An integrated remote control system capable of integrally remote-controlling a plurality of electronic devices is provided. The integrated remote control system includes an integrated remote controller for generating a radio control signal for each electronic device and transmitting the radio control signal through one infrared channel such that a plurality of electronic devices can be integrally remote-controlled, a remote control signal converting device for receiving a radio control signal controlling a predetermined electronic device in the integrated remote controller and transmitting the received radio control signal by inserting infrared channel data for the predetermined electronic device into the received radio control signal, and a re-transmitter for receiving the radio control signal including the infrared channel data from the remote control signal converting device, generating an infrared channel according to the infrared channel data, and re-transmitting the radio control signal to the predetermined electronic device through the infrared channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated remote control system capable of remote-controlling a plurality of electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of conventional integrated remote controllers.
A user must perform several steps in order to view a digital video disk (DVD) by means of the conventional integrated remote controller shown in FIG. 1. First, the user selects a mode of the integrated remote controller as a television (TV) mode by pressing several times on a "MODE" or a device selecting button. In this state, if the user presses a power-on button, the TV is turned on. Then, the user sets the external input of the television as input for a DVD by pressing several times on a "TV/VIDEO" button. Thereafter, the user selects various setting values of the TV, such as an aspect ratio a sound effect mode, etc., by pressing a "MENU" button and changes the mode of the integrated remote controller to a DVD "MODE" by pressing several times on the "MODE" or the device selecting button. Then, the user turns on the DVD player by pressing a power-on button and then views a DVD by pressing a "PLAY" button.
As described above, the user not only must select a desired electronic device using a device selecting button every times, but also must use several remote controllers as shown in a case wherein a user must turn on the TV in a TV mode, switch the TV mode into a DVD mode so as to turn on the DVD, and then press a "PLAY" button of the DVD player when the user intends to view DVD or cable broadcasting.
In addition, since the conventional integrated remote controller must include modules for generating different infrared channels according to electronic devices in order to remote-control the electronic devices, the costs of manufacturing the conventional integrated remote controller increase. In addition, since the conventional integrated remote controller is manufactured with all infrared channel data according to electronic devices, it is impossible to update the infrared channel data with respect to newly introduced electronic devices. In addition, a remote controller must have a multi-brand remote control (MBR) function embedded in the remote controller in order to remotely control electronic devices of several manufacturing companies, and a user must personally set items for a remote control operation according to electronic devices, or manufacturing companies in order to register electronic devices of other manufacturing companies.
A network remote control system based on a perfect home network system must transmit a remote control signal by connecting all electronic devices to a network, and all electronic devices must include a network module using the same home network protocol. In addition, a user must purchase a high-priced electronic device supporting a home network function, and each manufacturing company constructs a home network system according to its own standard. Accordingly, the manufacturing companies have no method for incorporating their electronic devices with electronic devices of different companies.
In addition, the conventional integrated remote control systems typically allow a user to set an external input of a television or a set-top box using several remote controllers. For example, the user sets external input #1 of the television when viewing a DVD, and the user re-sets external input #2 of the television when viewing cable broadcasting.
Further, when a user uses the conventional remote controller, if there are obstacles in front of an electronic device, a radio control signal is not transmitted to the electronic device, and the user must operate the conventional remote controller once more. In addition, even when a user views cable broadcasting after viewing a DVD, a DVD player is continuously turned on, so that unnecessary power consumption occurs.


The present invention provides an improved harvester particularly of the type for harvesting peas. The harvester employees an improved technique of harvesting peas and similar crops. Instead of attempting to break the stem of the plant by pulling it away from the ground, which is the usual technique employed by current harvesters, the individual plants are drawn upwards then cut with a cutting bar or like device. This technique may be utilized by harvesters built specifically for this type of harvesting, or by existing harvesters after modifying the reel of the harvester, The improved harvester comprises a cutting bar, a rotary reel, a plurality of tines arranged in a plurality of rows on the reel, cam tracks and cam followers for raising the plurality of tines relative to crops in front of the cutting bar, as the reel rotates, thereby lifting the crops upwards to a position for cutting.

Harvesters for harvesting peas and similar crops are well known. These harvesters usually have a rotary reel mounted at the front, with a plurality of tines fixed to the reel. As the harvester moves through the crops the reel rotates causing the tines to pull through the crop. The tines pull the plants away from the ground breaking the stems of the dry plants, or tearing the plant out of the ground.
If the plants being harvested are not sufficiently dry, or the stems are otherwise too strong, the tines of the harvester may pull through a portion of the crop without breaking the stems of the plants. This may leave that portion of the crop unharvested resulting in higher crop loss which can be costly to the farmer.


In an embodiment, a processor includes measurement logic to measure a usage associated with the processor. The processor also includes statistical logic to determine, based on a statistical procedure, whether to provide a permission to record an increase in usage responsive to an indication that the usage has increased by a defined amount. The processor also includes control logic to record the defined increase in usage in non-volatile memory responsive to receipt of the permission to record from the statistical logic. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Reliability of a processor may degrade over time. A counter may be implemented to track elapsed usage of the processor, which can be valuable in assessing continued reliability of the processor. Usage data is typically saved to storage, e.g., non-volatile memory that stores the usage data over the processor lifetime.
The processor may be powered down at any time, and the contents of the counter may be lost. If, for example, at each power down the counter value is lost, a drift in the counter value may result. For example, an average drift may be one-half of a "snapshot rate" (rate at which total usage is recorded) for every power down. In an extreme case, if the power down occurs more frequently than writes to memory, the counter will start over from zero after power up.

Apparatus and method to track device usage


A system for developing a simulation of a process. In one aspect, a system creates a first model within the simulation. The first model represents a part of the process and comprises a first port to which other models may be connected. The system also creates a second model within the simulation. The second model represents another part of the process and comprises a second port to which other models may be connected. The system then connects the first port and the second port together. Upon connection, the system allocates a memory location as a connection variable that represents a type of information transfer between the first and second ports. A first port variable, which represents a value transferrable through the first port, is set to reference the value at the allocated memory location. Similarly, a second port variable, which represents a value transferrable through the second port, is also set to reference the value at the allocated memory location.

