A vehicle control system is configured to decrease a value of the index upon reduction in an absolute value of acceleration detected continuously during propulsion of the vehicle to fall below a predetermined value toward zero, as compared to that of a case in which the absolute value of the instant acceleration is larger than the predetermined value (steps S1 to 5). The acceleration includes at least any of an instant forward acceleration established by operating an accelerator, an instant longitudinal acceleration established by operating the accelerator or a brake, and an instant synthesized acceleration of the instant longitudinal acceleration and an instant lateral acceleration established by operating a steering wheel.

Control characteristics of a driving force generated by a prime mover in response to an operation of an accelerator, a speed ratio established by a transmission, a shift timing, a steering angle of front wheels with respect to a turning angle of a steering wheel, a damping characteristic of a suspension and so on are determined depending on a type of the vehicle. However, a driving preference of the driver (i.e., driver's disposition or intention) depending on a running condition such as a road condition varies from person to person and hence designed control characteristics may not meet driver's preference in every situation.
In the conventional art, control characteristics of acceleration and steering and so on can be changed by selecting a driving mode from sporty mode, a normal mode, and a mild mode, and those characteristics may be adjusted in line with the driver's preference. For example, PCT international publication WO 2013/011572 describes a vehicle control system configured to detect or judge desired sportiness of the driver based on an acceleration and a steering angle. Based on judgement result, the control system increases an engine power with respect to an operating amount of an accelerator, changes a speed ratio in such a manner to expand a high speed region where an engine speed is high, and increases a hardness of a suspension.
The vehicle control system taught by WO 2013/011572 is configured to adjust the control characteristics of the vehicle based on an index representing the driver's preference determined based on a longitudinal acceleration, a synthesized acceleration of longitudinal acceleration and lateral acceleration, an absolute value of acceleration, or an estimated value of acceleration. According to the teachings of WO 2013/011572, specifically, an instant SPI is determined based on an instant value of acceleration detected continuously, and the instant SPI is updated when the current SPI exceeds the previous SPI to be used to calculate a command SPI. By contrast, if the instant SPI is fluctuating below the command SPI for a certain period of time, the command SPI is maintained until a predetermined condition is satisfied, specifically, until an integral deviation therebetween exceeds a threshold value, and then the instant SPI is lowered. That is, the command SPI calculated based on the instant SPI is increased immediately with an increase of the instant SPI, but lowered after a delay with respect to a drop of the instant SPI. Thus, the vehicle control system taught by WO 2013/011572 is configured to adjust the control characteristics of a relation between an accelerator opening and an engine torque, an assist amount of steering, or a damping characteristic of the suspension based on the command SPI.
However, acceleration of the vehicle is easily to be generated and sensed at a low speed, but difficult to be generated and sensed at a high speed. Therefore, if the index is calculated based on the (longitudinal) acceleration irrespective of vehicle speed, a determination of the fact that the driver prefers a sporty driving would be satisfied too easily at a low speed, and would be satisfied too difficult at a high speed. Consequently, a determination accuracy of the driving preference would be deteriorated. In order to avoid such disadvantage, according to the teachings of WO 2013/011572, the instant value of longitudinal (or forward) acceleration to be used to calculate the index is weighted to be increased at a low speed as compared that at a high speed.
According to the teachings of WO 2013/011572, accuracy of adjusting the control characteristics based on the driver's preference can be improved by thus correcting the acceleration in accordance with vehicle speed. However, an accelerator pedal is depressed and returned even during cruising at a constant speed to adjust a driving torque against a road load and air resistance. Specifically, the accelerator pedal is depressed when the driver feels that the vehicle speed is lowered, and then returned when the driver senses increase in acceleration. Such operations of the accelerator to adjust acceleration may be reflected on the index representing sportiness of driving. For example, in the above-explained vehicle control system using the command SPI, the command SPI is prevented from being lowered easily if a deviation between the command SPI and the instant SPI fluctuating below the command SPI is small. This is because the acceleration is increased to a certain extent and hence the control system determines a fact that the driver demands a sporty running.
As shown in FIG. 11, a minimum value of a change in acceleration that can be sensed by the driver during cruising at a constant speed is larger in a high speed range as compared to that in a low speed range. Therefore, the accelerator would be unintentionally opened widely by the driver during cruising at a high speed. That is, such operation of the accelerator to keep the vehicle cruising would be erroneously reflected on the index representing the driving preference in the high speed range. Consequently, the index would not be lowered even under the situation to be lowered and hence the control characteristics would be deviated from the driver's intention.


A method for manufacturing a modified hydroxyethyl starch carrying a heptonic acid residue on at least one of its termini is disclosed. Within this method, the following steps are carried out: a) dissolving hydroxyethyl starch in water, b) adjusting the pH value to a value of 8.0 to 10.0, c) adding a cyanide compound to the hydroxyethyl starch solution, heating the solution to a temperature of 80 to 99° C. and keeping it at this temperature for a first time period, and d) adjusting the pH value to a value of 2.0 to 4.0, bringing the solution to a temperature of 50 to 90° C. and keeping it at this temperature for a second time period.

The invention relates in an aspect to a method for manufacturing a hydroxyethyl starch derivatives.
Patients suffering from end-stage renal disease under chronic haemodialysis often show iron deficiency anaemia. This is based on the fact that the application of recombinant human erythropoietin in haemodialysis results in an enhanced iron requirement which cannot be satisfied by intestinal iron absorption. Therefore, iron supplementation is necessary to support an erythropoiesis initiated by erythropoietin therapy to counteract renal anaemia.
There exist several formulations for administering iron to patients. These formulations are usually complexes of iron ions with polymeric carbohydrates like dextran or organic compounds like sucrose or gluconate to form polynuclear complexes with metal ions.
In particular, dextran complexing iron has been used in the past to treat iron deficiency anaemia. However, such dextrans have comparatively many side effects and can show an anaphylactic effect, because anti-streptococci antibodies can react onto dextrans.
Ternes et al.: "Iron availability and complex stability of iron hydroxyethyl starch and iron dextran—a comparative in vitro study with liver cells and macrophages", Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 22 (2007), 2824-2830 described the use of hydroxyethyl starch as carrier for iron ions. However, no suited manufacturing method by which high amounts of hydroxyethyl starch can be produced in a reliable manner has been published so far.

Method for manufacturing hydroxyethyl starch derivatives


An integrated engine cover and exhaust gas recirculation cooler for an internal combustion engine includes a cover for enclosing a portion of an engine and an EGR cooler having a housing formed as one piece with the cover. The EGR cooler includes at least one cooler section located within the housing and EGR and bypass valves for controlling the flow of exhaust gases either though the cooler or around the cooler.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine having cooled exhaust gas recirculation (herein after referred to as either "EGR" or exhaust gas recirculation).
2. Related Art
Exhaust gas recirculation has been used with automotive engines for many years. EGR cooling has also been used, but has proven to be difficult to package in modern, crowded engine compartments. Space and packaging problems arise because the cooler itself is ideally placed close by the engine so as to minimize pressure losses, and also to reduce the package volume itself. Usually, too, such coolers are separate components from the other major components of the engine and this increases the cost and complexity of EGR coolers. Finally, remotely mounted EGR coolers present the potential for coolant leaks.
It would be desirable to provide an EGR cooler which is integral with other major components of the engine and which reduces the number of parts required to build an engine, while occupying minimum package volume, or space, within an engine compartment.

Integrated cover and exhaust gas recirculation cooler for internal combustion engine


The present invention provides a method for reducing stroke-related tissue damage by treating a mammal with E-selectin. Preferably, this treatment induces E-selectin tolerance in the mammal. Another aspect of the invention is a method for inducing E-selectin tolerance in a mammal through intranasal administration of E-selectin, preferably including booster administrations. The present methods are especially adapted for use in patients at increased risk of stroke or who may become at increased risk of stroke.

