A method of treating or preventing hypertrophic scar tissue in human skin comprising applying topically an effective amount of a non-toxic amine compound that is a transglutaminase inhibitor having a free amino group is disclosed. The amine compound that is a transglutaminase inhibitor is also selective for inhibiting Type III collagen peptide cross-linking.

The present invention relates to wound therapy, and in particular to the therapeutic treatment of hypertrophic scar tissue.
Scar tissue is formed during healing of wounds, caused for example by burn, traumatic injury and elective operative incisions. Often unpredictably, hypertrophy of the scar tissue occurs. Hypertrophic scar formation is characterized by the accumulation of collagen type III out of proportion to collagen type I.
Current procedures and materials for wound treatment include the use of compounds with potentially serious side effect, to highly invasive excisional procedures.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a composition for the therapeutic treatment of hypertrophic scar tissue is provided, comprising a non-toxic transglutaminase inhibitor having a free amino group, or a pharmaceutically acid addition salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of treating hypertrophic scar tissue is also provided comprising applying to the scar tissue an effective amount of a non-toxic transglutaminase inhibitor having a free amino group, or a pharmaceutically acid addition salt acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
Tranglutaminases are enzymes present in plasma and various tissues which form isopeptide bonds between reactive glutaminyl groups an the e-amino group of lysine in certain proteins. For example, type III procollogen has been shown to be a specific and avid substrate for transglutominase. During skin wound healing it appears that type III procollagen amino peptide (PIIP) is cross-linked to other components of the wound matrix, such as fibrin and fibronectin, by tissue tranglutominase. It is therefore hypothesized that if a transglutaminase inhibitor having a free amino group is introduced to the wound site, its free amino group will preferentially bind to the glutominyl group, and thus inhibit the intended protein substrated from cross-linking, forming an inert analog-amine adduct instead.
Known non-toxic transglutaminase inhibitors of this type include aminoacetonitrile,(dansyl) cadaverine (1,5-diaminopentane), spermidine and putrescine (1,4-diaminobutane). All of these compounds are non-toxic primary amines.
More specifically, aminoacetonitrile is a primary aliphatic lower-alkyl (C1-5) monoamine. Spermidine is a primary aliphatic aklylamine. Putrescine and (dansyl) cadaverine are primary aliphatic lower-alkyl (C1-5) polyamines. Other similar, non-toxic primary amines of these types are also contemplated.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the active compounds may be usefully applied in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts such as hydrochlorides and hydrogen sulfates.
The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is typically a eutectic cream or ointment to facilitate spreading over the wound area. For topical application, mineral oil has been found particularly suitable. Other suitable carriers include polyethylene glycols.
For topical applications, the effective amount of the active compound is in the range of 25 to 100 mM. and preferably about 50 mM.
Once the composition is applied to the wound it may advantageously be occiuded with a dressing or incorporated into a transepidermal patch dressing.
It will be appreciated that, although the compositions according to the invention are particularly useful for topical application to external wounds, it is also to be expected to be of value in the treatment of internal scar tissue. In such cases, the composition may be applied by catheter infusion or by an implantable time release mechanism. One specific example is diffusion through the elastomer coating of a breast implant.

Use of transglutaminase inhibitor for the treatment of scar tissue

University of Manitoba 770 Bannatyne Ave.


A computer mouse designed for reducing vandalism of its components. In the preferred embodiment, gripping surfaces are removed or impeded on the disk for holding the trackball in place. Accordingly, this makes it difficult for vandals to move the disk to its unlocked position to steal the ball or vandalize the components of the mouse.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to computer peripheral devices and, more particularly, to techniques for preventing vandalism to a computer mouse.
2. Discussion
Computers are finding ever-increasing usage in high schools, universities and other institutions. Most modern-day computers include a computer mouse. The mouse typically includes a housing that is manipulated by the hand to move a trackball located on the housing's underneath surface. Rotation of the trackball is converted into signals which control the location of a cursor or the like on the computer display. The trackball is usually held in place by a removable disk. The disk generally includes some type of gripping surface that allows it to be rotated to remove the ball for cleaning.
FIG. 1 is a generic representation of a computer mouse 10. The removable disk 12 is shown in phantom lines as is the ball 14. Fairly universally, all of the disks 12 include some kind of gripping surfaces to allow the human fingers to grip them so that the disk may be moved to a position in which the disk 12 can be released to allow the ball 14 to fall out so that it can be cleaned.
FIG. 2 shows one class of mouse 10A in which the gripping surfaces are in the form of diametrically opposite indentations 16A and 16B. Other types of computer mice have similar indentations but are in different configurations. These indentations allow the human fingers to grasp the indentations and rotate the disk 12A to a release position. Most disks have undercut tangs 18A, 18B which, in a locked position, engage shelves or fingers formed in the body of the mouse, located on the underneath body surface, to lock the disk in place. When the disk 12A is rotated, in this case clockwise, the tangs 18A, 18B are aligned with reliefs in the mouse body to allow the disk to be removed from the mouse body to permit the ball 14 to be removed. FIG. 2 represents the current configuration of a Microsoft.RTM. mouse. An Apple.RTM. mouse is somewhat similar but it includes swirl indentations on the outer face of the disk. The computer mouse found on many Packard-Bell.RTM. computers includes raised ridges which allow human fingers to move the disk in a linear direction to unlock it to remove the ball.
FIG. 3 shows still another type of computer mouse 10B in which the disk 12B includes two diametrically opposite cutouts 20B, 22B that form gripping surfaces to allow the disk 12B to be similarly rotated to an unlocked position to remove ball 14B. This type of computer mouse generally represents that marketed by Logitek.RTM..
It can be seen, therefore, that almost all currently marketed computer mice employ some type of gripping surface that allows human fingers to freely move the disk and remove the ball. Unfortunately, this freedom of use has been taken advantage by pubescent ner-do-wells or vandals who have no legitimate purpose for removing the trackballs except for deliberate mischievousness. This problem is especially pronounced in secondary educational facilities or other locations that are not specifically monitored. Once the trackball and/or disk has been lost, the computer mouse is obviously unusable. Quite often, it is either difficult or impossible to obtain replacement parts for the vandalized mouse. Accordingly, it often becomes necessary to replace the entire mouse at a sizeable cost to the institution.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a computer mouse that is tamper-resistant and which would allow only authorized personnel to remove the trackball for proper maintenance.


An ink-jet printing head including: a head unit which includes a plurality of nozzles from which inks of different kinds are ejected onto a recording medium and a plurality of ink supply ports from which the inks of different kinds are respectively supplied and which are open in a surface of the head unit, the plurality of ink supply ports being spaced apart form each other; and a joint member having a plurality of channels which are open in a surface of the joint member and which are spaced apart from each other, the joint member being connected at the surface thereof to the surface of the head unit, such that the plurality of channels communicate with the plurality of ink supply ports, respectively, and wherein at least one recess is formed on at least one of the surface of the head unit and the surface of the joint member such that each of the at least one recess is located at least one of between adjacent ones of the plurality of channels and between adjacent ones of the plurality of ink supply ports.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to an ink-jet printing head of an ink-jet recording apparatus which ejects ink droplets onto a recording medium to form a desired image thereon.
2. Discussion of Related Art
An ink-jet printing head of an ink-jet recording apparatus such as an ink-jet printer is disclosed in JP-B2-3115755 (paragraphs [0016] through [0018] and FIGS. 1 and 2, in particular), for instance. The disclosed ink-jet printing head comprises a head unit which includes a plurality of nozzles or outlets (109) through which ink is ejected onto a recording medium, a plurality of ink passages communicating with the nozzles, and four ink chambers. The ink passages are divided into four groups each of which communicates with a corresponding one of the four ink chambers. Inks of four different colors are supplied, to the respective four ink chambers, from respective four ink supply conduits (620) which are held in communication with an external ink supply source, so that the ink-jet printing head performs a full-color printing operation.
Described in detail, the head unit of the disclosed ink-jet printing head includes a grooved plate (130) having a plurality of grooves which partially define the plurality of ink passages and four recesses which partially define the four ink chambers, and a heater board (100) having ink-ejection-energy generating elements which are aligned with the plurality of grooves formed in the plate (130). The grooved plate (130) and the heater board (100) are held in pressed contact with each other so as to define the plurality of ink passages and the four ink chambers. An ink supply member (600) having the four ink supply conduits (620) is connected to the head unit. On one of opposite surfaces of the plate 130 which is held in pressed contact with the heater board (100), there are formed separation grooves (113a–113c) each of which is located between adjacent two recesses. In other words, each separation groove is formed in a partition wall (111a–111c) between the adjacent two recesses. With the plate (130) and the heater board (100) being held in pressed contact with each other, a sealant is introduced from a sealant inlet provided on the ink supply member (600) into the separation grooves so that the separation grooves are filled with the sealant, for thereby separating the four ink chambers from one another.
Thus, the head unit of the disclosed ink-jet printing head is arranged to prevent undesirable mixing of inks of different colors between the adjacent two ink chambers in the head unit, owing to the partition walls each of which is formed between the adjacent two ink chambers. However, the above-indicated Publication does not provide any means to prevent mixing of inks of different colors which would take place between the four ink supply conduits (620) and the four ink chambers. There may be a possibility that the mixing of inks takes place not only inside the head unit but also outside the head unit.