Industry increasingly depends upon highly automated data acquisition and control systems to ensure that industrial processes are run efficiently, safely and reliably while lowering their overall production costs. Data acquisition begins when a number of sensors measure aspects of an industrial process and periodically report their measurements back to a data collection and control system. Such measurements come in a wide variety of forms. By way of example, the measurements produced by a sensor/recorder include: a temperature, a pressure, a pH, a mass/volume flow of material, a tallied inventory of packages waiting in a shipping line, or a photograph of a room in a factory. More particularly, aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for using tools that are designed to model and simulate the process in order to optimize the process. The use of these modeling and simulation functions allows a user to capture the economic benefit from industrial processes such as refinery, chemical or petrochemical plant operations. Such models make use of known and acquired data from a process to accurately simulate the behavior of the process.
Typical industrial processes are extremely complex and receive substantially greater volumes of information than any human could possibly digest in its raw form. By way of example, it is not unheard of to have thousands of sensors and control elements (e.g., valve actuators) monitoring/controlling aspects of a multi-stage process within an industrial plant. These sensors are of varied type and report on varied characteristics of the process. Their outputs are similarly varied in the meaning of their measurements, in the amount of data sent for each measurement, and in the frequency of their measurements. As regards the latter, for accuracy and to enable quick response, some of these sensors/control elements take one or more measurements every second. Multiplying a single sensor/control element by thousands of sensors/control elements (a typical industrial control environment) results in an overwhelming volume of data flowing into the manufacturing information and process control system. Sophisticated data management and process visualization techniques have been developed to handle the large volumes of data generated by such system.
Due to this complexity, it is a difficult but vital task to ensure that the process is running efficiently. Although modeling the process for the purpose of simulating it is known, the challenges involved in creating and using a simulation model of a process include ensuring the accuracy of the model and responsive performance of the simulation while running. Simulation of a process requires solving large systems of equations, which can be extremely time-consuming and processing intensive.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Variable equivalency on connection in a process simulation


An extended bitstream, and generation thereof, for dynamically configuring a decoder. Content data is obtained to be encoded. Build settings are obtained for configuring the decoder. The content data is encoded with an encoder to provide encoded data. A configuration bitstream is generated for configuring programmable logic responsive to the build settings. The configuration bitstream is combined with the encoded data to provide the extended bitstream. The extended bitstream is self-contained to allow for configuring of the programmable logic to dynamically instantiate the decoder to decode the encoded data.

Programmable logic devices ("PLDs") are a well-known type of integrated circuit that can be programmed to perform specified logic functions. One type of PLD, the field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), typically includes an array of programmable tiles. These programmable tiles can include, for example, input/output blocks ("IOBs"), configurable logic blocks ("CLBs"), dedicated random access memory blocks ("BRAMs"), multipliers, digital signal processing blocks ("DSPs"), processors, clock managers, delay lock loops ("DLLs"), and so forth. Notably, as used herein, "include" and "including" mean including without limitation.
One such FPGA is the Xilinx Virtex® FPGA available from Xilinx, Inc., 2100 Logic Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95124. Another type of PLD is the Complex Programmable Logic Device ("CPLD"). A CPLD includes two or more "function blocks" connected together and to input/output ("I/O") resources by an interconnect switch matrix. Each function block of the CPLD includes a two-level AND/OR structure similar to those used in Programmable Logic Arrays ("PLAs") and Programmable Array Logic ("PAL") devices. Other PLDs are programmed by applying a processing layer, such as a metal layer, that programmably interconnects the various elements on the device. These PLDs are known as mask programmable devices. PLDs can also be implemented in other ways, for example, using fuse or antifuse technology. The terms "PLD" and "programmable logic device" include but are not limited to these exemplary devices, as well as encompassing devices that are only partially programmable.
For purposes of clarity, FPGAs are described below though other types of PLDs may be used. FPGAs may include one or more embedded microprocessors. For example, a microprocessor may be located in an area reserved for it, generally referred to as a "processor block."
FPGAs are suited for implementing circuits to process various types of content, such as video data, audio data, image data, or a combination of one or more thereof, namely multimedia data. With these various forms of data, there are various forms of encoding that may be used. Accordingly, a decoder is configured to support the type of encoding used, which generally limits the type of encoding to a standard form. For example, with respect to video data, use of Motion Picture Experts Group ("MPEG") types of encoding, and thus decoding, is ubiquitous as a commonly used platform for encoding and decoding of video data.
Heretofore, a designer would not depart from a commonly used standard form of encoding data, as encoders and decoders, including coder/decoders ("CODECs"), would have to be manufactured to be compatible with such deviation. Conventionally, however, hardware has been manufactured to operate using known standard types of encoding and decoding. This is because data or content is conventionally encoded to a known standard, and manufacturing hardware to support known standards allows such content to be used on various hardware platforms supporting such known standards.
In other instances for example, CODECs are implemented as software; however, such software CODECs generally are slower than their hardware counterparts. Special purpose CODECs, whether in software or hardware or a combination thereof, have been manufactured. But, in these instances, content created using such special purpose CODECs is generally only usable with such special purpose platforms.
Continuing the example of video content, there are many areas where content may be enhanced beyond that available using a standard form of encoding. For example, there are many factors in producing video content, including the type of motion compensation, the type of motion estimation, the parameters used for transform from frequency to time domain, the parameters used for inverse transform from time to frequency domain, the resolution, the various types of filtering, and so on.
The latest trend in video coding is to provide various forms of scalability, sometimes all embodied within the same video bitstream. Typically, this data is provided in the form of a "base layer," as well as one or more "enhancement layers." A CODEC system would thus need to be capable of creating a valid video output using just the base layer or the base layer and any combination of the enhancement layers. Exemplary types of scalability provided in the enhancement layers include: temporal scalability (e.g., frame rate), quality scalability (e.g., often measured by peak signal-to-noise ratio), and resolution scalability (e.g., frame size). An example of this type of CODEC is embodied in the scalable video coding ("SVC") development work currently ongoing. SVC is an extension to the MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) standard (also known as MPEG-4, Part 10) jointly developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T). The MPEG-4 AVC standard is published as ITU-T H.264 and ISO/IEC 14496-10.
The proposed SVC CODEC provides all three of the aforementioned types of scalability (e.g., temporal, quality, and resolution) in labeled packets within the same bitstream. Either a smart network can be used to decide which types of packets to send to a particular end-user, or the end-user can receive the entire bitstream and only decode the packets for which he or she has the capability and authorization to decode. However, even with an SVC CODEC, an upper limit is in place, as only MPEG-approved enhancement layers are supported.
Accordingly, it would be desirable and useful to provide means that allows for use of standards-based encoding and decoding, but also allows for content to be encoded and decoded using a customized solution that is less platform dependent.

Extended bitstream and generation thereof for dynamically configuring a decoder


A cover/shield assembly for an electronic component such as a computer system. The assembly includes a cover and relatively strong and rigid metal shield which shields against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference and which is attached to the inner surface of the cover, yet can easily be separated from the cover for recycling purposes. The shield is formed by a plate and a reinforcing beam connected to the plate. A series of hooks and tabs on the cover extend through slots in the shield and the shield is provided with tabs which engage ribs on the cover, all for the purpose of quick-detachably connecting the shield to the cover.

Many types of electronic components, such as computers, utilize plastic housings and covers since plastic provides improved cosmetics and design flexibility. However, plastic has the major disadvantage of being susceptible to the deleterious effects of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. To this end, several techniques have evolved for providing proper shielding for plastic components, yet not significantly add to the size, weight and cost of the component. For example, according to one technique, one or more of the outer plastic parts of the component are coated with conductive material. Alternately, metal shielding has been used which is permanently attached to the plastic housing or cover.
Some electronic components must also be relatively rigid and strong.
For example, a computer, and, more specifically, a central processing unit (CPU) having a plastic housing and cover, must be strong and rigid enough to support a monitor. However, the above-described technique of coating the cover with conductive material does not appreciably add to the strength of the cover. Metal shielding, although providing added strength and rigidity, is very difficult to separate from the cover in the event the shielding is to be reused or recycled.
Therefore what is needed is a cover/shield assembly for a computer, or other electronic component, which is adequately shielded, yet is strong and rigid enough to support a monitor, or the like, and permits the shield to be easily and quickly separated from the cover so that it can be reused or recycled.