E-selectin (also known as ELAM-1, CD62, and CD62E) is a cytokine inducible cell surface glycoprotein cell adhesion molecule that is found exclusively on endothelial cells. E-selectin mediates the adhesion of various leukocytes, including neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, natural killer (NK) cells, and a subset of T cells, to activated endothelium (Bevilacqua, et al., "Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1: an inducible receptor for neutrophils related to complement regulatory proteins and lectins," Science 243; 1160 (1989); Graber, et al., "T cells bind to cytokine-activated endothelial cells via a novel, inducible sialoglycoprotein and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1" J. Immunol. 145: 819 (1990); Carlos, et al., "Human monocytes bind to two cytokine-induced adhesive ligands on cultured human endothelial cells: endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1" Blood 77: 2266 (1991); Hakkert, et al., "Neutrophil and monocyte adherence to and migration across monolayers of cytokine-activated endothelial cells: the contribution of CD18, ELAM-1, and VLA-4" Blood 78: 2721 (1991); and Picker, et al., "ELAM-1 is an adhesion molecule for skin-homing T cells" Nature 349: 796 (1991)).
The expression of E-selectin is induced on human endothelium in response to the cytokines IL-1 and TNF, as well as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), through transcriptional upregulation (Montgomery, et al., "Activation of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) gene transcription" Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88: 6523 (1991)). E-selectin is expressed in vascular endothelial tissue where cells have been activated. Pober, J. S., et al., "Two distinct monokines, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor, each independently induce biosynthesis and transient expression of the same antigen on the surface of cultured human vascular endothelial cells," J. Immunol. 136: 1680 (1986); Bevilacqua M. P., et al., "Identification of an inducible endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 84: 9238 (1987). Activation of vascular endothelial cells is believed, in at least some cases, to be involved in inflammatory vascular tissue damage leading to thrombosis (Fareed, J. et al., "Molecular markers of hemostatic activation. Implications in the diagnosis of thrombosis, vascular, and cardiovascular disorders," Clin. Lab. Med. 15: 39 (1995)).
It is well-established that vascular tissue damage and thrombosis are involved in the development of strokes. Decreased supply of oxygen and nutrients from the blood to brain cells due to vascular tissue damage and thrombosis leads to the death of brain cells, the clinical manifestations of a stroke, and causes the formation of detectable spaces left by these cells, called infarctions. Strokes are a major cause of mortality in the world and account for tens of billions of dollars of medical costs in the United States alone. Although some treatments for stroke prevention are available, there is a need for more effective treatments that are applicable to a larger fraction of afflicted patients.
Structurally, E-selectin belongs to a family of adhesion molecules termed "selectins" that also includes P-selectin and L-selectin (see reviews in Lasky, "Selectins: interpreters of cell-specific carbohydrate information during inflammation" Science 258: 964 (1992) and Bevilacqua and Nelson, "Selectins" J. Clin. Invest. 91: 379 (1993)). These molecules are characterized by common structural features such as an amino-terminal lectin-like domain, an epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain, and a discrete number of complement repeat modules (approximately 60 amino acids each) similar to those found in certain complement binding proteins.
Recently, new methods and pharmaceutical formulations have been found that induce tolerance, orally or mucosally (e.g., by intranasal administration, using as tolerizers autoantigens, bystander antigens, or disease-suppressive fragments or analogs of autoantigens or bystander antigens). Such treatments are described in Wiener, H. et al., "Bystander suppression of autoimmune diseases," WO9316724 (1993); Brigham & Womens Hospital (US), "Enhancement of the down-regulation of autoimmune diseases by oral administration of autoantigens," WO9112816 (1991); Weiner, H. et al., "Improved treatment of autoimmune diseases by aerosol administration of auto antigens," WO9108760 (1991); Weiner, H. et al., "Methods of treating or preventing autoimmune uveoretinitis in mammals," WO9101333 (1991); Weiner, H. et al., "Method of treating or preventing type 1 diabetes by oral administration of insulin," WO9206704 (1992); Hafler, D. et al., "Bystander suppression of retroviral-associated neurological disease," WO940121 (1994); Weiner, H. et al., "Method of treating rheumatoid arthritis with type II collagen," WO9407520 (1994); Weiner, H. et al., "Methods and compositions for suppressing allograft rejection in mammals," WO9207581 (1992); Wucherpfenning, K. et al., "Multiple sclerosis T-cell receptor," WO9115225 (1991); Weiner, H. et al., "Suppression of proliferative response and induction of tolerance with polymorphic class II mhc allopeptides," WO9320842 (1993); Weiner, H. et al., "Suppression of T-cell proliferation using peptide fragments of myelin basic protein," WO9321222 (1993); and Weiner, H. et al., "Treatment of autoimmune diseases by oral administration of autoantigens," WO9206708 (1992).
Intravenous administration of autoantigens (and fragments thereof containing immunodominant epitopic regions) has been found to induce immune suppression through a mechanism called clonal anergy. Clonal anergy causes deactivation of only immune attack T-cells specific to a particular antigen, the result being a significant reduction in the immune response to this antigen. Thus, the autoimmune response-promoting T-cells specific to an autoantigen, once clonal anergized, no longer proliferate in response to that antigen. This reduction in proliferation also reduces the immune reactions responsible for autoimmune disease symptoms (such as neural tissue damage that is observed in MS). There is also evidence that oral administration of autoantigens (or immunodominant fragments) in a single dose and in substantially larger amounts than those that trigger "active suppression" may also induce tolerance through clonal anergy (or clonal deletion).
A method of treatment has also been disclosed that proceeds by active suppression. Active suppression functions via a different mechanism from that of clonal anergy. This method, discussed extensively in Weiner (1993), involves oral or mucosa administration of antigens specific to the tissue under autoimmune attack. These so called "bystander antigens" cause regulatory (suppressor) T-cells to be induced in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), or bronchial associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), or most generally, mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT); MALT includes both GALT and BALT. These regulatory cells are released in the blood or lymphatic tissue and then migrate to the organ or tissue afflicted by the autoimmune disease and suppress autoimmune attack of the afflicted organ or tissue.
The T-cells elicited by the bystander antigen recognize at least one antigenic determinant of the bystander antigen used to elicit them and are targeted to the locus of autoimmune attack where they mediate the local release of certain immunomodulatory factors and cytokines, such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and/or interleukin-10 (IL-10). Of these, TGF-β is an antigen-nonspecific immunosuppressive factor in that it suppresses immune attack regardless of the antigen that triggers the attack. (However, because oral or mucosa tolerization with a bystander antigen only causes the release of TGF-β in the vicinity of autoimmune attack, no systemic immunosuppression ensues.) IL-4 and IL-10 are also antigen-nonspecific immunoregulatory cytokines. IL-4 in particular enhances Th2 response (i.e., acts on T-cell precursors and causes them to differentiate preferentially into Th2 cells at the expense of Th1 responses). IL-4 also indirectly inhibits Th1 exacerbation. IL-10 is a direct inhibitor of Th1 responses. After orally tolerizing mammals afflicted with autoimmune disease conditions with bystander antigens, increased levels of TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 are observed at the locus of autoimmune attack (Chen, Y. et al., "Regulatory T cell clones induced by oral tolerance: suppression of autoimmune encephalomyelitis," Science, 265: 1237-1240, (1994)). The bystander suppression mechanism has been confirmed by von Herrath et al., "Oral insulin treatment suppresses virus-induced antigen-specific destruction of beta cells and prevents autoimmune diabetes in transgenic mice," J. Clin. Invest., 96: 1324-1331, (1996).
Although the induction of tolerance and a bystander effect has been demonstrated for a number of antigens, there remains a need to develop methods for inducing tolerance to E-selectin, and a determination of whether such induction is possible. Furthermore, there remains a need to determine whether E-selectin can be used as a bystander antigen for the induction of tolerance that provides active suppression.
This invention meets these needs by providing a method for inducing tolerance of E-selectin. Furthermore, this invention provides a method for treating stroke by the treatment of E-selectin, apparently through a bystander effect provided by E-selectin tolerance. These and other advantages, benefits, and uses of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon a consideration of the present specification.