A fuel handling apparatus with a purge system, a first communication passage, and a second communication passage with a greater pressure loss than the first communication passage. A check device is coupled to the second communication passage for checking a leak of evaporative fuel from the purge system. A pump is included, and a selector device is included for switching fluid communication of the pump between one of the first communication passage and the second communication passage. A controller controls the selector device to allow fluid communication between the first communication passage and the pump and then controls the pump to produce the pressure difference for forcible purging. The controller further controls the selector device to allow fluid communication between the second communication passage and the pump, and then controls the pump to produce the pressure difference and controls the check device for leak checking.

It is known to provide an evaporative fuel handling apparatus having a purge system. The purge system purges evaporative fuel produced in a fuel tank into an air intake system of an engine. Technology has been proposed for performing forcible purge of evaporative fuel into an air intake system by producing a pressure difference with a pump between the inside and outside of the purge system (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,895, JP-2002-332921A). Technology has also been proposed for checking for leaks in the purge system by producing a pressure difference with a pump between the inside and outside of the purge system (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,013, JP-2004-28060A).
The size and weight of the evaporative fuel handling apparatus could be reduced if the same components operate for both forcibly purging and checking for leaks. For instance, the size and weight could be reduced by using a pump common to both purging and leak checking operations. However, the requirements for pump for performing forcible purge are substantially different than those of a pump for leak checking. As such, incorporation of a common pump can be difficult.
More specifically, the pump for performing forcible purge (i.e., the purge pump) provides a relatively large flow rate for purge and sets a produced pressure at a specified value lower than a threshold value at which resistance to pressure exists. Hence, as shown by the solid line of FIG. 7, a characteristic curve relating pressure (P) and flow rate (Q) for the purge pump has a relatively large slope. Like the purge pump, the pump for leak checking sets a produced pressure at a specified value lower than a threshold value at which resistance to pressure exists; however, the pump for leak checking increases the change in produced pressure with respect to a change in flow rate. Hence, as shown by the broken line of FIG. 7, the slope of the characteristic curve relating pressure (P) and flow rate (Q) is lower. Thus, for example, if a pump set for performing forcible purge is used for leak checking, the slope of the P-Q characteristic curve is likely to be too large. Hence, a change in pressure with respect to a change in flow rate becomes too small, which causes reduced accuracy when leak checking.


A card edge connector includes an ejector (3) with a pushing portion (32) extending from distal end thereof, the ejector (3) moves between an opening station and a locking station, and at least pair detecting contacts (4) which includes two detecting pins (41, 42), one of the detecting pins defines a spring engaging arm having an engaging portion (425) opposite to the pushing portion (32) which presses on the engaging portion (425) in the locking station or leave the engaging portion (425) in the opening station, thereby making the two detecting pins engage or disengage with each other for detecting if a memory card is inserted in the card edge connector or not.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a card edge connector, and more particularly to a card edge connector with detecting structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Card edge connector is usually assembled on a mother board and then engages with a daughter board for interconnecting between the two boards. U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,506 issued to Harlan et al. on Apr. 12, 2011, discloses a card edge connector having an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing. The insulative housing defines an inserting slot for receiving the daughter board. Each of the contacts includes a retaining portion retained in the sidewall, a contacting arm extending into the inserting slot from one end of the retaining portion for contacting with the daughter board and a soldering tail extending outwards to the insulative housing from another end of the retaining portion for connecting with and extending through the mother board. The contacting arms of the contacts are arranged in two rows in a width direction of the sidewall, respectively being received in two sidewalls disposed at both sides of the inserting slot.
However, if the daughter board is not inserted in the inserting slot correctly, the user can not be remaindered in time because of the daughter board has been disposed in an internal of the card edge connector.
Therefore, an improved card edge connector are desired to overcome the disadvantages of the related arts.

Card edge connector with detecting structure


A user interface generation system comprises a reception component that facilitates receipt of instantiated objects from within a programmable logic controller, wherein the objects conform to a hierarchically structured data model. A view generation component communicatively coupled to the reception component utilizes a subset of the objects to dynamically generate a user interface. For example, the hierarchically structured data model can be based at least in part upon one or more of ISA S95, ISA S88 and/or OMA.

Due to advances in computing technology, businesses today are able to operate more efficiently when compared to substantially similar businesses only a few years ago. For example, internal networking enables employees of a company to communicate instantaneously by email, quickly transfer data files to disparate employees, manipulate data files, share data relevant to a project to reduce duplications in work product, etc. Furthermore, advancements in technology have enabled factory applications to become partially or completely automated. For instance, operations that once required workers to put themselves proximate to heavy machinery and other various hazardous conditions can now be completed at a safe distance therefrom.
Further, imperfections associated with human action have been minimized through employment of highly precise machines. Many of these factory devices supply data related to manufacturing to databases or web services referencing databases that are accessible by system/process/project managers on a factory floor. For instance, sensors and associated software can detect a number of instances that a particular machine has completed an operation given a defined amount of time. Further, data from sensors can be delivered to a processing unit relating to system alarms. Thus, a factory automation system can review collected data and automatically and/or semi-automatically schedule maintenance of a device, replacement of a device, and other various procedures that relate to automating a process.
While various advancements have been made with respect to automating an industrial process, utilization and design of controllers has been largely unchanged. Industrial controllers are special-purpose computers utilized for controlling industrial processes, manufacturing equipment, and other factory automation processes, such as data collection through networked systems. Controllers often work in concert with other computer systems to form an environment whereby a majority of modern and automated manufacturing operations occur. These operations involve front-end processing of materials such as steel production to more intricate manufacturing processes such as automobile production that involves assembly of previously processed materials. Often such as in the case of automobiles, complex assemblies can be manufactured with high technology robotics assisting the industrial control process.
In many automated processes, including the basic production of commodities such as food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals, complex state logic is often designed and programmed by systems Engineers or provided in some cases by automated equipment manufacturers. This logic is often programmed with common PLC ladder logic or higher level languages supported by Sequential Function Charts or Function Blocks. Sequence logic can be employed for a plurality of tasks such as material movement and conveying operations, packaging operations, or as part of an assembly process itself, wherein various stages of an assembly are sequenced from stage to stage until a final assembly occurs. As can be appreciated, much planning and design is required to implement an automated production process that can involve hundreds of machines, computers, and program logic to facilitate proper operation of the respective sequences.
A common problem associated with control systems is lack of uniformity across system/process boundaries, as well as a lack of uniformity between controller manufacturers, software vendors, and customers. Such non-uniformity can be as simplistic as discrepancies in naming conventions between a software vendor and a customer, or as complex as disparate software representations with respect to portions of an industrial automation framework. Given the above-mentioned discrepancies (as well as a myriad of other discrepancies), a substantial amount of ad-hoc coding is often required to automate a process. Accordingly, a substantial amount of cost is incurred by a manufacturer to employ computer and programming specialists to generate and maintain ad-hoc programs necessary to automate a manufacturing process. This cost is then passed on to purchasers of the manufactured product.
With more detail regarding conventional controllers, such controllers have been designed to efficiently undertake real-time control. For instance, conventional programmable logic controllers receive data from sensors and, based upon the received data, control an actuator, drive, or the like. These controllers recognize a source and/or destination of the data by way of a symbol and/or address associated with a source and/or destination. More particularly, industrial controllers include communications ports and/or adaptors, and sensors, actuators, drives, and the like are communicatively coupled to such ports/adaptors. Thus, a controller can recognize device identify when data is received and further deliver control data to an appropriate device.
As can be discerned from the above, data associated with conventional industrial controllers is created, delivered, and/or stored with a flat namespace data structure. In other words, all that can be discovered by reviewing data received and/or output by a controller is an identity of an actuator or sensor and a status thereof. This industrial controller architecture operates efficiently for real-time control of a particular device—however, problems can arise when data from industrial controllers is desired for use by a higher-level system. For example, if data from the controller was desired for use by a scheduling application, individual(s) familiar with the controller must determine which data is desirable, sort the data, package the data in a desired format, and thereafter map such data to the scheduling application. This introduces another layer of software, and thus provides opportunities for confusion in an industrial automation environment. The problem is compounded if several applications wish to utilize similar data. In operation, various controllers output data, package it in a flat namespace structure, and provide it to a network. Each application utilizing the data copies such data to internal memory, sorts the data, organizes the data, and packages the data in a desired format. Accordingly, multiple copies of similar data exist in a plurality of locations, where each copy of the data may be organized and packaged disparately.
It can be determined from the above that provision of user interfaces to operators is problematic in today's industrial automation environments. Conventionally, view frameworks are built and then populated with data received from a controller. Thus, user interfaces are pre-defined and then populated based upon data received from a programmable logic controller. In many instances, however, this one-size fits-all view is insufficient and does not provide adequate detail to an operator. For example, if data lies outside an expected range, the pre-defined interface may not adequately relay such data to an operator.


