An Information processing apparatus, includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and the processor configured to: store, for each of a plurality of areas represented by a geographical boundary line, information for specifying position of an area and a size of the area to the memory, acquire data regarding a position of a moving body, set a predetermined range on the basis of the acquired data, extract a target area from the plurality of areas on the basis of the predetermined range and the position of each of the plurality of areas, and control a size, stored in the memory, of the extracted target area.

In recent years, with the spread of smartphones, services using position information by a global positioning system (GPS), a wireless local area network (LAN), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or the like are increasing. Bluetooth is a registered trademark. One of service providing methods using position information is called geofencing. Geofencing is a mechanism for providing a virtual fence (boundary line) on a map and providing a service when a user enters or leaves the fence.
In the prior art, there is a technique in which, when deviation of a user from a steady route having a related point of interest to a new route having a new related point of interest is detected, the original set of points of interests related to the steady route is updated with the new point of interest. Furthermore, there is a technique for providing a program with a geofence event selected from among geofence events at a time when the program is scheduled to be executed on a device during an execution period of an operating system. Furthermore, there is also a technique for temporarily modifying a geofence in response to an object entering or leaving an area bounded by a geofence.
Related art is disclosed in, for example, Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2014-527664, Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2016-521946, and Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2015-503137.

Information processing apparatus, information providing method, and information providing system


A method is provided of calibrating a position sensor of an electric motor of a vehicle.

During the operation of some electric motors, it is necessary or helpful to know the relative position of the motor stator and the motor rotor to determine optimal performance and efficiency. To determine the relative position of the stator and rotor, one or more sensors are provided to detect the position of the rotor. Due to manufacturing tolerances, environmental influences, and other factors including field serviceability of the sensors, the position of the rotor as detected by the sensor(s) may not be perfectly accurate resulting in a position indication error.

Method for calibrating position sensor on electric motor


Electrolytic manganese dioxide characterized by having a surface sulfate (SO4) content of smaller than 0.10% by weight and a JIS-pH value, as measured according to JIS K1467, of at least 1.5 but smaller than 3.5, preferably at least 2.1 but smaller than 3.2 is provided. Preferably 3% to 25% in number of the fine particles of the manganese dioxide have a particle diameter of not larger than 1 μm. A battery provided with a cathode made from the electrolytic manganese dioxide as active material exhibits good high-rate discharge characteristics and good resistance to metal corrosion.

Manganese dioxide is well known as an active material for a cathode, for example, for a manganese dry battery, especially for an alkaline manganese dry battery. Manganese oxide exhibits good durability and is inexpensive.
An alkaline manganese dry battery provided with a cathode comprising electrolyte manganese dioxide as an active material has excellent discharge characteristics at a heavy-load discharge. Therefore, the alkaline manganese dry battery is widely used for, for example, electronic cameras, portable tape recorders, personal digital assistants, game machines and toys, and the demand therefor is rapidly expanding in recent years. However, the alkaline manganese dry battery has a problem such that, with an increase of discharge electric current, the utilization of manganese dioxide as an active material for a cathode decreases, and the discharge voltage is reduced with the result of large reduction of discharge capacity. In other words, in the case when an alkaline manganese dry battery is equipped in an instrument utilizing a large electric current within a short period of time, i.e., a high-rate discharge is conducted, the utilization of manganese dioxide packed as a cathode active material is reduced and the durability of the instrument decreases. Therefore, manganese dioxide having improved high-rate characteristics, namely, capable of exhibiting a high capacity and an enhanced durability under intermittent high-rate discharge conditions in which a large electric current is taken in a short period of time is eagerly desired.
As manganese dioxide for use in a cathode active material for an intermittent high-rate discharge, manganese dioxide having enhanced high-rate characteristics was proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-304990, which has a surface sulfate content of at least 0.10% by weight, and a controlled alkali metal content of smaller than 0.20% by weight. Further, electrolytic manganese dioxide having a sulfate group content in the range of 1.3% to 1.6% by weight was proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-047445 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,259). Although the high-rate characteristics of the manganese dioxide proposed in these patent publications are enhanced to some extent, the extent of enhancement is not sufficiently high. Further, with the electrolyte manganese dioxide containing a sulfate group, problems of reduction of durability of a dry battery and unstable voltage thereof often occur.
Improved manganese dioxide having a controlled sodium content X and a controlled JIS-pH value Y, which satisfy the following formula: Y>4.7X+2.4, and which manganese dioxide specifically has a JIS-pH value of 3.5 to 5.0, was proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-026425. Although the high-rate characteristics of the manganese dioxide proposed in this patent publication is enhanced to some extent, the extent of enhancement is still not sufficiently high, Further, a problem of corrosion often occurs in the process for making the battery.

Electrolytic manganese dioxide, positive electrode active material, and battery


A network apparatus includes a customer network portion having a customer premises equipment (CPE) bridge configured to connect to internal network entities of the customer network portion and to edge bridges of a provider network portion interconnecting separate customer network portions. The CPE bridge is configured to determine a transparent local area network service (TLS) for a packet received from one of the internal network entities based on a media access control (MAC) address of a destination of the packet in a different separate customer network portion. The CPE bridge is also configured to modify the packet to indicate the determined TLS, for the provider network portion to utilize to transmit the packet based on the determined TLS to a second CPE bridge associated with the destination, without the provider network utilizing the destination MAC address.

