamnitrate*Care with sodium lauryl sulphate if you are prone to apthous ulcers.Source: RDH, December 2000. Sensitive Issues by Juliana J. Kim, BSHD, Ms and Iain A. Pretty, BDS, MSc, Volume 20 Issue 12.The principal active ingredients are:STRONTIUM CHLORIDE - blocks dental canaliculi to reduce tactile sensitivity or;POTASSIUM NITRATE - blocks the transmission of sensitive nervous impulses and is more efficient in reducing thermal (heat or cold) and osmotic (sweet and sour) sensitivities Probe 2001; 35(1):26
Tooth sensitivity can get worse as the patient becomes older unless it is treated in an early stage. Providing a solution to this ailment is difficult because patients usually do not follow instructions or do not understand them. They may also become negligent during brushing of their teeth, and continue to brush their teeth in an incorrect manner. There is also confusion on the part of the patients as to what products to use for this condition. Patients also do not know that they must apply fluoride in a concentrated solution after they finish brushing. The solution has to remain on the teeth for at least 30 minutes after brushing, in order to treat sensitivity correctly.
In sum, in order to treat sensitivity adequately and effectively it is necessary to:                (a) use the right technique for brushing incorporating minimal force and correct angulation to minimize pressure and stress to enamel; and slow bristle movement, with circular motion.        (b) treat the area of the tooth neck with extreme care when brushing.        (c) apply fluoride directly at the tooth neck after brushing.        (d) use of extra soft bristles for brushing.
However, all the aforesaid brushes and methods have not varied in decades and have several areas that could be improved. The available tooth brushes and methods are not mechanized and present several problems.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved toothbrush for the preventive treatment of tooth sensitivity, which overcomes these and other deficiencies in the prior art. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. The present invention overcomes the inability of prior art to provide a toothbrush for the preventive treatment of tooth sensitivity that takes advantage of the technology developed to date. Various novel toothbrushes and treatment systems have recently been disclosed, yet none provide a more reliable and cost efficient toothbrush and method for the preventive treatment of tooth sensitivity as the toothbrush of the present invention. With the toothbrush of the invention the ailment of tooth sensitivity can be treated effectively once the patient suffers this condition, while also alleviating, controlling, and preventing tooth sensitivity. In addition, the toothbrush of the invention can also contribute to good oral hygiene, the prevention of caries, and gum diseases.
None of the art considered above, taken either simply or in combination teach the use of a lever mechanism to ensure proper brushing technique. In light of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that what is needed in the art is an improved toothbrush and method for treating sensitive teeth that incorporates the teachings of the present invention.

Toothbrush for prevention treatment of tooth sensitivity and method therefor


A plate-type anchor includes a flat sheet forming a central portion of substantially rectangular shape, provided with lateral flanges with a certain inclination with respect to the plane of the principal sheet, a flange corresponding to the front part of the anchor being of pointed shape while the flange corresponding to the tail of the anchor has a cut-out to allow fitting of a device to be used when it is launched. On its upper face, the anchor is provided with two longitudinally hollowed-out lugs which are mutually parallel and fastened perpendicularly to the face of the flat sheet, and to which the chain cables or mooring cables of the anchor are attached. On the lower face are fastened two longitudinal bars perpendicular to the plane of the face, but forming an acute angle towards the front part of the anchor. The anchor is installed in the sea bed with the aid of a device in the form of a pile, provided, at its lower end, with a device for fastening the anchor, the pile/anchor assembly being launched from a vessel and reaching the sea bed through the action of its own weight.