Methods for preventing strokes by inducing tolerance to e-selectin

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health


Isolators are disposed such that DC magnetic fields of permanent magnets intensity with each other, and thus, the input impedance of non-reciprocal circuits 3a and 3b (regulating means 3) is reduced. Accordingly, the impedance conversion ratio between the output impedance of amplifying means 2 and the input impedance of the regulating means 3 is reduced to be relatively small. Thus, by simplifying the configuration of matching means 4 disposed between the amplifying means 2 and the regulating means 3, the insertion loss of the matching means 4 can be reduced, thereby enhancing the efficiency of a circuit module 1. Additionally, it is possible to dispose the non-reciprocal circuits 3a and 3b close to each other so that the DC magnetic fields of the permanent magnets can intensity with each other, thereby increasing the design flexibility of the circuit module 1 and accordingly reducing the size of the circuit module 1.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit module including amplifying means for amplifying multiple types of signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
These days, there is an increasing demand for multiband, multimode mobile communication terminals, such as cellular phones and mobile information terminals, which support multiple communication systems of different frequency bands or different modulation methods. Therefore, on a transmission side of this type of mobile communication terminal, a circuit module that supports multiple radio frequency signals of different frequency bands is mounted, as shown in FIG. 11 (for example, see Patent Document 1). A circuit module 500 shown in FIG. 11 is a module for amplifying radio frequency signals of multiple frequency bands (Bands), and includes a transmission route R1 through which input signals RFin_BC0 (800 MHz band) and RFin_BC3 (900 MHz band) are amplified and are output as output signals RFout_BC0 (800 MHz band) and RFout_BC3 (900 MHz band) and a transmission route R2 through which an input signal RFin_BC6 (2 GHz band) is amplified and is output as an output signal RFout_BC6 (2 GHz band).
In the transmission route R1, the input signals RFin_BC0 and RFin_BC3 input into a SAW filter 501 are switched by a switch 502 and are selectively input into an input terminal of a power amplifier 503. Then, the input signals RFin_BC0 and RFin_BC3 amplified by the power amplifier 503 are input into a non-reciprocal circuit 505, which is disposed subsequent to the power amplifier 503, via a coupler 504 and are output to the exterior of the circuit module 500 via a switch 506. Accordingly, the non-reciprocal circuit 505 prevents a signal reflected by, for example, an antenna element (not shown), disposed closer to the switch 506 from being output to the coupler 504 (power amplifier 503). Part of the transmission signals RFin_BC0 and RFin_BC3 amplified by the power amplifier 503 is separated in the coupler 504 and is output to the exterior of the circuit module 500 as an output signal Coupler out.
In the transmission route R2, the transmission signal RFin_BC6 input into a SAW filter 507 is input into an input terminal of a power amplifier 508. Then, the input signal RFin_BC6 amplified by the power amplifier 508 is input into a non-reciprocal circuit 509, which is disposed subsequent to the power amplifier 508, and is output to the exterior of the circuit module 500. Accordingly, as in the above-described transmission route R1, the non-reciprocal circuit 509 prevents a signal reflected by, for example, an antenna element (not shown), disposed subsequent to the isolator 509 from being output to the power amplifier 508. Part of the transmission signal RFin_BC6 amplified by the power amplifier 508 is output to the exterior of the circuit module 500 as an output signal Coupler out via a capacitor 510 which is connected at one end between the power amplifier 508 and the non-reciprocal circuit 509.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-199602 (Paragraphs 0012 to 0023, FIGS. 1 and 2, and so on)


A key word is first and automatically extracted from a character string group to be recognized, and entered. Then, a character is recognized by segmenting an individual character from a character string image to be recognized, and a character string corresponding to the extracted/entered key word id extracted. Then, a word area delimited by a key word is extracted from the character string image, and a word is recognized. Furthermore, a word recognition result is verified, and a final character string recognition result is output.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a character string recognition apparatus in a character recognition apparatus associated with a character recognition apparatus OCR and software OCR which have recently been more and more demanded as document input appliances.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a method of recognizing a word by dividing a handwritten character string into partial character strings, there has been a suggestion for recognizing a word in an area enclosed by the characters (key characters) detected as delimiters such as  (capital), , , and  (prefecture),  (city),  (ward),  (county), etc. in a handwritten address (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-161740, Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-328315).
However, the above mentioned method is used for a handwritten address, and no method has been developed for a common handwritten character string other than an address. In an address, each key character can be a delimiter of character strings, and no plural characters have been used as key characters, that is, a key word.
In the conventional key character extraction system for use in recognizing a handwritten address, a key character is limited to { (capital),  (prefecture),  (prefecture),  (prefecture),  (city),  (ward),  (county),  (town),  (village)}. However, when a target character string is not an address, it is necessary to newly set a key character each time a character string recognizing process is performed.
Furthermore, since the number of key characters is one (1) to be extracted from a character string in the conventional method, a key word containing two or more characters cannot be successfully extracted due to, for example, touching characters in the key word, if the conventional method is applied as is.
Additionally since a high precision rejecting process has been not performed in the conventional word recognizing method, a word can be misrecognized as a completely wrong word, thereby discouraging users.

Character string recognition apparatus, character string recognizing method, and storage medium therefor


The present invention relates to the discovery of new class of linear and multiarmed hydrolysable linkers and cross linkers for use in the synthesis of biodegradable polymers such as, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyureas and degradable epoxy amine resin. The linear and multiarmed hydrolysable linkers of the present invention include symmetrical and/or unsymmetrical ether carboxylic acids, amines, amide diols, amine polyols and isocyanates.