The invention relates to a device for continuously mixing ingredients of a flour-and-water-based food dough comprising two mixing tools rotatably mounted one above the other about an axis of rotation, wherein the top tools is embodied in the form of a helix extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to said axis of rotation in such a way that the ingredient mixture is produced, the lower tool comprises at least one radial arm provided with a leading surface inclined with respect to the axis of rotation and an enclosure is provided with a mixed dough discharge opening which is arranged in the peripheral side part of a mixing space and in front of the lower tool.

The present invention relates to a device for continuously mixing ingredients of a flour- and water-based dough, a method for manufacturing such dough providing the continuous mixing of ingredients using such a device as well as a facility for implementing such method.
The mixing device according to the invention is intended more particularly to mechanically mixing the dough prior to the kneading thereof. Such a device finds applications more particularly in facilities for manufacturing flour- and water-based dough in a continuous way, when the mixed dough is continuously or discontinuously kneaded, when the mixed dough is collected prior to being kneaded.
Mixing devices comprising a tank for mixing the various ingredients, more particularly water and flour, and a continuous unloading tank for unloading the mixed dough into a kneading vessel, are known. The mixing tank is provided with a mixing tool activated by first powered means. Besides, a continuous unloading tool extends between the mixing tank and the unloading tank so that the mixture formed in the mixing tank is continuously fed up to an outlet opening provided in the unloading tank. Such an unloading tool is activated by second powered means which are distinct from the first ones.
One problem entailed in this type of device is that its structure is complex because it requires using two distinct powered means and two distinct types of tools to respectively perform the mixing and the unloading operations. Using such two types of tools with their own powered means more particularly requires a particular and complex arrangement to avoid interactions between the tools and/or the means transmitting the rotation torques between the tool and the powered means. Besides, the maintenance and more particularly the cleaning procedures of the mixing device are not optimal.
Besides, because of this complex structure, such a device is very heavy and cumbersome which entails problems more particularly when integrating the device in a facility for manufacturing dough.
The invention aims at solving these problems by providing a mixing device structure making it possible to mix the ingredients and unload the mixed dough using the mixing tools only. Besides, the invention makes it possible to facilitate the production ends thanks to the small quantities being processed in the device, and through the automatic emptying upon completion of the production thanks to the stoppage of the supply at the inlet. Besides, the invention provides a mixing device which is easily cleaned, even when it is automatically operated, considering its structure.

Device for continuously mixing a food dough provided with two types of superimposed mixing tools and a side discharge


A method is described for short-time Fourier-converting a speech signal and for resynthesizing an output speech signal from the modulus of its short-time Fourier transform and from an initial phase. In particular, after the Fourier converting the signal is subjected to a phase-specifying operation. Subsequently speech duration is affected by systematically maintaining, periodically repeating or periodically suppressing result intervals of the successive Fourier converting and phase affecting. Finally, a resynthesizing operation is executed. Speech pitch can likewise be affected through systematically excising or inserting signal intervals. Finally, the two strategies can be combined, so that ultimately, pitch and duration can be affected independently from each other.

The invention relates to an iterative method for in each one of a sequence of iterating cycles, firstly short-time-Fourier-transforming a speech signal, and secondly resynthesizing the speech signal from a modulus (expression 2) derived from its short-time Fourier transform, and in an initial cycle additionally from an initial phase, until the sequence produces convergence. A successful iteration sequence produces a time-varying or constant signal that has a transform or spectrogram which is quadratically close to the specified spectrogram. The spectrogram itself is a good vehicle for speech processing operations. Such a method has been disclosed in D. W. Griffin and J. S. Lim, `Signal Estimation from Modified short-time Fourier Transform`, IEEE Transactions on ASSP, 32, No.2 (1984), 236-243. The known method uses a random phase for the resynthesizing; it has been found that the cost function generated in this manner may have many local minima. It is thus impossible to guarantee convergence to the global optimum, and the final result depends heavily on the initial phase actually used.

Method and device for short-time Fourier-converting and resynthesizing a speech signal, used as a vehicle for manipulating duration or pitch


Systems and methods for managing a plurality of windows associated with an application are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes displaying a plurality of windows, such as a first window processed by a first window handler and a second window processed by a second window handler. The method receives messages from an operating system, where the messages have message types. The method then passes the message to at least one of the windows, according to the message type.

The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic data processing systems, and more particularly, to windowing user interfaces.
Modem computer systems typically provide a windows based user interface. Examples of such systems include MacOS(trademark) from Apple Computer Systems, Solaris (trademark) from Sun Microsystems, and variants of the Microsoft Windows(trademark) operating system, such as Windows 95(trademark), Windows 98(trademark), and Windows NT(trademark), all available from Microsoft Corporation. These windowing systems typically provide applications the ability to create windows to display output data and to respond to input data when the window is active or when a cursor is positioned over the window. The output data is displayed when the application paints images, draws figures, or writes text to the window. Applications using windows can direct output to the windows under their control rather than directly to the display screen itself. This prevents output data from one application from interfering with the output data of another application.
In the past, the shape of a window has been limited to a rectangular window. However, recently windowing systems have added the capability for windows to be non-rectangular. That is, windows can now be in the shape of an ellipse, a circle, or a polygon with an arbitrary number of sides. One manner in which non-rectangular windows are created is by defining a non-rectangular region on the display, and then setting the region to be a window. For example, in the Microsoft Windows system, an elliptical, polygon, rectangular or round region is created using the CreateEllipticalRgn, CreatePolygonRgn, CreateRectRgn or CreateRoundRgn functions. The region is then set to a window using the SetWindowRgn function.
While the ability to create non-rectangular windows is an improvement, there are some restrictions accompanying the use of non-rectangular windows. One such restriction is that the title bar associated with such a window is left-justified. That is, the title bar appears beginning at the leftmost side of the non-rectangular region defining the window. No option is provided that allows the title bar to be centered or right justified.
Previous systems have attempted to solve this problem by taking over control of painting the title bar. That is, the system provides custom title bar painting code rather than letting the windowing system paint the title bar.
This approach, while providing for options in positioning the title bar, presents two significant problems. First, if the general appearance of title bars changes, as is common when new versions of windowing systems are released, the custom code provided in previous systems must be changed in order for the title bar to reflect the new appearance. This increases the maintenance cost associated with previous systems.
Second, the custom painting code typically does not address associated menu display operations. Thus, the main menu for the application that is invoked from the title bar will still be left justified, leading to situation that is potentially confusing to the application user.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a way to provide a title bar for non-rectangular windows that provides for placement options other than left-justification.
In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes displaying a plurality of windows, such as a first window and a second window. The method receives messages from an operating system, where the messages have message types. The method then passes the message to at least one of the windows, according to the message type.

System and method for managing a plurality of associated windows for an application


Creating semantic summaries and abstractions of video requires high level knowledge of the domain of the video. Obtaining this high level information without human intervention is problematic. A method of producing video summaries and abstractions is provided where high level knowledge necessary for meaningful summarization is obtained from existing sources such as the worldwide web or an electronic programming guide. With this information, the summarization system can automatically identify significant events or subjects and extract video related to these events or subjects.

