Disclosed herein are synchronous rectifier control techniques for Discontinuous Current Mode (DCM) converters. These techniques may be particularly advantageous where the current shape is triangular in nature with a fixed down-slope. Such converters may include DCM flyback converters and DCM buck converters. The proposed control techniques can reduce body diode conduction of the synchronous rectifier and optimize turn-off timing, while negating the effect of parasitic circuit elements. These techniques may also help simplify the control of synchronous rectifiers operated in parallel mode. Finally, such techniques may also help achieve higher performance in variable output voltage converters and converters that operate at high switching frequencies.

Many power conversion applications employ discontinuous current mode (DCM) switching power converters, such as flyback converters or buck converters. Advantages of such converters can include lower common mode noise and reduced turn-on losses. Such converters use a "control switch" element and a "rectifier" element. The control switch operates to achieve voltage or current regulation, responsive to the load, while the rectifier converts an alternating current to a direct current. An exemplary flyback converter 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1A, and an exemplary buck converter 150 is illustrated in FIG. 1B. Both converters use a diode as the rectifier element. In flyback converter 100 of FIG. 1A, the rectifier is diode D2. In buck converter 150 of FIG. 1B, the rectifier is diode D1.
Typical rectifier diodes may have high conduction losses, as the forward voltage drop may range between 0.5V to 1.2V. Thus, in some embodiments, it may be preferred to use a synchronous rectifier in place of the diode. A synchronous rectifier employs a low on resistance MOSFET as rectifier. A suitable synchronous rectifier control circuit (SR controller) operates the MOSFET to emulate the behavior of a diode, but with very low forward voltage drop. Essentially, the MOSFET may be kept turned off during blocking period. As a result, the parasitic body diode of the MOSFET blocks the reverse voltage. The MOSFET may be kept turned on during the forward conduction period. As a result, the low on resistance shunts the body diode to allow for very low conduction losses. The SR controller includes all the necessary logic and sensing to achieve such operation. Disclosed herein are various discontinuous current mode flyback and buck converters with improved synchronous rectifier circuits.

High performance synchronous rectification in discontinuous current mode converters


A musical information retrieval system and process is presented. The system and process generally involves a user employing a unique graphic user interface (GUI) to enter a musical theme query, which is then characterized using a special normalized format. The characterized musical query is then compared in a variety of ways to similarly characterized musical themes resident in a database to identify one or more matching themes. The matching theme or themes are then reported to the user.

Consider a scenario where a person would like to identify a piece of music that has a distinctive theme. The person remembers this musical theme very well; however, may not know the title, or composer, or its country of origin, or its key signature, or any similar identifying characteristic. Further, the person cannot write down the music because he or she does not know musical notation.
One possible recourse for this person would be to consult a book of musical themes. Originally, these books required the ability to read/write music in order to find a piece of music and so would not be helpful to a non-musician. However, some books characterize musical themes using the Parsons code, also known as melody contour or rough contour. Generally, this code is a representation of the melody of a musical theme that only requires the reader to know whether the pitch of each consecutive note in the theme is higher, lower or the same as the last note. The drawback to this is that even very different musical themes can exhibit identical or similar contours, and so a search by contour alone often produces multiple "false positives" or requires unreasonably long queries.
Another option available to the aforementioned person wanting to identify a piece of music is to employ a computer-based musical information retrieval system. In general, these systems involve a user making a query that represents the musical theme being sought via some type of user interface. The input is typically characterized in some manner and then compared to a database of similarly characterized musical themes in an attempt to find a match. The system then reports the matching theme(s) to the user. For example, the matching theme title(s) could be displayed to the user on a computer monitor screen.
The user interfaces employed in these conventional musical information retrieval systems vary greatly. Most employ some form of a graphical user interface that a user employs to enter information about the theme. For example, a user might be required to enter notes onto a representation of a musical staff. Thus, the user would need to know how to write music. Another example might involve a user entering a Parsons code representation of the musical theme being sought. Yet another example might involve the user humming the theme which is captured via a microphone.
In regard to the content databases employed in musical information retrieval systems, most store music as musical score-based (or note-based) information in one of several widely known encoding formats, such as MIDI, MusicXML, MuseData and Humdrum. Unfortunately, these encoding formats do not lend themselves to efficient theme searching. As a result, some systems employ more search-friendly characterizations of the stored musical themes. For example, pitch characterizations including the Parsons code are often used. Thus, queries by a user are first characterized in the same manner as the stored musical themes before being compared.


The present invention relates to an improved method for the simultaneous calibration and qualification of a non-contact probe on a localizer using a single artifact, in which non-contact probe readings and localizer readings are synchronised using parameters determined simultaneously with calibration and qualification. The invention also relates to a non-contact probe and other devices, and a computer program for performing the invention.

Generally a non-contact probe comprises of one or more emitter sources and one or more receivers. An emitter source projects waves, for example light waves, on the object of interest; the receiver(s) comprising for example a camera, capture(s) the returning waves from the object. For instance, if the receiver is a CCD-camera, it will take one or more shots of the object. By moving the object relative to the non-contact probe or vice versa, shots of the complete object can be taken, i.e. the object is being scanned. Each shot represents a one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) projection of the object depending on the physical form and working principle of the receiver(s). To obtain accurate 3D points on the surface of the object, relative to a fixed coordinate system, from multiple shots the following system parameters are preferably required:                1. the 3D position of the emitter source(s) relative to the receiver(s);        2. the 3D position and orientation of the emitted waves, relative to the receiver(s), coming from the emitter source(s);        3. the characteristics such as focal point of lenses of the receivers used in the non-contact probe;        4. the dimensions and measuring resolution of the receiver(s); and        5. the 3D position and orientation of the non-contact probe or the object relative to a fixed coordinate system, for each receiver capture.
The actual values of the parameters 1 to 4 are calculated during the calibration. Some of the actual values of parameter 5 are calculated during the qualification procedure, others are given values readily obtainable from the object-non-contact probe set-up. When these parameters are calculated for the given non-contact probe, the conversion, also called compensation, from receiver readings to accurate 3D points can be performed.
To be able to move the non-contact probe relative to the object, the probe is mounted on a localizer. This localizer can be a structure, portable or non-portable, on which the probe is mounted, like for example a tripod. This localizer can also be a structure with moving axes, motorized or non-motorized, where the probe is mounted on the end of said axes, dependent to all other axes, like for example a robot, a milling machine or coordinate measuring machine (CMM). These last types of localizer can have the possibility to record the position and/or the rotation of the probe.
Some of the state-of-the-art techniques actually calculate parameters 1 to 5 explicitly using dedicated measurements in a sequential manner. Adjusting these parameters is difficult because of their complex interactions and adjustment can be time consuming.
Other state-of-the-art techniques for calibration and qualification do not calculate these parameters explicitly. In the first step, the receiver readings are first transformed in one, two or three dimensions, depending on whether the receiver itself is capable of measuring one, two or three dimensions. In this calibration step a receiver reading in receiver units is transformed to a point in e.g. SI units. The calibration can take several phenomena into account; for example, correcting the perspective since the object is not always parallel to the receiver or scaling correctly the readings. Finally, it must model correctly systematic reading errors in the receiver(s)—which is a complex operation.
The second step, the qualification, consists of determining the accurate position and orientation of the non-contact probe relative to a fixed coordinate system. The qualification procedure is generally performed by the end-user using special artifacts or other measuring equipment. The qualification procedure often requires an essential manual alignment of the artifact/measuring equipment with the non-contact probe.
Both steps, calibration and qualification, are based on some parameters that are tuned or optimized to obtain the 3D points accurately. Most state of the art algorithms determine the values of the parameters for the two steps separately, usually scanning different artifacts with known features, dimensions, etc. A method to generate the parameters with an integrated approach using one single artifact and a general function to convert directly a receiver reading into a three dimensional point has been recently disclosed (EP 1 361 414). This function corresponds to a sequence of calibration and qualification and, therefore, depends on many parameters similar to the ones used in the classical de-coupled technique. By expressing the conversion with one function, all interactions between the parameters are considered. Also, if the object being measured is known, the influence of a single parameter can directly be measured in terms of accuracy of the resulting 3D point.
Measurement using such technique relies on accurate determination of the probe position and/or orientation by the localiser for a given probe reading. Any error or lack of accuracy leads to a less precise calibration and qualification, and consequently costly readjustment. When taking measurements, the frequency of the receiver readings and the frequency of localizer readings rarely match or, the frequencies match but the phases are different. For example, a continuously moving probe may generate a high number of probe readings during movement, but this may not be matched by the same number of localizer readings in a given time period. Alternatively, the same numbers of readings are performed but a delay occurs. The difference is due to incompatibility between the electronics of the detector and localizer which are not synchronised. The result is that for each receiver reading there is commonly no corresponding localizer reading. The accuracy and precision of the calibration is consequently reduced. To overcome the problem, the electronic circuitry of both the detector and the localizer may be adapted to provide reading information at the same frequency and in synchronization. However, the adapted circuitry must be specialised and bespoke according to the output type of the respective devices. Should the same localizer be used with several different probes, electronic synchronization would entail a corresponding number of sets of adapted circuitry, so increasing costs. In more complex situations, a receiver obtains multiple readings in a periodic manner, each reading provided with a time stamp but the precise time stamp of each reading in one cycle cannot be synchronised. The synchronization with the localizer data cannot even be obtained with adapting hardware circuitry.
The present invention provides an adaptation to the technique described in (EP 1 361 414). It overcomes the problem of asynchronous data in the probe and localizer by mathematically identifying the time stamp of every receiver reading using a synchronization model with a few parameters and interpolating the corresponding localiser data for this time stamp. The parameters of the synchronization model are computed simultaneously during calibration and qualification.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for the automatic simultaneous synchronization, calibration and qualification of a non-contact probe


The present invention allows the friction of the belt with the slide table to be abated as well as restrains dusts from occurring.