Much work has been accomplished in the last 20 years in the area of hydrophobic biodegradable polymers, wherein the biodegradable moieties include esters, lactones, orthoesters, carbonates, phosphazines, and anhydrides. Generally the polymers made of these biodegradable linkages are not water-soluble and therefore in themselves are not amenable for use in systems where water is required, such as in hydrogels.
Since the mechanism of biodegradation in these polymers is generally through the hydrolytically-active components of water (hydronium and hydroxide ions), the rate of hydrolytic scission of the bonds holding a polymer network together is generally pH sensitive, with these moieties being susceptible to both specific-acid catalyzed hydrolysis and base hydrolysis. Other factors affecting the degradation of materials made of these polymers are the degree of polymer crystallinity, the polymer volume fraction, the polymer molecular weight, the cross-link density, and the steric and electronic effects at the site of degradation.
Biodegradable network structures are prepared by placing covalent or non-covalent bonds within the network structure that may be broken under biologically relevant conditions. This involves the use of two separate structural motifs. The degradable structure is either placed into (i) the polymer backbone or (ii) into the cross-linker structure. In 1983, a system of degradable hydrogels was disclosed that reportedly included a water-soluble linear copolymer containing PEG, glycolylglycolic acid, and fumaric acid linkages (Heller, J.; Helwing, R. F.; Baker, R. W.; and Tuttle, M. E. "Controlled release of water-soluble macromolecules from bioerodible hydrogels." Biomaterials, 4; (1983) 262-266). The fumaric acid reportedly allowed the linear polymer to be cross-linked through free radical polymerization in a second network forming polymerization step, thus creating a polymer network that could degrade through hydrolysis of the glycolic ester linkages. This is an example of creating degradable linkages in the polymer backbone.
Biodegradable Cross-linkers: The first truly degradable cross-linking agents were reportedly made from aryl diazo compounds for delivery of drugs in the digestive tract. According to Brondsted (Brondsted, H.; and Kopccek, J. "Hydrogels for site-specific oral drug deliver: synthesis and characterization." Biomaterials, 12; (1991) 584-592), the diazo moiety may be cleaved by a bacterial azoreductase that is present in the colon. These agents are reportedly useful in the creation of colon specific delivery systems. A bis-vinylic compound based on hydroxylamine has been disclosed as a biodegradable cross-linking agent by Ulbrich and Duncan (Ulbrich, K.; Subr, V.; Seymour, L. W.; and Duncan, R. "Novel biodegradable hydrogels prepared using the divinylic crosslinking agent N,O-dimethacryloylhydroxylamine. 1. Synthesis and characterisation of rates of gel degradation, and rate of release of model drugs, in vitro and in vivo." Journal of Controlled Release, 24; (1993) 181-190.). Hydrogels made from this degradable cross-linker were said to undergo hydroxide-induced hydrolysis of the nitrogen-oxygen bond.
Hubbell et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,801,033; 5,834,274; and 5,843,743) have disclosed hydrogels composed of macro monomers derived in a multi step synthetic process. According to Hubbell, the macromonomers are composed of a central PEG diol which was transesterified using tin octanoate catalyzed ring opening polymerization of lactide to give a bis-oligolactate PEG. Following this step, the resultant bis-oligolactate PEG was then reportedly reacted with acryloyl chloride to give a macromolecular cross-linker. Hubbell disclosed that the macromolecular cross-linker could be converted into a homo-polymer interpenetrating network of PEG and oligolacetylacrylate through free radical polymerization (Pathak et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,974). Hubbell (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,801,033; 5,834,274; and 5,843,743) disclosed these compounds as photopolymerizable homo-polymers reportedly useful in preventing surgical adhesion.
Van Dijk-Wolthius et al. (van Dijk-Wolthuis, W. N. W.; Hoogeboom, J.; van Steenbergen, M.; Tsang, S.; and Hennick, W. "Degradation and Release Behavior of Dextran-Based Hydrogels." Macromolecules, 30; (1997) 4639-4645; van Dijk-Wolthuis, W. N. E.; Tsang, S.; Kettenes-van den Bosch, J.; and Hennick, W. "A new class of polymerizable dextrans with hydrolyzable groups: hydroxyethyl methacrylated dextran with and without oligolactate spacer." Polymer, 38(25); (1997) 6235-6242) has recently reported a second solution to this problem, using a biodegradable cross-linking macromonomer composed of alpha-hydroxy esters This work reportedly combines natural polymers with synthetic polymers in an interpenetrating network. This group disclosed functionalized dextran with oligo-alpha-hydroxy acid domains, which were end capped with vinyl regions that were polymerized into biodegradable networks via free radical polymerization.
The most recent report of a biodegradable cross-linking agent involved an agent designed to undergo enzymatic degradation. This cross-linker is indicated to include a centro-symmetric peptide terminated by acrylamide moieties with a central diamine linking the two ends (Kurisawa et al, Macromol. Chem. Phys. 199, 705-709 (1998).
Pathak (U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,974) described polymeric cross-linking agents reportedly having an inert water-soluble polymeric component, a biodegradable component, and functional components that are reactive with chemical groups on a protein such as amine or thiol. According to Pathak, the inert polymeric component may be flanked at each end with a biodegradable component, which is flanked at each end with a protein reactive functional component. Pathak also disclosed a polymeric crosslinking agent having a biodegradable component, polyalkylene oxide, and at least three reactive functional groups, each of them reportedly capable of forming a covalent bond in water with at least one functional group such as an amine, thiol, or carboxylic acid.
Ashton et al. (US Patent Application Ser. No. 20030158598) disclosed medical devices having a coating disposed on at least one surface, wherein the coating reportedly includes a polymer matrix and a low solubility anti-inflammatory corticosteroid formulation or low solubility codrug or prodrug of an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid formulation.
Uhrich et al (US Patent Application Ser. No. 20040096476) described therapeutic devices including a polymeric anti-inflammatory agent that reportedly biodegrades to release anti-inflammatory agents. The therapeutic devices are disclosed as being useful for repair and regeneration of a variety of injured tissues.
Carpenter, et al, (US Patent Application Ser. No. 20050238689) disclosed a bioactive implantable stent including a stent structure with a surface coating of a biodegradable, bioactive polymer, wherein the polymer is said to include at least one bioligand covalently bound to the polymer and wherein the bioligand are said to specifically bind to integrin receptors on progenitors of endothelial cells (PECs) in circulating blood.
Giroux (US Patent Application Ser. No. 20060013851) described polyanhydrides which link low molecular weight drugs containing a carboxylic acid group and an amine, thiol, alcohol, or phenol group within their structure into polymeric drug delivery systems. Also reported are methods of producing polymeric drug delivery systems via these polyanhydride linkers as well as methods of administering low molecular weight drug to a host via the polymeric drug delivery systems. Medical implants based on the polymeric drug delivery system of the invention are also disclosed.
The use of isocyanate linkers to make hydrolysable active agent biopolymer conjugates was described in WO2004008101.
Biodegradable linkers for molecular therapies were described in WO2006052790.
Ptchelintsev et al. described the use of oxa acids and related compounds for treatment of skin conditions in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,932,229 and 5,834,513 respectively.
Kiser et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,431) disclosed biodegradable cross-linkers having a polyacid core with at least two acidic groups covalently connected to reactive groups reportedly usable to cross-link polymer filaments. A biodegradable region is disclosed by Kiser between at least one reactive group and an acidic group of the polyacid preferably consisting of a hydroxyalkyl acid ester sequence having 1 to 6 hydroxyalkyl acid ester groups.
According to Kiser, the polyacid may be attached to a water-soluble region that is attached to the biodegradable region having attached reactive groups. Lactate or glycolate is reportedly preferred as the hydroxyalkyl acid ester group. Polyacids include diacids; triacids, tetraacids, pentaacids and the reactive group may contain a carbon-carbon double bond. A network of cross-linked polymer filaments having a defined biodegradation rate is said to be formed using the cross-linkers. Kiser discloses that the network may contain biologically active molecules, and may be in the form of a microparticle or nanoparticle, or hydrogel. The polymer filaments are reportedly derived from polymer filaments of polynucleic acids, polypeptides, proteins or carbohydrates. Reportedly, the cross-linkers may be copolymerized with charged monomers such as acrylic monomers containing charged groups. Applications of the cross-linkers and network are said to include controlled release of drugs and cosmetics, tissue engineering, wound healing, hazardous waste remediation, metal chelation, swellable devices for absorbing liquids and prevention of surgical adhesions.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,099, Fuller disclosed metabolically acceptable polyisocyanate or polyisothiocyanate monomers as tissue adhesives. More particularly, this invention discloses surgical adhesive polymers derived from these polyisocyanate monomers, wherein the surgical polymers do not metabolize to toxic products. Amine precursors of these polyisocyanates were not isolated or identified and were not described for any applications.
The majority of biodegradable polymers are not soluble in water. As a consequence, a hydrophilic drug must be formulated in these polymers by, for example, a dispersion method using a two-phase system of water (containing drug) and organic solvent (containing the polymer). The solvent is removed by evaporation resulting in a solid polymer containing aqueous droplets. This type of system suffers from the need to use organic solvents. The use of these solvents is undesirable for protein delivery and may lead to denaturation of the protein, among other things.
Several problems associated with prior art biodegradable polymers have limited their commercial use. Biodegradable polymers typically have a polydispersed molecular architecture, which at least in part, is a function of their standard mode of preparation, i.e., stepwise condensation. As an undesirable consequence of this stepwise condensation, the resultant material will contain cross-links with a variety of degradation rates, in contrast to a more preferred tunable degradation profile, because the rate of degradation is related to the polydispersed molecular architecture. Synthetic biodegradable polymers are generally water insoluble as are a significant number of their precursors. The water insolubility of these materials adversely affects their biodegradability. Thus, there is a need for enhancing water solubility to improve biodegradability of certain polymers.
Thus, there is still an unfulfilled need for new materials (e.g., linkers and polymers derived therefrom) that are easily synthesized, composed of biocompatible components, and/or have improved water compatibility, that avoid the use of during their use in drug formulation, and/or have a well defined and/or controllable molecular structure leading to defined biodegradation rates. The present invention is directed to these, as well as other important ends.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hydrolysable linkers and cross-linkers for absorbable polymers


An apparatus reconstructs an image using high energy-based data regarding a scene provides access to first image-capture data regarding the scene that is formed using a first image-capture modality and to second image-capture data that is formed using a second (different) image-capture modality. A control circuit executes an iterative image reconstruction process that establishes a first and a second image-representation channel, a fidelity error measure that measures inconsistency of the image as compared to first image-capture data and second image-capture data, and a prior-penalty term that scores the image based on a priori likelihood or desirability using, at least in part, for each of a plurality of pixels, a non-separable matrix-penalty of a Jacobian-matrix of the image at that pixel, such as nuclear norm. The control circuit further utilizes, in combination with the foregoing, an iterative process to generate a reconstructed image that at least approximately minimizes a combination of the fidelity error measure and the prior-penalty term.

The use of statistical reconstruction to facilitate iterative reconstruction of an image through a series of consecutive estimations and/or guesses is a known area of prior art endeavor. Such an iterative statistical reconstruction process typically works by characterizing candidate reconstructed image data with respect to an overall likelihood of accuracy (and/or some other metric of choice) to thereby identify a best selection.
Transitions in an image (for example, from one object to another such as, in an x-ray image, from bone to water, or from less-dense bone to more-dense bone) often represent a considerable challenge in these regards. Generally speaking, an iterative statistical reconstruction process works favorably when configured to eschew unrealistic transitions. Furthermore, measurement noise can lead to false transitions appearing in the data, and in general a good statistical reconstruction process should account for the measurement noise, in effect removing or reducing the false transitions. That said, transitions, even abrupt transitions, can and do occur in the real world, and in an ideal imaging system those real transitions should be preserved. Accordingly, accommodating real transitions (especially abrupt transitions) but downgrading a candidate reconstructed image having one or more false transitions is both a goal and a challenge.
Statistical reconstruction also generally requires the use of optimization algorithms. Many approaches to optimization in these regards are known. In many cases the practical applicability of a given approach in a given application setting is limited by the computational intensity dictated by that setting and approach. While many approaches are ultimately capable of providing an acceptable result, from a practical standpoint in a real-life application setting many approaches either take too much time to converge, require too much in the way of computational resources to physically implement for a reasonable cost, are unstable or unpredictable, and/or are inflexible with the types of statistical models that they can accommodate.
Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present teachings. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present teachings. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Apparatus and method for reconstructing an image using high-energy-based data


A drug delivery capsule from which the delivery of the drug is driven by the osmotic infusion of moisture by the capsule from a physiological environment is provided with a delivery orifice which opens intermittently to achieve a pulsatile delivery effect. The wall in which the orifice is formed is constructed of an elastic material, preferably an elastomer, which stretches under a pressure differential caused by the pressure rise inside the capsule as the osmotic infusion progresses. The orifice is small enough that when the elastic wall is relaxed, the flow rate of drug through the orifice is substantially zero, but that when the elastic wall is stretched due to the pressure differential across the wall exceeding a threshold, the orifice expands sufficiently to allow the release of the drug at a physiologically beneficial rate.