The present invention relates to a method of summarizing or abstracting video and, more particularly, a method for using information related to video obtained from a source other than the video to create an audio-video semantic summary of video.
The dramatic increase in the quantity of available video, a trend which is expected to continue or accelerate, has increased the need for an automated means of summarizing video. A summary of a video could be viewed as a preview to, or in lieu of, viewing the complete, unabridged video. Summarization could also be used as a basis for filtering large quantities of available video to create a video abstraction related to a specific subject of interest. However, to be most beneficial the summary or abstraction should be semantically significant, capturing major events and meaning from the video.
There are three broad classes of techniques for creating video summaries. A first class of techniques produces a linear summary of a video sequence. A linear summary comprises a collection of key frames extracted from the video. Groups of similar frames or shots are located in the video sequence, and one or more key frames are selected from each shot to represent the content of the shot. Shot boundary detection and selection of key frames within a shot are based on lower level video analysis techniques, such as frame to frame variation in color distribution or temporal positioning of a frame in a shot. While the creation of linear summaries can be automated, the extraction of a linear summary is not event driven and may only capture a rough abstraction of the video. Linear summaries are useful for video sequences where events are not well defined, such as home video, but are not well suited to producing meaningful summaries of videos containing well defined events, such as videos of sporting events.
A second summary extraction technique produces a video story board. The story board is a graphic presentation of the video comprising a number of nodes and edges. Nodes are created by grouping shots usually on the basis of some low level visual characteristic, such as a color histogram. The edges describe relationships between the nodes and are created by human interaction with the summarizing system. While story boarding can produce meaningful summaries, it relies on human intervention to do so.
A third summary extraction technique involves the creation of semantic video summaries which requires an understanding of the events in the video and, in many cases, some expertise of the domain or subject area portrayed by the video. Obtaining this understanding and expertise through automated means has, heretofore, been problematic. Smith et al., VIDEO SKIMMING FOR QUICK BROWSING BASED ON AUDIO AND IMAGE CHARACTERIZATION, Carnegie-Mellon University Tech Report, CMU-CS-95-186, 1995, utilizes detection of keywords in the audio track or closed captioning accompanying a video as a basis for locating meaningful video segments. However, it is difficult to select appropriate keywords and the selected keywords may be uttered many times as part of some general commentary related to the subject of the video without necessarily signaling the presence of corresponding meaningful visual images.
What is desired, therefore, is a method of creating meaningful event driven video summaries that minimizes the necessity for human intervention in the summarizing process.

Method of creating a semantic video summary using information from secondary sources


An apparatus for deflecting a printing material web coming from a printing press that is cut into at least two individual webs to laterally arranged processing devices. The apparatus includes a respective load-bearing frame for each individual web. A respective deflection rod and a respective longitudinal regulation roller for each individual web is supported on the load bearing frame. The deflection rods and longitudinal regulation rollers are adjustable relative to the load-bearing frame in a direction transverse to or parallel to a running direction of the respective individual web.

A deflection apparatus can be used to defect a printing material web, which comes from a printing press and is cut into two or more individual webs, to laterally arranged processing devices. Such deflection apparatuses can include deflection rods. Unfortunately with some deflection apparatuses it can be difficult to adjust the running paths of the individual webs into different positions. Another issue is that some deflection apparatuses take up a relatively large amount of space.

Apparatus for deflecting individual webs


A technique for structurally classifying substructures of at least one unmarked string utilizing at least one training data set with inserted markers identifying labeled substructures. A model of class labels and substructures within strings of the training data set is first constructed. Markers are then inserted into the unmarked string, identifying substructures similar to substructures within strings of the training data set by using the model. Finally, class labels of the substructures in the unmarked string similar to substructures within strings of the training data set are predicted using the model.

A number of applications provide data in string format, including market basket analysis, customer tracking, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis, and text. In many cases it is desirable to find subpatterns in these strings having particular formats. The traditional classification technique is defined as follows: A set of strings are given, each of which is labeled with a class drawn from the set C1 . . . Ck. The correct classification label is then found for a given test data record for which the class label was originally unknown. This traditional classification technique only concerns the classification of entire strings, and does not address the significantly more complex problem of finding particular classes of substructures within strings.
In many applications the problem of finding substructures in strings is significantly more important than that of classifying the string itself. For example:
(1) In a genome application different kinds of protein sequences may be sought, which are embedded in very long patterns. A given pattern may contain one or multiple occurrences of such a sequence substructure. The number and types of such occurrences may not even be known a priori.
(2) In a text application it may be desirable to find particular segments or paragraphs which belong to a particular topic or satisfy other conditions, which cannot be expressed in closed form, but only in the form of examples.
The examples above can present complex variations in which the same data can have different classes of substructures and in which some classes of substructures are embedded within others. This often occurs in the biological domain. In a text article certain segments of interest may be divided into further subsections of a particular kind. Thus, there may be a hierarchical aspect to the class behavior of the data. This illustrates a generalized classification problem since the correct classification of a given substructure must be found and the exact location and extent of the substructure in the data must be determined.
The standard classification problem for strings has been studied in the computational biology, database and data mining fields, see, e.g., reports such as C. C. Aggarwal, "On Effective Classification of Strings with Wavelets," ACM KDD Conference, 2002; G. A. Churchill, "Stochastic Models for Heterogeneous DNA Sequences," Bull. Math Biol, 59, pp. 79–91, 1989; M. Deshpande. et al., "Evaluation of Techniques for Classifying Biological Sequences," Technical report, TR 01–33, University of Minnesota, 2001; S. Subbiah et al., "A Method for Multiple Sequence Alignment with Gaps," Journal of Molecular Biology, 209, pp. 539–548, 1989; and M. S. Waterman, "Sequence Alignments," In: Mathematical Methods for DNA Sequences, Waterman M. S. ed. CRC Press, 1989. A good comparative study of the most important classification methods for the strings can be found in M. Deshpande et al., "Evaluation of Techniques for Classifying Biological Sequences," Technical report, TR 01–33, University of Minnesota, 2001. Recently, a wavelet classification method for the string problem was discussed in C. C. Aggarwal, "On Effective Classification of Strings with Wavelets," ACM KDD Conference, 2002. This technique has been shown to be more effective than other string classifiers discussed by M. Deshpande et al.
The nature of substructure mining is inherently more difficult than standard classification. Standard classification methods such as rule based methods, decision trees, and nearest neighbor classifiers are designed only for the task of labeling entire records. These methods cannot be easily extended to the generalized substructure classification problem which is inherently more complex in its nature.
Thus, there exists a need for techniques which overcome the drawbacks associated with the approaches described above, as well as drawbacks not expressly described above, and which thereby provide more efficient and scalable solutions to the problems associated with string substructure classification.

Method and apparatus for classifying unmarked string substructures using Markov Models

International Business Machines Corporation


The monitoring of energy radiating from a heated material, such as a hot melt adhesive, dispensed onto a substrate may be accomplished by an infrared sensor. The wand of the infrared sensor is located downstream of the dispensed material for receiving the radiant energy. The wand is provided with internal air for cooling and for providing laminar air flow in the vicinity of the lens to prevent the accumulation of airborne contaminants on the lens. The wand is also provided with a light aiming device.

This invention relates generally to sensors for monitoring the dispensing of material onto a substrate, and more particularly concerns an infrared sensor for monitoring energy radiating from a material dispensed onto a substrate.
In applying coating materials such as paints and adhesives to substrates, it is often important to monitor the material to ensure that it has been suitably applied. Applied materials can be monitored visually, or through the use of various types of sensors.
In some applications sensors are employed which monitor energy radiant from the material applied to the substrate. For example, in the case of dispensing a heated adhesive bead onto a substrate, an infrared sensor can be employed to monitor the applied adhesive. Such an infrared sensor typically exhibits a resistance which is dependent upon the intensity of received infrared radiation that is within a certain energy band. The sensor is usually connected to circuitry, in which resistance changes, in the sensor, are converted to voltage variations, which are in turn amplified to provide an output signal indicative of the level of infrared radiation from the adhesive bead. This infrared radiation level is a composite indication of the size of the adhesive bead and its temperature.
In the case of a continuously applied bead of heated adhesive, the sensor can be positioned near the adhesive dispenser, slightly downstream therefrom, and the electrical output signal of the associated circuit monitored to assure that the infrared radiation from the adhesive bead falls within an acceptable range.
Typically, the dispenser and its associated hoses are heated in order to maintain the adhesive at its appropriate application temperature. For a packaging grade adhesive, the application temperature is typically between 250.degree. F. and about 400.degree. F. The elevated temperature of the dispensed adhesive and/or the body of the dispenser increases the surrounding ambient temperature. This in turn may raise the temperature of the sensor to a point where its monitoring characteristics are reduced or completely impeded so as to prevent accurate monitoring of the received infrared radiation as an adhesive bead passes the sensor.
Another difficulty that arises from the environment in which the sensor must operate results from adhesive coating the lens of the sensor. As the dispensing of the bead of adhesive is terminated, adhesive filaments may form and become airborne. These filaments may attach themselves to the lens of the sensor, thus obstructing its view. Also, during dispensing an irregularity in the nozzle, such as caused by a partial clog, may cause the bead of adhesive to deviate from its intended path and coat the sensor.
Still another difficulty in detecting dispensed beads of materials arises in assuring that the sensor is aimed at the intended bead of material to be sensed. This is important due to the limited field of view of the sensor and its sensitivity of the sensor. For example, if multiple beads of adhesive have been deposited on the substrate, it may be important to assure that the proper bead is being sensed.

Method and apparatus for monitoring energy radiant from a dispensed heated material


The invention is directed to biomarkers for predicting a patient's response, both therapeutic and toxic, to immunotherapy.