Conventionally, such conveyor belt for carrying a transported article mounted on the surface thereof is known from, for example, Patent Document 1 below. The conveyor belt of this type has an upper layer made from a synthetic resin or the like, on which a transported article is mounted.
It is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 2 below that a weaving pattern of a woven fabric is transcribed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt such that a shapely appearance is realized and high durability is secured.

Abstract: The conveyor belt 10 for carrying a transported article mounted on the surface thereof comprises: a belt main body 1; and a lower surface layer 3 to cover the lower surface of the belt main body 1, in which the lower surface layer 3 is provided with a projective surface 4b in which a plurality of projections 4 whose peak portions 4a are formed into a curved surface shape.


A holder for supporting a piece of equipment above a surface has a column fixed to the surface, projecting upward therefrom, and having an upper end defining an inner horizontal pivot axis, an inner arm having an inner end pivoted at the inner axis on the column and an outer end defining an outer horizontal pivot axis, and an outer arm having an inner end pivoted at the outer axis on the inner-arm outer end and an outer end provided with a support for the piece of equipment. A link has an inner end seated in the upper end of the column at a location spaced a predetermined relatively long distance from the inner axis and an outer end seated in the inner end of the outer arm at a location space a predetermined relatively short distance from the outer axis. Thus as the inner axis is lifted the angle formed between the support and the horizontal increases.

It is known to mount a piece of office equipment on an articulated-arm holder which allows the equipment to be moved about above the work surface while it is solidly supported so that it can be used. A telephone, adding machine, or keyboard, for instance, is frequently pulled over to the user when it is going to be used heavily, but is pushed back when subjected to lighter use.
A standard such device as described in German patent 2,819,976 has a stationary column that projects upward from the anchor surface and that can even pivot thereon about its upright longitudinal axis. An inner arm has an inner end pivoted about an inner horizontal axis on the upper end of this column and has an outer end. In turn an outer arm has an inner end pivoted at an outer horizontal axis on the inner-arm outer end and an outer end provided with some form of support on which the piece of equipment in question is held or rests. A nonextensible link has an inner end pivoted on the column offset from the inner pivot axis and an outer end pivoted on the inner end of the outer arm offset from the outer axis. This link extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inner arm, that is parallel to a plane through the two support axes so as to form with the inner arm a parallelogrammatic linkage.
As a result the equipment support plate always lies at the sam angle relative to the horizontal. This position is normally flat, that is with the equipment in its normal horizontal orientation. When, however, the equipment has been pushed back, with the inner and outer arms both generally vertical, this horizontal orientation makes the equipment difficult to use. For example, when an adding machine is pushed back toward the rear of the desk it is difficult to see its display without tipping it up.


A dye for heat sensitive transfer recording represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Q.sup.1 represents an atomic group, which includes at least one nitrogen atom, which is required, together with the carbon atoms to which said atomic group is bonded, to form an at least five membered nitrogen containing heterocyclic ring; R.sub.1 represents an acyl group or a sulfonyl group; R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, or an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R.sub.4 represents a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, or an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; n represents an integer of from 0 to 4; R.sub.3 may be joined to R.sup.1, R.sup.2, or R.sup.4 to form a ring; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 may be joined together to form a ring; and at least one of R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 may be joined with R.sup.4 to form a ring.

In the past there has been a demand for techniques by which facsimile printers, copiers and television images etc. can be recorded in color. Color recording techniques using electrophotography, ink jets and heat sensitive transfer etc. have been investigated for this purpose.
The heat sensitive copy recording system is such that the equipment is easy to maintain and operate, and the equipment and consumables therefor are cheap. Thus, it is thought to have an advantage over the other methods listed above.
Heat sensitive copying systems include (1) fusion systems which employ a transfer sheet, in which a layer of ink which can be melted by heating is formed on a base film, is heated using a heat sensitive head so that the ink is melted and a copy is recorded on the object on which the recording is to be made; and (2) sublimation systems which employ a transfer sheet, in which an ink layer which contains a sublimable dye has been formed on a base film, is heated by a heat sensitive head so that the dye sublimes and a copy is recorded on the object on which the recording is to be made. It is possible to control the extent of the sublimation of the dye by varying the energy which is supplied to the heat sensitive head in the case of the sublimation system. Thus, with this method, it is easy to achieve graded recording, a particular advantage for full color recording.
Dyes which are to be used in such a recording system must satisfy the following conditions: (1) the dyes must sublime easily under the operation conditions of the heat sensitive recording head, (2) the dyes must not be thermally degraded under the operating conditions of the heat sensitive recording head, (3) the dyes must have the hue preferred from the point of view of color reproduction, (4) the dyes must have a large molar extinction coefficient and be stable with respect to heat, light, humidity and chemicals etc., (5) the dyes must be easily prepared, and (6) the dyes must be suitable as inks, etc.
The dyes which have been suggested in the past, for example the anthraquinone dyes, naphthoquinone dyes etc. disclosed in JP-A-60-151097 and JP-A-60-151098 etc. have a poor hue, and the indoaniline dyes disclosed in JP-A-61-22993 have the disadvantage of poor heat resistance and light resistance. (The term "JP-A" used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application".)

Dyes for heat sensitive transfer recording


A control method and apparatus for displaying moving pictures are disclosed, which make it possible to significantly reduce a side effect occurring when watching a 3D moving picture, in particular, a side effect such headache, nausea or dizziness generally occurring when a watcher watches a 3D moving picture while a watcher watches an excellent 3D moving picture. The method for displaying moving pictures comprises a step for receiving a data source containing a moving picture, a variable filtering information of the moving picture which is in time-sync with the moving picture and controls the fatigue that a user feels in the course of watching moving pictures, and a filter mask image code; a step for filtering the moving pictures with respect to the section in which the filtering is set depending on the variable filtering information and the filter mask image; and a step for outputting the filtered moving pictures.

In recent years, a 3D movie becomes a big trend in movie and broadcast fields.
Diverse method and factors are applied to help a watcher feel better 3D effects, among which a method of using a viewing time difference between two eyes is most important. A stereoscopic 3D technology and a multi-view 3D technology are developed with the aid of a technique of using a viewing time difference between two eyes.
The stereoscopic 3D technology is mainly applied to the current 3D moving pictures, which technology consists of a glasses method and a non-glasses method depending on whether or not a user wears glasses. The glasses-based method consists of a method of using a polarized glasses and a method of using a shuttered glasses. The non-glasses based method consists of a lenticular method of using a film which has a lot of perpendicular, intense wrinkles and a Parallax Barrie method of using a perpendicular shut-off line.
The procedures that a watcher feels 3D pictures will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
A creature including human being can recognize an object with spaced-apart two eyes as one object even though there is a retinal image disparity which occurs since two eyes spaced-apart about a nose watch the thing with a time difference, because different retinal corresponding points at the retinas of two eyes are recognized by a brain as one object. When a watcher watches one object O, the image of the object O is formed at a macula F which corresponds to the retina corresponding points of two eyes. However, the watcher recognizes the macula F recognized by each eye, as an imaginary viewing axis F″, which is called a common visual direction corresponding to a common viewing axis. The point A is far away from the object O, but it is positioned at the common visual direction F″. When viewing the object O, the point A is formed at the point "a", which is a corresponding point of the retina, closer to the nose as compared to the point F, so the watcher recognizes that the point "a" is positioned at the father back portion than the object O. On the contrary, since the point B is closer than the object O, the image is formed at the point "b", which is a corresponding point of the retina, closer to the nose than the point F, so the watcher recognizes that the point "b" is at the more forward side than the object O. When the image is formed at both the corresponding retinal points of two eyes, the watcher recognizes as one thing like a single vision and has the common viewing axis.
What a thing is recognized in 3D along with a depth is called a stereopsis. In the stereopsis, there are an image watched by the left eye and an image watched by the right eye, and both the images are integrated and recognized as one image. The procedure that the retinal images from both the eyes are integrated as one image via a certain neural procedure is called a sensory fusion. For a reliable fusion, the image watched by the left eye and the image watched by the right eye should be at least similar with each other. If very different images are formed at both the eyes, there might be a problem such as diplopia, superimposition, and retinal rivalry in which two images are alternately seen or a suppression in which only one image is formed, which results in a visual fatigue in a brain.
According to a research, when the conventional 2D moving picture is converted into a 3D moving picture, the amount of the data to be processed by the brain of the human being is increased by at least 4 times or 7 times which exceeds the summed numbers of the left images and the right images. In this case, the quality of the image is much better. When the huge amount of the moving pictures is converted, the watchers might feel a lot of eye fatigue due to the over load of sensory fusion such as dizziness, nausea, and headache.
In worse case, when watchers watch the poorly manufactured 3D moving pictures or watch a 3D moving picture having a lot of motions and a complicated scene, the watchers might feel headache, nausea or dizziness, not feeling a reliable 3D moving picture.
The aftereffects after watchers watch a 3D moving picture might be very different depending on individuals. For example, a person used to a more complicated 3D moving picture might have less aftereffects or small aftereffects, but a person not used to the same, he might have huge aftereffects.
The above aftereffects do not always occur when watching a 3D moving picture. Namely, such aftereffects might occur when watching a 2D image. When a watcher watches a moving picture recorded in a hand-held technique, the watcher might feel dizziness or headache.
The moving speed of a character in a 3D contents and a motion of a recording camera might not change, but the complexity of an image that a watcher can subjectively recognize, is controllable.