Cover/shield assembly for electronic components


The use of large dense vitreous spherical (LDVS) silica powders for making sol-gel silica bodies has been found to have important advantages. Among these are higher gel strength, higher silica loading, more rapid aging and drying of the gel, a reduction in the amount of organic additives leading to reduced process time required for organic burn-off, and easier removal of contaminant particles due to their larger size. It was also discovered that combining LDVS particles with conventional non-spherical, lower density, aggregate particle mixtures, further improves the process.

A variety of methods have been suggested for the manufacture of high-silica content glass articles, such as the single and double dispersion processes described by D. W. Johnson, et al. in Fabrication Of Sintered High-Silica Glasses, U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,115, and the process described by D. W. Johnson, et al in Sintered High-Silica Glass And Articles Comprising Same, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,428. Uses of high-silica content include the fabrication of glass rods for use as preforms in the manufacture of optical fibers as suggested by F. Kirkbir, et alii, U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,508 for a Sol-gel Process For Forming A Germania-doped Silica Glass Rod, and the fabrication of secondary cladding tubes for use during fabrication of an optical fiber by a sol-gel process. Although sol-gel processes enable fabrication of glass objects at lower cost than other processes, N. Matsuo, et alii, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,046 for a Method Of Preparing Preforms For Optical Fibers, among others, has noted that it is difficult to provide a glass article that is large enough to be used as a preform for optical fibers.
Considering that the functioning part of an optical fiber (the core and inner cladding carrying 99+% of the optical energy) typically consists of but 5% of the mass, a significant part of this effort has concerned structures providing for overcladding of such inner portion. State of the art manufacture often makes use of an inner portion constituting core and inner clad region as fabricated by Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition, or, alternatively, by soot deposition in Outside Vapor Deposition or Vapor Axial Deposition. This core rod may be overclad by material of less demanding properties, and, consequently, may be produced by less costly processing. Overcladding may entail direct deposition on the core rod, or may result from collapsing an encircling tube. Such "overcladding" tubes have been produced from soot or fused quartz. Making very large bodies of soot require extensive processing, and large bodies of fused quartz are expensive.
It has been recognized that significant economies may be realized by fabricating overcladding tubes by sol-gel techniques. This well-known procedure is described, for example, in J. Zarzycki, "The Gel-Glass Process", pp. 203–31 in Glass: Current Issues, A. F. Wright and J. Dupois, eds., Martinus Nijoff, Boston, Mass. (1985). Sol-gel techniques are regarded as potentially less costly than other known preform fabrication procedures. While sol-gel fabrication of overcladding tubes, and other optical glass components, has met with considerable success, improvements are continually sought.
From the earliest proposals for making large monolithic bodies of glass using sol gel techniques it was recognized that the sol gel process by its nature results in significant shrinkage from the gel state to the solid glass state. When the shape of the body and the overall dimensions are important, this presents a drawback to sol gel methods. Efforts to control the amount of shrinkage usually focus on reducing the water content of the sol. This is often expressed as the loading factor, i.e. the ratio of solid (glass powder) to liquid (water). Recently, we have had success in increasing the loading factor by using relatively large glass particles, and particles having spherical shape. Loading factors of over 75% can be obtained. See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/838,727, filed Apr. 19, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Another persistent problem in making very large sol-gel bodies, e.g. greater than 5 Kg, for state of the art optical fiber drawing is cracking of the gelled body. Cracking may occur during drying or handling of the gelled body prior to consolidation. See for example, T. Mori, et al, "Silica Glass Tubes By New Sol-Gel Method", J. Non-Crystalline Solids, 100, pp. 523–525 (1988), who describe the cracking problem, and recommend modification of the starting mixture and of the gel forming process, both of which are involved and expensive. The cracking problem is explained in a paper by Katagiri and Maekawa, J. Non-Crystalline Solids, 134, pp.183–90, (1991) which states, "One of the most important problems in the sol-gel preparation method for monolithic gels is avoidance of crack formation which occurs during drying". A 1992 paper published in the Journal of Material Science, vol. 27, pp. 520–526 (1992) is even more explicit: "Although the sol-gel method is very attractive, many problems still exist, as pointed out in Zarzycki. Of these problems, the most serious one is thought to be the occurrence of cracks during drying of monolithic gel". The reference then reviews remedies, e.g. hypercritical drying procedures and use of chemical additives such as N,N dimethylformamide, collectively referred to as Drying Control Chemical Additives. Both methods are regarded as expensive and, therefore, undesirable in routine glass production. An extensive description of a suitable sol-gel process, and of additives useful for improving the strength of sol-gel bodies, is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,488, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
The cracking problem becomes more severe as the size of silica articles, preforms in the case of commercial fiber production, increases. State of the art optical fiber manufacture typically involves drawing hundreds of kilometers of fiber from a single preform. These preforms typically exceed 10 Kg in size. Although improvements in techniques for making large sol-gel bodies have been made, strength continues to be an issue and any process modification that results in improvement in the strength of intermediate products during the sol-gel process will constitute a valuable contribution to the technology.

Manufacture of silica bodies using sol-gel techniques


An optical pick-up device includes a laser source which emits multi-mode laser beam consist of varied wavelength in wide spectrum, and an optical filter which eliminates improper ranges of the laser's spectrum and transmits only preferred wavelength domains. Therefore, a diffraction device composed of at least two diffractive elements can produce several focal points dependent upon selected wavelength by the optical filter and diffractive index of the each diffractive element.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to optical data storage systems. More specifically, this invention relates to an optical reading and recording apparatus and method for optical data storage systems having multiple data storage surfaces.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Initialized by the vast increase in information that needs to be processed, optical data storage system have become most important system particularly because of their high storage density per area. Most of the recent optical information storage systems rotating single optical disk are used on which the information is digitally stored in concentric circular tracks in an ordered, predifined manner to allow chronological fast reading and fast random access to desired pits of data.
In order to accomplish the even more storage capacity of optical disk systems for the enormous information processing, such as video or picture communication like so called video-on-demand service, multiple disk systems have been proposed. An optical disk system having two or more data layers may in theory be accessed at different disks by changing the focal point with moving lens. Example of this type of state-of-the-art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,875 issued Apr. 13, 1993 to Rosen, et al.; Japanese Published Application, 63-276732 published Nov. 15, 1988 by Watanabe, et al.
The serious problem with these prior art systems is an interference lights reflected on neighboring layers, that causes difficulty to detect the data recorded on certain layer. That cross-talk-signals from the other layers may effect critically to reduce the ability to read the data, especially with several data layers system. In addition, all of the prior art systems requires the moving lens component to modulate the focal point of the laser beam. Example of such type of state-of-the-art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,756 issued May 16, 1995 to Takeshita, et al. However, such a actuating component including moving lens can not be fabricated on a single substrate. That has been considered disadvantage on productivity and reliability. An optical reading, and recording pick-up device is needed which overcomes these problems mentioned above.