Most cancer drugs are effective in some patients, but not in others. This results, at least in part, from genetic variation among patients. Variable patient response is particularly pronounced with respect to immunotherapy. Therefore, the full potential of immunotherapies for treating cancer cannot be realized without suitable tests for determining which patients will benefit from which drugs.
Many patients experience a toxic response to anti-cancer immunotherapies, resulting in discontinuance of therapy; however, it is difficult to predict whether or not a patient will have a toxic response to a therapy before administration.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the term "biomarker" is defined as "a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biologic or pathogenic processes or pharmacological response to a therapeutic intervention" (Biomarkers Definitions Working Group, 2001, Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 69:89-95)
The development of improved diagnostics based on the discovery of biomarkers has the potential to accelerate new drug development by identifying, in advance, those patients most likely to show a clinical response or a toxic response to a given drug. This would significantly reduce the size, length and cost of clinical trials. Technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and molecular imaging currently enable rapid, sensitive and reliable detection of specific gene mutations, expression levels of particular genes, and other molecular biomarkers. However, the clinical utilization of cancer biomarkers to predict response or toxicity remains largely unrealized because few cancer biomarkers have been discovered. For example, a recent review article states:                There is a critical need for expedited development of biomarkers and their use to improve diagnosis and treatment of cancer. (Cho, 2007, Molecular Cancer 6:25)Another recent review article on cancer biomarkers contains the following comments:        With the emergence of genomic profiling technologies and selective molecular targeted therapies, biomarkers play an increasingly important role in the clinical management of cancer patients. Single gene/protein or multi-gene "signature"-based assays have been introduced to measure specific molecular pathway deregulations that guide therapeutic decision-making as predictive biomarkers. Genome-based prognostic biomarkers are also available for several cancer types for potential incorporation into clinical prognostic staging systems or practice guidelines. However, there is still a large gap between initial biomarker discovery studies and their clinical translation due to the challenges in the process of cancer biomarker development. (Goosens et al., Transl. Cancer Res. 2015 4(3):256-269)Comments such as the foregoing illustrate the recognition of a need for the discovery of clinically useful biomarkers that can assist physicians in determining the most optimal course of treatment for cancer patients.
With respect to cancer immunotherapies, some, but not all, patients respond to a particular drug. Accordingly, there is a need to understand which biomarkers in a patient's genome may be relevant in determining if a patient will respond to a particular immunotherapy. For example, PD-L1, the ligand for PD-1, is highly expressed in several cancers; PD-1 is expressed, for example, on T-cells. Inhibition of the interaction between PD-1 and its ligand can enhance immune response and improve anti-tumor activity. However, not all patients respond to treatment with an anti-PDL1 or anti-PD1 therapy, e.g., an anti-PDL1 antibody or an anti-PD1 antibody. Therefore, there is a need for diagnostic methods based on predictive biomarkers for identifying patients with cancers that are likely (or unlikely) to respond to treatment with an immunotherapy, for example, a PDL1 or PD1 inhibitor such as an anti-PDL1 or anti-PD1 antibody.
Further, there is a need in the art to identify biomarkers that have the ability to predict whether or not a patient is likely to have a toxic response to a given immunotherapy so that medical professionals can determine the best course of treatment prior to administration and patients can avoid toxic responses to such therapies. For example, there is a need in the art to identify biomarkers that will assist in predicting the toxicity of a given immunotherapy in a patient, for example, an anti-PDL1 or anti-PD1 therapy (e.g., an anti-PDL1 antibody or an anti-PD1 antibody) or radiation. Even if a patient would respond to such a therapy, if the therapy would be toxic to that patient, it would be helpful for doctors to know this in advance and take the likely toxicity response into consideration when determining whether a given immunotherapy is appropriate for a patient.
There is a particular need to identify biomarkers found in the patient's germ-line or that are inherited that predict a patient's systemic response to immunotherapy in order to predict a patient's systemic response (both therapeutic and toxicity related) to such therapies without having to characterize a patient's specific tumor DNA.

Biomarkers for predicting tumor response to and toxicity of immunotherapy


A computerized classified ad system and method. The system comprises a data processor including means for creating an ad database comprising a plurality of ads, each ad containing text data describing an item to be made available through the system. In a first aspect, the data processor also includes means for receiving profile data describing an item sought from others through the system, and for comparing the profile data to the ads and for generating text output data when matches are found. An interactive voice response system converts the text output data into a voice message. In a second aspect, the data processor includes means for creating a want ad database comprising want ads that contain data describing items sought through the system and delivery data such as a buyer's phone number. When a new ad is placed in the ad database, it is also compared to the want ads. If a match is found, the system generates output data that includes the new ad and the delivery data for the matching want ad.

In the well known classified ad system used in most newspapers, a seller may place an ad offering an item for sale. The ad includes a description of the item, and a phone number or other information permitting a potential buyer to contact the seller. The ad then appears in the classified ad section of one or more editions of the newspaper, indexed according to the nature of the item offered for sale, e.g., real estate, automobile, etc. A potential buyer can read the classified ads in the newspaper, and then contact the sellers of any items that appear to match the buyer's need. This system is used not only for buy-sell transactions, but also for the leasing of real estate, for employment, for services offered, and for miscellaneous other matters.
The problems inherent in the above described classified ad system are well known and, for the most part, are taken for granted. A basic problem is that buyers must often scan a large number of ads to identify a relatively small number of items that may meet their needs. A second problem relates to timing; i.e., by the time that the buyer is able to contact the seller, the item may have already been sold. In addition, if a buyer does not locate a suitable item in a given day's newspaper, the buyer must in general do a complete search of the following day's newspaper, since ads are generally not segregated based upon whether they have been newly placed.
An attempt has been made to address some of the limitations of newspaper classified ads through the use of voice mail systems in which sellers' ads are stored as individual voice mail messages. A separate index is created, the index breaking the voice ads down into categories in a manner similar to the categories used in newspaper classified ads. For example, an ad to sell an automobile might be placed in a category "auto for sale," and perhaps a subcategory indicating the car manufacturer. A buyer calling such a system specifies the categories in which he or she is interested, using touch tones, and then listens to the voice ads in the specified categories.
The basic problem with voice mail classified ad systems is the fact that the voice ads themselves are not searchable. Only the separately created index can be used by a buyer to locate ads meeting specified criteria. Because of the need to create a separate index, there may be a significant delay between when a seller calls an ad into the system, and when a buyer is able to retrieve the ad.

Computer-based classified ad system and method


A modelling technique for compact representation of related images is disclosed. The images are described as collections of spatial segments, each of which is modelled with a multivariate bi-linear model in the intensity and similarity also in the address domain. As applied to digitized video sequences, each bi-linear model consists of a set of spatial change patterns relative to a reference and a set of corresponding temporal scores that indicate how much of each change pattern is present in each image. Both the structure of the encoding and decoding algorithms and also the data structure of the compact representation are disclosed. This multi-domain modelling allows efficient data representation by removal of redundancies in the spatial, temporal and other domains. Examples of uses of the modelling technique include video compression, interactive video and games, and search in and analysis of compressed image data bases The system generalizes to a method and apparatus for multi-domain multivariate representation of large amounts of inter-related data.