The conventional anchoring system was based on the idea of keeping a floating structure in position by means of anchoring lines, which included a chain cable with an anchor at its end, driven into the sea bed so as to be able to support horizontal loads. A set of 8 to 16 anchoring lines were deployed in series from the superstructure of the platform to the sea bed.
With the development of technologies for deep water oil recovery, it is becoming increasingly important to reduce the weight of the anchoring system on the deck of the platform and to reduce the amount of space occupied on the sea bed by the said anchoring system. As a result of these requirements, the so-called "taut-leg" system therefore came into being.
In this "taut-leg" system, a fixed point on the sea bed is needed, to which point the anchoring line for supporting vertical loads will be fastened, and use is made of elastic lines instead of a catenary of inextensible chain cables.
A number of devices have been suggested as the fixed point on the sea bed, the most commonly used by specialists in the field being piles and anchors.
Piles are fastened to the sea bed by driving or by drilling with a bore. Both technologies are sufficiently well known to the expert in the art.
Anchors may be classified into two main categories: suction anchors and vertical-load anchors.
Suction anchors comprise devices which are reminiscent of the shape of an inverted cup, which buries itself in the sea bed as a vacuum is formed inside it.
Vertical-load anchors (VLAs) generally consist of a flat sheet in various formats, these being driven into the sea bed by means of dragging, exerted on their mooring cable, until they reach the ideal position for supporting the vertical loads which will be required of them.
a pointed front part of the anchor; PA1 a cut-out in the portion corresponding to the tail of the anchor to allow fitting of a device used to launch the anchor; PA1 two longitudinally hollowed-out lugs mutually parallel extending perpendicularly from the upper face of the central portion of the flat sheet, and to which the mooring cables of the anchor will be attached; PA1 on the lower face of the central portion, two longitudinal bars extending perpendicular to the plane of the face, and convergent at an acute angle towards the front part of the anchor; PA1 two vertical slots provided at the upper ends of the said lugs, nearer to the tail than to the front part of the anchor, in which shackles for fastening the mooring cables of the tail of the anchor will be accommodated; PA1 two longitudinal slots which extend from the central portion of said lugs as far as the lower ends thereof, for receiving the shackles for mooring the cables of the anchor front part; and PA1 shearable pins in said longitudinal slots for limiting the travel of said shackles. PA1 a) taking the assembly formed by said launching device connected to said anchor on board a first vessel to the launching location; PA1 b) passing an anchoring line of the anchor to a second vessel located close to the launching location, the launching device having a support cable which is kept attached to the first vessel; PA1 c) lowering the said assembly, attached to its respective cables, down to a level spaced above the sea bed and releasing the support cable of the launching device to allow the assembly to drop under gravity and to penetrate the sea bed; PA1 d) recovering the launching device of the anchor and bringing it on board the said first vessel; PA1 e) dragging the said anchoring line of the anchor with the aid of the second vessel until the face of the anchor adopts a position which is perpendicular to the anchoring line, guaranteeing the grip necessary for anchoring the movable structure; PA1 f) attaching the end of the anchoring line to a marker buoy for holding it until the movable structure arrives at the location; and PA1 g) recovering the anchoring line with the aid of the buoy and of a vessel and connecting said anchoring line to the hawsers of the said movable structure, and releasing the marker buoy.
A second aspect of the invention comprises a process for deploying the anchor of the first aspect using a launching device, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
The body of the pile is filled with a heavy material, for example cast iron, haematite, concrete, etc.