Control method and apparatus for displaying moving pictures


‘NEBLAN5151’ is a new variety of lantana plant having a compact growth habit and white and lemon bicolored flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Lantana camara known by the varietal name 'NEBLAN5151'. The new variety was discovered in Muenster, Germany in the Summer of 2007. The new variety is a result of a cross of proprietary and unpatented lantana plants. The purpose of the breeding program was to develop a lantana variety that was early flowering, with a compact growth habit and low seed setting. The new variety is similar in plant habit and flower size to its female parent, but differs in flower color. 'NEBLAN5151' is similar in plant habit to its male parent, but differs in flower color. Further, the new variety is similar in plant habit and early flowering time to lantana variety 'Lucky White' (unpatented), but differs in flower color, as 'Lucky White' has all white flowers, and the present variety has white flowers with lemon-colored centers. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in September of 2007 in Muenster, Germany. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.
The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics that distinguish 'NEBLAN5151' as a new and distinct cultivar from others known to the breeder:                1) Very compact plant habit;        2) Good branching with short internodes;        3) Early flowering time that is 2 weeks earlier than lantana standards such as 'Goldsonne' (unpatented); and        4) Small to medium-sized bicolored flowers (bright lemon and white).


A computer-implemented method for remediation of a computing device attempting to access a network. The method may include detecting that the computing device is attempting to access the network. The method may also include determining that the computing device does not comply with a network-access-control policy of the network. The method may include using a virtualization layer to bring the computing device into compliance with the network-access-control policy. The method may include permitting the computing device to access the network after the computing device is brought into compliance with the network-access-control policy. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

The managed state of an organization's individual endpoints may play a critical role in the overall security and availability of its IT infrastructure and related business operations. A new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but it also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those enterprises' business operations and valuable resources. To safeguard themselves against these targeted threats, organizations may attempt to ensure that each endpoint continually complies with corporate security and configuration management policies. Failure to guarantee endpoint policy compliance may leave organizations vulnerable to a wide array of threats, including the proliferation of malicious code throughout the enterprise, disruption of business-critical servers, increased IT recovery and management costs, exposure of confidential information, damage to corporate brand, and regulatory fines due to non-compliance.
Network access control may enable organizations to ensure the proper configuration and security state of user endpoints—including those of onsite employees, remote employees, guests, contractors, and temporary workers—before they are allowed to access resources on the corporate network. Some network access control solutions may discover and evaluate endpoint compliance status, provision the appropriate network access, and provide remediation capabilities to ensure that endpoint security policies and standards are met.
Common remediation tasks may include installing security software, installing updates, and changing security settings on an endpoint computer. When the computer belongs to the organization that owns the data network, performing remediation on the computer typically does not give rise to ownership and/or legal issues. However, when the computer is the property of someone else (e.g., a business partner or customer), installing, updating, or modifying software may conflict with the foreign computer owner's own security policies and may expose the organization making the changes to legal liability. Thus, traditional remediation technologies may not be ideal for remediation of foreign devices (and other devices) attempting to connect to a network.

Methods and systems for computing device remediation


An apparatus and method for temporarily mounting a side rail such as a z-bar during installation of a door assembly. The apparatus includes a mounting structure cooperating with a fastener to accurately position the side rail at a location on a structural member such as a door jamb. In the case of hinge-side side rails, the side rail may be aligned without the door attached thereto while establishing the location for the fastener. The mounting structure may aid in the proper placement of the fastener in the structural member. Once the fastener is in place, the side rail can be removed from the structural member without removing the fastener. The door may then be attached to the side rail to form a door/side rail assembly. The door/side rail assembly is then temporarily engaged with the fastener for accurate positioning while the side rail is affixed to the structural member.

A door assembly, such as a storm door, often involves the use of what is commonly referred to as a "z-bar." The z-bars are typically formed to mount the door assembly to the jambs or exterior trim of the entry door. Normally there are two z-bars in such an installation: a hinge-side z-bar and a latch-side z-bar. The hinge-side z-bar is so named because it accommodates hinges for pivotal mounting of the door. The latch-side z-bar is so named because it is located adjacent the latch side of the door and may serve as part of a system to latch the door in a closed position.
Mounting a door having a z-bar or z-bar assembly, particularly the hinge-side z-bar with the door attached, can be problematic. The hinge-side z-bar and door may be placed in the opening of the door casing, and the hinge-side z-bar attached to the appropriate jamb. However, the combination of z-bar and attached door may prove to be unwieldy, particularly for an inexperienced installer, resulting in misalignment. Alternatively, the z-bar may be detached from the door and mounted to the casing, but this necessitates either mounting the door to the hinges thereafter with the z-bar in place, or dismounting the z-bar and accompanying fasteners, reattaching the z-bar to the door, and then realigning the z-bar in the previous mounting arrangement and with the door present. These scenarios may require two people to mount the door properly.
There is a need in the industry for a z-bar assembly that is configured for easier installment of the door within the casing.

Larson Manufacturing Company of South Dakota, Inc.


In an aerosol spray composition suitable for coating automobile exteriors, where the aerosol composition is pressurized in a container with propellant and includes water and a polyvinyl alcohol composition, the improvement being that said polyvinyl alcohol composition includes: a) from 50 to 99 wt % of a partially hydrolyzing first polyvinyl alcohol resin having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of from about 80 to about 90 percent; and (b) from 1 to 50 wt % of a second polyvinyl alcohol resin having an elevated degree of hydrolysis.

Aerosol sprays are well known in the art, and are commonly used in applications such as spray paints, cleaning solutions, disinfectants, deodorants, air fresheners, insect repellants, hair spray, and the like. For example, United States Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0261655 to Newbacher et al. discloses a paint-based aerosol composition for marking surfaces.
Typically, aerosol cans include liquid compositions, referred to here as aerosol compositions, that are sealed under pressure in a metal can, or other container, with a propellant. The container typically has a push-button valve or nozzle which, when activated, allows the propellant to expand and carry the liquid out of the container in the form of an aerosol spray or mist. Spray-can based coating products have advantages over other forms, especially including convenience in that additional tools or equipment is unnecessary when applying a coating.
Liquid compositions for aerosol-applied coatings, particularly compositions for coatings including aqueous PVOH, are subject to foaming, fish-eye and other defects when applied, even when carefully used. Moreover, aqueous PVOH compositions are susceptible to freeze/thaw separation and can cause corrosion of the aerosol can in which they are disposed.
The present invention is directed generally to an improved aerosol spray that may be conveniently applied to the exterior of an automobile, such as a car or a motorcycle, where, among other properties, the spray exhibits superior coating characteristics and has improved freeze/thaw resistance.


An attachable device configured to operate with an operating system (OS) to provide a specific computing capability to a computer system associated with the OS. The attachable device includes circuitry for providing the specific computing capability and an independent device communication path. The independent device communication path is configured to allow first data in the attachable device to be configured independent of the OS. There is further included an independent power source independent of a power source that triggers a boot cycle of the OS, wherein the first data is capable of being configured while the OS is in an inactive state.