Packet carrier networks are composed of bridges or switches that are interconnected to each other using NNIs (Network to Network Interfaces). The bridges at the edges of the network are called "edge bridges", while all interior bridges are called "core bridges". Customers are connected to the edge bridges (either directly or through a CPE (customer premises equipment)) through a UNI (User to Network Interface).
One example of such a network 10 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. Network 10 includes a plurality of core bridges 12 coupled to one another via NNIs 14, a plurality of edge bridges 16, each coupled to one core bridge 12 also via an NNI 14, and a plurality of CPE bridges 18, each coupled to one edge bridge 16 via a UNI 19. The edge, core and CPE bridges have similar structures but different functionalities.
Ethernet is a connectionless oriented packet forwarding technology. It does not have a routing mechanism and its address scheme is based on 48-bit media access control (MAC) addresses. Since this address scheme is not scaleable, in order to provide greater capacity, a partitioning scheme, named VLAN, was introduced.
A VLAN, or virtual LAN, is a logical group of LAN segments, independent of physical location, with a common set of requirements. Several VLANs can co-exist on a single physical bridge. VLANs are configured through software rather than hardware, which makes them extremely flexible. Frames having a VLAN tag carry an explicit identification of the VLAN to which they belong, as well as identifying the specific customer and service. The value of the VLAN Identification (VID) in the tag header of the frame signifies the particular VLAN the frame belongs to. This additional tag field appears in the Ethernet protocol.
As the carrier network may use different bridging standards than the customer (CPE) bridging (for example, because carrier Ethernet bridging must support large scale bridging), the edge bridges are required to translate the frames entering and exiting the carrier network from and to the bridging protocol of the customer equipment. An example is the insertion of a tag at the ingress (UNI) port of the carrier edge bridge and the stripping of the tag at the egress (UNI) port. In an Ethernet network, the tag can be a VLAN tag while, in other networks, other tagging packet methods can be utilized, such as MPLS, VPLS, T-MPLS, etc.
Ethernet VLAN frames are relayed through a series of Ethernet bridges in the network. Each bridge has a VLAN filtering database, which contains rules for forwarding a received data frame. The forwarding is carried out based on the data frame's destination MAC address and associated VID. The filtering database contains both management configured statistical information and dynamically learnt information during bridge operations. In the filtering database, information related to MAC addresses is known as filtering information and the information related to VLANs is known as registration information. Among the decisions made according to the rules in the database, one is whether the frame is to be unicast (forwarded through a single port of the bridge) or multicast (forwarded simultaneously through several ports).
The main problem with VLAN is its limited VID space (4096 unique VIDs in a networking environment). While this space may suffice for enterprise applications, it is much too small for carrier networks, which must support many customers and services. Another problem with VLAN is that, while it limits the number of MAC addresses learned per customer in specific VLAN associated ports, still within this VLAN, all the MAC addresses of all the customers' end stations associated with the port must be learned and stored by each bridge. This is assuming that VLAN to VLAN communication between customers' end stations exists, and thus, their internal VLANs can communicate as well
A number of solutions have been proposed for the scalability problem. The first is the so called Q-in-Q solution, also known as Provider Bridge. It entails VLAN stacking or tag stacking, which allows service providers to insert an additional VLAN tag (referred to as provider VLAN) in the Ethernet frame in order to identify the service, thus resulting in a unique 24-bit length label. Even in this system, one provider VLAN is dedicated to one customer (C-VLAN), and therefore the number of supported customers per Service VLAN (S-VLAN) is still limited to 4094. Q-in-Q, therefore, does not solve the problem of the quantity of addresses to be learned, since all the MAC addresses of all the customers' end stations associated with the ports of the specific S-VLAN must be learned and stored.
TLS (Transparent LAN Services) are carrier services provided by carriers to customers, which enable customers to have LAN (local area network) connectivity over a carrier WAN/MAN (Wide area network/Metro area network). TLS means that customers have a service that resembles a private LAN (or VPN "virtual private network"). A logical representation of an example of a TLS scheme 20 on the network of FIG. 1 is shown schematically in FIG. 2. In this example, CPEs 18, 18′ and 18″ are coupled to one another by TLS 20 and can communicate with one another through the intermediary core and edge bridges, which are transparent to the CPEs. As shown in FIG. 3, in order to provide such a service, the carrier may assign a unique identifier per customer, e.g., a VLAN 22, which distinguishes this specific customer's service instance within the carrier's network from others, for routing packets within the TLS. If the TLS were only point to point between two CPEs, there would be no need for any of the edge devices to learn the clients' MAC addresses of any of the CPEs, since all packets would be routed via VLAN 22. However, as can be seen in the example in FIG. 3, TLS 20 has an intersection or split point 24, where incoming packets have a choice of two egress directions. Since VLAN 22 cannot distinguish between these two CPEs, the edge bridges have no choice but to learn the client MAC addresses of all the CPEs, in order to provide the proper routing.
Thus, there are a number of problems with providing one VLAN for each TLS: 1. The limited numbers of VLANs available; 2. All edge bridges must store all MAC addresses of all customers at each edge bridge, in order to enable per customer bridging; and 3. At each VLAN splitting point (egress at two or more links) within the core, the core bridges also need to store all possible customers' MAC addresses in order to enable forwarding. All networks that provide TLS suffer from these problems, not only Ethernet.
Another TLS implementation is to use full mesh connectivity, such as in VPLS or HVLAN, illustrated schematically in FIG. 4. In this implementation, the service 30 is partitioned into all the point to point connections possible between all CPEs out to the edge bridges, and the TLS is implemented over a mesh of unicast, point to point links 32. Each CPE is connected only to its associated edge bridge. Optionally, a separate multicast link 34 can be also added to enable better multicast support. (Since a multicast link (multicast tree) always sends frames to all destinations, regardless of MAC address, there is no need to store customer MAC addresses in the core switches for multicast purposes.)
While this method solves two problems, namely the limited number of VLANs (alleviated by tunneling) and the splitting point at the core (by transforming the service to a set of unicast connections), it still has the drawback of requiring all the edge bridges to store all MAC address of all clients.
An alternative solution proposed for the problem of scalability is known as MAC-in-MAC or PBB (Provider Backbone Bridges), described in the proposed IEEE 802.1ah Provider Backbone Bridges standard. The MAC-in-MAC name refers to the way in which the standard encapsulates Ethernet frames with a Service Provider MAC header. MAC-in-MAC technology overcomes the inherent scalability limitations of VLANs and Q-in-Q networks that make them impractical for use in larger networks by enabling up to 4000 times as many service instances as are supported by traditional VLAN and Q-in-Q networks. Because the switches at the edge encapsulate the traffic with a service provider MAC address, the other switches in the core need only learn the MAC addresses of the core switches.
The problem with PBB arises from the requirements of the edge bridges to provide a bridging instance per customer (as the customer frames are encapsulated with a backbone MAC address) in order to enable TLS. Providing this bridging instance service requires all edge bridges that participate in a specific TLS instance to learn all customers' MACs from all points associated with this service. This leads to huge forwarding tables in the edge devices.
IP networks can also be divided into smaller networks, called subnetworks or subnets. An IP subnet address is created by "borrowing" bits from the host field and designating them as the subnet field. The number of borrowed bits varies and is specified by a subnet mask, which is stored in the router's routing tables. Subnet masks use the same format and representation technique as IP addresses. During IP routing, these subnet masks are used to determine the network (or more specifically, the subnetwork) address.
Subnet masks have recently been proposed by the present applicants' pending application for use in Ethernet networks, in PCT published application WO2008/029415. This application proposes a configurable Ethernet bridge having a filtering database including a plurality of subnet masks for receiving and forwarding frames according to a hierarchical address scheme.
A major problem with subnet masks, as used today, is that the actual addresses are pruned, i.e., only a certain portion is used for routing in the routing tables. And, during pruning, the portion which is not utilized becomes inaccessible for operation, administration and maintenance (OAM). Thus, in case of error in routing or a problem in the network, there is no possibility of retrieving the original address, once a subnet mask has been applied.
A similar problem arises when using conventional tunneling methods of forwarding. Conventional methods (like Q-Q, M-M, HVLAN, etc) reduce the number of forwarding states (i.e., entries in forwarding tables) at the core devices by aggregating many customer service instances (e.g., C-VLANS) into a smaller number of service provider's service instances (e.g., S-VLANs). This is accomplished by forwarding only according to the S-VLAN table. The problem is that, if an OAM operation is needed (for example, to discover why a customer specific service is malfunctioning), it is not possible to check this at the core bridges at a customer level as the core device is only aware of the service tunnels' levels, as a result of the pruning.
Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a packet carrier network which can provide Transparent LAN Services without requiring very large routing tables for MAC addresses, and it would be desirable to use tunneling in such a way that the original service instance remains retrievable in case of need.

Method and system for transparent LAN services in a packet network


A method for forming crystalline solid dispersions (CSDs) of a pharmaceutical agent with low water solubility is described. The properties of the CSDs are described. Also described is the enhancement of bioavailability of the pharmaceutical agent resulting from formation of the CSD.

In the drug development pipeline, nearly 90% of new active chemical entities are considered poorly water soluble drugs based on the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) (Kalepu and Nekkanti, 2015; Tuomela et al., 2016). Hydrophobic drugs exhibit mostly crystalline structure. Those crystalline structures form tightly bonded atoms with high cohesive energy. In addition, hydrophobic drugs exhibit low aqueous solubility, poor absorption, limited dissolution and undesirable drug crystal size growth (Badal Tejedor et al., 2017; Cheow et al., 2014; Curtin et al., 2013; Jensen et al., 2015; Lobmann et al., 2011), resulting in low bioavailability and efficacy. These drugs are not suitable for intravenous (IV) administration because those poorly water-soluble solid aggregated drugs can potentially lead to thrombosis or stroke.
The term solid dispersion in pharmaceutical formulation is defined as systems where the drug is finely dispersed in a carrier or excipient (Baird and Taylor, 2012; Kauppinen et al., 2017; Marano et al., 2016; Martinez et al., 2017). When the poorly water soluble drug is dispersed in a crystalline-carrier, amorphous-polymer-carrier, surfactant polymer carrier, and poorly water soluble-polymer carrier, the solid dispersion technique is called first, second, third and fourth generation solid dispersions, respectively (Vo et al., 2013).
In an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD), the hydrophobic drug is dispersed in an amorphous carrier (Baird and Taylor, 2012; LaFountaine et al., 2017). Classically, the ASD technique involves the dispersion of a crystalline or an amorphous drug in an amorphous polymeric matrix (Baird and Taylor, 2012; Goncalves et al., 2017; Jensen et al., 2015; Saal et al., 2017).
In contrast to ASD, a crystalline solid dispersion (CSD) are systems where the carrier is crystalline not amorphous (Baird and Taylor, 2012; Vo et al., 2013). When, the dispersed drug is either amorphous or crystalline particles or separate molecules in the crystalline carrier, the CSD system is an amorphous precipitation in a crystalline carrier (APCC), an eutectic, and a crystalline solid solution (CSS), respectively (Chiou and Riegelman, 1971; Vo et al., 2013).
Sekiguchi and Obi, reported the first eutectic CSD where urea used as the crystalline carrier was blended with a crystalline sulphathiazole following heating and fusion of the mixture above the eutectic point and rapid cooling of the eutectic mixture (Chiou and Riegelman, 1971; Vo et al., 2013). This latter process, known as the melting method has the advantage of not using a solvent, however the fusion melting method exhibits several limitations.
One limitation is the thermostability and physical degradation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient during the melting, crushing and milling of the resulting solid eutectic mass, respectively (Vo et al., 2013). In addition, the dispersed drug may have a propensity to rapidly crystallize when the carrier-drug mixture is not at the exact eutectic molar composition (Craig, 2002; Vo et al., 2013).
A CSD system is a promising strategy to improve drugs bioavailability when they are, either, molecularly, amorphously or crystalline particulate matter dispersed in a highly water soluble carrier (Kawabata et al., 2010). There are three main methods for solid dispersion especially, the melting method, the solvent method and the melting/solvent method (Vo et al., 2013). A solvent method involving freeze-drying or other drying method may circumvent some of the limitations of the melting method because it may cause less thermal degradation of the drug (van Drooge et al., 2006; Vo et al., 2013).