Osmotic delivery capsules, commonly referred to as "osmotic pumps,", function by virtue of walls which selectively pass water into the capsule reservoir. Absorption of water by the capsule through these walls is driven by a water-attracting agent in the capsule interior which creates osmotic pressure across the capsule wall. The water-attracting agent may be the beneficial agent itself whose controlled release is sought, but in most cases, it is a separate agent specifically selected for its ability to draw water, this separate agent being isolated from the beneficial agent at one end of the capsule. In either case, the structure of the capsule wall does not permit the capsule to expand, and as a result, the water uptake causes discharge of the beneficial agent through an orifice in the capsule at the same rate that water enters by osmosis.
The terms "osmotically effective" and "osmotically active" are used in the literature to characterize the water-attracting agent which drives the osmotic flow. Certain agents of this type are termed "osmagents," which denotes water-soluble compounds to which the capsule wall is not permeable. Osmotically effective agents which are polymeric species are termed "osmopolymers," which term denotes water-swellable polymers. Osmagents and osmopolymers may be used individually in a capsule or they may be present as a mixture of the two. In cases where the osmotically active agent is separated from the beneficial agent by a movable partition or piston, the osmotically active agent and the compartment in which it resides may be referred to as an "osmotic engine."
Many protocols or situations require, or would benefit from, an intermittent or pulsatile release of the beneficial agent from the capsule. This is true of a variety of drugs, medicaments and nutriments, in a range of environments extending from veterinary medicine to human drug administrations, and to hobby situations such as fish tanks. The reasons vary, and may address such needs as mimicking a natural intermittent physiological release, allowing for periods of restoration of certain bodily functions between administrations, or adhering to preestablished feeding protocols. A pulsed release may increase the therapeutic index of some drugs which would allow for a lower total dose in those cases. On the hobby level, pulsed release may be used to feed fish while one is away on vacation. Other examples abound.
Among the patent literature on pulsatile osmotic pumps is U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,049, issued Oct. 11, 1988 to Magruder, P. R., et al. The pulsatile effect in this patent is achieved by combining the beneficial agent with a modulating agent. The modulating agent is selected on the basis of its solubility in the delivery medium relative to the beneficial agent, and the pulsatile effect results from one of the two agents falling below its saturation point, causing more of the other to go into solution and to thereby be released. The number of pulses one may obtain in this manner is limited, however, and it is difficult to achieve periodic pulses. The system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,958, issued Feb. 9, 1989 to Pope, D. G., et al. achieves the pulsatile effect by alternating layers of beneficial agent with layers of inert material. During its release, however, the beneficial agent emerges at a slow rate. The system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,867, issued Jun. 27, 1989 to Ayer, A. D., et al., is also a layered system, and is most effective with a low number of pulses. Layered systems are also disclosed by Wong, P. S. L., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,388, issued Oct. 17, 1989; Wong, P. S. L., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,494, issued Sep. 18, 1990; and Wong, P. S. L., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,088, issued Jun. 11, 1991.

Osmotically driven delivery device with expandable orifice for pulsatile delivery effect


A digital display unit adjusting the phase of a sampling clock based on the examination of a display data signal contained in a received analog display signal. The phase may be adjusted by determining a boundary between display data portions representing successive pixel data elements. As the boundaries provide the timing information related to the source clock, the phase of the sampling clock can be adjusted when ever the boundaries can be determined accurately. The phase of the sampling clock can be adjusted potentially every sampling clock cycle if the boundaries can be determined. The area for examination can be minimized by first determining an expected boundary based on synchronization signal accompanying the analog display data, and examining only a small area surrounding the expected boundary.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital display units for use in computer systems, and more specifically to a method and apparatus which dynamically adjusting the sampling phase while sampling an analog display signal to recover the encoded digital data.
2. Related Art
Digital display units (e.g., flat panel monitors) are often used in computer systems for displaying images encoded in analog display signals. In a typical situation, a graphics source (typically including a digital to analog converter) generates an analog display signal from pixel data representing an image frame according to well known standards such as VGA or SVGA.
An analog display signal generally contains display data signal and associated synchronization signals. The display data signal may be viewed as a series of successive portions in time domain, with each portion being generated from a pixel data element representing a point of an image. The image portions are typically generated under the control of a source clock, which drives a digital to analog converter (DAC). The DAC generates the analog display data according to the source clock signal.
The manner in which a digital display unit displays images and some problems with such display are described below.
A digital display unit generally recovers the pixel data elements which are encoded in the display data signal of a received analog display signal. The recovery process usually entails generating a sampling clock from the synchronization signals (contained in the analog display signal), and sampling the analog display data according to the sampling clock. Pixel data elements representing an image are generated from such sampling.
In general, the pixel data elements resulting from the sampling need to (at least substantially) equal the pixel data elements from which display data portion of a received analog signal is generated so that the images represented by both sets of pixel data elements are the same. One of the requirements to achieve such equality is that the sampling clock be generated with appropriate phase and frequency such that each pixel data element is recovered as accurately as possible.
At least in some environments such as those based on VGA and SVGA, several challenges may be presented in generating a sampling clock with the appropriate phase and frequency as the synchronization signals accompanying display signals do not contain clocking information for each pixel data element. Instead, a horizontal synchronization signal is typically provided, which generally indicates the transition to a next horizontal line.
Clock recovery circuits (such as phase lock loops) have been implemented to generate sampling clock signals based on the transitions indicated by horizontal synchronization signals. Usually, the phase of the (divided) sampling clock is compared with the horizontal synchronization signals for every line, and the sampling clock is adjusted based on the comparison. The phase of the horizontal synchronization signals typically represents the average phase of the source clock for an entire line.
The phase adjustment of a sampling clock based on infrequent comparisons may not be acceptable in several situations. For example, in the VGA and SVGA environments of above, the source clock may generate non-uniformly spaced (in time domain) pulses due to factors such as phase jitter and frequency drift resulting from, for example, imperfect hardware used in generating the source clock. The non-uniformity in the source clock may not be tracked accurately by the sampling clock.
The absence of proper tracking may result in inaccurate recovery of the pixel data elements encoded in a received analog display signal, particularly when the analog signals are encoded with high resolution images at a high refresh rate. As may be readily appreciated, the pixel processing period (the time duration for encoding a pixel data element in a display signal) is generally short under such circumstances, and there may be a narrow window (in time domain) in which to sample each display data portion representing a pixel data element.
The window is typically narrow because of the limited bandwidth practically present between a graphics source and a digital display unit and the short pixel processing period. If a display data portion representing a pixel is not sampled in the corresponding window, the pixel data element may not be recovered accurately.
The absence of proper tracking typically affects the display quality. For example, display artifacts may be observed on a display screen. The artifacts are generally more visible towards the right end of the screen. In some instances, the artifacts manifest as vertical bars on the displayed images. The artifacts are of particular concern when a graphics source uses imprecise components (e.g., analog PLLs operating in high noise environments) for generating a source clock signal.
To avoid such artifacts and to facilitate accurate recovery of pixel data elements, users of display units are often required to adjust the sampling phase. Typically, an on-screen-display menu is provided to facilitate a user manual adjustment. However, such manual techniques are often cumbersome even for the knowledgeable users, and are thus undesirable.
Therefore, what is needed is a method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the phase of the sampling clock such that the pixel data elements can be recovered accurately and display artifacts can be avoided.
The present invention is directed to a digital display unit which displays the images encoded in an analog display signal received from a graphics source. The analog display signal may contain display data signal and associated synchronization signals. Each portion of the display data signal may be generated from a pixel data element. Many such pixel data elements may represent an image frame.
The synchronization signals do not contain the clock for recovering each of the pixel data elements, and accordingly a sampling clock enabling such recovery is generated in the digital display unit in accordance with the present invention. The manner in which the sampling clock is generated in some example embodiments is described below in further detail.
A digital display unit in accordance with the present invention examines the display data signal to determine the deviation in phase of a source clock signal from a sampling clock signal. The phase of the sampling clock is modified to closely track the source clock signal. As the sampling clock tracks the source clock closely, the pixel data elements encoded in the display data signal may be recovered accurately.
In an embodiment, the deviations in phase are determined by examining the display data signal for the boundary of display data portions representing two successive pixel data elements. As the boundaries generally provide the timing information of the source clock signal, the phase of the source clock signal may be compared with that of the sampling clock signal.
In addition, the examined portion (or length) of the display data signal may be minimized by first determining an expected boundary. The expected boundary may be determined based on the synchronization signal accompanying the display data signal. Thus, an aperture covering a small area around the expected boundary can be examined to determined an accurate boundary.
The time difference of the expected boundary and accurate boundary represents the deviation of phase of the sampling clock signal from that of the source clock signal. Thus, the time difference can be used to adjust the phase of the sampling clock signal. In an embodiment, the time difference is passed through a filter to minimize unneeded short term fluctuations.
According an another aspect of the present invention, the expected boundary is determined by taking a few analog timing samples in the aperture. Successive timing samples are compared to determine the actual boundary. In general, transitions in voltage levels (such as a single peak or valley) represent the actual boundaries. At least when the pixel processing period is low, the ease with which a boundary can be determined generally depends on the difference of values of successive pixel data elements in a horizontal line.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a dead zone may be introduced in the middle of the examined aperture. The dead zone may be introduced by making the interval between the timing samples around the expected boundaries longer. Without such dead zone, the phase of the sampling clock may be advanced and retarded during successive clock cycles even though the sampling clock is tracking the source clock within an acceptable limit. Thus, the uncertainly is minimized or eliminated.
Thus, the present invention enables a sampling clock signal to track a source clock signal used to generated a display data signal as the phase of the sampling clock signal is adjusted by examining the display data signal.
Another aspect of the present invention enables the accurate recovery of pixel data elements encoded in an analog display signal as the phase of the sampling clock may be adjusted to closely track a source clock signal using which the analog display signal may have been generated.
Yet another aspect of the present invention enables the phase of a sampling clock to be adjusted to track a source clock signal by determining the boundaries (reflecting the timing information of the source clock) of display data signal portions representing successive pixel data elements, and adjusting the phase of the sampling clock based on the determination of the boundaries.
Another aspect of the present invention minimizes the processing steps required for determining such boundaries by determining an expected boundary using the synchronization signals, and examining an aperture closely surrounding the expected boundary.
One more aspect of the present invention enables the examination of the aperture area by taking a few timing samples in the aperture, and examining the timing samples to determine the accurate boundary.
Yet another aspect of the present invention eliminates the need for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for taking the timing samples in an aperture as the accurate boundary is determined based only on analog timing samples.
Another aspect of the present invention enhances the noise immunity of the phase error detection by determining that the display data signal is rising or falling only if the difference of samples is greater than a pre-determined (e.g., programmable) threshold.
Yet another aspect of the present invention avoids or minimizes unneeded phase correction fluctuations around the accurate boundary by introducing a dead zone around the center of the aperture.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