Full motion digital image sequences in typical video applications require the processing of massive amounts of data in order to produce good quality visual images from the point of view of shape, color and motion. Data compression is often used to reduce the amount of data which must be stored and manipulated. A data compression system typically includes modelling sub-systems which are used to provide simple and efficient representations of the large amount of video data.
A number of compression systems have been developed which are well suited for video image compression. These systems can be classified into three main groups according to their operational and modelling characteristics. First, there is the causal global modelling approach. An example of this type of model is a three dimensional (3D) wire frame model which implies spatial controlling position and intensity at a small set of more or less fixed wireframe grid points and interpolates between the grid points. In some applications, this approach is combined with 3D ray tracing of solid objects. This wire frame approach is capable of providing very efficient and compact data representation, since it involves a very deep model, i.e., a significant amount of effort must be invested up front to develop a comprehensive model. Accordingly, this model provides good visual appearance.
However, this approach suffers from several significant disadvantages. First, this causal type model requires detailed a priori (advance) modelling information on 3D characterization, surface texture, lighting characterization and motion behavior. Second, this approach has very limited empirical flexibility in generic encoders, since once the model has been defined, it is difficult to supplement and update it dynamically as new and unexpected images are encountered. Thus, this type of model has limited usefulness in situations requiring dynamic modelling of real time video sequences.
A second type of modelling system is an empirical, updatable compression system which involves very limited model development, but provides relatively inefficient compression. The MPEG 1 and MPEG 2 compatible systems represent such an approach. For example, in the MPEG standard, an image sequence is represented as a sparse set of still image frames, e.g., every tenth frame in a sequence, which are compressed/decompressed in terms of pixel blocks, such as 8.times.8 pixel blocks. The intermediate frames are reconstructed based on the closest decompressed frame, as modified by additional information indicating blockwise changes representing block movement and intensity change patterns. The still image compression/decompression is typically carried out using Discrete Cosine Transforms (DCT), but other approaches such as subband, wavelet or fractal still image coding may be used. Since this approach involves very little modelling depth, long range systematic redundancies in time and space are often ignored so that essentially the same information is stored/transmitted over and over again.
A third type of modelling system is an empirical global modelling of image intensities based on factor analysis. This approach utilizes various techniques, such as principal component analysis, for approximating the intensities of a set of N images by weighted sums of F "factors." Each such factor has a spatial parameter for each pixel and a temporal parameter for each frame. The spatial parameters of each factor are sometimes referred to as "loadings", while the temporal parameters are referred to as "scores". One example of this type of approach is the Karhunen-Loeve expansion of an N.times.M matrix of image intensities (M pixels per frame, N frames) for compression and recognition of human facial images. This is discussed in detail in Kirby, M. and Sirovich, L. "Application of the Karhunten-Loeve Procedure for the Characterization of Human Faces", IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 103-108 (1990), and R. C. Gonzales and R. E. Woods, Digital Image Processing, Chapter 3.6 (Addison-Wesley Publ.Co., ISBN 0-201-50803-6, 1992) which are incorporated herein by reference.
In Karhunen-Loeve expansion (also referred to as eigen analysis or principal component analysis, Hotelling transform and singular value decomposition), the product of the loadings and the scores for each consecutive factor minimizes the squared difference between the original and the reconstructed image intensities. Each of the factor loadings has a value for each pixel, and may therefore be referred to as "eigen-pictures"; the corresponding factor score has a value for each frame. It should be noted that the Karhunen-Loeve system utilizes factors in only one domain, i.e., the intensity domain, as opposed to the present invention which utilizes factors in multiple domains, such as intensity, address and probabilistic domains.
Such a compression system is very efficient in certain situations, such as when sets of pixels display interrelated intensity variations in fixed patterns from image to image. For example, if every time that pixels a, b, c become darker, pixels d, e, f become lighter, and vice versa, then all of pixels a, b, c, d, e, f can be effectively modelled by a single factor consisting of an eigen picture intensity loading having positive values for pixels a, b, c and negative values for pixels d, e, f. The group of pixels would then be modelled by a single score number for each image. Other interrelated pixel patterns would also give rise to additional factors.
This type of approach results in visually disruptive errors in the reconstructed image if too few factors are used to represent the original images. Additionally, if the image-to-image variations include large systematic spatial changes, such as moving objects, then the number of eigen pictures required for good visual representation will be correspondingly high. As a result, the compression rate deteriorates significantly, Thus, the Karhunen-Loeve systems of factor modelling of image intensities cannot provide the necessary compression required for video applications.
A fourth approach to video coding is the use of object oriented codecs. This approach focuses on identifying "natural" groups of pixels ("objects") that move and/or change intensity together in a fairly simple and easily compressible manner. More advanced versions of object oriented systems introduce a certain flexibility with respect to shape and intensity of individual objects, e.g., affine shape transformations such as translations, scaling, rotation and shearing, or one factor intensity changes. However, it should be noted that the object oriented approach typically employs only single factors.
In prior art systems, motion is typically approximated by one of two methods. The first of these methods is incremental movement compensation over a short period of time which is essentially a difference coding according to which the difference between pixels in a frame, n, and a previous frame, n-1, are transmitted as a difference image. MPEG is one example of this type of system. This approach allows for relatively simple introduction of new features since they are merely presented as part of the difference image. However, this approach has a significant disadvantage in that dynamic adaptation or learning is very difficult. For example, when an object is moving in an image, there is both a change in location and intensity, making it very difficult to extract any systematic data changes. As a result, even the simplest form of motion requires extensive modelling.
Another approach to incremental movement compensation is texture mapping based on a common reference frame, according to which motion is computed relative to a common reference frame and pixels are moved from the common reference frame to synthesize each new frame. This is the approach typically employed by most wire frame models. The advantage of this approach is that very efficient and compact representation is possible in some cases. However, the significant downside to this approach is that the efficiency is only maintained as long as the moving objects retain their original intensity or texture. Changes in intensity and features are not easily introduced, since existing systems incorporate only one dimensional change models, in either intensity or address.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for data analysis which provides very efficient and compact data representation without requiring a significant amount of advanced modelling information, but still being able to utilize such information if it does exist.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for data analysis having empirical flexibility and capable of dynamic updating based on short and long range systematic redundancies in various domains in the data being analyzed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for data analysis which utilizes factor analysis in multiple domains, such as address and probabalistic domains, in addition to the intensity domain. Additionally, the factor analysis is performed for individual subgroups of data, e.g., for each separate spatial object.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for data analysis which uses multiple factors in several domains to model objects. These "soft" models (address, intensity, spectral property, transparency, texture, type and time) are combined with "hard" models in order to allow for more effective learning and modelling of systematic change patterns in input data, such as a video image. Examples of such "hard" modelling are: a) conventional affine motions modelling of moving objects w.r.t. translation, rotation, scaling and shearing (including camera panning and zooming effects), and, b) multiplicative signal correction (MSC) and extensions of this, modelling of mixed multiplicative and additive intensity effects (H. Martens and T. Naes, Multivariate Calibration, pp. 345-350, (John Wiley & Sons, 1989), which is incorporated herein by reference.
A further object of the present invention is the modelling of objects in domains other than the spatial domain, e.g., grouping of local temporal change patterns into temporal objects and grouping of spectral patterns into spectral objects. Thus, in order to avoid undesirable oversimplifying associated with physical objects or object oriented programming, the term "holon" is used instead.
Yet another object of the present invention is the use of change data in the various domains to relate each individual frame to one or more common reference frames, and not to the preceding frame of data.


A gravity fed infant feeding device is disclosed. The gravity feeding device may have a cover with a through hole that allows liquid nutrients within the infant feeding device to be fed to an infant by way of gravity. If the infant feeding device clogs up, then either an integrated pump or a separate pump may be applied to the infant feeding device to increase pressure and push out the clog from the system. the through hole may be covered with a hydrophobic filter to allow air to pass there through and allow the feeding of the infant by way of gravity yet liquid nutrients within the infant feeding device cannot escape or be contaminated during use.

The present invention relates to a gravity feeding device for feeding liquid nutrients to a hospitalized infant.
Two common methods of feeding breast milk or liquid formula to a hospitalized infant exist. One method uses a syringe pump to provide a continuous flow of milk by mechanically depressing a plunger of a syringe filled with liquid nutrients (e.g., breast milk, liquid infant formula, etc.). This is a clumsy process since the plunger must be removed to fill the syringe with liquid nutrients. The medical professional must then hold the bottle of liquid nutrients and the barrel to pour the liquid nutrients into the barrel while maintaining sterility of the plunger. Also, the liquid nutrients might spill over and contaminate surrounding areas.
The second method consists of removing the plunger from the barrel or cylindrical pipe portion of the syringe. The liquid nutrients are transferred into the barrel which is manually held uncovered to allow the liquid nutrients to flow out of a barrel by gravity until the feeding process is over. Since the barrel is uncovered, the possibility of spillage or contamination is present. During feeding, liquid nutrients may clog a narrow outlet of the syringe. To unclog the narrow outlet of the syringe, the plunger is reinserted into the barrel to increase air pressure above the liquid. This takes time and further increases the possibility of spillage or contamination.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved feeding device for an infant.


A method of displaying images includes detecting frequency of ambient light, updating frequency of a display device according to the frequency of the ambient light, and adjusting shutter frequencies of a pair of shutter glasses according to the frequency of the ambient light when the display device is in a 3D display mode. In this way, flickers caused by inconsistency between the frequency of the ambient light and the frequencies of the display device and the shutters of the shutter glasses can be avoided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a method for displaying images, and more particularly, to a method for preventing flickering caused by frequency of ambient light when a display system displays 3D (three-dimensional) images.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In prior art, 3D images can be generated by utilizing a display device and a pair of shutter glasses. For instance, the display device alternately displays a left image and a right image. When the display device displays the left image, a left shutter of the shutter glasses is turned on and a right shutter of the shutter glasses is turned off for a left eye of a user to receive the left image. When the display device displays the right image, the right shutter of the shutter glasses is turned on and the left shutter of the shutter glasses is turned off, for a right eye of the user to receive the right image. This way, both eyes of the user can receive corresponding images respectively, and a 3D image can be perceived.
However, when the left or right shutter of the shutter glasses is turned on, the user also receives ambient light (e.g. light emitted by an indoor fluorescent tube) in addition to images displayed by the display device. Assuming frequency of the display device is 60 Hertz (Hz), shutter frequency of the shutter glasses is 120 Hz, and frequency of the ambient light is 50 Hz (due to frequency of commercial power), the user will perceive flickering, which is caused by inconsistency between the frequency of the ambient light and the frequencies of the display device and the shutters of the shutter glasses.