Due to the multitude of ways that computers can be utilized nowadays, different users may require different capabilities in their computer systems. To configure a computer system to fit a particular user's needs, various attachable devices may be plugged into the communication bus of a typical computer system to endow it with the desired computing capabilities.
By way of example, in a typical desktop computer system employing an Intel-based processor (available from Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif.) and a Windows-based operating system (available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.), a variety of attachable devices such as network interface cards and internal/external disk drives may be attached to the CPU (central processing unit) via the system bus. During the OS (operating system) installation process or upon the initial attachment of an attachable device, a device installation process is undertaken. During installation, the identification data associated with the attachable device is recorded with the OS (e.g., in the registry), along with the device configuration data provided by the user and/or automatically obtained by the OS. Installation is necessary since different devices may have different requirements, and the OS needs to know how to configure the devices during booting so that the devices can be properly utilized after boot up.
Consider an exemplary computer system having two network interface cards (NICs) connected to two different networks, for example. During installation, the identification data of the NICs (e.g., the MAC address in the case of an Ethernet card), along with any necessary configuration data, needs to be stored by the OS. During the subsequent system boot up, the OS looks up the identification data associated with each NIC and obtains the associated configuration data to configure each NIC to communicate properly with its respective network.
In the aforementioned Windows-based computer system, the OS is typically stored on a hard disk that is hardwired to the CPU, which is in turn hardwired to the set of attachable devices that make up the user's computer system. This is the typical situation with most desktop, laptop, and networked computers of today. After the attachable devices are installed, the OS generally expects to see the same set of attachable devices each time the computer system boots up.
Whenever the OS detects a new device whose identification data does not match with the identification data stored in the registry, the OS requires that either a manual or an automatic installation process be undertaken. Since the installation of a new device is a rather infrequent event for most users of computers today, the requirement has up to now been tolerated by most users.
It should be noted that although the term registry is often associated with the system configuration database in Microsoft OS products, it is intended here as a generic term referring to the equivalent datastore of any and all OS products, however they might be named or implemented. For example, a version of the Linux OS may store system configuration data in a variety of individual files, e.g., /etc/services, etc. In these cases, it is intended that these datastores be covered by the generic term registry.
A new computer technology, known as utility computing, has presented a different set of challenges. With utility computing, the user is no longer assigned to a fixed CPU, a fixed boot device (e.g., the hard disk on which the OS is stored) or a fixed set of attachable devices. In utility computing, a service provider provides the computer user with the required computing capability via a network connection, using hardware and software resources selected from a common pool or resources maintained by the service provider. For example, the service provider may maintain, for thousands of OS images associated with thousands of users, thousands of CPUs on different racks, a vast number of disk drives and network interface cards, the majority of which are networked to communicate with one another via networking technology. When the user logs in, the service provider ascertains the hardware/software resources available, selects from the available resources a subset that can furnish the computing capability required by the user, and configures the network to connect the selected subset of resources together so that the user can begin to utilize the furnished computing capability to accomplish his computing task.
Thus in utility computing, while the user can obtain the needed computing capability from the service provider, there is no guarantee that the user would be assigned the same CPU or the same set of attachable devices each time the user logs in. Note that the user is, however, still associated with a particular OS image. This is because the user generally wants the same computing experience and wants to access to the same set of tools and settings across different computing sessions.
Since the OS image, upon user log-in and boot up, may see a different set of attachable devices from the set of attachable devices employed in the last computing session, the OS image may perceive the need to initiate the installation process for the "new" devices. If the service provider maintains a large number of devices, the chance of a user being assigned the same device twice may be slim, and the user may need to endure the time-consuming installation processes for the various devices in the selected set almost every time the user logs in. Unless a solution is found, the repetitive and tedious installation processes tend to discourage most users after a few log in sessions, thereby hampering the adoption of utility computing.

Apparatus and methods for device configuration and management

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A vehicle headlight of a small projector type can provide a favorable light distribution for an overhead sign area along with a light distribution used as a low beam. The headlight can include a semiconductor light source and a projector lens including first, second and third light-emitting surfaces. The headlight can project light having high brightness underneath a horizontal cut-off line while projecting other light in the downward direction using the first and third light-emitting surfaces. Additionally, the headlight can be configured to illuminate light having small chromatic aberration toward the overhead sign area using the second light-emitting surface located between the first and third light-emitting surfaces. Thus, the headlight can provide a favorable light distribution pattern used as a low beam and a favorable light distribution pattern for the overhead sign area using the light that color separation is inhibited so as to conform to a vehicular standard.

1. Field
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to vehicle headlights using a semiconductor light source, and more particularly to vehicle headlights with a simple structure that can provide a favorable light distribution pattern to illuminate an overhead sign area in addition to a light distribution pattern used as a low beam for a headlight by using the semiconductor light source.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, vehicle headlights using an LED light source, which may provide a light distribution pattern to illuminate an overhead sign area where traffic signs, road signs and the like are located, have been developed. A conventional vehicle headlight shown in FIG. 7a, which is a cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp capable of forming a light distribution pattern toward the overhead sign area, is disclosed in Patent document No. 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP2010-277818).
The vehicle lamp 200 includes an LED light source 210, a projector lens 220 located in a direction toward a light-emission of the LED light source 210, and a reflector 230 located in an upward direction of the LED light source 210 and the projector lens 220, reflecting the emitted from the LED light source 210 in a forward and obliquely upward direction of the LED light source 210 and thereby forming a light distribution pattern for an overhead sign area.
FIG. 7b is an exemplary light distribution pattern formed by the vehicle lamp 200, wherein H-H shows a horizontal line and V-V shows a vertical line in a direction toward a light-emission of the vehicle lamp 200. The exemplary light distribution pattern may include a basic light distribution pattern Pa, which is located under the horizontal line H-H so as to extend in the horizontal direction with reference to the vertical line V-V. Accordingly, the basic light distribution pattern Pa may be used as a low beam for a headlight.
In addition, the light distribution pattern projected by the vehicle lamp 200 may include a light distribution pattern Pb, which is formed using the light reflected in the forward and obliquely upward direction of the LED light source 210 by the reflector 230. The light distribution pattern Pb may be directed toward the overhead sign area, and therefore may be used as a light distribution for the overhead sign area.
As described above, the vehicle lamp 200 may provide the basic light distribution pattern Pa and the light distribution pattern Pb, which may illuminate toward the overhead sign area using the above-described structure including an additional reflector. However, such a structure must include the additional reflector 230 for the light distribution pattern Pb, and therefore may always cause problems such that headlights based upon the structure may increase in size and area, and also may be subject to complex structure due to additional parts.
The above-referenced Patent Documents and additional Patent Documents are listed below and are hereby incorporated with their English abstracts and specification in their entireties.    1. Patent document No. 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP2010-277818    2. Patent document No. 2: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/229,663 published as U.S. Patent Publication No. US2012/0235169A1    3. Patent document No. 3: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/874,361 published as U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2011-0051446 A1    4. Patent document No. 4: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/876,073 published as U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2011-0051448 A1    5. Patent document No. 5: U.S. Divisional patent application (Parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/720,819, U.S. Pat. No. 8,251,560)    6. Patent Document No. 6: U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0320617 A1
The disclosed subject matter has been devised to consider the above and other problems, characteristics and features. Thus, an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can include a vehicle headlight using a semiconductor light source with a simple structure that can form a basic light distribution pattern used as a low beam and a light distribution pattern for an overhead sign area without a reflector. In this case, the vehicle headlight can be constructed from a single projector type headlight that can be formed in a small size, and also can provide a favorable light distribution pattern for the overhead sign area, which can inhibit the color separation and can provide a high level of visibility to drivers and pedestrians. Thus, the vehicle headlight can result in an increase in the possible range of headlight design, and therefore can be employed for various vehicles including a small size car.


A communication apparatus includes a plurality of interface circuits, each interface circuit including a first processor, a plurality of ports, and a first memory configured to store, in each group composed of port of one or more, identification information for the group and identification information for the port belonging to the group, and a switch circuit including, a second processor, a second memory configured to store, in the each group, the identification information for the group and identification information for the interface circuit having port belonging to the group, and a bridge circuit configured to transmit data to the interface circuit.