The Curators of the University of Missouri


A smart home service which is capable of providing an environment in which calling a control command for a device is available via a user terminal protocol to control between the device and a user terminal based on different type of protocol and a control method for the same. The smart home service server connecting at least one device operated based on a first protocol to at least one user terminal operated based on a second protocol, includes an application programming interface (API) controller configured to allow a control command for the at least one device to be called via the second protocol of the at least one user terminal; a filter configured to convert the called control command according to the first protocol; and a control command transmitter configured to transmit the control command converted according to the first protocol, to the at least one device.

Internet was basically developed for the mutual communication between computers operated by people trough transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP), but the research has been progressed to allow all things capable of identifying, calculating and performing the communication, to perform the communication via Internet. A technology to enable all things to communicate is referred to as Internet of Things (hereinafter referred to as "IoT").
IoT is a more advanced stage than Internet or mobile Internet based on the conventional wired communication. IoT has a similar point with the conventional ubiquitous and machine to machine (M2M) in that devices connected to Internet send and receive information with each other and process the information without human intervention, and things send and receive the communication without the dependence on humans, but IoT represents information communication infrastructure configured to extend the concept of M2M to the Internet to enable all things existing in the world to communicate with each other at anywhere and anytime, by connecting all things to a network.
IoT devices may form an IoT network by being connected to a server configured to supply an IoT service. In addition, a user terminal, e.g., a mobile phone capable of receiving a control command may be connected to the server and thus a user is able to easily control the IoT device regardless of time and place.

Smart home service server and control method therefor


A method for controlling movement of a drone is disclosed. A spatial vector between a flight-capable drone and a reference object is computed. The spatial vector defines a direction and a distance by which the drone is spaced from the reference object. Flightpath attributes based on the computed vector are determined. The flightpath attributes include one or more of a flight direction, a flight distance, and a flight speed. The flight direction is variable as a function of the direction of the spatial vector. The flight distance is variable as a function of the distance of the spatial vector. The flight speed is variable as a function of the distance of the spatial vector. In an automated operation, movement of the drone is controlled according to the determined flightpath attributes.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (also known as an aerial drone and occasionally referred to herein simply as a drone) often forms part of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that includes the drone, a remote control device, and a system for communication between the drone and the remote control device. Some systems provide for drone control by an operator without use of a remote control device.
Originally, drones where used primarily in military applications, but their use is expanding to commercial, scientific, recreational, agricultural, and other applications, such as policing, peacekeeping, and surveillance, product deliveries, aerial photography, drone racing, and more. Drones are often configured for relatively low-level flight, typically within viewing range of persons at ground level. Drones are typically intelligent machines with the ability to self-stabilize in air, and hold a GPS position. Many drones have multiple rotors that drive respective spinning propellers to generate lift, with a control system typically maintaining stability of the drone by varying the rotational speeds of the respective propellers.
The headings provided herein are merely for convenience and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the terms used.


The invention relates to a locking system for a rotatable part, in particular in arrangements in which two parts which can be rotated in relation to each other, for example a die and a punch in a stamping apparatus, have to be aligned exactly in relation to each other. In order to provide a positionally accurate mechanical locking system with a simple design, the invention proposes that a gearwheel (3) having an end-side and/or axially effective toothing system (4) is connected to the rotatable part (2) fixedly in terms of rotation, and that at least one toothing segment (5a-5f) which can move to and fro in the direction of the axis of rotation and/or parallel to the axis of rotation of the gearwheel is arranged over the circumference of the gearwheel, wherein the teeth or gaps between the teeth of the toothing segment and gearwheel can be brought into engagement without play.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to a locking system for a rotatable part.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Especially in arrangements in which two parts which can rotate relative to each other must be aligned precisely with respect to each other, a conceivable possibility of locking them consists in allowing two gear wheels, each connected to its own rotary drive, to engage with a spur gear connected to the rotatable part. These two gear wheels then hold the spur gear in the locked position.
A locking system for automobile doors, furthermore, is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,494,754 A. The locking mechanism comprises a toothed segment supported movably on the door, which, to lock the door, engages in a gear wheel with involute teeth held in a stationary position on the vehicle. The gear wheel can rotate until it reaches the locking position of the door and is then locked in that position by coupling rollers, which prevent it from rotating in the opposite direction.
The first conceivable solution is quite complicated and therefore expensive, whereas the door locking system is not suitable for aligning two parts, especially mutually rotatable parts, and for holding them precisely in position.


An electrophotographic imaging unit includes a photoconductor housing, a developer housing, and a support. The photoconductor housing is configured to rotatably support a photoconductor drum. The developer housing is configured to accommodate developer and a developer roller. The support is configured to rotatably support the developer roller at opposite ends thereof. The photoconductor housing and the developer housing are hinged together at one side, and movable relative to each other at another side to open and close the imaging unit to sandwiched the support between the photoconductor housing and the developer housing when the imaging unit is closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging unit and an image forming apparatus using the same, and more particularly, to an electrophotographic imaging unit for use in an image forming apparatus, such as a photocopier, facsimile, and printer, and an image forming apparatus using the same imaging unit.
2. Discussion of the Background
Electrophotographic image forming systems, such as photocopiers, facsimiles, printers, etc., employ an imaging unit in which various imaging components are assembled into a single unit. A typical architecture for electrophotographic imaging includes a photoconductor section accommodating a drum-shaped photoconductor and a developer section accommodating developer and a developer applicator or roller. When assembled, the photoconductor and the developer roller have a spacing or gap therebetween, where the developer passes from one surface to another to develop an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor into visible form during operation.
As variations in the development process greatly affect print quality of the image forming system, maintaining a consistent gap between the photoconductor surface and the developer roller surface is important.
It has been a common practice to form a photoconductor drum axis or a developer roller axis movable within the accommodating section, and to adjust the movable axis relative to the other axis to obtain a desired gap between the photoconductor and the developer roller in the assembled unit. Such gap adjustment is awkward and inefficient in terms of productivity, requiring a special tool to bring the movable axis into proper position. Further, the conventional design involves complicated assembly and disassembly of imaging components, making it difficult to manufacture and maintain the imaging unit.
To overcome such drawbacks, a hinged dual-housing imaging unit has been proposed wherein a photoconductor housing and a developer housing are connected along a common axis around which both housings are pivotable. The photoconductor housing and the developer housing rotatably hold a photoconductor drum and a developer roller, respectively, with a spacing therebetween adjustable by pivoting the housings on the common axis. Both housings have surfaces to contact or mate with each other when the imaging unit is assembled, which restrict movement or pivoting of the housings to maintain the adjusted spacing between the photoconductor drum and the developer roller. The hinged housings can be opened away from each other to facilitate assembly and disassembly of imaging components for maintenance, and the imaging unit can be restored to its proper operational position merely by contacting or mating the corresponding surfaces of the hinged housings, without any precision positioning equipment required.
Despite its advantages over the conventional design, the above-described method based on hinged housings has a drawback in that consistency of the spacing between the photoconductor drum and the developer roller cannot be ensured because it is affected by various factors such as vertical and/or horizontal misalignment between the photoconductor and the developer roller, distortion of the accommodating housings, mismatching between the contacting or mating surfaces, etc., and is therefore hard to control. Addressing this drawback by requiring tight dimensional and positional tolerances is impractical due to high costs required to manufacture various such imaging components with high precision.
Moreover, the above method has another drawback in that the drum-to-roller spacing, once determined, is hard to modify, since it requires modification on the contacting surface that is integral with the photoconductor or developer housing.

Imaging unit and image forming apparatus that adjust and modify a gap between a photoconductor drum and a developer roller


A load-sensitive multi-path valve testing device includes the first, second, and third pressure sensors connected to the T, P, and LS ports of the load-sensitive multi-path valve; an oil outlet of an electronically controlled variable displacement pump connected to the P port of the load-sensitive multi-path valve via an oil supply pipeline; a first proportional relief valve and a first flow sensor connected on the oil supply pipeline; control oil ports of each commutation linkage respectively connected to a control oil source by two proportional pressure reducing valves; two working oil ports of each commutation linkage respectively connected to an oil tank by two proportional relief valves; flow sensors and pressure sensors arranged on two working oil ports of each commutation linkage. A testing method includes: using the device for pressure loss tests, micro-motion characteristic tests and flow saturation resistant characteristic tests.