A system and method is provided for optimizing production from a well. A plurality of sensors are positioned to sense a variety of production related parameters. The sensed parameters are applied to a wellbore model and validated. Discrepancies between calculated parameters in the wellbore model and results based on sensed parameters indicate potential problem areas detrimentally affecting production.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to artificially lifted oil and gas wells, and in particular to such wells employing electric submersible pumps.
2. Description of Related Art
In many artificially lifted wells, there is potential for significantly improved operation and increased production. There are a variety of mechanisms for artificially lifting fluid from a reservoir, including electric submersible pumping systems and gas lift systems. In using any of these artificial lift systems, a variety of mechanical and systemic components can limit optimization of system usage. For example, artificial lift system components may be blocked, damaged, improperly sized, operated at less than optimal rates, or otherwise present limitations on gaining optimal use of the overall system.
Attempts have been made to detect certain specific problems. However, comprehensive analysis of the well and/or system components has proved to be difficult once the system is set downhole and placed into operation.

System and method for optimizing production in an artificially lifted well


An electronics device having a removable bezel to facilitate cleaning of a keypad structure. The electronics device includes a housing that defines and encloses an interior of the electronics device. Keys included in a keypad structure are formed on a surface of the housing in a manner such that spaces may exist between the keys and the housing. A pliable structure is positioned over and substantially conforms to the keys and the adjacent portions of the housing so as to cover the opening near the keys and to further seal the housing. A removable bezel covers the keypad structure, including at least a portion of the pliable structure. The bezel has openings through which the keys extend, permitting users to depress keys while the bezel is positioned on the electronics device. The bezel, in combination with the keys, provides a keypad surface that enables users to conveniently enter information into the electronics device. In response, for example, to water, dirt, or dust being exposed to the electronics device, the bezel can be removed to allow access to the keys and the pliable structure, which can then be cleaned as needed.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable electronics devices, such as handheld computers. Specifically, the present invention relates to removable bezels that can be selectively removed from a keypad structure of the portable electronics device so as to facilitate convenient cleaning of the electronics device.
2. The Prior State of the Art
During recent decades, electronics devices have become smaller, more lightweight, and more widely used in a variety of industries and endeavors. Early computers used vacuum tubes and other large-scale components and, accordingly, were large devices that were immovable fixtures and at times could fill an entire room. With the advent of liquid crystal display devices, integrated circuits and silicon semiconductor chips, computers and other electronics devices have steadily increased in computing power and decreased in size.
In recent years, the demand for access to computing power, coupled with the significant decrease in computer size has yielded portable electronics devices, such as laptop computers, which enable users to carry computing resources that previously were limited to relatively fixed, desktop computers. Special-purpose computing and communication devices have also been developed, including digital personal assistants, cellular phones, global positioning system receivers, and any number of other electronics devices.
This proliferation has taken computers and electronics devices from the relatively sterile conditions of the laboratory and the office to environments and industries where the devices are more likely to experience dirty or adverse conditions, including transportation environments, manufacturing, agriculture, natural resource industries, etc. Some electronics devices have been designed specifically for use outdoors and in other dirty or unpredictable environments. These devices are typically rugged, and can withstand some amount of vibration and shock, dust, dirt, and exposure to water or foreign material.
Most rugged electronics devices include keyboards or other keypad structures that enable users to input information or to manipulate the information displayed on a display device. Practically all keypads share a common feature of movable keys that are depressed by the user to input information. The interface between the movable keys and the fixed housing of the electronics devices causes dirt to accumulate, which can eventually interfere with the operation of the keys or other parts of the device. Moreover, there are often gaps or spaces between movable keys and the housing that can allow water, dust, or dirt to enter the interior of an electronics device. Lettering and/or numbering is also typically printed or formed on keypad structures, on or near the keys. Providing surfaces on which lettering and numbering can be printed increases the complexity of the keypad structure, thereby further complicating the process of cleaning the device. In addition, the need to clearly view lettering and numbering on keypad structures increases the importance of providing devices that can be conveniently cleaned when they become dirty.
Conventional portable electronics devices often have keypad structures that are difficult to clean. The movable keys and the associated housing sometimes represent the weak link that prevents electronics devices from being fully resistant to water, dust, and other adverse environmental conditions. This problem is made more serious by the increasing demand for rugged electronics devices that allow computing resources to be accessed in any environment.
The present invention relates to a removable bezel assembly associated with a keypad structure for use with electronics devices, particularly portable devices that are intended to be used in environments where exposure water, dust, dirt, or other adverse conditions can be expected. The bezel is removable so as to permit convenient cleaning of both the bezel and the keypad structure with which it is associated.
According to one aspect of the invention, an electronics device, such as a handheld computer or another portable electronics device, has a set of keys arrayed on a keypad structure. The keys can be depressed by users to allow the users to input information. In order to cause the electronics device to withstand exposure to dust, dirt, or the like, the movable keys of the keypad structure and the housing in which they are arrayed are covered with a pliable protective structure, such as one formed from a polymeric material. The pliable protective structure substantially conforms to the housing and the keys in a manner such that users can distinguish individual keys and can depress the keys by pushing on the surface of the pliable material situated atop the ends of the keys.
A removable bezel, typically formed from a substantially rigid material, is removably positioned over the housing and the polymeric material over the region of the display device associated with the keypad structure. The bezel has openings formed therethrough, and the openings are arrayed on the bezel to align with the keys when the bezel is positioned on the electronics device. When the bezel is in position, the keys extend through the openings and can be accessed by the user. The bezel, in combination with the keys, presents the user with a keypad surface that enables the user to conveniently depress keys and input information. Lettering and/or numbering can be formed on either the keys, the bezel, or both.
During normal operation of the electronics device, the bezel is in position on the housing. As the electronics device is used and exposed to conditions where dust or dirt is present, the dust or dirt can accumulate on the exposed surface of the bezel, on the exposed keys, on the backside of the bezel, and on the pliable protective structure under the bezel. The conforming nature of the polymeric material substantially prevents dirt, water, or other foreign materials from entering the inside of the housing through the keypad structure.
The keypad structure, along with the remaining portions of the electronics device, can be cleaned by removing the removable bezel from the housing. The front surface, the back surface, and the openings of the bezel can be cleaned when it has been removed from the housing. Removing the bezel also exposes the pliable protective structure conforming to the keys and the housing so that it can also be conveniently cleaned. After cleaning, the bezel can be repositioned so that the electronics device can be used again.
The removable bezel of the invention facilitates cleaning of electronics devices in ways that have not been possible in the prior art. Moreover, the use of the bezel in combination with the pliable protective structure that covers and conforms to the keys and the housing prevents water, dirt, or dust from entering the housing in the spaces that would otherwise exist between the keys and the housing in the absence of the invention. Thus, the present invention can prolong the use of electronics devices in adverse environments and can make existing electronics devices more adaptable to any desired conditions.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

Portable electronics device having keypad and removable bezel


A communication apparatus and method that includes generating a series of successive spread-spectrum signals formed through the concatenation of a direct sequence spread spectrum code with a Doppler Tolerant Polyphase Code (DTPC) is herein disclosed. By transmitting concatenated codes, it is possible to demodulate received sequences that are very long compared to the inverse of the Doppler frequency and/or the local oscillator drift. The method and apparatus may be applied to implement a wireless telecommunication system that efficiently transfers small quantities of data, such as status/telemetry, identification information and/or establishes device location at a low data rate over long distance in challenging radio environments and with low power consumption.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communications systems, in particular radio frequency systems for telemetry, identification, or positioning.
2. Description of the Related Art
The latest advances in wireless communications technologies are mostly in the field of broadband networks. Contrary to this trend, there is a wide range of applications where small to medium amounts of information have to be occasionally sent between participants spread over wide areas. Usually such devices are required to have a small profile and long operational range, to be autonomous, battery powered, and to operate in power saving mode, where reception periods alternate with long periods of power-off, in order to achieve a maintenance-free life of several years. This is the case with conventional applications in telemetry, radio frequency identification (RFID), and location/tracking. Other applications include location-aware computing devices, and data sensor networks. The harsh operational environments of such devices present serious drawbacks to achieving these requirements. For example, some aggravating conditions that impede the use of such devices are:    Limited battery life or need for external power;    External limitations on transmission power, as in operations in hospitals or munitions proximity;    Operation in urban non-line-of-sight (NLOS) situations, as discussed in references [1] to [8], for example;    High levels of interference;    External limitations on the antenna, which typically has to be small, possibly even concealed, and therefore has low gain.
The basics of telecommunications theory show that the rate of information transmitted through a system comes at the expense of the transmission power or the operating distance. So if one lowers the rate of the transmitted information, then the transmitted power can be lowered proportionally. On the other hand, if the power is kept constant then the transmission will reach a longer distance.
Low power itself has a further drawback: as the noise level in the receiver is high compared to the signal level, coherent detection systems are typically required to receive such signals. Other impairments include but are not limited to multipath and Doppler effects. Conventional coherent detectors are typically complex, expensive, and slow to acquire signals.
What is needed is a communications system that enables fast acquisition and coherent detection of low data rate identification signals without the cost and complexity of typical coherent receivers.