As the Internet and mobile networks have continued to proliferate in recent years, usage of packet-based networks utilizing Ethernet (registered trademark) technology and Internet Protocol (IP) technology is increasing on mobile carrier networks. Herein, a packet-based network designates a network in which data is transmitted and received in units of individual bundles, which are called packets. Note that in this specification, the terms packet and frame are treated as synonymous.
In a communication apparatus on a packet-based network such as an IP network or Ethernet (registered trademark) network, frames may be copied and transmitted from a plurality of ports. For example, there is the flooding, or in other words the transmission to multiple ports, of Ethernet (registered trademark) frames to a switch. As another example, there is the multicast transmission of IP frames for services such as video streaming services or IP television (IPTV) in a router.
Transmitting frames from multiple ports are conducted by grouping users, for example. In a switch, for example, users may be grouped under respective ports by grouping the ports according to a virtual local area network (VLAN). In a router, for example, users may be grouped using IP multicast groups.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network layout. A network 500 includes a plurality of communication apparatus 100 and a plurality of user terminals 200. The user terminals 200 are client devices with communication functions, such as personal computers, mobile phones, PDAs, and smartphones. The communication apparatus 100 receives frames transmitted from the user terminals 200, and forward frames on the basis of address and other information stored in the frames. For example, in the case where a user terminal 200 transmits an Ethernet (registered trademark) frame, a communication apparatus 100 forwards the frame on the basis of a MAC address stored in the received Ethernet (registered trademark) frame as address information. As another example, in the case where a user terminal 200 transmits an IP packet, a communication apparatus 100 forwards the packet on the basis of an IP address stored in the received IP packet as address information. Hereinafter, the case of the communication apparatus 100 forwarding Ethernet (registered trademark) frames will be described as an example.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a communication apparatus 100. The communication apparatus 100 includes a plurality of network interface (IF) cards 1, a switch (SW) card 2, and a control card 3. The IF cards 1 include ports, and circuits which provide functions for interfacing with external apparatus, functions for receiving frames, and functions for transmitting frames. The SW card 2 is connected to the IF cards 1 inside the communication apparatus 100 and exchanges data signals with the IF cards 1, and also includes circuits which provide switch functions for forwarding frames among the IF cards 1. The control card 3 is connected to the IF cards 1 and the SW card 2 inside the communication apparatus 100 and exchanges control signals with the IF cards 1 and the SW card 2, and also includes circuits which apply control over various settings in each card in the communication apparatus 100, alarms, and collection of statistical information. The control card 3 is also connected to an external terminal such as an external monitor.
The communication apparatus 100 may be an apparatus provided with bridging functions, for example. For example, examples of the communication apparatus 100 include Layer 2 switches, Layer 3 switches, and routers. In addition, the IF cards 1, the SW card 2, and the control card 3 may each be provided as modules or unit cards which can be freely inserted and removed from the communication apparatus 100, for example. Meanwhile, the IF cards 1, the SW card 2, and the control card 3 may also integrated with the motherboard or a mother card in the communication apparatus 100.
FIG. 3 illustrates Ethernet (registered trademark) frame formats. Hereinafter, "frame" will be used to indicate an Ethernet (registered trademark) frame, unless explicitly stated otherwise. FIG. 3 illustrates respective frame formats for a frame 91 without a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag, and a frame 92 with a single VLAN tag applied. It is possible for these frames to coexist on the same port of the communication apparatus 100.
The frame format of the frame 91 without a VLAN tag is as follows. MAC DA is a 6-byte field indicating the destination media access control (MAC) address. MAC SA is a 6-byte field indicating the source MAC address. E-TYPE is the Ethernet (registered trademark) type, and is a field storing the type of message stored in the subsequent protocol data unit (PDU). For example, a value of 0×0800 stored in the E-TYPE field indicates that the subsequent PDU is an IP version 4 (IPv4) packet. E-TYPE is a 2-byte field. Message types stored in the E-TYPE field are defined by the Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA).
The PDU field stores a message for an upper layer, such as an IPv4 frame. The frame check sequence (FCS) field stores a CRC32 code used to detect errors in the frame. FCS is a 4-byte field.
The frame 92 with a single VLAN tag applied is a frame with one VLAN tag inserted between the MAC SA field and the E-TYPE field of the frame 91 without a VLAN tag. The VLAN tag includes a tag protocol ID (TPID) and a VLAN ID. The TPID is one of the Ethernet (registered trademark) types, and indicates that a VLAN ID is stored next. The TPID may be set to the value 0×8100, for example, which indicates IEEE 802.1Q. TPID is a 2-byte field. The VLAN ID stores a VLAN ID value used to identify the VLAN to which a user belongs. VLAN tags can be stacked consecutively.
The frame 91 without a VLAN tag may be used as a frame for a specific user or as a control frame transmitted and received among the communication apparatus 100 on a network port where frames from respective VLANs coexist, for example.
VLAN-tagged frames are used to assign different VLAN IDs to different users, such as assigning a VLAN ID=100 to a user A and a VLAN ID=200 to a user B, for example. By assigning different VLAN IDs to different users, it becomes possible to identify users on the network by their VLAN ID. In addition, users can be grouped by assigning the same VLAN ID to a plurality of users.
In the communication apparatus 100, frames received by the IF cards 1 are forwarded to the SW card 2. The SW card 2 stores information on a forwarding port which depends on the destination MAC address, and forwards the receive frames on the basis of this information.
In the case where forwarding port information corresponding to the destination MAC address included in a receive frame is not stored, the SW card 2 floods the VLAN domain corresponding to the receive frame with that receive frame. Flooding refers to the communication apparatus 100 copying and forwarding the receive frame on all ports belonging to the corresponding VLAN. The communication apparatus 100 stores a count of the number of copies of the flood frame as well as destination information which indicates information on the destination of the copied frame, and forwards frames on the basis of the destination information during flooding.
The destination information stores port numbers belonging to the corresponding VLAN ID in VLAN ID+receive port units. However, a client device existing under a receive port already receives the corresponding receive frame before the communication apparatus 100 receives that receive frame on that receive port. For this reason, if the SW card 2 also forwards a receive frame on a receive port and the receive frame is transmitted from the receive port, client devices under that receive port will receive the receive frame twice. In order to avoid receiving duplicate frames at a client device, port numbers belonging to the corresponding VLAN are stored in the destination information in VLAN ID+receive port units, excluding one's own receive port. For example, in the case where N ports in a communication apparatus 100 belong to a VLAN with VLAN ID=1, the communication apparatus stores N sets of destination information for the N ports, and each set of destination information includes N−1 other port numbers, with each port excluding itself.
For more information, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2005-57390 and Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2009-94832, for example.
In the case where the communication apparatus 100 supports many VLANs, or in the case where the communication apparatus 100 supports many ports, the amount of destination information managed within the apparatus increases, and there is a risk that the memory table footprint used to manage destination information may increase. Also, in the case where the communication apparatus 100 is not equipped with a large amount of memory, the supportable amount of destination information may be limited by the maximum available memory.
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary layout of a VLAN with VLAN ID=10 and exemplary destination information for respective ports belonging to a VLAN with VLAN ID=10 in a communication apparatus. In FIG. 4, the VLAN ID is labeled VID. Port #m on IF card #n is displayed as CnPm. Hereinafter, port #m on IF card #n may be referred to by CnPm in the specification.
In FIG. 4, the five ports C0P0, C1P1, C2P0, C3P0, and C3P1 belong to the VLAN with VLAN ID=10. The communication apparatus manages destination information with respect to these five ports for the VLAN with VLAN ID=10.
For example, in the case of receiving a frame with VLAN ID=10 on C0P0, the frame is transmitted to an SW card. In the case where forwarding port information corresponding to the destination MAC address included in the receive frame is not stored in the SW card, the SW card copies and transmits the receive frame to the ports included in the C0P0 destination information. As a result, copies of the receive frame addressed to C1P1, C2P0, C3P0, and C3P1 are transmitted from the SW card.
Also, in the case where C0P1 is added to the VLAN with VLAN ID=10, for example, the communication apparatus adds a sixth set of destination information taking C0P1 as a receive port for the VLAN with VLAN ID=10. Additionally, C0P1 is added to the five existing sets of destination information.
In the case where the communication apparatus supports many VLANs or many ports, the amount of destination information to modify increases as ports are added to or removed from VLANs, and the processing load imposed on the processor executing the software of the communication apparatus increases.
A communication apparatus may be able to support up to 4096 VLANs, for example. It is also possible to nest VLAN tags. For example, in the case where a frame is double-tagged with VLAN tags, it is possible to support approximately 17 million (4096×4096) VLANs. Furthermore, with regard to the number of ports, there exist communication apparatus into which 10 to 20 IF cards can be inserted, with each IF card supporting 64 Ethernet (registered trademark) ports, for example. Consequently, depending on the number of supported VLANs and ports, a communication apparatus may manage from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of sets of destination information. In such cases, the memory footprint and the processing load on the processor executing the software become large. The foregoing describes an example of using the communication apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4 to manage ports belonging to a VLAN. However, the above is not limited to the management of ports belonging to VLANs, and similar events occur in the case of conducting communication while managing a plurality of grouped ports.

Communication apparatus and communication method


A soft shoulder weight device for use during vigorous or robust physical activity is a harness having two shoulder straps, with each strap supporting a pocket for holding a weight member, a plurality of quick-release connecting members, two underarm straps, and a back strap. The back strap connects to the shoulder straps and also provides an adjustable connection point for the underarm straps. The weight members are selectively interchangeable and may have masses ranging from approximately 5 pounds to 60 pounds.