Digital display unit which adjusts the sampling phase dynamically for accurate recovery of pixel data encoded in an analog display signal


In a wireless communication system a frame composed of plural single carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplex symbols is transferred between a source and a receiver. The frame includes at least one hybrid symbol which is composed of at least one pilot sequence which is mapped on one subcarrier in two of at least a part of subcarriers on which the hybrid symbol is mapped and of discrete Fourier transformed data which are mapped on at least subcarriers comprised between two subcarriers on which the at least one pilot sequence is mapped. The at least one pilot sequence has the property that the variations of amplitudes obtained after performing a discrete Fourier transform over the at least one pilot sequence are limited. The frame also includes other symbols composed of discrete Fourier transformed data only.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and a device for transferring data and information enabling an estimate of the wireless link between a source and a receiver using single carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplex scheme.
2. Description of Related Art
Single carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplex modulation scheme is a modulation scheme with orthogonal frequency division multiplex type multiplexing but single-carrier-like envelope. It can be implemented either in the time-domain or in the frequency-domain and is also called discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplex.
The main advantage with respect to orthogonal frequency division multiplex is that the discrete Fourier transform pre-coding restores the single carrier nature of the signal, i.e. a low peak to average power ratio.
Pilot sequences transmission is necessary for enabling the determination of an estimate of the wireless link between a source and a receiver. It is commonly considered that a pilot sequence cannot be scattered with single carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplex modulation scheme data without completely degrading the peak to average power ratio structure of the transmitted signal.
That's the reason why, in 3GPP TSG-RAN, "TR 25.814: "Physical Layer Aspects for Evolved UTRA", Version 7.1.0, 2006-09, pilot sequence is mapped on all the subcarriers, referenced as a pilot symbol. Such a pilot symbol is regularly inserted in the frame. In this case, a classical way of performing channel estimation is to estimate the channel at the pilot symbols positions and finally the channel is estimated at all positions by performing a time interpolation between two pilot symbols.
The drawback of this classical method appeared in the time interpolation. In order not to reduce the data throughput too much, one must limit the number of inserted pilot symbols. For example, if the pilot insertion rate is 1/12, it implies that a pilot symbol shall be inserted every twelve orthogonal frequency division multiplex symbols. This limits the capability of the system to follow the channel variations of the signal for example due to the Doppler effect.
According to the Nyquist theorem, if the orthogonal frequency division multiplex rate is 1/Ts, a bound on the maximum acceptable Doppler frequency is equal to:
      f          m                                      ax        =      1          24                    T        s

Method for transferring data and information enabling an estimate of a wireless link between a source and at least one receiver


An infusion pump is disclosed. The infusion pump comprises a chamber having a distal end and a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end. A piston is arranged for reciprocating movement within the chamber and along the longitudinal axis. At least one outlet is arranged from the chamber and may comprise an outlet valve. At least one inlet is provided into the chamber. The outlet and the inlet are axially spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the chamber. A method for operating the pump is also provided.

Ambulatory infusion pumps may be used for infusion therapy of liquid medicaments or nutrients, such as for diabetes care or pain management. The devices are designed for continuous delivery of small precise amounts of the liquid. The ambulatory infusion pumps are operated by interacting with the infusion pump via a user interface including a display and buttons for manipulating the infusion pump. The devices are normally battery powered and include various electronics, and a pumping unit. The liquid is contained in a reservoir. Since the user normally carries the device around the clock, it is desired that the device is small and light. However, many times that is not the case due to the type of pump unit used and the requirements for a user interface, which restricts the possibilities to design a device that is convenient to carry and simple to operate. The design is dictated by the technology rather than user needs. However, due to the small amounts of liquid being administrated, designing a reliable pump unit that that does not dictate the design options for the device is challenging.
One example of an ambulatory infusion pump is the insulin pump. This micro infusion pump has evolved from a manual syringe. Most insulin pumps available on the marked are simply an atomized syringe comprising a cylindrical container and a piston. Movement of the piston in small increments relative the cylindrical container is effected by a small step motor in order to deliver a predefined amount of insulin at predetermined time intervals, which simulates a "continuous" delivery of insulin. The amount of insulin delivered in each incremental movement of the piston can be about 0.00025-0.00050 ml or 0.25-0.50 mm3.
Piston pumps of the type used for insulin pumps are relatively bulky. The housing for the pump unit needs space for the full stroke of the piston, which is essentially twice the entire length of the cylindrical container for the medicament. The cylindrical container has only one outlet, such that the container needs to be filled or replaced after a single stroke of the piston. The devices are designed around the technology, including the pump unit, battery and display, making them fairly bulky, square and inconvenient for the user to carry. Devices containing this type of technology tend to be inconvenient for the user. The pump unit offers few options to design a user-friendlier device.
Another example of an infusion pump is for administration of a medicament for pain management or for nutrients. Such pumps may deliver medication or nutrients from either a cassette type of tube arrangement or from an administration type of tube arrangement. Such pumps include a reusable control module detachably coupled to a pressure plate at a top surface of a disposable fluid reservoir cassette. Fluid is pumped from the cassette by the reusable control module when the cassette is coupled to the control module. These types of pumps tend to be less precise, making them unsuitable for administration of minute amounts of liquid, such as insulin.
Still other examples of infusion pumps comprise a flow material reservoir wherein the liquid is pressurized. The liquid is contained in a compressible container or bag, and air around the container or bag is pressurized. These devices are complex and expensive, e.g. including sensors to measure the volume of the flow material reservoir and/or the volume of flow material dispersed from the infusion pump.
Hence, an improved infusion pump, and components useable for such an improved infusion pump, would be advantageous and in particular allowing for improved robustness, increased flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and/or reduced complexity would be advantageous.


A method for automatically restoring a system configuration with a single key in a computer having a power button is provided. The method includes detecting a press mode of the power button; determining a relevant restoring item according to the press mode; performing a process for restoring the system configuration corresponding to the restoring item, which aims at updating/recovering the system configuration, or clearing the system configuration setting stored in a CMOS memory; and performing a normal boot process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for restoring a system configuration, more particularly to a method for restoring a system configuration by a single key.
2. Background of the Invention
BIOS (basic input and output system) is a set of instructions stored in the chipsets to be loaded/executed when the computer is powered on. The BIOS provides a POST (Power On Self Test) procedure for booting up the computer to check whether the CPU together with the controllers or registers are functioning properly. In addition, the POST initializes memories, a main board, a graphic card and peripheral devices. The initialization process comprises creating interrupt vector(s), setting register(s), initializing and checking the hardware device(s), and providing a plurality of permanent programs which are called up by the operation system (OS) or application program. Due to the development of new technology and the demands from the consumers, the hardware devices such as CPU, memory, graphic card and other peripheral devices are frequently replaced by the hardware devices with higher performance to enhance operation efficiency of the computer. Moreover, updating the BIOS and modifying the parameters stored in the BIOS to control operation frequencies of the hardware devices can enhance the computer's operation efficiency.
Conventional method for updating the BIOS is to remove the BIOS chipset from the main board, and then to update (write) a fresh BIOS procedure or to set operational parameters by a specific device. The method for updating the BIOS is fairly time-consuming and energy-consuming, because the user has to open the computer case before removing the BIOS chipset from the main board, and reinstall the BIOS chipset after updating the BIOS. This procedure may increase the risk of damaging the pin of the BIOS chipset while the user is in the process of removing and reinstalling the BIOS chipset. With the emergence of the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), it is not necessary to remove the BIOS chipset from the main board to update BIOS. However, in case that the operation frequency or voltage is set improperly, if the computer cannot be booted correctly or the computer is precarious after being booted, the user still has to open the computer case to adjust the clearing jumper such that the incorrect contents in the CMOS memory can be cleared and relevant parameters can be set. Therefore, a more convenient way to restore the system configuration is desired for computer users.