Communication methods and apparatus employing spread spectrum techniques and doppler-tolerant polyphase codes


In the present invention, performance sample passages are used as source material to drive the transducers of a controlled musical instrument, such as the strings of a violin. The performance sample passage method permits the faithful recreation of a musical performance without the limiting effects of speakers. Alternatively, analog/digital synthesizers, tape or other recording media, monophonic/polyphonic pitch recognition/MIDI conversion methods or any electrical signals are used as sources to drive the transducers of a controlled instrument. The invention uses magnets with steel pole pieces positioned on either side of a transducer, such as a metallic string or rod of a controlled instrument. Said metallic string or rod can be either double or single anchored, or utilize any combination of anchoring means. Insulation between the pole pieces and magnets is utilized to isolate the coils from the magnets and pole pieces. String dampers are used to recreate a violin bow's damping and string focusing effects.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems of electromagnetic or electromechanical stimulation of acoustic musical instruments for the purpose of high fidelity production or reproduction of music.
2. Background Art
Acoustic instruments (i.e., non-electrical instruments) are the instruments of choice for performing most musical pieces. Acoustic instruments typically excite a moveable element near an air chamber to produce sounds. For example, in a violin, guitar or piano, strings are manipulated, excited and amplified by a sound chamber to produce sound; in a clarinet, oboe or saxophone, a reed is excited like a valve, and regulates a moving column of air down the bore of the instrument to produce sounds; in drums, a tightly-stretched membrane is excited and amplified by the drum body to produce sounds.
In the creation of recorded music, it is often desired to utilize acoustic instruments as part of the recorded performance. However, this often limits the repeatability of performances for recording and limits the venues where recording sessions can take place. For example, since acoustic instruments are recorded through the air, the acoustics of the recording locations are critical. This often prevents the use of a live acoustic performer when the recording is to be done at a small studio or a home environment. Further, if a large number of acoustic instruments are desired, the expense and logistics of supporting a large number of live performers is typically prohibitive. One prior art attempt to solve the problem of providing acoustic sounds for recording purposes is to substitute electronically-produced sounds such as from a synthesizer, sampler or the like. Mile such efforts can provide solutions to the problem of repeatability of performance, venues of recording sessions and expense, these prior art attempts do not provide satisfactory solutions to the problems of sound fidelity and authenticity. Synthesizers do not recreate strings or other acoustic instruments effectively, sounding artificial and lacking the richness and variety of live performers. High fidelity sampling techniques are expensive in terms of dollars and memory requirements, and also fall short of the real thing in terms of flexibility and acoustic authenticity.
There are methods in existence between the extremes of reproduction and live performance. The player piano, for example, is a device which can reproduce music on a real piano without the need for a human pianist. The player piano affords a composer with the convenience of storage and playback capability. Obviously though, the sounds producible by a piano cannot encompass other instruments such as strings or winds. Prior art player pianos are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,843,936; 4,756,223; 4,744,281; 4,593,592; 4,469,000; 4,417,494 and 4,383,464.
Attempts have been made to record and reproduce a player piano musical performance synchronized with an orchestral recording. This complex mechanical reproduction, while a faithful reproduction of a piano, makes no attempt to faithfully reproduce other instrument groups, relying on the traditional loudspeaker for that purpose.
Presently, music is performed either acoustically or electronically or in combination, recorded through an electronic mixing board onto digital or sound tape and replayed electromagnetically through fiber speaker cones. Rarely, music is performed on a player piano, performance data being stored digitally, then replayed by a player piano mechanically reproducing the piano's real sound. In the case of electronic recordings, fidelity is lost during each step of the process. Even during the initial performance of the acoustic instruments, noise and distortion are introduced. Using the player piano method, an acoustic performance is reproduced mechanically with hammers and pedals, but only a piano is reproduced, mechanical delay is introduced and flexibility is lacking.
A preferred source material to drive a violin string is the "sample." A sample is generally the recording of a single musical note. This sample is a detailed "photographic" description of note attack, timbre, harmonic structure, sustain, volume and decay. A sample is a more complex structure, and contains more information, than waveforms typically generated by a synthesizer. When amplified and played back through a loudspeaker, a sample is indistinguishable from an original musical performance played through the same loudspeaker.
Samples are typically recorded one at a time, by slowly playing a scale of individual notes. The individual notes can subsequently be linked together in any desired order to create a new performance. One advantage of this method is that any sample can follow any other sample, creating an extremely flexible composition or performance environment tool.
However, there are a number of disadvantages to the single sample method. First, a single sample always starts with an attack, a crucial element of a musical sample. This attack may be adequate for some musical passages, such as those requiring individual attacks for each note. For other passages, such as legato or finger section, the single sample attack is inadequate. Second, the identifying "signature" of the single sample attack is always the same whenever that particular sample is played. This phenomenon is especially obvious when a specific sample is repeated. This sameness of attack is literally never found in the real world of acoustic instruments, where each attack is unique and different, always changing slightly, due to the human input. Third, because of the nature of current sampling technology, loops (the repeating of a sample section) are required. This looping can make a performance created from samples sound mechanical and artificial, because of the repetitive nature of the looping. In an actual performance, the same sound is rarely repeated.


Disclosed is a frequency doubler having a quantum well semiconductor structure and a second-order non-linear susceptibility grating that can be used to amplify notably the frequency doubling. The grating can be recorded optically or electrically within the semiconductor structure and has a pitch in the plane of the structure. Such a frequency doubler finds particular application to optical recording or reading systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electromagnetic frequency doubler comprising a quantum well semiconductor structure capable of amplifying non-linear optical effects and notably capable of amplifying second-harmonic generation.
2. Discussion of the Background
Frequency doublers can advantageously be used in optical recording and reading systems or any other field in which it is sought to have a power source available at a determined wavelength that cannot be generated by the standard materials used. However, the major problem of frequency doublers lies in the phase-matching that must imperatively be set up between the polarization created by the incident electromagnetic wave and the created harmonic wave. Indeed, the created harmonic wave gets propagated in a material with a wave vector k.sub.2.omega. such that: EQU k.sub.2.omega. 2.pi..pi..sub.2.omega. /.eta..sub.2.omega. =2.times.2.pi..eta..sub.2.omega. /.lambda..sub..omega.
where .eta..sub.2.omega. is the refraction index of the material at the frequency 2.omega., if .omega. is the frequency of the incident electromagnetic wave that gets propagated with a vector k.sub.107 such that: EQU k.sub.107 =2.pi. .eta..sub..omega. /.eta..sub..omega.
.eta..sub..omega. being the refraction index of the material at the frequency .omega..
Generally, .eta..sub..omega. is different from .eta..sub.2.omega. and the phase-shift existing between the polarization created by the incident electromagnetic wave and that created by the harmonic wave drastically restricts any efficiency of conversion of the frequency .omega. into 2.omega.. The term coherence length Lc designates the length of material at the end of which this phase-shift reaches .pi., Lc being therefore defined as follows: EQU Lc(k.sub.2.omega. -2k.sub..omega.)=.pi.
or again: EQU Lc=.eta..sub.107 /4(.lambda..sub.2.omega. -.lambda..sub..omega.).
A known approach by which this problem can be overcome consists in using a periodic disturbance with a pitch--so as to form, for example, an index grating or a second-order non-linear susceptibility grating referenced .chi..sup.(2) responsible for the second-harmonic generation. By making an intelligent choice of .LAMBDA. such that Lc =.LAMBDA./2 it is possible to add up the power emitted at the frequency 2.omega. on the path travelled by the incident electromagnetic wave, as illustrated in FIG. 1 representing the progress of the power created at the frequency 2.omega., as a function of the length 1 travelled in the middle of the doubler. Without grating, we obtain the curve P.sub.2.omega.,1 as a function of 1. By using a grating structure in which there are periodically created domains wherein the coefficient .chi.(2) is not zero, separated from domains in which the coefficient .chi..sup.(2) is zero, the curve P.sub.2.omega.,2 is obtained. Finally, by creating a grating of domains separated from -.chi..sup.(2) domains, the curve P.sub.2.omega.,3 with the best performance is obtained.

Optical frequency doubler using quantum well semiconductor structures