Plate-type anchor and the respective process for installing it


A method for a computer setting up a terminal layer of a semiconductor circuit having plural wiring layers including obtaining various kinds of information such as placement information relating to a plurality of cells or macros of the semiconductor circuit and being mounted onto a circuit board from a storage unit of the computer; comparing a driving capacity of a subject cell or macro, which is contained in the obtained information, and a resistance of wiring for connecting the subject cell or macro with the cell or macro at a connecting destination; and setting up a terminal layer based on a result of the comparing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a terminal layer setting method for a semiconductor circuit having a plurality of circuit layers, storage media storing a terminal layer setting program, storage media storing a circuit terminal extension processing program and a terminal extending component used for setting of the terminal layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, with a quantum leap increase in the number of cells (e.g., logic gate, inverter and NAND) or macros (e.g., SRAM) which are equipped onto a board, separate layers for wiring between these cells and macros have evolved to a plurality of layers, parallel with, and independent of, the board itself.
With regard to a semiconductor circuit having such a plurality of layers, the problem is which of the plurality of layers to go through when connecting a cell or macro with the cell or macro for the respective mating connections as noted in a patent document 1 below for instance.
[Patent document 1] Japanese patent laid-open application publication No. 4-251964, "Automatic Layout Method"
In setting up a wiring layer (i.e., terminal layer) at an extending destination of a wiring terminal for a cell or macro, however, the extending destination has conventionally been set up on the lower layers close to the board in many cases, prioritizing a versatility of the cell or macro. Such practices have created a lot of circuit wiring, also in lower circuit layers, that is, in a local layer with a large resistance, and using of a lot of Vias (also called "contact hole"), and thus caused delayed circuit operation.
As shown by FIG. 1, as a delay time increases a slew rate of wave form increases, that is, the wave form becoming smoothly shouldered. And the delay time increases in proportion with the wiring capacitance of the circuit (i.e., cell or macro) or the resistance of wiring between the aforementioned circuit and that of the connecting destination, which is well known. In other words, as a wave travels through a circuit with a large wiring capacity or resistance, the wave loses its form rapidly as shown by FIG. 1.

Method, storage media storing program, and component for avoiding increase in delay time in semiconductor circuit having plural wiring layers


An aircraft landing gear door assembly includes a door, which is moveable to an open position, in which an aperture is exposed, the landing gear being able to be deployed through said aperture, and moveable to a closed position, in which the door is closed across the aperture. The door is arranged for rotational movement of a first type, in which the door rotates about an axis that is substantially parallel to the length of the aircraft, between the closed position and the open position. The door is also arranged for movement of a second type, different from the first type, in which the door rotates, about an axis that is substantially transverse to the length of the aircraft, to a position in which it acts as a fairing to reduce the noise caused by the landing gear or a part thereof. In one embodiment, the second type of movement is rotational movement about an axis that is substantially parallel to the door when in the closed position and the door forms a ramp type fairing. In another embodiment, the second type of movement is rotational movement about an axis that is substantially transverse to the door when in the closed position and the door forms a V-shaped fairing (when viewed from above) with an opposite door.

It is desirous to reduce the noise generated by aircraft, for example, to lessen disruption or inconvenience, resulting from aircraft noise, caused to the public on the ground near airports. A significant amount of noise is generated by the interaction of the aircraft and the air flowing past it, which results in turbulent flows and consequently noise. It is particularly important to reduce noise created during approach of the aircraft on landing. During approach, a significant contribution to the amount of noise that the aircraft generates is made by the landing gear, which is typically deployed early for landing for safety reasons. The deployment of the landing gear increases drag and assists deceleration of the aircraft. During take-off, noise from the landing gear is a less significant factor because engine noise is generally greater and because the landing gear is generally stowed at the earliest opportunity to reduce drag and aid take-off. During normal flight, the landing gear of an aircraft is typically stowed in a landing gear bay, the bay being closed off by doors so that no part of the landing gear is subjected to the air flow.


A power amplifier comprising at least a load element and at least an active element inserted, in series to each other, between a first and a second voltage reference is described. Advantageously, according to an embodiment of the invention, the load element comprises a DMOS transistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to a cascoded power amplifier, particularly but not exclusively for use in radio frequency applications.
More specifically but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a power amplifier comprising at least a load element and at least an active element inserted, in series to each other, between a first and a second voltage reference.
The disclosure relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a power amplifier for radio frequency applications and the following description is made with reference to this field of application for convenience of illustration only.
2. Description of the Related Art
As it is well known, radio frequency power amplifiers, or RF amplifiers, require high cut off frequencies as well as high breakdown voltage values in order to be able to provide high powers at high frequencies.
Moreover, low feedback capacitance values, high transconductance values and low on-state resistance values are required.
Generally, some of these features are available in the VLSI CMOS BiCMOS and BCD standard silicon technologies. However, devices produced according to these technologies having all the above features simultaneously do not exist.
In particular, LDMOS devices ensure high breakdown voltage values as well as high power values, but they have degraded radio frequency performances.
On the contrary, VLSI CMOS devices, particularly transistors with short gate length, have a high transconductance, high frequency response and low on-state resistance, but a low breakdown voltage value.