1. Field of the Invention
The Invention generally relates to a soft shoulder weight device for use in exercise and physical therapy programs. More particularly, the invention is an adjustable soft shoulder weight device having interchangeable moderate to heavy weight members attached over the user's shoulders, with an adjustable neck strap for preventing the shoulder straps from falling off the user's shoulders during vigorous or robust physical activity.
2. Description of Arguably Related Art Including Information Disclosed 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.
Some exercise programs, fitness training regimes, and physical therapy programs use various weights and resistance-weight devices. Often, one or more weights or resistance-weight devices are attached to a person's body. For example, some of these devices are attached to the person's torso, and/or to one or more extremities. Examples of resistance-weight devices include without limitation, wrist weights, ankle weights, weighted waist belts, and weighted vests and jackets. These weights may have different masses, and may be attached to or inserted into different harnesses, halters, or vests.
The shoulders are one of the body's main strength and balance centers. Very few devices have effectively attached weights directly over the shoulder(s). Previous attempts have been unable to provide a flexible, adjustable, soft shoulder weight device that accommodates selectively interchanging moderate to heavy weights for placement over the shoulders for use in vigorous or robust activities. Examples of vigorous or robust activities include without limitation, walking, running, jumping, calisthenics, summersaults, cartwheels, and aerobics. Other activities include without limitation, squats, lunges, stretching, stand-ups, sit-downs, and toe raises.
Market research shows an extremely high consumer interest in the concept of resistance-weighted fitness aids but a low desirability-factor after viewing the shoulder-related arguably related art. These attempts are unsuitable to accomplish the task because each fails to adequately secure the weights across the shoulders to allow for any sort of robust activity. Engaging in such activity is required to achieve the intended strength, stamina, and/or therapeutic benefits. Previous shoulder weight devices also do not have the ability to increase/decrease the poundage or mass of the weights when desired. This may result in low consumer appeal and lack of market acceptance.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,832 issued to Hanners et al. discloses a shoulder weight halter and corresponding weight(s). The invention includes two shoulder straps, a chest strap, right and left support straps, and a weight that attaches to one of the shoulder straps. The chest strap is adjustable with a double-D ring with buckle inserts, which lock into a quick release buckle clasp. A butterfly strap provides positional stability to the upper part of the shoulder straps and about the torso. When weights are attached to the shoulder straps, the weights might pull the straps from the user's shoulders. The butterfly strap may be positioned in the back of the halter over user's shoulder blades. The weights are filled with pellet weights. A disadvantage of the invention disclosed in the Hanners Patent is that the halter is cumbersome to strap into and to wear during physical activity. It does not disclose the ability of the user to engage in vigorous or robust activity because it appears that these weights are not secured enough to the halter to prevent them from repositioning during the physical activities.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,557 issued to Williams et al. discloses a soft shoulder weight device comprising a weight bag having a first and second end resting on the user's chest, the bag having a flexible covering material sewn and shaped to fit across the shoulders and filled with ballast which migrates within the bag to accommodate the physiological make-up of the user. Closers, such as zippers, can be used to provide access to the ballast for adjustment of the total amount contained within the weight bag. It also discloses that pockets may be sewn onto the device to accommodate the addition of solid weight elements, without adding additional length to the design.
U.S. Pat. Nos. D360,440 issued to Banks et al., D470,979 issued to Banton et al., D475,813 issued to Moreno, and D342,108 issued to Leibowtiz disclose shoulder harnesses, but do not expressly disclose adding weights.
Thus, there is a need for a hands-free, compact, soft shoulder weight device that allows the user to selectively interchange a variety of weights from moderate to heavy per shoulder, and to allow the user to wear the device during vigorous or robust physical activities. There is also a need for a soft shoulder weight device that is easy to assemble and wear.
None of these expressly disclose, teach or suggest a flexible soft shoulder weight device for use in vigorous or robust activity, with the soft shoulder weight device comprising a harness or halter having two shoulder straps, each with pockets for holding a weight member, two adjustable underarm straps having quick-release connecting members for connecting the harness over the body, an adjustable neck strap for maintaining the position of the shoulder straps, a chest strap or quick-release connector, and a plurality of selectively interchangeable moderate to heavy weight members being insertable into each pocket and secured with at least one pocket flap.

Soft shoulder weight and physical therapy device


A bike rack includes two main arms, two links, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a first pivot member pivotally mounted on a first main arm, a second pivot member pivotally mounted on a second main arm and pivotally connected with the first pivot member, and a control handle secured to the second pivot member to drive the locking mechanism to expand and fold the two main arms. Thus, the control handle is held by a user' one hand to operate the locking mechanism so as to lock and unlock the bike rack, thereby facilitating the user mounting and detaching the bike rack.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bike rack, and more particularly to a bike rack having a quick folding/unfolding function.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional bike rack in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises two main arms 1 each having a lower end provided with a mounting member 2 and an upper end provided with a support rod 4, two opposite links 3 pivotally mounted on the lower ends of the two main arms 1 and located above the mounting members 2 of the two main arms 1, and a locking mechanism 5 pivotally mounted between the two main arms 1 to limit movement of the two main arms 1. The locking mechanism 5 includes a first pivot member 54 pivotally mounted on a first one of the two main arms 1, and a second pivot member 55 pivotally mounted on a second one of the two main arms 1 and pivotally connected with the first pivot member 54.
In operation, the mounting members 2 of the two main arms 1 face a ball 7 of a support seat 6 which is mounted on a car. Then, the first pivot member 54 and the second pivot member 55 are pushed by a user to pivot downward until the first pivot member 54 and the second pivot member 55 are in line with each other to form a horizontal state, so that the upper ends of the two main arms 1 are moved outward relative to each other and the lower ends of the two main arms 1 are moved toward each other to move and close the mounting members 2 of the two main arms 1 so as to clamp the ball 7 of the support seat 6 of the car. Thus, the bike rack is mounted on the support seat 6 of the car for supporting a bicycle which is hung on the support rods 4 of the two main arms 1.
Alternatively, the first pivot member 54 and the second pivot member 55 are pulled upward by the user to drive the first pivot member 54 and the second pivot member 55 to pivot upward, so that the upper ends of the two main arms 1 are moved toward each other and the lower ends of the two main arms 1 are moved outward relative to each other to move and open the mounting members 2 of the two main arms 1 so as to release the ball 7 of the support seat 6 of the car, thereby detaching the bike rack from the support seat 6 of the car.
However, the user has to push and pull the first pivot member 54 and the second pivot member 55 to expand and fold the bike rack, thereby wasting the manual work. In addition, the user' one hand directly touches the first pivot member 54 and the second pivot member 55, so that the user' one hand is easily clamped by the first pivot member 54 and the second pivot member 55 during upward and downward operation of the locking mechanism 5, thereby causing danger to the user.

Bike rack having quick folding/unfolding function


A hasp bracket may include a shield wall and a mounting plate orthogonal to the shield wall. The mounting plate may include a bolt aperture member extending from an inward edge of the mounting plate. The mounting plate may include one or more apertures in a surface of the mounting plate. The one or more apertures may be located in an area bounded by the shield wall and the inward edge of the mounting plate.

A hasp may be used with a padlock to prevent a door from being opened. A hasp may include a shackle aperture member (also referred to as a "staple") that receives a shackle of a padlock to secure the hasp, and thereby prevent opening of a door associated with the hasp.

Hasp assembly for a hidden-shackle padlock


A method of performing decoding using an LDPC code is disclosed. The method of performing decoding an encoded codeword using a parity check matrix, comprises decoding the codeword using the parity check matrix, wherein the parity check matrix includes a plurality of layers, each of which includes at least one or more rows split exclusively from a specific row of a base parity check matrix.