Method for automatically restoring system configuration with a single key


A plastic trim strip useful for trimming the installation of doors, windows, and the like. The trim strip has a first side suitable for viewing in a finished installation, and a second side with at least one band of contact adhesive. In storage, the contact adhesive is covered by a peelable backing. The trim strip is formed of material which is capable of some deformation while retaining the elastic memory to retain its original flat shape. The trim strip can be cut, bent, roll formed, etc. to produce the shape desired for the installation. The user then removes the peelable backing and uses the contact adhesive to affix the strip in the desired location. The trim strip is preferably stored in a roll within a dispenser box. The dispenser box allows the compact storage and transportation of many feet of the material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of construction and repair. More specifically, the invention comprises a trim material useful for completing the installation of windows, doors, and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a typical window installed in the wall of a structure. Those skilled in the art will know that there are many variations in window and wall construction known in the art. Thus, the illustrations in FIGS. 1 through 6 are merely representative. Old window 10 is installed in wall 11. Panels of siding 12 cover the exterior of wall 11. Window casings 14—typically wood boards—are attached both to old window 10 and to siding 12. They provide a finished appearance, as well as providing a moisture seal. The exterior surface of wall 11 could also typically be covered by lapped board siding, brick veneer, or vinyl.
FIG. 2 shows the same structure from the interior side of wall 11. There would typically be insulation, drywall, and other materials present in this view. These have been removed in order to clearly illustrate the structure. Wall 11 is formed by a series of studs 16. When wall 11 is framed, provisions must be made for the mounting of old window 10. A series of cripple studs 22 are installed. An opening for the window is then formed through the use of header 18, two portal sides 24, and a portal base 20. Again, there are many different approaches to forming such a portal. The one illustrated is merely representative.
Old window 10 is installed within the portal thus formed. A series of shims 26 are used to bridge the gap between portal sides 24 and old window 10. These also serve to center the window in the opening.
It is common for windows to be replaced long before the structure containing them wears out. FIG. 3 illustrates the first step in the process of removing a window. Casings 14 have been removed, exposing opening 28 in siding 12. FIG. 4 shows old window 10 having been removed from wall 11. Shims 26 are shown still attached to old window 10, though in reality they may be removed during the process. The reader will observe that header 18, the two portal sides 24, and portal base 20 are now visible through opening 28. A new window must typically be attached using these elements.
FIG. 5 shows new window 30 in position for installation. As for old window 10, there are many different types of new window 30. The replacement window shown is formed of vinyl. It consists primarily of box structure 34. The mounting methodology for new window 30 is different, as it is designed to be attached using long screws driven through the side jambs and into the surrounding window opening.
Those skilled in the art will know that many older windows were made to non-standard sizes. Although many sizes of new windows are now available, it is often only possible to approximate the size of a window to be replaced. This is the case for the version shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows new window 30 installed in opening 28. Window facing 32 is the forward-facing portion of the window. It provides the basis for attaching any trim elements.
The reader will observe that the new window is an inexact fit. Gaps 38 are visible around the perimeter. These will need to be properly covered, both for aesthetic and functional purposes. In addition, window facing 32 does not provide a truly finished appearance. Although it can be painted, it is often not intended to present the same visual appeal as the casings 14 did for old window 10. Accordingly, a new element is needed. This new element comprises the present invention.


A hinged access display and dispensing device for lottery-type tickets includes a housing of box-like configuration with a main door that is pivotally attached to the housing. A lock having a swing arm is secured to the main door. A slot is provided in the housing to coact with the swing arm when the main door is in the closed position to allow the main door to be locked relative to the housing. A horizontal opening is provided in the main door to allow access to tickets placed in the housing. A security door is pivotally attached to the main door to prevent removal of tickets through the horizontal opening. The security door is provided with a lip having a slot so that the swing arm may secure both the main door and the security door relative to the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a structure for the display and dispensing of tickets such as lottery tickets. More particularly, this invention relates to a device having a main door pivotally attached to a housing and a security door pivotally connected to the main door to prevent access to the interior of the housing through an opening in the main door.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of box-like dispensers for displaying and dispensing of tickets has been known for some time. Generally, such dispensers have common characteristics such as transparent walls through which a stack of tickets may be seen, means for securing the dispensers in position, and an opening through which the tickets may be manually dispensed.
Ticket dispensers are also known in the art to include the opening in a hinged rear door. A lock is typically provided on the door to secure the door in place. Although the door may be locked, however, the lock does not prevent unauthorized removal of tickets through the opening in the door. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide means for securing tickets contained within the ticket dispenser against unauthorized removal through the opening. It would also be desirable that such means not hinder access to the door lock, and that such means not involve a substantial cost or substantial amount of hardware.
The difficulties encountered in the prior art hereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present invention.

Display and dispensing device with security door


A method and system for implementing vehicle functions through a mobile device are provided. More particularly, a technique is implemented for initiating selected vehicle functions through a remote mobile device such as a mobile phone, rather that through a key fob. The system includes network functionality contained within the primary switching element of the network, e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC), to receive an access code (such as *89) from a user. The switching element subsequently transmits command signal(s) via a base station to a vehicle to perform vehicle functions such as locking, unlocking and starting.

This invention relates to a method and system for implementing vehicle (e.g., automobile) functions through a mobile communication device. More particularly, the invention is directed to a technique for initiating selected vehicle functions through a remote mobile device such as a mobile phone rather than through a key fob. The system includes network functionality contained within the primary switching element of the network, e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC), to receive an activation code (such as *89) from a user. The switching element subsequently transmits command signal(s) via a base station to a vehicle to perform vehicle functions such as locking, unlocking and starting.
While the invention is particularly directed to the art of wireless, remote control of vehicle functions using a mobile communication device, and will be thus described with specific reference thereto, it will be appreciated that the invention may have usefulness in other fields and applications. For example, the invention may be used in any circumstances where use of a mobile communication device such as a phone could provide a substitute for wireless control of a remote system.
By way of background, most people would agree that it is very frustrating to realize that one has locked car keys in one's car, or of even more import, lost car keys while away from home. Unfortunately, despite the attempts of most people to prevent such a happening, or attempts to prepare for such an event by, for example, keeping an extra key in your wallet or purse, these inopportune circumstances continue to occur.
Prior systems exist that provide remote keyless entry to vehicles. These systems and their functions are well known. Remote vehicle start-up devices are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,975 B1 to Burgess, U.S. Pat. No. 6,621,406 B2 to Kumano, U.S. Pat. No. 6,624,758 B1 to Omata, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,851 B1 to Losey, U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,029 B1 to Bell, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,639,511 B2 to Haruna, et al. represent examples of keyless entry and/or remote start-up systems that are known to those in the field and are incorporated herein by reference.
However, these existing remote vehicle devices are typically subject to a small radius from which they can be activated. Moreover, they are typically placed on the key chain of the user or integral with the key set. Therefore, the above-noted frustrations and difficulties associated with losing keys or locking keys in one's vehicle are not resolved.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved method and system that resolves the above-referenced difficulties and others.

Method and system for implementing vehicle functions through a mobile communication device


An electromagnetic flowmeter for obtaining a detection signal by sampling voltages generated from electrodes in contact with a conductive fluid flowing in a magnetic field at a predetermined timing includes an external noise detecting section, a pseudo-noise signal generating section, and a timing signal generating section. The external noise detecting section detects external noise, superposed on the fluid, from the electrodes. The pseudo-noise generating section supplies a pseudo-noise signal for a predetermined period of time if the external noise detecting section determines that no external noise signal is detected. The timing signal generating section generates a timing at which an excitation current for generating the magnetic field is generated, and the sampling timing on the basis of the pseudo-noise signal while the pseudo-noise signal is kept supplied, and causes the external noise detecting section to generate the timing at which the excitation current for generating the magnetic field is generated, and the sampling timing while no pseudo-noise signal is supplied.