The load-sensitive hydraulic system is a hydraulic circuit that senses system pressure and flow requirements and provides only the required flow and pressure, so that the load-sensitive control system has a lower power loss and its efficiency is much higher than that of a conventional hydraulic system. Load-sensitive systems are widely used in hydraulic systems of construction machinery, such as truck cranes, excavators, rotary drilling rigs, and concrete pump trucks. Load-sensitive multi-path valve is one of the important components of the load-sensitive system, and its performance directly affects the power loss, micro-motion characteristic, dynamic characteristic and composite action coordination performance of the load-sensitive system.
The influence of the pressure compensation valve in the load-sensitive multi-path valve is not considered in the pressure loss testing method in the JB/T 8729-2013 "Hydraulic multi-path change valve". The measured pressure loss is the sum of the pressure loss and the pressure difference between the pressure compensators, rather than the true pressure loss, and it is impossible to evaluate the pressure loss characteristic of the load-sensitive multi-path valve. The loading process in the existing pressure loss test is loaded with a manual one-way throttle valve, and the multi-path valve commutation adopts a manual proportional pilot valve control. In this way, the adjustment process is inconvenient, and pressure and flow adjustments of the main pump are manually controlled, and the operation is inconvenient. At the same time, the description of the pressure loss testing method, micro-motion characteristic testing method, and saturation resistant characteristic testing method for multi-path valves in the standard are not detailed, and the accurate acquisition of relevant data cannot be achieved during the actual tests.

Load-sensitive multi-path valve testing device and testing method


A dust extractor device of a router has rotatable dust trap part able to be connected with a foot plate of the router and arranged to the side of the routing tool underneath the foot plate, such dust trap part being open toward the routing tool. The foot plate has an access opening for the routing tool. The dust trap part is constituted by an extractor hood with a hood casing at least essentially centered on the axis of rotation and a hood floor. The hood casing and the hood floor extend in the peripheral direction through an angle equal to or less than 180°. The extractor hood is open at its top side and opens into the access opening. The top end region of the extractor hood is rotatably supported on a holder, which is detachably secured to the foot plate and in the position of use extends around the access opening. The top side of the access opening is provided with a covering means, which is detachably attached to the foot plate and covers the access opening, such covering means having in it an access opening for the routing tool. The connection means is, in the position of use, in open connection with the access opening.

The invention relates to a dust extractor device for a router in the case of which the router possesses a foot plate, to be placed on the work to be routed, having an access opening for the passage of a routing tool, such tool being adapted to be connected with the drive shaft of a router drive unit arranged in a vertically adjustable fashion above the foot plate and able to be caused to perform a rotary movement, comprising a dust trap part adapted to be releaseably secured to the foot plate, such dust trap part being arranged to the side of the routing tool in its position of use and being open toward the routing tool able to be turned about the axis of rotation so that during operation the router dust or the like entering the dust trap part is aspirated into an extractor connection means.


A circuit arrangement for scanning optical recording carriers comprises a scanning device, a first control loop for focusing a light beam of the scanning device directed onto the information plane of the recording carrier and a second control loop for guiding the light beam on an information track. The first control loop exhibits a first control amplifier which is supplied with focus error signals and the second control loop exhibits a second control amplifier which is supplied with track error signals. The control amplifiers drive actuators which mechanically guide the scanning device. To compensate for the temperature response of the control gain, controlling elements connected to temperature sensors via gain controllers are arranged in the first and second control loop, which controlling elements temperature-dependently change the gains.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for scanning optical recording carriers.
2. Description of Related Art
In such a circuit arrangement, data which are stored in information tracks on the information plane of the optical recording carrier are accessed by a scanning device of a laser light source, optics and a group of photodetectors. A scanning light beam emitted by the light source is reflected by the information plane and directed through the optics onto the photodetectors. By evaluating the signals of the individual photodetectors, information signals are obtained and supplied to subsequent signal processing circuits and devices. The information signals can be audio, video or data signals.
To achieve a correct reproduction of the information signals, both accurate focusing of the light beam directed onto the information plane of the recording carrier and precise guidance of the light beam along the information tracks is required. Apart from a coarse drive which can be constructed, for example, as spindle in the case of a disc-shaped recording carrier, there is precision tracking by the scanning device in that actuators preferably constructed as electromagnetic microdrives mechanically move its optics. The optics are moved along their optical axis for focusing and shifted perpendicularly to the optical axis or tilted by a small angle for tracking.
The scanning device tracking is initiated by focus error signals and track error signals which are obtained by further evaluation of the signals of the individual photodetectors. The scanning device, the actuators and additionally provided control amplifiers form control loops for the guidance of the scanning device, namely a first control loop for the focus correction and a second control loop for the track correction.
When the control loops operate optimally, the scanning device is always displaced in such a manner that its deviation from the ideal position is just compensated for. This operating mode of the control loops is significantly determined by the gains in the overall control loops, the control gains. To compensate for tolerances of control loop elements, gain controllers are provided by means of which the control gain is set during calibration and adjustment measures during the manufacture of the device.
It has been found in practice that in spite of careful setting of the gain controllers, correct reproduction of the information signals is no longer possible if the circuit arrangement is to be operated under other environmental conditions, particularly other temperatures, than prevailed during the calibration of the control gain. This state can occur even if a device with such a circuit arrangement, for example a CD player, is to be used in the colder season in unheated rooms, or in the other case is located in a particularly hot environment and in addition is exposed to the heat dissipation of other loads. Especially extreme conditions also occur when a device is operated in motor vehicles.

Varying a scanning beam as a function of bearing temperature of an optical lens actuator


A circuit for optimizing a power management system. The circuit includes a first amplifier. The first amplifier is responsive to a first reference signal and operable to supply a first load current. The circuit also includes a second amplifier coupled to the first amplifier. The second amplifier is responsive to a second reference signal and operable to supply a second load current. The second load current is lower in magnitude than the first load current, thereby enabling the first amplifier to operate during a first load condition, and the second amplifier to operate during the first load condition and a second load condition. Further, the circuit includes a resistive element coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier, to isolate the first amplifier from the second amplifier.

Power management includes switching off power or switching to a low power state when a system is in an inactive state. One example of the power management is turning off a display of an electronic device if the electronic device is in idle state for a certain period of time. An example of the system can be an integrated circuit for radio frequency applications.
A system for power management includes a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is a device used for regulating voltage supply. A regulated voltage supply is used to drive a load. In one example, a load can be a resistor. In another example, the load can be an external circuit coupled to the voltage regulator. Often, a system includes varying loads that draws varying load currents from the voltage regulator. In existing techniques, the voltage regulator is used to regulate voltage under varying load currents. However, to stabilize the voltage regulator at varying loads, a high quiescent current is drawn irrespective of whether the system is under a full-load condition or a no-load condition, thereby making the system unreliable. Furthermore, varying loads will vary impedance of the system, thereby making the system unstable.
It is desired to have a voltage regulator that can handle varying loads and function at optimal quiescent current.

Circuit for optimizing a power management system during varying load conditions

Cadence AMS Design India Private Limited


There is disclosed a radio relay arrangement for a radio communication network, the radio relay arrangement including: a first relay arrangement with a first transmitter antenna array adapted for transmitting first signaling and a first receiver antenna array adapted for receiving second signaling. The radio relay arrangement further includes a second relay arrangement with a second transmitter antenna array adapted for transmitting third signaling and a second receiver antenna array adapted for receiving fourth signaling. The first transmitter antenna array and the first receiver antenna array are separated by a metallic separator, and the second transmitter antenna array and the second receiver antenna array are separated by a metallic separator. The first signaling is based on received second signaling, and the third signaling is based on received fourth signaling.

For modern radio communication systems, it is expected that relay nodes are being heavily used. A relay node will receive signalling from a source, and pass it on to another direction, providing the opportunity to counter path loss effects. Such technology seems to be particularly useful and promising in the context of millimeter wave length radio signalling.


A method and apparatus for repairing composite skin structures from a blind side. The method includes using an elongated patch with a compression jig to hold the patch in place while the patch is either bonded in place or fixed in place with countersunk fasteners or both. The patch, when used on composite materials, is constructed and positioned so as to have the same anisotropic load-carrying characteristics as does the material to be repaired. A blind side repair can be completely made in the field without requiring extensive facilities.