Recently, a method of encoding data using LDPC code has been highlighted. As most elements of a parity check matrix H are '0', the LDPC code has been suggested as a linear block code of low density by Gallager in 1962. The LDPC code could not have been implemented by hardware technique at that time due to its complexity. Although the LDPC code has not attracted attention at that time, its excellent performance of the LDPC code has been approved in 1995. Thus, studies of the LDPC code have been actively made since 1995. (References: [1] Robert G. Gallager, "Low-Density Parity-Check Codes", The MIT Press, Sep. 15, 1963, [2] D. J. C. Mackay, Good error-correcting codes based on very sparse matrices, IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory, IT-45, pp. 399-431(1999)) 2 0 Since a parity check matrix of the LDPC code has a very small number of elements of 1, decoding can be performed through repetitive decoding even in a very great block size, whereby its performance is approximate to channel capacity limitation of Shannon like turbo code if the block size becomes very great. In the parity check matrix, the number of 1 included in rows or columns will be referred to as weight.
The LDPC code can be explained by a parity check matrix H of (n−k)×n. A generator matrix G corresponding to the parity check matrix H can be obtained by the following equation 1.H·G=0  [Equation 1]
In the method of encoding and decoding data using LDPC code, a transmitter can encode input data using the generator matrix G in accordance with the following equation 2, wherein the generator matrix G has a relation of equation 1 with the parity check matrix H.c=G·x (wherein, c is a codeword and x is an information bit)  [Equation 2]
Hereinafter, a method of decoding data using the matrix H in accordance with the related art will be described.
A decoder of a receiver should obtain an information bit (x) from the codeword that is the encoding result of the transmitter. In this case, the decoder uses a feature of Hc=0. Namely, supposing that a received codeword is c′, the decoder calculates the value of Hc′. If the calculated result is 0, the decoder determines k number of bits in front of c′ as decoded information bits. If the value of Hc′ is not 0, the decoder obtains c′ which satisfies 0 using a sum-product algorithm through a graph, a belief algorithm, etc., thereby recovering x. The aforementioned check equation, Hc′=0 can be changed to c′HT=0 in accordance with the relation between the information bit and the matrix G.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a parity check matrix H through a bipartite graph. In FIG. 1, CNU represents a check node unit, and VNU represents a variable node unit. The decoding procedure using an algorithm on the bipartite graph includes the following three steps:
1. probability value update from a check node to a variable node;
2. probability value update from a variable node to a check node; and
3. decision of a decoding value through probability of a variable node.
First of all, the first step of performing update of the check node is performed through an initialization step, wherein a probability value received from a channel is input in the initialization step. After the first step is performed, if the probability value from the variable node to the check node is updated, the second step is performed. After the first and second steps are performed, the decoding value is decided using the probability value received from the channel and the probability value updated through the first and second steps.
The decoding procedure includes deciding the value c′ as the decoded value if the decided decoding value c′ satisfies a check equation Hc′=0, or includes iterating the first and second steps until the decoding value c′ satisfies the check equation if not so. The probability value update steps are performed in the first step and the second step in such a manner that each update step is iterated by the number of non-zero elements, i.e., '1' belonging to each row or column of the parity check matrix. Namely, the check to variable update step of the first step are and the variable to check update step of the second step are performed in the position corresponding to the weight of the parity check matrix H. As the first and second steps are iterated, reliability of the probability value between the check node and the variable node is improved, and, as a result, the probability value is approximated to a true value of the codeword to be obtained.
For recent LDPC encoding, a method for encoding input data using the parity check matrix H without the generator matrix G is generally used. As described above, the parity check matrix H may be the most important factor in the encoding method using an LDPC code. Since the parity check matrix H has a size more than 1000×2000, approximately, problems occur in that the parity check matrix H requires many processing steps in the encoding and decoding steps, is accompanied with complexity in its application, and requires a lot of storage areas.

Method and apparatus for performing decoding using LDPC code


The invention relates to a method and apparatus for cutting a substrate using laser irradiation. A laser beam is scanned over a substrate. The beam ablates a first layer of the substrate. The beam is then refocused onto the newly revealed second layer and a further pass is performed. The process is repeated until complete separation occurs. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for singulation of IC packages.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for cutting a substrate using laser irradiation. In particular, it relates to such a method and apparatus for use with a substrate bearing integrated circuit components. The invention has particular application in the singulation of integrated circuit components using laser irradiation.
Silicon wafers or integrated circuit (IC) units are typically made up of a number of individual layers. These layers may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) package upon which are provided some or all of the following; metal circuitry, dielectrics, wafer dies, bonding wires and moulding compound materials. Typically, a number of individual IC units will be formed on one package, which will be marked so as to define the boundaries of the individual IC units. It is therefore necessary to singulate the package so as to separate each individual IC unit.
A known singulation technique is that of mechanical sawing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,708 to Lee et al, entitled xe2x80x9cChip Scale Package And Method For Manufacture Thereofxe2x80x9d, discloses a manufacturing process in which the individual units are singulated from an encapsulated package using a diamond saw. This prior technique has many drawbacks. The saw must be manufactured to exacting standards of homogeneity and flatness. Water is also required during the sawing process to clean the sawing debris and to dissipate the heat generated. Another disadvantage is that the high degree of wear requires frequent saw replacement, which leads to high equipment costs. Furthermore, the minimum cut width of the saw imposes limitations on the density of IC unit fabrication. In addition, the mechanical sawing process can lead to cracks, particularly in relation to thinner IC units. In addition, metal substrates have recently gained in popularity due to their low cost. Typically, a substrate will have a copper plate base coated with a layer of nickel. However, metal substrates generate metal debris which can lead to even greater problems. The metal debris tends to stick to the saw blade, leading to damage to both the IC units and the saw blade itself.
Another technique for the singulation of IC units is that of laser singulation. WO 01/10177 (XSIL Technology Limited) discloses a method and apparatus for singulation of IC units using a laser. The laser energy is scanned across the IC package using either rotating or laterally moveable mirrors. This method also has drawbacks. The cutting speeds attained by using this technique are quoted as 4.2 mm/sec and 8.3 mm/sec. Furthermore, the thickness of package suitable for cutting using this technique is limited by the depth of focus of the laser beam. This technique is therefore not suitable for many industrial applications.
There is therefore a requirement for an improved method and apparatus avoiding the above disadvantages. In particular, there is a requirement for a method and apparatus for cutting a substrate using laser irradiation that avoids the problems of diamond-wheel saw dicing (e.g. cost of saw blades, frequent wear, large minimum cut width, cracking, need for water to remove debris and dissipate heat) while providing reasonable cutting speeds and being suitable for use with thicker substrates.
It is an object of the present invention to fulfil the above requirements.
According to the above object, the invention comprises a method of cutting a substrate comprising the steps of:
a) focussing laser energy onto a point on the substrate so as to provide a laser focus point on the substrate;
b) effecting relative lateral movement between the said laser focus point and the said substrate so that the said point follows a first path on the said substrate, a first layer of the said substrate being removed along the said first path so as to reveal a second layer of the said substrate;
c) refocussing the laser energy onto the said second layer, so that the laser focus point is located on the said second layer; and
d) effecting relative lateral movement between the said laser focus point and the said substrate so that the said point again follows substantially the said first path on the said substrate, whereby a second layer of the said substrate is removed along the said first path.
Preferably, steps c) and d) are repeated, a further layer of the substrate being removed with each repetition, until all layers of the substrate have been removed along the said first path.
Advantageously, the laser energy used has a wavelength in the ultra-violet to visible range. Further advantageously, the laser energy used has a wavelength greater than 500 nm, preferably 532 nm
Preferably, a fluid flow is directed towards the cut region. Particularly preferably, the said fluid is air.
According to one embodiment, the substrate is provided with a plurality of Integrated Circuit (IC) units formed thereon, the method being used to singulate the various units.
According to another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for carrying out the above method.

Method and apparatus for cutting a substrate using laser irradiation


There is disclosed an acrylic fiber (a) consisting of an acrylonitrile polymer comprising an acrylonitrile unit in at least 80 wt % and less than 95 wt %, (b) having a monofilament dry strength of 2.5 to 4.0 cN/dtex, (c) having a monofilament dry elongation of 35 to 50%, and (d) forming a crack with a length of 20 xcexcm or more in its tension rupture lateral surface along the filament axis direction when rupturing the monofilament in a tension test. The fiber has even orientation in its surface and inside; is significantly improved in dry strength, dry elongation and dyeability; and exhibits wool-like hand feeling. It is, therefore, quite suitable as a synthetic fiber for various applications such as a garment material, e.g., a sweater and a home furnishing material such as a pile.