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic flowmeter for detecting the flow rate of a conductive fluid in a process control apparatus.
A detection signal corresponding to the flow rate of a conductive fluid flowing in a magnetic field can be obtained by sampling voltages generated from electrodes in contact with the fluid at a predetermined timing. This principle is used for an electromagnetic flowmeter.
Since electrochemical noise is superposed on the detection signal, the polarities of an excitation current are alternately changed to remove the noise. However, if the polarities are alternately changed, it takes time to stabilize the state of the excitation current. For this reason, whenever the excitation polarity is changed, sampling is performed after a stabilization time at which the state is stabilized, thereby obtaining a detection signal.
Such an operation requires an excitation current switching timing at which the polarities of an excitation current are switched, and a sampling timing at which sampling is performed. Both the timings are generated by a timing generating means incorporated in the flowmeter.
However, in addition to the electrochemical noise described above, external noise (since most of the external noise is commercial power supply noise, the noise will be referred to as commercial power supply noise hereinafter) may also be superposed on the detection signal. If this noise is small, no problem is posed. If, however, the amplitude of the commercial power supply noise is large, since the noise is not synchronized with internal timing signals, conspicuous variations or fluctuations in output are caused. In some case, periodic variations with a long duration called beats are caused, interfering with measurement.
If a flowmeter is designed to be operated by a commercial power supply, a timing signal and commercial power supply noise are synchronized with each other by forming the timing signal from the commercial power supply. Therefore, a noise reduction effect can be expected. However, commercial power supply noise is often mixed with noise from another power supply system, the noise reduction effect is not as high as expected in many cases.
In addition, if the flowmeter is designed to be operated by a DC power supply, since there is no signal synchronized with a commercial power supply, variations in output tent to occur.
Since a timing signal is generated on the basis of an external noise signal detected by the noise detecting means, the timing signal and the external noise signal are synchronized with each other. Therefore, a noise reduction effect can be obtained. Even if no external noise signal can be detected during a given period for some reason, a pseudo-noise signal is continuously generated by the pseudo-noise generating means during the period. A timing signal is generated on the basis of this pseudo-noise signal. When the period during which the pseudo-noise signal is generated is ended, a timing signal is generated on the basis of the external noise signal detected by the external noise detecting means.


In manufacturing a submount, a first electrode layer (12) is formed as a layer on the surface of a submount substrate (11); a side surface (122) of the first electrode layer (12) is formed on substantially the same plane as a side surface (112) of the submount substrate (11); and the side surface (122) of the first electrode layer (12) is a connection surface for creating an electrical connection with the first electrode layer (12). By making the first electrode layer (12) sufficiently thick, the surface area of the side surface (122) can be made sufficiently large to allow, for example, wire bonding using the side surface (122). Further, components such as an optical element (14) can be protected by a sealing material (16).

In patent publication 1 and patent publication 2 described below, there is disclosed a submount for an LED-array as a light emitting element. An outline of this structure will be described using FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
The submount 100 of this related art comprises a submount substrate 101, a wiring electrode 102, and a light emitting element electrode 103. The wiring electrode 102, as shown in FIG. 1, is formed across a surface (the right side surface in FIG. 1) and a side surface (upper surface in FIG. 1) of the submount substrate 101. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a light emitting element 104 is mounted on the electrode 103.
An example of an optical module using this type of submount 100 is shown in FIG. 2. With this example, the submount 100 is mounted on a module substrate 200. An IC 300 is also mounted on the module substrate 200. The IC 300 is for driving a light emitting element 104 causing it to emit light.
With the example of FIG. 2, the optical axis of light emitted from the light emitting element 104 is arranged parallel to the surface of the substrate 200. By doing this, it is possible to arrange an optical fiber for receiving light in parallel on the substrate 200, which makes it possible to miniaturize the overall optical module including the optical fiber (refer to patent publication 3 below).
With this related art optical module, a connection is made between the IC 300 and a wiring electrode 102 using a bonding wire 400. Also, a connection is made between the wiring electrode 102 and the light emitting element 104 using a bonding wire 500.
In this way, with this related art technology it is possible to electrically connect a drive IC 300 and a light emitting element 104.
Also, with this related art technology, since a wiring electrode 102 is formed on a side surface of a submount substrate 101, it is possible to connect a bonding wire 400 to the wiring electrode 102. The bonding wire 500 for connecting the wiring electrode 102 and the light emitting element 104 is wired before attaching the submount substrate 101 to the module substrate 200.
Incidentally, with the conventional submount 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it is necessary for the wiring electrode 102 to be formed straddling a side surface and the main surface of the sub mount substrate 101. Accordingly, a bent section that is bent at about 90 degrees is formed in the wiring electrode 102. With an electrode 102 of this type of structure there is a possibility of rupture to this bend section, and there is a possibility that manufacturing process yield will become bad. Also, in order to form this type of structure a comparatively complicated processes required, and there is a problem of poor manufacturing efficiency.

Submount, optical module provided with submount, and submount manufacturing method


Maximum compression in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine is ascertained from the values for the maximum compression in the cylinder in overrunning operation of the engine and a ratio of the charge pressures in operation under load and in overrunning operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for determining the compression in the cylinder of a supercharged, directly injected internal combustion engine with a high-pressure reservoir, from which fuel is delivered to an injector, and a supercharger for increasing the air throughput by compressing the aspirated air for the engine.
Internal combustion engines with direct injection are very promising with regard to reducing fuel consumption with relatively low pollutant emissions. In contrast to intake tube injection, in direct injection fuel is injected at high pressure directly into the combustion chamber.
Injection systems with a central pressure reservoir (common rail) are known in the prior art. In those so-called common rail systems, a fuel pressure regulated by an electronic control unit of the engine, via pressure sensors and pressure regulators, is built up in the common rail and is available largely independently of the engine speed (rpm) and the injection quantity. The fuel is injected into the combustion chamber via an electrically driven injector. The injector receives its signals from the control unit.
By functionally separating the pressure generation and the injection, the injection pressure can be selected largely freely, regardless of the current operating point of the engine.
Modern electronically controlled injection systems for diesel engines are time-controlled, as compared with the old mechanically controlled systems. In the latter, the reference point is the compressed volume and they moreover have a fixed relationship between the feed rate and the engine speed, and hence a fixed relationship between the injection pressure and the speed. This means that in conventional systems, with the same adjustment of the quantity adjusting mechanism, the same fuel volume is always injected regardless of the ambient conditions prevailing at the time. By comparison, in time-controlled systems, a triggering time must be ascertained on the basis of a calculated injection mass.
In common rail systems, in which the injection pressure can accordingly be adjusted independently of the operating point of the engine, the injector triggering time required for a particular injection mass is dependent, under constant ambient conditions, on the pressure drop prevailing just at that time at the injector, i.e. the injection nozzle. This pressure drop is the difference between the rail pressure p.sub.rail in the high-pressure reservoir and the pressure in the combustion chamber, that is, the cylinder pressure p.sub.cyl.
To calculate the triggering time for the injector, the pressure drop .DELTA.p=p.sub.rail -p.sub.cyl at the injector must accordingly be taken into account. To that end, the rail pressure and the compression in the cylinder must be known, if at all possible at the instant of injection onset.
The rail pressure is measured with a pressure sensor and made available to the electronic control unit of the engine for further processing. Conversely, typically there is no sensor present for measuring the compression, so that the pressure in the cylinder has to be calculated on the basis of known variables.

Method for determining the compression in the cylinder of a supercharged internal combustion engine with direct injection


A split delay-line oscillator for secure data transmission is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for a split delay-line oscillator for secure data transmission includes a first modulator/demodulator block in a first device, the first modulator/demodulator block operable to insert a first variable delay to modulate a frequency of a shared carrier signal passing through the first modulator/demodulator block, and a second modulator/demodulator block in a second device, the second modulator/demodulator block operable to insert a second variable delay to modulate the frequency of the shared carrier signal passing through the second modulator/demodulator block, wherein the first and second devices create a shared secret by contributing data on the frequency-modulated shared carrier signal.

Secure communications between devices has always been a high priority in communication protocols. One present solution to implement secure communications is a Diffie-Hellman key exchange. Other security protocols also exist for key exchange, but Diffie-Hellman is one of the most well-known. The Diffie-Hellman key exchanges allows two communications devices to share a secret, such as a session key, that is used to establish a secure communications channel.
However, a problem with the Diffie-Hellman key exchange is the insecurity related to initially establishing and sharing the key between the two devices. A "man in the middle" can eavesdrop in this communication and compromise the secure communications channel. This is also called a "man in the middle" attack. Such attacks are a significant problem for wireless communications, such as Wi-Fi, because the access point is always in the middle.
A recent technological innovation in wireless communication is the tap transfer process. Tap transfer refers to the process of initiating a data transfer from one device to another by tapping them together to induce inductive coupling between the devices. Tap transfer presents a unique opportunity to securely establish a shared secret. First, to perform tap transfer, the two communications devices must be proximally located and, as such, become difficult to eavesdrop on. Second, tap transfer provides enough time (when up in very high radio frequencies) to transmit a couple of hundred bits worth of a secret.

Split delay-line oscillator for secure data transmission