The external panels and/or flight control surfaces of in ground support aircraft and military aircraft are exposed to various types of damage ranging from impact to ballistic type damage. This damage can result in stress concentration fractures, which, if not repaired, will propagate and grow with use. Typical prior art methods of repairing such damaged areas in aircraft having metal skin include the step of positioning a metal patch on the exterior of the damaged area so as to overlay the damaged area and overlap the aircraft skin. The patch is then attached to the skin with fasteners and caulked to prevent leakage. This method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,038, to Miller.
It is desirable to use a patch made from the same material as the aircraft skin. Thus, a metal patch is used for a metal-skinned aircraft and a composite patch should be used for a composite-skinned aircraft. However, metallic and composite materials have different physical properties which result in loads being transferred through the materials and patches differently. Metal is isotropic and transfers loads in all directions with equal facility. Composite structures, however, are typically designed to be anisotropic and thus distribute loads well in the direction of the embedded fibrous reinforcing material while transferring loads in other directions less effectively. Therefore, it is extremely important when patching composite materials that the patch be capable of transferring both compressive and tensile loads across the damaged area in a manner so as to cooperate with the isotropic properties of the material to be patched.
In addition to the above, it is highly desirable for both aerodynamic efficiency and the reduction of radar cross section (RCS) that the patch be flush with the adjacent sheet of material. The metallic airplane patch disclosed in Miller is not flush. In addition, a truly flush patch is desirable because the junction between the patch and the material is not affected as much as a nonflush patch by aerodynamic loading. This aerodynamic loading can cause the bond between the patch and the material to loosen such that water and other external elements could enter the junction therebetween to the detriment of the bond.
Difficulty has been encountered in providing a blind-side flush patch in which access to the damaged area is only available from the outside. Such a repair is very difficult in the field because the aircraft component (e.g., the wing section) cannot be disassembled for access to the interior of the wing. Therefore, a need exists for a field repair method and apparatus for forming a structural blind patch in a sheet of composite material.


A hydrothermal treatment device (3) is a hydrothermal treatment device (3) performing hydrothermal treatment by heating high-water-content biomass, the hydrothermal treatment device (3) including a treatment container (21) that stores sludge, a sludge supply unit (22) that supplies the sludge to inside of the treatment container (21) such that a space (S) is formed in a vertical upper part of the treatment container (21), a stirrer (23) that is provided within the treatment container (21) and stirs stored matter such that counter flows in an up/down direction occur, and a heat transfer tube (24) that is disposed in a horizontal direction within the treatment container (21) and heats the sludge with heat of vapor flowing within the heat transfer tube (24).

Although use of carbon-neutral biomass fuels has gathered attention because of the international carbon dioxide emission regulation, wood pellet that is a representative example of biomass fuels costs high, and solutions for manufacturing various biomass fuels are under review, including reduction of costs and so on.
One of such solutions for manufacturing a biomass fuel is a method for manufacturing a biomass fuel from high-water-content biomass such as sewage sludge. However, high-water-content biomass is not hypergolic, and there is a problem that it is difficult to utilize the biomass as a combustion fuel without drying treatment thereon as pretreatment. In order to use high-water-content biomass as a fuel, a large amount of energy is required for drying the biomass because it contains much moisture to be dewatered for drying, which therefore requires treatment of impurities contained in the dewatered moisture and increases the cost. Also, in high-water-content biomass, moisture is constrained within biological cell walls, and a low drying efficiency is therefore a problem.
As a method for improving the efficiency of drying of biomass, a method has been known which supplies vapor having a predetermined temperature and pressure to biomass and thus performs hydrothermal treatment (hydrolysis treatment) thereon so that cell walls of the biomass are destroyed to increase the drying efficiency (For example, PLT 1 and PLT 2).

Hydrothermal treatment device, biomass fuel manufacturing plant, hydrothermal treatment method, and biomass fuel manufacturing method


The invention can be defined in its most general form as a device for sheet material corrugation by means of bending and can be used in production of light core for sandwich panels, and elements of heat-exchange apparatus. The device includes the pivotedly connected in-between shaping and auxiliary systems of dies (4) and the drive for their transformation including the system of vacuumization and the chamber (3) made of flexible gas-proof material where the latter of said systems is fixed. Used to set the system of shaping dies (4) into its initial plane state is the mechanism made in the form of rigid chamber with the perforated cap (2) providing the possibility to connect the chamber to the system of vacuumization. The device also includes the subsidiary flexible removable vacuum chamber (8) wherein the blank (6) from sheet material is placed in contact with the shaping system of dies (4). Said chamber and the transformation drive chamber have a common wall rigidly connected to the shaping and auxiliary systems of dies (4) at locations of their pivot connection.

Known is a device for zigzag crimp production including seesaw shaping elements placed on each side of the shaped material moving in the guides along the base (U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,162. Sheet with alternate protrusions and recesses.—Int. Cl.: B 32 B 15/00.-16 Nov. 1976).
The main short-coming of herein-presented device is the complexity of its structure, high labor expenditures for production of shaping elements, and the impossibility to produce zigzag crimp with large amplitude of zigzag lines.
Known is a device for sheet material corrugation including two systems of dies pivotedly connected to each other along all sides made of similar plane elements placed on each side of the blank and the drive for transformation of these systems from initial to final relief state appropriate to the form of ready-made article (Inventors' certificate no. 1,690,903 USSR, Int. Cl.: B 21 D 13/02. Device for sheet material corrugation.—Bulletin no. 42 of 19 Jul. 1989).
The main short-coming of herein-presented device is the poor quality of the corrugated article and the presence on the blank of removable afterwards allowances due to shift of crimp outlines regarding to the blank edges when transforming. The said short-coming is determined by unequal distribution of stresses onto the blank from the direction of the elements when shaping due to friction of the frame inner surfaces and plane shaping elements.
Known is a device for sheet material corrugation including the system of the upper and the lower dies installed in the frame on each side of the blank having the drive in the form of removable vacuum chamber, rigid form holders, the drive made in the form of power cylinders for raising the upper holder and the upper part of the frame (Inventors' certificate no. 1,755,999 RF, Int. Cl.: B 21 D 13/02. Device for sheet material corrugation.—Bulletin no. 31 of 23 Aug. 1992).
The main short-coming of herein-presented device is the complexity of its structure, high materials consumption, large quantity of operating movements, high labor expenditures for production of form holders, and the absence of the mechanism for setting of the shaping tooling into its initial state; it results in complex mutual placement of the form holders, the systems of dies and the blank wherefore it adversely affects the quality and the cost of ready-made article.
Taken as a prototype is a known device for sheet material corrugation (RF Patent no. 02118217, Int. Cl.: B 21 D 13/00, 27 Aug. 1998) including the systems of the upper and the lower dies transformable with the use of removable vacuum chamber formed by bag from gas proof material fixed on their outer surfaces while the systems of the upper and the lower dies include the primary and the auxiliary shaping systems of dies and a unit for the upper system of dies raising made in the form of frame including the lateral and the longitudinal guiding elements pivotedly connected with the upper systems of dies through sliding vertexes.
Device operation mode includes the following positions: raising of the preliminary stretched out tooling upper part systems of dies to extreme upper position, placement of the sheet blank into the bag onto the tooling lower part shaping system of dies, drawing down of the upper system of dies onto the blank and pressurization of the bag along the front edge with the use of sealing profiles, evacuating air from the cavity formed by the upper and the lower systems of dies and shaping of the article, disconnecting of the tooling from the vacuum line and depressurization of the bag, raising of the frame together with the upper system of dies removing of the blank from the bag, drawing down of the frame and the upper system of dies and simultaneous stretching out of the upper and the lower systems of dies to the initial position defined by the stops installed on the longitudinal guides of the frame.
The main short-comings of herein-presented device are:                the accurate alignment and strict movements timing of the upper and the lower systems units along the full length are difficult to provide due to uncertain manner of frictional forces in the pivots and movable joints of the structure elements;        the absence of the mechanism for setting the shaping tooling into its initial plane state resulting in inaccurate reproduction of the form and the dimensions of the tooling on the blank due to lack of their full reciprocal conjugation;        the complexity of the structure and high materials consumption.

Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “Kazansky Nauchno-Isledovatelsky Institut Aviatsionnoi Tekhnologii”


An electronic device may include antenna structures. Wireless transmitter circuitry such as cellular telephone transmitter circuitry and wireless local area network circuitry may transmit signals using the antenna structures. A wireless receiver may receive signals from the antenna structures through an adjustable-linearity amplifier. The wireless receiver may operate in a receive band such as a satellite navigation system receive band. During operation of the electronic device, control circuitry in the device may analyze the frequencies and powers of the transmitted signals to determine whether there is a potential for interference for the receive band to be generated in the adjustable-linearity amplifier. In response to determining that there is a potential for interference, the control circuitry may increase the linearity of the adjustable-linearity amplifier.

This relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to reducing signal interference in electronic devices such as wireless electronic devices.
Electronic devices such as cellular telephones and other devices often contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include, for example, cellular telephone transceiver circuits for communicating with cellular telephone networks. Wireless communications circuitry in an electronic device may also include wireless local area network circuits, satellite navigation receiver circuitry, and other wireless circuits.
As devices are enhanced to include circuitry that covers more communications bands of interest, it can be challenging to ensure that wireless receivers do not become overwhelmed with radio-frequency interference. If care is not taken, radio-frequency interference from noise sources such as transmitter circuits in a device can adversely affect the performance of a wireless receiver.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide ways to mitigate the effects of signal interference in electronic devices that contain sensitive circuitry such as wireless receivers.

Electronic device with dynamic amplifier linearity control


A recording apparatus performs recording with a recording head having a number of recording elements divided into blocks. The recording apparatus includes a signal generation unit to generate first enabling signals based on inclination information associated with each of the blocks of the recording elements. The first enabling signals are used to enable a data generating unit to generate recording data on a block-by-block basis. The signal generation unit further generates second enabling signals that correspond to the respective first enabling signals delayed by a time interval and enable the recording elements to be driven on a block-by-block basis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to control of image recording using a recording head and particularly to recording control according to inclination (misalignment) of a recording head or nozzle rows (nozzle array) of a recording head.
2. Description of the Related Art
A serial scanning type recording apparatus performs recording by using a recording head (print head) having element rows (also referred to hereinafter as "nozzle rows" and/or "nozzle array"), each containing recording elements (e.g., nozzles from which ink is discharged) arranged in a direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction. The recording apparatus performs printing while scanning a recording medium with the recording head, and transports the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction (which is orthogonal to the main scanning direction). The recording apparatus thus repeats the scanning and transporting process, thereby forming an image on the recording medium.
A typical print head is secured to a carriage holder (hereinafter called "carriage"). Since the print head is positioned such that nozzle rows (nozzle array) thereof are orthogonal to the main scanning direction, dots can be accurately arranged on a recording medium when ink is ejected during the scanning of the recording medium. However, due to manufacturing tolerances and assembly errors, nozzle rows (nozzle array) of the print head are, in fact, often not orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Moreover, the amount of inclination of nozzle rows (nozzle array) caused by assembly errors of the print head may not be consistent and may change every time the user attaches the print head to the recording apparatus.
The inclination of nozzle rows (nozzle array) causes misalignment of lines and colors on a printed image and leads to degraded image quality. Since recent tendencies toward longer and greater number of nozzle rows (nozzle array) and higher resolution cause more noticeable misalignment of lines and colors, a need exists to develop mechanisms for correcting the inclination of nozzle rows (nozzle array).
There is a proposed recording apparatus in which a plurality of heating dots are divided into a predetermined number of heating dot groups according to the amount of inclination of a print head, and print timing is shifted at each heating dot group so as to correct the inclination of the print head. If the amount of head inclination "D" is in the range of [N dots<D≦(N+1) dots] on a print dot basis, a plurality of heating dots are divided into (N+1) heating dot groups. Then, from the first heating dot group at which to start printing, print timing is shifted by one dot at each heating dot group to perform printing.
This print timing is divided into a plurality of segments (blocks) within a period of a pulse signal corresponding to one column (one pixel).
In this recording apparatus, print data that is shifted in a print direction on a dot-by-dot basis is expanded (stored) in an image buffer. Then, after the addition of off-dot data to be used for correction, print timing is shifted to correct the inclination of the print head.
Such a recording apparatus is discussed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-42803 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-137240.
However, in the known techniques described above, data that is shifted on a dot-by-dot basis has to be stored in the image buffer. Therefore, if the amount of data increases due to the increased length of a print head or the increased number of nozzle rows (nozzle array) for multiple ink colors, a problem arises in that a heavier load is placed on control for data processing.
Moreover, in timing control discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-137240, timing adjustment through split driving can be performed only within the range (timing) of one pixel and cannot be performed over the range of one pixel.

Recording apparatus and recording control method


A method for servicing a top drive device of a wellbore drilling installation. The installation comprises a drilling tower, a drill floor having a well center through which a drilling tubulars string can pass along a firing line. A trolley is guided along a vertical trolley rail. A top drive device is attached to the trolley and comprises one or more top drive. A motion arm assembly comprises a base and an extensible and retractable motion arm, wherein the base is guided by a vertical motion arm rail. The motion arm has an operative reach that encompasses the firing line. The motion arm assembly is adapted to support at least one of a well center tool, e.g. an iron roughneck tool and a tubular gripper member, and allowing to bring said well center tool or tubular gripper member in the firing line. In order to remove a top drive motor from the top drive device whilst the rest of the top drive device remains attached to the trolley, the motion arm assembly and/or the trolley are operated so that the top drive motor is within the operative reach of the motion arm, the motion arm is operated to reach the top drive motor and the top drive motor is connected to the motion arm, and then the motion arm is used to support and/or lift, lower said top drive motor upon disconnection thereof from the rest of the top drive device.

In WO2014/182160 an offshore vessel with a wellbore drilling installation is disclosed which comprises:                drilling tower,        a drill floor having a well center through which a drilling tubulars string can pass along a firing line,        at least one vertical trolley rail supported by the drilling tower,        a trolley, said trolley being guided along said at least one vertical trolley rail,        a top drive device attached to the trolley, said top drive device comprising one or more top drive motors, e.g. electric top drive motors, adapted to impart rotary motion to a drilling tubulars string when connected to said top drive device,        a hoisting device adapted to move the trolley with the top drive device up and down along said at least one vertical trolley rails,        a vertical motion arm rail supported by the drilling tower,        a motion arm assembly comprising a base and an extensible and retractable motion arm, wherein the base is guided said at least one vertical motion arm rail, and wherein the motion arm has an operative reach that encompasses the firing line, said motion arm assembly being adapted to support at least one of a well center tool, e.g. an iron roughneck tool, or a tubular gripper member, and allowing to bring said well center tool or tubular gripper member in the firing line,        a vertical motion arm drive adapted to move the motion arm base along said vertical motion arm rail.
In the field, especially in the offshore drilling field, downtime due to equipment failure is considered a major issue. Whilst a drilling or other wellbore related operation involves the use of numerous pieces of equipment, studies seem to indicate that the top drive device is one of the major contributors to undesirable downtime.
The company LeTourneau Technologies Drilling Systems Inc. identified the gearbox as crucial component in this regard and has developed a hollow shaft electric drive motor that acts as a direct drive for the rotary output stem or quill that is driven by the motor. This eliminates the gearbox yet requires a special design of the motor.
In US20130090200 the issue of top drive reliability is also addressed and an alternative structure of the transmission between the electric motors and the rotary quill is disclosed.
Other developments in the field concentrate on enhanced maintenance schedules for equipment, including of the top drive, to prevent failures from occurring.
Notwithstanding the efforts made so far to reduce downtime, failures of top drive devices still occur at the expense of very costly downtime of the drilling installation.

Servicing a top drive device of a wellbore drilling installation


For an automobile emissions fuel vapor storage system, an improved vapor storage canister of the type which utilizes particles of activated charcoal and which includes substantially evenly dispersed pieces of foam rubber among the particles of charcoal. The mixture of charcoal and foam rubber pieces are put into the interior of the canister so that the pieces of foam are compressed so that the charcoal pieces are held tightly together for long periods of time.