Optical pick-up apparatus for multiple data surface optical disk system


An apparatus comprising a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to receive a mapping rule that associates a downstream internal Internet Protocol version four (IPv4) address prefix to an upstream external IPv4 address prefix, receive a first IPv4 packet from an upstream network node with a destination address field comprising an external IPv4 address comprising the external prefix, and perform a first network address translation IPv4 to IPv4 (NAT44) process by replacing the external IPv4 address in the first IPv4 packet's destination address field with an internal IPv4 address based on the mapping rule, wherein the internal IPv4 address comprises the internal prefix and a port set identifier (ID) associated with set of destination ports at a downstream node assigned to receive the first IPv4 packet.

Networks may be interconnected to other networks to allow Network Elements (NEs) to communicate on a global scale, for example via the Internet. NEs and/or nodes may be assigned Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model layer 2 network addresses, such as Media Access Control (MAC) addresses, and layer 3 addresses, such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Legacy systems may employ an IP version four (IPv4) addressing scheme, which may designate a node by using a thirty two bit address. The IPv4 addressing scheme may be unsuitable to maintain enough addresses for the rapidly increasing number of devices connecting to the Internet, which has led to the creation of the IP version six (IPv6) addressing scheme that employs one hundred twenty eight bit addresses. Upgrading systems from IPv4 to IPv6 may be costly. As such, various systems may be employed to effectively increase the pool of available IPv4 addresses for legacy networks until such legacy networks can be completely upgraded to employ the newer IPv6 standards.


A hinged swing bracket assembly for a telecommunications rack system has first, second and third arms. The first arm has a first end and a second end and is adapted to be connected to a support. The second arm has first and second ends. The first end of the second arm is pivotally connected to the first arm and the second end of the second arm is releasably connected to the first end of the first arm. The third arm has first and second ends. The first end of the third arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the second arm, and the second end of the third arm is releasably connected to the first end of the second arm.

Data technology is being used to an increasing extent in the communications industry to carry various types of signals and data. In telephone communications, for example, the use of data lines between central offices and individual residential and business subscribers has allowed for large increases in signal traffic and improved signal quality. Telecommunications circuitry is generally housed in telecommunications cabinets placed at or near the subscriber locations, with a single cabinet typically serving a large number of individual subscribers. In telecommunications cabinets, racks or banks of circuits are provided in the form of slide-out circuit boards that are easily removed from the equipment rack when repair or replacement is needed. Due to the large number of circuit boards housed in a telecommunications cabinet, an even greater number of cables, including, but not limited to, fiber optic and copper cables, are also housed in the telecommunications cabinet. The numerous cables tend to interfere with access to the various components and circuit boards housed in the telecommunications cabinet.
Because data cables are often manufactured in standard lengths with connectors already attached at both ends, cables are generally used that are longer than needed when making connections to a circuit board. The excess cable length allows equipment racks and individual circuit boards to be removed and replaced at a different location in the telecommunications cabinet, should this become necessary. However, the excess cable must be stored in some way, which presents problems in the management of a large number of cables housed in conventional telecommunications cabinets. Because data cables can be fragile and cannot be bent or deformed in the same manner that electrical wires can, it is difficult to compactly and efficiently manage the cables.
The excess cables are often allowed to remain exposed at the front of the equipment rack. Unfortunately, the exposed cables obscure the various printed indicia, visual indicators and circuit board extractors usually provided on the front panel of the equipment rack, and occupies valuable space within the cabinet that might otherwise be devoted to other hardware. The presence of the cables within the cabinet also requires that additional space be provided in the interior of the telecommunications cabinet, thereby requiring a somewhat deeper cabinet than might otherwise be desired. The exposed cable is also susceptible to damage from personnel working within the cabinet because of the cables' fragility, and can expose repair personnel to potential eye injury from laser light if a cable becomes inadvertently detached from the connectors on the circuit boards. Finally, the exposed cables, including, but not limited to, fiber optic and copper cables, are aesthetically undesirable, since it creates an unsightly appearance (a "rat's nest" of cables) in the interior of the telecommunications cabinet, which also makes tracking individual cables extremely difficult.
Another problem that occurs with unmanaged cables is that the cables interfere with work done by personnel in the telecommunications cabinet. Personnel often must move cable out of the way in the area in which they are working, thereby subjecting the cable to undesirable bending or flexing. Furthermore, due to the large number of cables within the telecommunications cabinet, personnel often accidentally bump into or move the cables. Due to the fragility of the cables, small degrees of bending or flexing may damage or even break the cables.
Existing telecommunications rack systems often have channels along the sides of the racks in which the cables are run. By using these channels, the above-mentioned problems concerning cable management can be avoided. However, the same cable management issues are now present in those channels. Covers are often attached to the channels to cover the cabling, thereby eliminating the unsightly appearance of the cabling. However, a problem exists because those channel covers are attached in such a manner that the generally requires the covers to be completely removed to access the cabling. Thus, any changes and modifications to the cabling and/or equipment housed in the telecommunications rack system requires the cover to be completely removed from the channels so that the associated cabling can be accessed. Removing the covers to access the cabling is inefficient and requires an excessive amount of time. Other Therefore, a need exists for a bracket assembly that connects the cover to the channel that does not require the cover to be removed to access the channel.
Thus, there is a continuing need to provide improved swing hinged bracket assemblies.

Hinged swing bracket assembly for a rack system


A system and computer program product for backing up a program and a plurality of user instances of the program. First program instructions backup definitions of queues used by the program instances. Second program instructions backup authorizations for the queues. Third program instructions backup a plurality of program-instance configuration files for the plurality of program instances, respectively. Fourth program instructions backup a configuration file for the program. Also disclosed is a method and program product for backing up a user program instance which has locked a queue definition file containing definitions of queues and authorizations for accessing the queues, and which has not locked a configuration file identifying the user program instance. A backup program queries the user program instance for the definitions of the queues and the authorizations for the queues such that the user program instance retains the lock on the queue definition file. In response, the user program reads the definitions and authorizations from the queue definition file and furnishes them to the backup program. The backup program directly reads the configuration file without querying the user program for the configuration file and without locking the configuration file.