Cascoded power amplifier, particularly for use in radio frequency


An information-processing device comprises at least one crossbar-board; a plurality of back panels detachably connected electrically and mechanically to different sides of the crossbar-board; and at least one motherboard detachably connected electrically and mechanically to each of the back panels. The crossbar-board has a switching element mounted thereon. The motherboard has an information-processing semiconductor element mounted thereon.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an information processing device and, more particularly, to a multiprocessor incorporated in a server.
Recently, as the Internet has rapidly become prevalent, the electronic commerce is undergoing a rapid expansion. In the electronic commerce, one has to exchange information with many and unspecified people or businesses, and has to process such information, necessitating a server capable of processing information at high speed. Such a server is required to be highly reliable, and further, to be as small as possible.
Such a server comprises a multiprocessor. Therefore, such a multiprocessor is required to be capable of processing information at high speed, to be highly reliable, and further, to be as small as possible.
One type of such a multiprocessor is an SMP (Symmetric Multiprocessor) wherein all of its CPUs share all of its memories and each of the CPUs accesses each of the memories at the same speed.
The SMP is further classified into a bus type and a crossbar-interconnect type. The bus type is a system wherein all of its CPUs share a single bus. The crossbar-interconnect type is a system wherein all of its CPUs are crossbar-connected to all of its memories, enabling a plurality of the CPUs to simultaneously access different memories. Thus, the crossbar-interconnect type has a better access property than the bus type.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a conventional multiprocessor 10 of the crossbar-interconnect type.
In general, a multiprocessor basically comprises: a backboard; a plurality of crossbar-boards connected to a backside thereof by connectors; and a plurality of motherboards plugged in and connected to a front of the backboard by the connectors. Since a backboard is limited in size due to reasons deriving from a manufacturing process thereof, the maximum number of motherboards connected to the backboard is eight, for example.
The above-mentioned multiprocessor 10 is capable of processing numerous information, and thus requires 16 motherboards, for example. Therefore, the multiprocessor 10 comprises two units 11 and 21 each having a backboard proper in size, the two units 11 and 21 being connected to each other by a multitude of cables 30.
The unit 11 comprises: a backboard 12; a plurality of crossbar-boards 13 connected to a backside thereof by connectors; and eight motherboards 14 plugged in and connected to a front of the backboard 12 by the connectors. The unit 21, in the same manner as the unit 11, comprises: a backboard 22; a plurality of crossbar-boards 23 connected to a backside thereof by connectors; and eight motherboards 24 plugged in and connected to a front of the backboard 22 by the connectors. Each of the motherboards 14 and 24 comprises: a board; and a CPU 15 and a memory module 16 each mounted thereon. Each of the plurality of crossbar-boards 13 and 23 comprises a board and a switching circuit 17 mounted thereon.
The plurality of crossbar-boards 13 of the unit 11 and the plurality of crossbar-boards 23 of the unit 21 are connected by the multitude of cables 30.
The CPUs 15 of the motherboards 14 of the unit 11 are connected to one another by wiring patterns on the crossbar-boards 13. Therefore, a transmission distance of signals between any two of the motherboards 14 is short. However, the CPUs 15 of the motherboards 14 of the unit 11 are connected to the CPUs 15 of the motherboards 24 of the unit 21 by the wiring patterns on the crossbar-boards 13, the cables 30 and wiring patterns on the crossbar-boards 23. Therefore, a transmission distance of signals between any one of the motherboards 14 and any one of the motherboards 24 is long, increasing the likelihood of causing distortion of transmitting signals. The distortion of transmitting signals occurs as an error when raising a transfer rate of signals. Therefore, the transfer rate of signals could not be raised, rather has to be kept low to avoid causing the distortion of transmitting signals. In this way, the multiprocessor 10 has a hindering problem in processing information at high speed.
Additionally, as described above, the multiprocessor 10 comprises the two units 11 and 21 connected to each other by the multitude of cables 30. Thus, manufacturing the multiprocessor 10 requires steps of connecting the multitude of cables 30 one by one. These steps of connecting are not only cumbersome but also prone to error. Further, when even a single cable of the multitude of cables 30 causes a poor connection, the multiprocessor 10 cannot operate normally. These respects arouse another problem in reliability.
Besides, as described above, the multiprocessor 10 comprises the two units 11 and 21 connected to each other by the cables 30, the cables increasing the size of the multiprocessor 10. This is a problem of inevitably increasing the size of a server comprising the multiprocessor 10.