This invention relates to an acrylic fiber generally suitable to applications such as a garment and a home furnishing especially pile fabrics.
An acrylic fiber suitable to garments is required to have a good balance between its strength, elongation and dyeability.
An acrylic fiber is generally prepared by wet spinning. It has been a conventional practice to increase a ratio of (a drawing rate of a coagulated filament)/(a discharge linear velocity of a spinning feed solution from a spinneret capillary) in a coagulation bath and to increase a draw ratio in a subsequent step for achieving a high-strength fiber with high orientation.
However, increasing a ratio of (a drawing rate of a coagulated filament)/(a discharge linear velocity of a spinning feed solution from a spinneret capillary) in a coagulation bath, i.e., increasing a drawing rate of a coagulated filament, means a shorter coagulation time for a spinning feed solution in the coagulation bath. Coagulation and stretching, therefore, simultaneously occur in the coagulation bath, resulting in formation of a skin layer in a coagulated filament, which leads to inadequate solvent displacement inside the fiber.
Thus, the surface of the fiber has a higher fibrillated and highly oriented structure, while its inside has a coarse structure without fibrillation. When stretched with a high stretching ratio, a product becomes a fiber with a poor elongation, which will give a cloth with a stiff hand feeling. A fiber with an uneven orientation between its surface and inside provides a poorly elastic staple fiber, which will give a cloth with an inadequate repulsion.
A fiber with an excessively oriented surface has a drawback of a deteriorated dyeability because the highly oriented surface inhibits diffusion of a dye during a dyeing process.
JP-A 61-199707 has described a spinning process using a coagulation bath with a sufficiently higher concentration within a concentration range that a skin layer does not form. However, when using an aqueous solution of an organic solvent as a coagulation bath, a concentration range of the organic solvent that a skin layer does not form is quite higher, so that a coagulation rate becomes too late to increase a drawing rate of the coagulated filament, leading not only to an extremely lower yield but also to problems such as irregularities and fusion between fibers.
In home furnishing applications, particularly for a high-pile or boa, a cross section of a fiber is changed for providing hand feeling closer to animal hair. In these applications, good brushing effect, higher flexibility, softness, etc. are required. Brushing effect is more improved as a friction on a fiber surface is lower. It is thus believed that a dull material in which an additive such as titanium dioxide is used for emphasizing brightness generally exhibits an improved brushing effect. In the technique, color-developing properties of an acrylic fiber are, however, hampered by the additive.
JP-A 11-21769 has disclosed a technique that apparent luster and fiber color-developing are chosen as appropriate and an organopolysiloxane is bound to give slimy and smooth touch like an animal hair to the fiber surface. In the technique, while slimy and smooth touch is emphasized, the fiber may have poor softness and color-developing properties. It is necessary for an acrylic fiber with reduced luster, good color-developing properties and good brushing effect that its surface is not smoothed but a contact area between fibers is reduced when it is processed to be a pile or boa cloth, by deliberately corrugating the fiber surface. For hand feeling, a fiber well-balanced in its strength and elongation is required. In the light of these conditions, JP-A 64-33210 has disclosed a process for preparing a dry acrylic fiber with more natural luster by corrugating a fiber surface. In the process, a spinneret, however, has an orifice hole of special shape to corrugate the surface. Thus, the fiber surface corrugation is considerably limited.
Flexibility and softness in a boa or high pile may be achieved by combining several types of fibers with different cross sections. It is believed that typically a flat or Y-shaped cross section of an acrylic fiber is effective for achieving the above properties. In particular, an acrylic fiber with a Y-shaped cross section gives soft hand feeling because its tip is split while having good flexibility because it retains a Y-shaped cross section in its root.
In the acrylic fiber disclosed in JP-A 10-251915, a monofilament 20 has a substantially Y-shaped cross section where three radially extending rectangular arms 21 are jointed with a jointing angle of 120xc2x0 as shown in FIG. 7. In the joint of these arms 21, openings K1 or holes K2 are formed for adjusting the joint length c to be 30 to 95% of its width d. It allows the filament to be easily split along a longitudinal direction to realize soft hand feeling. In the acrylic fiber disclosed in the patent application, a filament may be split before polisher processing a boa or high pile due to the openings K1 or the holes K2 formed in the joint. Thus, it may result in, for example, generating fluffs during spinning. Furthermore, the fiber may not be easily dried due to water trapped in the openings K1 or the holes K2, leading to a longer drying step during spinning the fiber and thus to a reduced productivity.
An objective of this invention is to provide, for a garment material, an acrylic fiber which has even orientation in its surface and inside, gives a staple fiber with adequate elasticity to provide a cloth with a repulsion; and to provide the fiber which exhibits good physical properties such as a strength, an elongation and dyeability and exhibits softness by modifying its surface shape.
Another objective of this invention is to provide, for a home furnishing material, an acrylic synthetic fiber which has good color-developing properties with reduced luster and good brushing effect, and an acrylic synthetic fiber which retains the status where a plurality of flat arms radially extending from a center along a longitudinal direction are jointed together and the fiber tip can be readily split by applying a mechanical force during processing into a fluffy product.
Another objective of this invention is to provide a process for easily and satisfactorily manufacturing an acrylic fiber which has even orientation in its surface and inside and exhibits good properties such as a strength, an elongation and dyeability, by, during preparing a coagulated filament, controlling the thickness of a skin layer of the coagulated filament to provide a fiber evenly coagulated to its inside, i.e., by preventing a solvent inside the fiber from being inadequately diffused and thus preventing the solvent from being quickly diffused during washing.
The first aspect of this invention is directed to an acrylic fiber (a) consisting of an acrylonitrile polymer comprising an acrylonitrile unit in at least 80 wt % and less than 95 wt %, (b) having a monofilament dry strength of 2.5 to 4.0 cN/dtex, (c) having a monofilament dry elongation of 35 to 50%, and (d) forming a crack with a length of 20 xcexcm or more in its tension rupture lateral surface along the filament axis direction when rupturing the monofilament in a tension test.
The second aspect of this invention is directed to an acrylic fiber (a) comprising corrugations on its surface, (b) having an average tilt angle of 15 to 20xc2x0 between two adjacent corrugations in a cross section vertical to the fiber axis direction, (c) having a maximum level difference of 0.15 to 0.35 xcexcm between the bottom and the top of the corrugations, and (d) exhibiting a lusteriness of 10 to 20% in a lusteriness determination method for a 45xc2x0 mirror surface for a fiber bundle surface.
In one embodiment of the second aspect of this invention, the acrylic fiber (e) consists of an acrylonitrile polymer comprising an acrylonitrile unit in at least 80 wt % and less than 95 wt %, (f) has a monofilament dry strength of 2.0 to 4.0 cN/dtex, (g) has a monofilament dry elongation of 15 to 40%, and (h) forms a crack with a length of 20 xcexcm or more in its tension rupture lateral surface along the filament axis direction when rupturing the monofilament in a tension test.
The third aspect of this invention is directed to an acrylic fiber (a) comprising a plurality of flat arms radially extending from a center along a longitudinal direction and (b) forming a crack with a length of 200 xcexcm or more in the center of its tension rupture lateral surface along the filament axis direction when rupturing the monofilament in a tension test.
In one embodiment of the third aspect of this invention, the acrylic fiber (c) consists of an acrylonitrile polymer comprising an acrylonitrile unit in at least 80 wt % and less than 95 wt %, (d) has a monofilament dry strength of 2.0 to 4.0 cN/dtex, and (e) has a monofilament dry elongation of 15 to 40%.
This invention further provides a process for manufacturing an acrylic fiber comprising the steps of: discharging a spinning feed solution comprising an acrylonitrile polymer comprising 80 wt % or more and less than 95 wt % of acrylonitrile unit in an organic solvent, into the first coagulation bath consisting of an aqueous organic solvent solution at 30 to 50xc2x0 C. containing 20 to 70 wt % of an organic solvent which may be the same as or different from the organic solvent for the spinning feed solution, to form a coagulated filament; drawing the filament from the first coagulation bath at a rate of 0.3 to 2.0 times of the discharge linear velocity of the spinning feed solution; stretching the filament by 1.1 to 2.0 times in the second coagulation bath consisting of an aqueous organic solvent solution at 30 to 50xc2x0 C. containing 20 to 70 wt % of an organic solvent which may be the same as or different from any of the two organic solvents; and subsequently conducting wet heat stretching of the filament by three times or more.
In one embodiment of the above manufacturing process, there is provided a process where the concentration of the organic solvent in the first coagulation bath is 40 to 70 wt %; the drawing rate of a coagulated filament from the first coagulation bath is 0.3 to 0.6 times of the discharge linear velocity of the spinning feed solution; and the concentration of the organic solvent in the second coagulation bath is 40 to 70 wt %.
In another embodiment of the above manufacturing process, there is provided a process where the concentration of the organic solvent in the first coagulation bath is 20 to 60 wt %; the drawing rate of a coagulated filament from the first coagulation bath is 0.6 to 2.0 times of the discharge linear velocity of the spinning feed solution; and the concentration of the organic solvent in the second coagulation bath is 20 to 60 wt %.
It is preferable in the manufacturing processes of this invention that the organic solvents in the spinning feed solution, the first coagulation bath and the second coagulation bath are dimethylacetamide and the first and the second coagulation bathes are at the same temperature and have the same composition.

Acrylic fiber and a manufacturing process therefor


A therapeutic wrap includes a plurality of substantially rectangular chambers configured to receive a first amount of a thermoconductive material, and a plurality of substantially square chambers coupled to at least one of the substantially rectangular chambers, the square chambers configured to receive a second amount of a thermoconductive material. The substantially rectangular chambers and the substantially square chambers collectively define a substantially rectangular apparatus.

The invention relates generally to therapeutic wraps for thermal treatment of the human body.
It is known that the application of heat and/or cold to the body has not only many therapeutic benefits, but is also very relaxing to the individual to which it is administered.
Devices such as hot water bottles have been used for applying heat to the body, but such devices can become moist with condensation, and are not flexible enough to conform to the shape of the body. Additionally, heat retention is only maintained for a short period of time. Similar devices were used to apply cold to the body by filling a receptacle with ice cubes and/or chilled water. Such devices suffer similar shortcomings to the hot water bottle.
Other devices were developed over the years to overcome these shortcomings.
A suboccipital pillow for applying hot and/or cold treatments to the neck and the suboccipital areas of the body was developed. The pillow is generally of a crescent shape, one side of which is fitted with a lightly insulated pocket and the other side of which is fitted with a heavily insulated pocket into which crescent shape gel packs can be inserted after they are either heated or chilled.
Another device includes a temperature packet applied to the neck or shoulder of a user. The particular design of the temperature packet, however, does not provide enough surface area directly over the particular muscles to which heat or cold should be applied.
Known devices are not configurable to conform to multiple different body parts in multiple orientations. Accordingly, a need exists for such a device that can also include multiple receptacles to receive individual packets of thermoconductive material.