The invention relates generally to computer systems, and deals more particularly with a technique to back-up a computer program.
There are various types of computer programs today, such as operating systems, middleware and applications. A middleware program acts as an interface between two applications (typically on other servers) to facilitate communication of data between the two servers. Middleware assists the communication when the two applications have different communication protocols or are otherwise not suited for direct communication with each other. One example of middleware is IBM MQ Series (which is also known as IBM Websphere MQ) program which establishes an asynchronous message-queuing service to enable communication of messages between two or more other applications which differ in type from each other. The IBM MQ Series/Websphere MQ program manages the I/O to these other applications, establishes message queues, manages authorizations to the message queues, and maintains configuration files and user exits. The authorizations indicate which applications are authorized to add messages to and remove messages from each message queue. The configuration files specify log parameters, network parameters, memory settings, queue settings, and names of application-instance (for example, queue manager) configuration files. Examples of log parameters are logging type (linear or circular), log size, log buffers, and primary/secondary log allocation. Examples of network parameters are TCP keep-alives, and channel-connection settings. The queue settings specify the permitted length of each message queue, whether the messages on the queue should persist after a restart, how large each individual message can be, whether the queue is part of a cluster of queues, and whether an external application should be triggered to retrieve the message upon arrival to the queue. "User exits" are read-only, custom code such as code to provide security checking when an application requests to remove a message from a work queue. Other exits might be used to encrypt or compress messages. Some of the objects, such as a queue object that defines the queue, may be locked when "opened" for use by an external application.
An operator of the middleware program may change the configuration files as needed for proper operation of the middleware. It is prudent to occasionally backup the configuration files, queue objects, authorization tables and other files of the middleware program in case there is a system failure which deletes or corrupts them. It is not necessary to backup the basic middleware program code, because the basic code can be obtained, if needed, from a stagnant disk. In the case of a message-queuing middleware program, the messages on the queue are not generally backed up because they are too transient. External applications can backup and control such data, if desired. However, other types of data objects in other types of programs may be backed up. The backup of the configuration files, queue objects, authorization tables in IBM MQ Series/Websphere MQ program is currently performed as follows: An MQSeries application instance (for example, a queue manager) is stopped in order to release all locked files and provide for a consistent backup, which is then performed by an external backup program. Alternatively, the queue manager can be left running (and thus, needed repository files are locked in use), and a tool can be used to query the queue manager for settings that need to be saved. Such settings include objects, such as queues, channels, processes, and security objects. They also include the authorizations to those objects (such as the authorizations for an application to connect to a queue to contribute or retrieve a message). Each of these objects has authorizations (otherwise called permissions) that determine which ids and groups are permitted to access the object. The entire system, including the authorizations settings (which are not part of the objects themselves), was backed up by stopping the instance and relinquishing the lock. Then an "offline" filesystem backup was performed of all files in the repository. Most MQSeries installations keep repository files at the /var/mqm/qmgrs location on UNIX machines. The offline filesystem backup comprised the steps of 1) stopping external applications, and thus disconnecting their connections to MQSeries middleware, 2) stopping MQSeries middleware instances (queue managers), 3) an external storage program such as IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) is used to backup the /var/mqm and /var/mqm/log filesystems (which comprise the whole of MQSeries data files), 4) MQSeries is restarted, 5) external applications are restarted. The /var/mqm/ filesystem contains the repositories for each of the queue managers. This includes the objects and their associated permissions. That filesystem also contains message exits and all necessary configuration files. The /var/mqm/log filesystem was also backed up to provide recovery for the data in the queues. The whole filesystem was backed up, and users were then left to determine which files would be necessary to recover should a "restore" be needed.
One problem with a known backup process is that the middleware program is shut down during the backup. It is also known in other environments for a program which owns a lock to a repository to relinquish the lock to another program which needs to access the repository. However, for some programs such as IBM MQ Series/Websphere MQ program, the repository is essential to operation, and without the lock the proogram will be precluded from performing most tasks (until the lock is regained). Another problem was that even if a tool was used to backup the objects while the instance was running, the authorizations for those objects were not backed up (because they are stored separately) and thus the backup presented only a portion of the configuration settings necessary to completely recreate the instance.
A general object of the present invention is to facilitate the process of backing up a middleware program or other program.
Another object of the present invention is to permit backup of configuration files and other files of a middleware program or other program, without interfering with operation of the middleware program or other program.
Another object of the present invention is to facilitate backup of a comprehensive collection of information relating to the configuration of the queues.

System, method and program for backing up a computer program

International Business Machines Corporation


A computer-implemented method comprises receiving a data stream that includes a series of code words that encodes a respective series of pixel data according to a first entropy coding lookup table, and processing the data stream to determine if there is a match between a first code word and a consecutive second code word, and a code word entry in a second entropy coding lookup table. The method also includes, if there is a match, decoding the first code word and the second code word using the second entropy coding lookup table. Further, the method includes, if there is not a match, decoding the first code word using the first entropy coding lookup table.

In recent years, various types of printing devices have become popular for both business and consumer use. In addition to traditional black and white printers, color printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, and other components are now common. Multi-function peripherals (MFPs), that support two or more of these functions, are also widely available. Among other functions, these devices are used to process image data.
The processing of image data may include, for instance, compressing and encoding operations, and/or decompressing and decoding operations. One example image processing technology is defined by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard. Generally, a JPEG encoding process of image data includes spatial frequency conversion, quantization, data sequencing, and entropy encoding; and a JPEG decoding process of image data includes an inverse of the JPEG encoding processes, such as entropy decoding, inverse data sequencing, de-quantization, and inverse spatial frequency conversion.
It is desirable to improve on the arrangements of conventional methods and systems or at least to provide one or more useful alternatives to help to make data processing more efficient, reliable, and faster.


The present invention provides a solar cell module which keeps backing film from being scratched and prevents the occurrence of scratches. The solar cell module (10) of the present invention is provided with a surface protecting member (12), backing film (13), a plurality of solar cells (11) arranged between the surface protecting member (12) and the backing film (13) and electrically connected by means of wiring members (16), a filler material (14) for sealing the solar cells (11) between the surface protecting member (12) and the backing film (13), and transition wiring (20) electrically connected with the wiring members (16). Here, at least the end portion of transition wiring (20) positioned in a corner portion of the solar cell module is arranged so as to be positioned closer to the surface protecting member (12) than other portions of the transition wiring (20).

A solar cell module has a structure in which a plurality of solar cells are connected in series or in parallel by means of a wiring member electrically connected to the terminals on the front and back surfaces of the cells.
Here, the electrodes in adjacent solar cells are connected by the wiring member. A solar cell string is constructed by connecting adjacent solar cells. A solar cell module is constructed by electrically joining a plurality of solar cell strings. The solar cell strings are electrically connected by soldering transition wiring between the wiring members positioned at the end portions of each solar cell string. The transition wiring is used as output wiring to draw out electric power from all of the solar cell strings. The transition wiring collects the power output from the wiring members, routes the power to the external output of the solar cell module, and is soldered to a conductor electrically joined to the external output.
A solar cell module is usually manufactured by stacking a surface protecting member, a filler material sheet, a plurality of solar cell strings, a filler material sheet and backing film in successive order, and then subjecting the laminate to heat and pressure inside a laminating device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Solar cell module and manufacturing method therefor