Information-processing device having a crossbar-board connected to back panels on different sides


The present application discloses a display unit in which a display unit is supported by a support. Particularly, in the configuration in which are provided a display section including a face plate and a rear plate arranged opposite to the face plate and a support supporting the display section, the display section is bonded to and supported by the support.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display unit having a display section which displays, for example, information such as characters and images, and particularly, to a supporting structure for supporting the display section.
2. Description of the Related Art
A flat-thin panel type display unit using an electron emission element, plasma discharge, liquid crystal or a vacuum fluorescent display tube is used, for example, in a television set, a terminal monitor of a computer, an advertising display, and a sign. Recently, a wall-hanging television set having a screen size larger than that of a 40-in. screen has been attracting attention, positively utilizing features of the flat-thin panel type display unit for television sets.
A display unit of this type comprises, as a basic configuration, a display section which displays information such as characters and images, a controller having an electric circuit section which controls the display section, a support which supports the display section and the controller, and an outer enclosure which covers the display section, the controller, and the support.
For a supporting structure of the display section of the conventional display unit based on, for example, plasma discharge, there is known a configuration in which the back side of the display section is bonded and secured to the support via a double-sided adhesive tape. This configuration is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-272182.
Also, a configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-321989 is proposed as a supporting structure of the display unit.


The present disclosure provides advantageous skateboard assemblies (e.g., advantageous skateboard mounting member assemblies). More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous adjustable mounting members/assemblies for skateboards and related methods of use. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for adjustable, movable, slideable, rotatable, interchangeable and/or removable mounting members/assemblies for skateboards. The skateboard mounting member assemblies typically include a contoured or shaped top surface (e.g., ergonomically curved, shaped and/or contoured top surface), each contoured/shaped top surface configured and dimensioned to provide the user/rider an advantageous surface that a user/rider can position a foot (or feet) onto/over during use (e.g., a surface that a user/rider can utilize to place or position a foot directly onto/above, with the bottom side of the user's foot contacting the contoured top surface of the mounting member assembly).

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to skateboard assemblies (e.g., 3-D concave mounting member assemblies for skateboards) and, more particularly, to adjustable, interchangeable and/or removable mounting member assemblies for skateboards and related methods of use.
2. Background Art
In general, skateboards or the like are known. Some exemplary skateboards or the like are described/disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,990,713; 4,140,326; 5,833,252; 5,975,546; D222,158; 6,145,857 and 8,047,556, and U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2003/0155733 and 2003/0075890, the entire contents of each being hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
A constant need exists among skateboard end-users and/or manufacturers to develop skateboards and related accessories that are cost-effective and/or include improved features/structures.
Thus, an interest exists for improved skateboards and related accessories. These and other inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement are addressed and/or overcome by the assemblies, systems and methods of the present disclosure.

Adjustable mounting members for skateboards and related methods of use