1. Field of Invention
This application describes an improved fuel vapor storage canister of the type utilizing activated charcoal and includes pieces of foam rubber dispersed with the particles of charcoal in a manner so that the mixture is packed into the canister sufficiently that the foam is compressed whereby the particles of charcoal are tightly held together over long periods of time.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automobile fuel emission control systems have used fuel vapor storage canisters of the activated charcoal type for some time. Fuel vapors are collected and stored in the canister during certain periods such as when the vehicle is inoperative or when the vehicle's catalyst converter is too cool to effectively operate. The vapors are selectively directed to the combustion chamber for burning during other periods by drawing air from the atmosphere through the canister during what may be referred to as a purging operation.
Storage canisters filled with particles of activated charcoal are particularly effective in storing fuel vapors. The particles of charcoal are initially sized to be easily introduced into the canister but the particles are large enough so that they will not pass through the perforate walls of screens used in the canister to retain the charcoal. Even when the particles are of desired initial size, over time, the pack of charcoal particles settles and becomes loose. In response to the expected vibrations caused by the vehicle, this looseness allows the particles to rub against one another. The rubbings tends to reduce the size of the particles while ultimately the particle size approaches the configuration of dust. Such reduction in size is undesirable as the charcoal cannot be effectively retained in the canister and air has more difficulty passing through the pack of reduced size particles.
There are many patents which show charcoal type vapor storage canisters with solutions to the above identified problem of loose packing and particle reduction. The U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,862; 4,684,382; 4,714,485; 4,750,465 and 4,778,495 disclose this type of canister in which the particles of charcoal are packed into the canister against a thin member of foam material which may also act as a filter. A problem with all of these patents is that the thin foam pad is located remotely from much of the particles of charcoal and the volume of the tin pad is not very great to insure long term tight packing of the charcoal particles.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,110 to Frazier discloses filter and odor adsorbing medium for removing odors from the air of a home or the like. The filter may be plastic foam and the odor adsorbing medium is a mixture of silica gel, activated carbon (charcoal) and zeolite. As in the patents discussed in the previous paragraph, the foam filter material may help to maintain the granular material tightly packed. However, the same limitations apply to this patent.


The measurement of electrokinetic potential is of importance in paper-making. A measuring cell (12) for a specific potential known as streaming potential of the kind disclosed in EP B1 0 079 726 is now provided with measuring electrodes (40, 42) of a metal which forms a reversible electrochemical reaction with pure water to oxidize the metal. The electrodes (40, 42) used in the measurement mode in the cell have a film comprising an oxide of the metal electrochemically formed thereover. Such electrodes are found to give more stable and consistent measurement than the stainless steel electrodes used previously. Silver, lead, copper and alloys such as lead and silver are preferred. The measuring electrodes (40, 42) are regenerated within the cell (12) through electrochemical reduction to bare metal, followed by oxidation to re-form the film. This is performed with the aid of auxiliary electrodes (60, 62) in the cell. A control system (50) for the measurement and regeneration mode is described. Excess excursions of the measurement mode voltage are monitored to indicate that the regeneration procedure is to be entered. The measuring electrode (42) in the cell compartment (22) in which the measurement pad is formed is provided with a shroud (13) to protect it during the flushing of the pad from the mesh (14) in the cell.

FIG. 1 of EP B1 079 726 shows the main elements of the described measuring cell. The cell cavity is divided into two compartments by a mesh. As illustrated the mesh is horizontal, providing upper and lower compartments. A respective measuring electrode projects into each compartment. The operation of the cell in brief is that the paper stock is fed to the lower compartment to build a pad of fibrous material on the underside of the mesh, the cell being generally full of the water component of the stock. The pad is then subject to controlled pressure conditions across the pad and a potential difference measurement is made between the electrodes at the established pressures to obtain a measurement of streaming potential. This is discussed in detail in the prior patent.
The described measurement cell and its manner of operation are considered to provide a substantial advance in the art of measuring streaming potential, particularly in providing an effective means of on-line measurement on a paper-making machine. The cell particularly described in the patent utilises stainless steel electrodes. It was found that in long-term use, irregularities and drifts could arise in measurements made with the cell. Investigation has revealed that these irregularities were related to an electrochemical potential effects arising from oxidation of the stainless steel. The nature of the surface oxide film that forms on stainless steel is very variable.
In seeking for alternative materials it has also been found that avoiding the build up of an oxide film is not necessarily the answer. The present investigation has shown that there may also be a capacitance effect at the electrode/water interface which causes drift in potential measurement. This capacitance is very high. Measurements on gold electrodes, which do not readily oxidize, have indicated a capacitance value of 20 .mu.F/cm.sup.2.
This capacitance is a direct consequence of polarization of the electrode in the stock being measured. There is an inevitable but quantifiable polarization in tap water. However, polarization effects also result from chemicals being absorbed onto the electrodes from the stock being measured. These are not quantifiable, particularly having regard to the wide variation that occurs in the constituents of paper-stock. It has been found that gold electrodes suffer from such absorption. The electrode then forms the equivalent of a polarized electrolytic capacitor with an ionised layer in the stock within a few molecules of the electrode surface. This gives rise to the high capacitance per unit area quoted above and the better the quality of the capacitor formed, that is the lower the leakage current, the less suited is the electrode for the measurements required.
Thus there is a general requirement to use for the electrodes metals that have the least possible polarization and for any resulting capacitance to be of poor quality, that is have a high leakage current. The metals proposed in accordance with the present invention have a reversible electrochemical reaction with pure water to oxidise the metal.


A broadcasting receiver for receiving a digital broadcast of the invention has a sub-channel changing-dedicated operation key so that upon reception of an instruction sent from this operation key, such a sub-channel that is adjacent in a predetermined direction in the same main channel may be selected in switch-over. If the desired channel cannot be found in the predetermined direction when an upward channel-movement instruction is received, such a sub-channel is selected that has the largest or smallest channel number. Thus, it is possible to accommodate a digital broadcast that has a hierarchical construction consisting of the main channel and the sub-channels and also that has a frequently fluctuating channel configuration, thus avoiding a delay in time required for channel changing.

The invention relates to a channel selection device used in a digital/analog broadcasting receiver and a digital/analog broadcasting receiver equipped with the same.
There has conventionally been available such a channel selection device used in digital/analog broadcasting receivers that permits the user to use input device to select a desired channel and decide whether this channel is of digital or analog broadcasting by referencing a digital/analog channel table listing the channels capable of viewing digital/analog broadcasts based on a digitally input channel number or using the channel UP/DOWN keys, thus causing a tuner thereof to receive a broadcasting signal of the desired channel (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-164214).
Although, TV broadcasts are typically put on an air in analog origination, recently such digital broadcasts are originated and prevailing rapidly that are represented by a BS (Broadcasting Satellite) digital broadcast capable of improved high-picture-quality and multi-channel broadcasting and a CS (Communications Satellite) digital broadcast. The digital broadcasts in the North America, for example, are standardized by the ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) to be originated through a physical channel different from analog broadcasting. In these broadcasts, many digital broadcasts are originated from the same or the same system of a broadcasting station as that for the conventional analog broadcasts, in which case to improve ease-to-use of the users accustomed to the conventional analog broadcasting channels, such a virtual channel that is assigned the same channel number as that for the conventional analog broadcasting is used in operation to enable channel selection and display.
Also, in digital broadcasting, each channel is assigned a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency band different from that of analog broadcasting. This channel is referred to as a main channel, which each contains one or a plurality of sub-channels for originating contents. The configuration of the sub-channels changes with a broadcasting time band, one of which is exemplified in FIG. 5 which shows a configuration of the sub-channels in a time band (8:00 PM to 12:00 PM) that has a main channel "4".
In FIG. 5, in broadcasting, sub-channels of Nos. 0 to 4 are selected for 8:00 to 9:00 PM, sub-channels of Nos. 0 and 1 are selected for 9:00 to 10:00 PM, sub-channels of Nos. 0 to 4 are selected for 10:00 to 11:00 PM, and sub-channels of Nos. 0 to 3 are selected for 11:00 to 12:00 PM. The sub-channel of No. 0 (physical channel No. of 4-0) involves analog broadcasting according to the NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) Standard, while the sub-channels of Nos. 1 to 4 (virtual channels Nos. 4-1 through 4-4) involve digital broadcasting. Also, a TV program broadcast through the channel 4-0 is a prior art analog-broadcast one, an SD (Standard Definition) program broadcast through the channels 4-1 through 4-4 are digital broadcast standard-picture-quality one, and an HD (High Definition) program broadcast through the channel 4-1 is a high-picture-quality digital broadcast.
In digital broadcasting, the information (hereinafter referred to as channel information) of such fluctuating channel configuration as described above is originated together with a video signal etc. In the digital broadcasting receiver, therefore, the digital broadcasting signal can be received at a tuner and then decoded at a digital decoder to thereby analyze a VCT (Virtual Channel Table) contained in the resultant decoded signal, thus obtaining the channel information of the relevant broadcast.
There is such a prior art digital/analog broadcasting receiver's channel selection device that decodes and analyzes a broadcasting signal to obtain a VCT (Virtual Channel Table) containing virtual channel information based on PSIP (Program System Information Protocol) and hold a channel map storing this table, so that when the user changes or select a channel, based on this channel map, an EPG (Electric Program Guide) functioning as an interface is used to display a channel selection display to thereby operate the key (e.g., UP key/DOWN key) at the body's operation panel or remote-control panel, thus enabling him to change or select the channel. Although this configuration eliminates the troublesome necessity of inputting a channel number, if there is no sub-channel adjacent in a keyed-in direction in the same main channel, this main channel is changed.
For example, between 11:00 PM and 12:00 PM in FIG. 5, if the user press the DOWN key thinking that channel "4-4" is present when receiving a broadcast through channel "4-3", the main channel (adjacent main channel, e.g. channel "5") is also changed. The main channel is actually changed by changing the frequency received at the tuner, obtaining a VCT containing sub-channel information in the adjacent main channel, and, based on this information, extracting any sub-channel's broadcasting signal. The VCT, in particular, is originated as mixed with the broadcasting signal for each predetermined time lapse, so that it takes a considerable time to undergo these steps to thereby change the main channel. When the channel UP/DOWN keys are thus used to change the main channel, therefore, the channel selection step takes a long time, thus providing inconvenience. Also, users may have a favorite main channel (broadcasting station) and so want to change only sub-channels in this main channel, in which case also the channel UP/DOWN keys may be used mistakenly to thereby change the main channel against the user's will.