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


The present invention is a critical care transport system comprising a transport frame, a transport wrap, and a restraining belt system which is especially useful in inter-hospital transport of infants and children, or retrieval and transport of critically ill children from remote locations. The transport frame further comprises an upper frame divided into a lower tray and a hingedly adjustable upper tray which allows elevation of the patient's head even when the belt restraining system is fully engaged. The transport frame further comprises various apparatus for securing air and oxygen tanks, instrumentation, and medical care devices for use during transport. The transport wrap further comprises a series of contiguous flaps which, when engaged in a specified order, serve to restrain, comfort, and protect the patient. The belt restraining system comprises a series of buckles and belts which engage at a common locking point for distribution of transport forces over a wide area and comfortable, effective, secure transport of the patient.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to critical care transport apparatus, and more particularly, to improved patient transportation apparatus used to transport critically ill children from the field to a nearby hospital, or between hospitals, by way of airplane, helicopter, or ground ambulances.
2. Background of the Invention
Emergency patient care of the type discussed herein, generally is that dispensed by rescue squad crews aboard light planes, helicopters, and ground ambulances. Further, the usual rescue situation will involve extraction of an infant or child from a remote location after receiving a critical injury.
It is customary for those skilled in this art to refer to a field device for supporting a patient in a horizontal transporting position as a stretcher. Devices in which patient transportation function is performed by two individuals carrying the device and patient are known as litters. While the pediatric critical care transport system of the present invention may be used as both a stretcher and a litter, all further references herein will be to a "stretcher".
Stretchers have a long been a standard adjunct to ambulatory care vehicles. So-called "ambulance stretchers" have become generally standardized in their dimensions. In recent years, ambulance stretchers have been equipped with permanently attached treatment equipment, such as heart-lung resuscitating devices, heart monitoring and ECG recording devices, defibrillating devices, and the like. These stretcher systems have served to expand the treatment capabilities to the patient at the location of injury, but at the same time, the systems of this type are invariably larger than standard ambulance stretcher dimensions. Such stretcher systems are not only increased in size in comparison with ambulance stretches, but in total weight as well. Consequently, movement of these systems when fully burdened may easily require up to four persons.
Further, movement of such enlarged systems to and from ambulatory care vehicles are restricted by their size. This is particularly apparent in situations where access to the patient requires movement of the system up and down stairways, along restricted openings, etc. When the transport environment includes a light aircraft or helicopter, the transport space involved is significantly reduced from that of a traditional ambulance. Thus, the patient must first be transported to the ambulatory vehicle before receiving the benefit of medical equipment monitoring, oxygen, etc. Further, upon reaching the destination where advanced critical care may be administered, the transportation crew is faced with making the choice of disconnecting the patient from all instrumentation for rapid evacuation from the ambulatory vehicle, or leaving electrical wires and fluid lines in places, but enlisting additional personnel to manage the equipment. These restrictions are usually enforced by the limited dimensions of the transport vehicle, which preclude accommodating a large stretcher apparatus with permanently attached equipment. Further, in the case of pediatric critical care transport from remote locations, two other difficulties are encountered. First, traditional stretchers are emphasized to accommodate the height and weight of an adult. The attachments for restraining a patient thereon are usually quite adjustable, but insufficient for practical restraint of a very small child. Second, traditional stretcher systems do not anticipate removal of critically injured children from areas where it is very cold. While the injured child may be wearing clothing sufficient for the environment, such clothing must often be removed for access to the injured portions of the body. Restraining wraps used for adults are often much too large for the child, and preclude adequate access to injured areas and areas available for monitoring vital signs. The end result is that critically injured children are often acutely uncomfortable during a time when they are also in great pain. This is because adult-sized transport apparatus necessitates exposure to the elements, including the down-wash of a helicopter which is used for transport.
Rigid stretcher systems also do not accommodate elevation of the patient's head for assistance in clearing the airway or preventing the patient from choking or suffocating on fluid in the mouth.
While some attempts have been made in the past to remove these difficulties, none have successfully integrated stretcher and restraining components into an integrated critical care transport system for infants and small children which accommodates needed critical care instrumentation in a size which enables transport by light planes and helicopters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,079, issued Reinhold, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,051, issued to Schneider, Sr. attempt to overcome the unwieldy operation of separate instrumentation and transport apparatus by providing a stretcher with integral instrumentation. However, neither apparatus is sized for use with children, and neither provides any significant elevation in the head. Further, there is no integrated restraint system which provides security, comfort, and protection from the elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,075, issued to Schnitzler and U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,770, issued to Ahlsten, both disclose a stretcher which allows elevation in the head, but does not provide any accommodation for instrumentation. Further, neither apparatus includes a restraint system appropriate to small children.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,908, issued to Burns et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,739, issued Bradford, teach a stretcher apparatus with integral restraint systems. However, neither of these devices is suitable for elevation of the head, and in fact, both are directed towards immobilization of the patient during spinal injury. Also, neither device provides for integrated or captured instrumentation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,186, issued Laurin et al., discloses a spinal restraint device with the capability of accommodating instrumentation, but does not provide for elevation of the head, and is more specifically directed toward immobilization of the patient.
Therefore, the present invention is directed toward overcoming the transport difficulties encountered in the critical care transport of children as set forth above. It is desirable to have an apparatus which can safely secure the patient during a transport accident. It is also desirable to have an apparatus which allows access to the pediatric patient which allows movement as needed during medical intervention while properly restraining the patient. It is also desirable to have an apparatus which allows positioning the patient to protect the airway by allowing lateral and rotational movement, and even allowing the patient to sit up without modification of the safety restraint system. It is desirable that such a restraint system prevents the patient from being thrown around within, or out of the transport vehicle during an accident, and that such a restraint system be designed to avoid stress points and thereby significantly reduce the chance of causing additional injury during an accident.
Further, it is desirable to have a pediatric critical care transport system which provides protection from the extremes of the environment during the transport process. It is also desirable that the environmental protective restraint system allow access to the patient, while permitting comfortable and secure restraint, which decreases the psychological terror induced by using a "belt-only" system.
Further, it is desirable to provide a pediatric critical care transport system which provides an integrated platform for the attachment of specific devices to monitor the pediatric patient condition. Further, it is desirable to have a system which safely secures the attached monitoring equipment to the stretcher, while presenting the monitoring equipment in a usable position. It is also desirable to have a system which is strong and stable, lightweight, and provides a mechanism to safely and securely retain oxygen and compressed air tanks. It is also desirable to have a system which accommodates attachment of IV pumps and apparatus.
Further, it is desirable to have a pediatric critical care transport system that allows stable on-end storage and dramatically decreases the storage space needed for several similar devices. It is also desirable to have a system which incorporates an open compartment carrier to accommodate multiple brands of mechanical ventilators in a safe, secure, and functional position.
Further, it is desirable to have a pediatric critical care transport system that effectively restrains children and provides a wrap or body enclosure to completely encompass the body of a child to provide thermal protection from the environment, which is especially critical for the small infant, preventing heat loss from the exposed face and head. It is also desirable to have a system which incorporates insulation in the area along the head and ear to decrease the psychological stress of induced noise during aerial transport. It is also desirable to have a system which protects against the down-wash during the "hot loading" to a medical helicopter.
Further, it is desirable to have a pediatric critical care transport system which serves the multiple purposes of safety restraint and enclosure of exposed body sites, while simultaneously padding the patient in those areas subject to restraint. It is also desirable to have a system with the flexibility to accommodate access to IV lines, monitor leads, tubes, catheters, oximetry probes, etc. without loss to the environmental control or patient security or safety restraint. It is also desirable to have a system which is sized appropriately for small children and infants. It is also desirable to have a system in which the patient is protected from exterior heat by fire resistant materials.
Further, it is desirable to have a pediatric critical care transport system that provides restraint over both shoulders of the patient to accommodate sudden deceleration changes. It is also desirable to have a restraint system which effectively prevents the patient from being thrown around the interior of the transport vehicle, while allowing the patient to sit up. It is also desirable to have a system which prevents a single point for connection of shoulder straps and other restraining measures. It is also desirable to have a system which restrains safely, distributing the weight of the patient over a wide area on the body of the critically ill patient.
The pediatric critical care transport system as described herein fills an important need for a small number of high-risk pediatric patients who are undergoing inter-hospital transport, or rescue from a remote site. This type of patient requires protection from the elements, integrated monitoring and support equipment, and safe, comfortable restraint, provided by the present invention.

Pediatric critical care transport system


Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device of novel construction, in which a fingerprint recognition device is integrally formed with the liquid crystal display device, thereby minimizing the increase in the price and size of a final product. The liquid crystal display device comprises an image display panel and a fingerprint recognition panel which are integrally formed, wherein the image display panel comprises a scan drive unit which sequentially turns on rows formed in the image display panel for each frame in order to display images, and a data drive unit which outputs data signals to a turned-on row provided in the image display panel, and wherein the fingerprint recognition panel comprises a switch control unit which sequentially turns on rows formed in the fingerprint recognition panel for each frame in order to perform fingerprint recognition, and a reading unit, to which fingerprint information recognized from a turned-on row is outputted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device capable of performing both image display mode and fingerprint recognition mode. The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is more effective than a piezoelectric sensor or an optical sensor, which uses one or more semiconductor components and is generally employed in fingerprint recognition-based security/authentication techniques, in view of reliability and costs. Furthermore, the present invention is directly applicable to STN or TFT-LCD products which themselves have a very wide applicability, so that it can be employed in an electronic commerce system, a security system, a personal recognition/authentication system or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As generally known in the art, password input mode has been principally used for electronic commerce, security, authentication and the like, up to the present. However, since the password input mode is likely to be hacked into, various modes have been developed lately for recognizing biometrical information such as fingerprints.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view of a unit cell in a conventional fingerprint recognition device, which employs thin film transistors (TFTs), and FIG. 2 shows a circuit for driving such a fingerprint recognition device. As shown in FIG. 1, a unit cell of the conventional fingerprint recognition device 100 comprises: a sensor TFT 102 for sensing light; a switch TFT 106 for outputting recognized fingerprint information, the sensor TFT and the switch TFT being transversely aligned; a transparent substrate 118; and a backlight 116 for emitting light upward from the underside of the transparent substrate 118, the light passing through an electricity charging unit or a light transmission part 104. A sensor source electrode 112 of the sensor TFT 102 and a switch drain electrode 128 of the switch TFT 106 are electrically connected to each other through a first transparent electrode 124. A second transparent electrode 120 is connected to a sensor gate electrode 114 of the sensor TFT 102. In addition, a photosensitive layer 110 such as amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is formed between the sensor drain electrode 108 and the sensor source electrode 112, so that the sensor drain electrode 108 and the sensor source electrode 112 become electrically conductive if a predetermined amount of light is incident into the photosensitive layer 110. If a fingerprint is in contact with a coating 126 formed on the top of the unit cell, the light generated from the backlight 116 underneath the transparent substrate 118 is reflected along the pattern of the fingerprint and received by the photosensitive layer 110 of the sensor TFT 102, thereby rendering the TFT 102 to be electrically conductive. A dielectric insulation film 126 functions to isolate the second electrode 124, the sensor gate electrode 114 and the switch gate electrode 136.
Meanwhile, the switch TFT 106 is switched frame by frame, the frames being set to scan a fingerprint by a gate control signal applied to the switch gate electrode 136. Consequently, each sensor TFT 102 scans a fingerprint image inputted into the fingerprint recognition device 100, thereby forming a frame. The fingerprint image scanned in this manner is outputted via the switch source electrode 132. A photosensitive layer 134 is also formed in the switch TFT 106 as in the sensor TFT during the manufacturing process of the fingerprint recognition sensor, but a light shut-off layer 129 is formed on a protective layer 130 so that the switch TFT 106 is not turned on by the light received in the photosensitive layer 134.
Referring to FIG. 2, if a TFT sensor 202, which consists of a light-emitting unit 204, a panel 206 and a coating 208, is turned on by a gate drive unit 210 to scan a fingerprint as described above, fingerprint image information is inputted into a reading unit 212, sent to a control unit 214 and then compared with fingerprint data which has already been inputted into a memory 216. The result of the comparison is sent to a sensor interface 220 of a host computer, so that a process related to security and authentication then proceeds.
FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram for an array of conventional fingerprint recognition components. As shown in FIG. 3, a unit cell comprises a sensor TFT 302 and a switch TFT 304, and the capacitance existing at the connection between the sensor TFT 302 and the switch TFT 304 is modeled by a capacitor 305. As shown in FIG. 3, lines 306_1 and 306_2 are connected to the gate of the switch TFT 304, and line 308 is connected to the gate of the sensor TFT 302. Line 310 is a data line of the sensor TFT 302 and line 312 functions to outwardly discharge static electricity which may be generated in the light shut-off layer 129 (FIG. 1).
The afore-mentioned fingerprint recognition devices should be separately provided in an electronic commerce system, a security system, a control system and the like. Recently, in connection with the increase of personal portable equipment, mobile phones, personal portable terminals, notebook computers, personal computers and the like, various application techniques have been developed for connecting a fingerprint recognition device with such equipment. However, there is a problem in that the price and volume of a resulting product are increased because it is necessary to buy and mount a separate fingerprint device on a liquid crystal display panel or in a separate space.

Liquid crystal display device performing both image display mode and fingerprint recognition mode


A water filtration membrane is provided, capable of removing heavy metal ions, filtering out particulates, filtering out bacteria, as well as removing herbicides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. The membrane is composed of a mat of randomly oriented nanoparticle-coated nanofibers. The nanofibers are covalently bonded to a plurality of substantially uniformly-distributed ceramic nanoparticles embedded in or adhered on the surface of the polymer nanofibers through reactive functional groups. The ceramic nanoparticles have a pattern of deep grooves formed on the nanoparticle surfaces. The bonding of the nanoparticles to the nanofibers is sufficient to retain the nanoparticles on the nanofiber surfaces when water flows through the water filtration membrane. The diameter of the nanofibers is 50-200 nm. The size of the nanoparticles is <40 nm, with a zeta potential of −40 to −45 mV in a dispersion medium. The nanoparticle deep grooves have an average size of approximately 1.2 nm or less.