Channel selection device for use in a digital/analog broadcasting receiver for reception of main and sub channels


An IC according to the present invention contains a counter, which includes a plurality of incomplete coincidence detection circuits each associated with a different one of a corresponding number of flip-flops storing respective bit data of an aimed value, each incomplete coincidence detection circuit including a first logic element for receiving a Q or Q output of said associated flip-flop and a one-bit output from a bit location of the counter corresponding to the different flip-flop, and a second logic element for receiving an output of the first logic element and the other of the Q and Q output of the different flip-flop to provide a coincidence detection signal, the detection circuit being adapted to detect a coincidence of the aimed value with the count value when all of the incomplete coincidence detection circuits output the coincidence detection signals.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an integrated circuit (IC) including a counter circuit and a one-chip microcomputer thereof and, particularly, to an IC including a counter circuit for outputting a count end pulse every time a desired value is counted, and which is capable of reducing the number of logic elements constituting the counter circuit so that other circuits can be integrated therewith.
2. Background Art
FIG. 5 shows a conventional counter circuit 100 included in an IC. The counter circuit 100 counts clock signals and externally supplied input signals until the total number reaches a set count, and then produces a count end pulse. Reference numerals 10, 20, 30 and 40 depict a register, a counter, a counter value coincidence detection circuit and a stop circuit for stopping production of the count end pulse, respectively.
The register 10 receives a data value G from other circuits and stores it. The counter 20 receives a countable signal F such as a clock signal, a event signal input externally, increments its count and, responsive to an initializing signal E, clears its count value.
The count coincidence detection circuit 30 includes single bit coincidence detection circuits corresponding in number to the number of bits of the register 10 and hence the counter 20, although only two, 31 and 32, of them are shown, and an end signal generator circuit 33 for producing a count end signal when all detection signals are generated.
The coincidence detection circuits 31 and 32 are provided for respective digits of the counter 20 and are usually constituted with exclusive OR elements. Each exclusive OR element receives an output signal A from a Q output of a flip-flop 11 for a certain digit of the register 10 and an output signal B of 1 bit corresponding to that digit of the counter 20, and outputs the result of an exclusive OR operation performed on them as a bit coincidence detection signal C. The end signal generator circuit 33 is usually constituted with an AND gate. In FIG. 5, a negative logic input AND gate 33 is used which provides a count end pulse D when all of the exclusive OR gates 31, 32 output the coincidence signals C.
The Stop circuit 40 is constituted with a delay circuit 41 in this example and is responsive to the count end pulse D to output an initializing signal E after a certain time has elapsed from a start of output of this signal. Upon receiving the initializing signal E, the counter 20 is initialized, so that the counter value becomes different from the aimed value held in the register 10. Therefore, the output of the AND gate 33 is stopped, which determines the width of the count end pulse D by a delay time of the delay circuit 41.
The initialized counter starts again to count the signal F up to the aimed value held in the register 10, and the above mentioned operation is repeated, so that the count end pulse D is generated whenever the counter counts the signals F corresponding in number to the aimed value. Such a counter circuit is included in an IC and used as a frequency divider and/or a timer, etc.
Usually, the coincidence detection circuit is constituted with the exclusive OR gates 31 and 32, each being constituted with a NOR gate 31c for receiving the A and B outputs, an AND gate 31b for receiving the A and B outputs and a NOR gate responsive to outputs of the NOR gate 31c and the AND gate 31b for providing the coincidence signal c. The exclusive OR gate 31 may be realized with 10 CMOS transistors, which means that the number of transistors is larger than that of an AND or an OR gate, which can be realized with several transistors.
Further, in such a counter circuit, the number of the coincidence detection circuits must correspond to the number of the digits of the aimed value. Therefore, the coincidence detection circuit 30 of this kind of counter circuit 100 occupies a large percentage of the area on a chip, which means that other circuits cannot be integrated on the same chip.

IC including counter circuit and one chip microcomputer thereof


The present invention relates to a lifting and transporting device. The device of the invention is useful for lifting and moving any object which has a pair of spaced apart wheels but is particularly adapted for the lifting and transporting of hospital beds. The bed lifter includes an improved means of supporting the load of a bed and/or bed/patient combination during lifting and transportation.

A variety of lifting and transportation devices for hospital beds are known. However, known problems with existing devices is their potential to topple forwards when the load of a bed and patient combination is significant or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, if a patient carries significant weight, the skilled addressee would understand how this may cause a transportation device to topple forwards.
Proposed solutions to this problem include balancing the load of the bed using a ballast, and in doing so attempting to support the load more centrally over the bed mover chassis. However, for some bed-mover designs, such solutions are not appropriate.
Another problem that exists in prior art bed movers is that their jaw mechanisms, which serve to grip part of the bed, often fail to provide sufficient clearance beneath obstructions such as bed pedals, as well as mid-height obstacles such as bed brake pedals. The result is that the bed mover may not be universally usable. There are also inherent issues with existing jaw assemblies known to the Applicant in their inability to correctly engage a bed or part thereof prior to lifting, particularly when wheels of the item are being lifted and are not positioned exactly parallel with the centreline of the device.

Lifting and transporting device including front load supporting castors and associated linkage system


In order to achieve improved dose control, a device for irradiating an object having an optically observable property is provided. The device includes an applicator for irradiating the object, and a detector system that is configured to capture light being emitted from an irradiated region and, based thereon, to generate a detector signal. A processor unit is configured to calculate a value for the property based thereon and, based on the calculated value, to determine a dose for the irradiation.

The present embodiments relate to controlled irradiation of an object to which a substance having an optically observable property has been added.
In intraoperative radiation therapy, a tumor resection is performed, followed by an application of an ionizing radiation to the tissue adjoining the previously removed tumor. In this way, it is aimed, for example, to kill tumor cells that have infiltrated into the healthy tissue directly by a high radiation dose, while the deeper-lying tissue receives only a low dose. Applications include, for example, tumors in the brain, in the ear, nose, and throat tract, in the abdomen, in the pelvis, in the spinal column, in the skin, or in the breast.
In known methods, use is made, for example, of standard applicators that are configured to generate a certain dose distribution around the applicator, depending on tumor localization. The aim here is to generate a maximally homogeneous spherical applicator radiation characteristic or a radiation characteristic going in a specific preferred direction. With known methods, it may be problematic or difficult to achieve a uniform or precise radiation dose over the entire surface of the tissue that is to be irradiated. For example, it is problematic if the tissue regions containing tumor cells are not irradiated or are irradiated with too little dose, or if healthy tissue is irradiated with an unnecessarily strong dose. In one embodiment, when a movement of the tissue (e.g., the organ) occurs during the irradiation, due, for example, to the breathing of the patient, the dose may fluctuate in an undesirable manner. The actual dose of the ionizing radiation applied to the tissue is heavily dependent on the precise placement of the applicator in relation to the tissue.
Ionizing radiations, such as gamma or beta rays, may also be used for treating non-organic objects, such as, for example, medical tools or foodstuffs (e.g., for radiation disinfection or sterilization). Similar problems are encountered here also.
The publication DE 10 2012 002 466 A1, for example, describes an applicator for use in radiation therapy. The applicator has an angled shape in order to enable a preferred radiation direction to be set relative to a main axis of the applicator. The applicator may, for example, include a diaphragm having a diameter that may, for example, define a penetration depth of the radiation into the tissue.