Nanoparticles have been combined with nanofibers for various technical applications. Various techniques for combining nanoparticles with nanofibers such as (1) blending, (2) coaxial electrospinning, (3) reduction of precursors and (4) surface adhesion are reviewed below.
(1) Blending
Blending is a conventional technique in which nanoparticles are mixed into a solution for electrospinning the nanofibers. Sonication is typically carried out for better dispersion of nanoparticles into the solution. Surfactants may also be added to assist in dispersion. However, since the nanoparticles are encapsulated within the fiber matrix, the nanoparticles' activity may be reduced. The major drawbacks of combining nanoparticles with nanofibers by blending are: (i) poor dispersion of nanoparticles; (ii) poor exposure of nanoparticles.
(2) Coaxial Electrospinning
A core-shell fiber morphology allows a targeted distribution of nanoparticles, either closer to a surface or at the core, of nanofibers. Such a fiber structure can be generated by coaxial electrospinning, which involves the use of a coaxial spinneret where the distribution of the material is determined by the feed solution extrusion either at the outer outlet or the core outlet. The major drawbacks of combining nanoparticles with nanofibers by coaxial electrospinning are: (i) low productivity; (ii) poor homogeneity.
(3) Reduction of Precursors
Instead of adding nanoparticles into the solution for electrospinning, an inorganic salt precursor may be added to the electrospinning solution and electrospun to form fibers. As the inorganic salt may be dissolved in the solution, its dispersion will be more uniform. A subsequent reduction is performed to convert the salt into nanoparticles. For example, silver nitrate may be dissolved in an electrospinning solution followed by photo-reduction using UV irradiation, thermal reduction at 80° C. or aging to form silver nanoparticles. The major drawbacks of combining nanoparticles with nanofibers by reduction of precursors are: (i) limited choices of materials; (ii) complicated manufacturing process.
(4) Surface Adhesion
Direct Electrospinning of Nanofibers onto Suspension of Nanoparticles
In this process, a suspension of nanoparticles is used with electrospinning directly on the suspension. In this technique, nanoparticles may adhere to the surface of the fibers as they are formed.
Simultaneous Electrospinning and Electrospraying
Simultaneous electrospinning and electrospraying may be used to incorporate nanoparticles on the surface of the nanofibers within a membrane. Alternatively, an ultrasonic atomizer, airbrush or other spraying device may be used in place of electrospraying. Spraying may be directed at an electrospinning jet such that particles are attached to the fiber surface prior to fiber deposition on a mat or at the opposite side of a rotating collector.
Chemically active nanoparticles on the surface of nanofibers can increase the activity of the composite. However, there is a risk that the nanoparticles may get dislodged from the nanofiber and causes health and environmental risks. Thus, there is a need in the art for effective techniques of affixing nanoparticles on nanofiber surfaces, particularly for techniques that may be scaled for commercial production.

Deeply grooved nanoparticle-coated nanofibers

Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited


A method for operating a computer to enhance profitability of a portfolio using a profitability model includes prompting a user to enter at least one workload driver for the portfolio, prompting a user to enter a trigger level for each entered workload driver and allocating portfolio and underwriting expenses, based upon workload drivers and their trigger levels. In an exemplary embodiment the method is implemented using a server and a database to evaluate deal economics within portfolios based on workload requirements relative to market pricing levels. Workload drivers and trigger levels cause the model to be activity based rather than average cost based.

This invention relates generally to profitability, and, more specifically to methods and systems used to enhance profitability on accounts, for example, loan accounts.
There are certain fixed and variable expenses for a lender doing business that are unavoidable as a cost of doing business. In the simplest of known systems, the expenses are simply calculated as a percentage of the transaction. However, most fixed expenses are constant no matter the size of the transaction. A potential customer could be discouraged from seeking a business opportunity with a lender who calculates fixed expenses as a percentage of the transaction value. Lenders and customers both realize that there are expenses incurred in conducting business. For large transactions, customers realize that a lender is going to incur additional expenses in both an approval cycle and in a maintenance cycle through the life of the transaction. How the lender passes the expenses on to the customer certainly affects the customer in, for example, up front expenses and, incurred interest and fees, but the passing of expenses also affects the lender. For example, the impact to the lender is whether the fixed income from a transaction is greater than the fixed expense of the transaction, which affects profitability.
Another impact to profitability are the activities and associated workload engaged in by employees of lenders in researching, underwriting, closing and servicing a transaction. Some of these expenses are variable depending on the size of the deal. Further, some of the activities are greatly reduced, eliminated or magnified, depending on the size and/or structuring of the deal.

Methods and systems for implementing a profitability model


A structure is described for supporting concrete reinforcement bars in a concrete structure, such as a footer or foundation. The structure includes a base member having a lower surface and an opposing upper surface. A plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members extend upward from the upper surface of the base member. Each of the first leg members have a lower end connected to the base member and an upper end distally disposed from the lower end. The structure includes a plurality of cradles for receiving the reinforcement bars, where each cradle is attached to the upper ends of a corresponding pair of the opposing first leg members. In a preferred embodiment, the structure includes horizontal support members disposed between and connecting the cradles. To retain the reinforcement bars within the cradles, preferred embodiments of the structure include retaining members that protrude inward from the inner surfaces of the opposing sidewalls. These retaining members offer interference to any upward movement of the reinforcement bars. Preferably, the base member, opposing leg members, cradles, retaining members, and horizontal support members comprise a unitary structural element, such as a continuous piece of thermoplastic material formed by injection molding.

Steel reinforcement bars are typically used in concrete slabs, concrete foundations, and other concrete structures to provide structural support to the concrete. In slab applications, the bars are usually arranged in a rectangular lattice which is supported some distance above the ground or other surface on which the slab is to be poured. In foundation applications, the bars are usually arranged parallel to the walls of the foundation, and supported above the ground or other surface. In this manner, the concrete may flow under and around the bars, thereby encapsulating the bars when the concrete hardens.
Prior structures for supporting the reinforcement bars above the ground, also referred to as chairs, have been lacking in several respects. Prior chairs have not provided stable support and have not effectively captured the reinforcing members to adequately keep them in the proper position as the concrete is poured. Also, some prior chairs have been difficult to use in that multiple pieces are required to capture the reinforcement bars. Further, many prior chair designs have been difficult to fabricate, which increases their cost.
What is needed, therefore, is an easy-to-use, low-cost structure for providing stable support for reinforcement bars in concrete slabs, foundations, and other concrete structures.

Support for concrete reinforcing members


Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for distributing urgent public information. For example, one exemplary of the invention provides a method for providing an alert to a subscriber. The exemplary method comprises receiving an alert message from at least one alert source. The alert message often will be pertinent to at least one of the subscribers. The alert message can comprise an alert and associated alert information. The alert information can provide information about the alert such that the information can be analyzed determine whether a particular subscriber likely should receive the alert. Other embodiments provide systems, which can be used to perform the methods of the invention.

This application relates generally to the provision of urgent public information, and specifically to methods and systems for distributing urgent public information.
Often, urgent public information is of a critical nature, such that it would be beneficial to have some reliable means to make reasonably sure that the information reaches the intended audience it should be disseminated to the interested segment of the population. As well, urgent public information, by its nature, sometimes is time-sensitive, such that it is desirable the information be disseminated to the interested population as expeditiously as possible.
Existing alert distribution systems generally rely on a blanket method of distribution, using broadcast media (e.g., television and radio stations) to inform the public of urgent information. Such distribution systems are overbroad, in that each person watching television or listening to the radio in a given broadcast area is subjected to repeated broadcast of the information whether or not it even applies to or is of interest to that person. The systems are also underinclusive, however, in that certain people, to whom the alerts may be of vital interest, likely will not receive the alert if they are not either watching television or listening to the radio.
There is a need for a new distribution system, therefore, that allows for more timely and/or selective distribution of urgent public information to those to whom the information likely would be of interest.

Methods, systems and apparatus for providing urgent public information